Local Fall Festivals

Clayton Harvest Festival

October 26–29; Thursday, 5–10 p.m.; Friday, 5–11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m.: Sunday, noon–9 p.m.

This four-day festival in downtown Clayton features carnival rides, a barbecue cook-off, kids activities and car, motorcycle and tractor shows.

claytonharvestfestival.com

Falling for Local

October 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.    

Take the family for hay rides, inflatables, lawn games, kids activities and a free pumpkin patch.

The Big Field at Dorothea Dix Park
101 Blair Drive, Raleigh

shoplocalraleigh.org

Festifall Arts Market & More

October 14, 21 and 28; 1–6 p.m.

Chapel Hill’s annual fall arts festival features three separate markets in the downtown district offering interactive art experiences, entertainment and artisan vendors.

chapelhillarts.org/festifall-arts-market-more

North Carolina State Fair

October 12–22; visit the website for hours and rates

Rides, music, live entertainment, livestock competitions and every fried food you can imagine highlight this annual fair and agricultural exposition at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.

4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh

ncstatefair.org

Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village
September 30, noon–4 p.m.
This German-inspired festival features traditional foods, fall brews, live music and fun activities.

8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh

lafayettevillageraleigh.com/oktoberfest

PoeFest
October 21, 1–4 p.m.

The Poe Center for Health Education (224 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh) hosts PoeFest, a free community festival to celebrate healthy choices. Enjoy food and prizes, interactive theaters, local entertainment and more. Free books and produce will be available, along with fun at the KidsLab. 

poehealth.org/events/poefest-community-festival-2023

Triangle Oktoberfest

October 6, 5–10 p.m.; October 7, noon–4 p.m. and 4–8 p.m.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre turns on the Bavarian charm with live music, authentic cuisine, beer sampling, wiener dog races, a German car show and a Kinder Platz. Tickets are $15–$25 per person; free for ages 16 and younger.

8003 Regency Parkway, Cary

triangleoktoberfest.org

Wendell Harvest Festival

October 7, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Celebrate fall’s arrival in downtown Wendell with a parade, stage performances, vendors, food trucks and an evening concert.
wendellchamber.com