The fall foliage color change is one of the most gorgeous spectacles nature performs – one you most definitely want to see with your own eyes. The days are getting shorter, making more time to get cozy at the end of a full day of hiking, biking, exploring, and fun. It’s perfect evening weather for fireside sits to watch the night sky and the show of stars above. Mother Nature is on her best behavior in the Blue Ridge Mountains during fall.
Visiting McDowell County during the fall will leave a mark – make sure to plan which festivals align with your travel dates, so you don’t miss any of the fall events in McDowell County during your stay.
September Events
September 6th: 2nd Annual Fungi Fest at the Marion Tailgate Market
- Location: Marion Tailgate Market, Marion, NC
- Time: 10A - 2P
- Details: This free-to-the-public event is happening at the weekly Marion Tailgate Market, so expect the regular (wonderful) market vendors, plus the Kids' Corner with activities and a mushroom puppet craft, live music, and food trucks. A variety of fresh mushrooms will be for sale from local professional mushroom foragers and cultivators, and local chefs will be showcasing delicious dishes and cooking demos with mushrooms. Culinary mushroom grow kits will be available for folks to take home the FUN! If you like foraging, check this out.
September 6th: 8th Annual Micropolitan Film Festival
- Location: Historic Marion Depot, Marion, NC
- Time: Saturday 2 - 8 P
- Details: This afternoon celebration of short films from North Carolina will include an early afternoon screening, a break for dinner, and then screenings of 8 selected films. Following these, there will be a short awards ceremony and an after-party at The High Dive. Tickets are available through mcdowellarts.org.
September 11th-14th: Float Life Fest (FLF8)
- Location: Camp Grier, Old Fort, NC
- Details: It’s the OG and longest-running Onewheel gathering, and it just happens to be in McDowell County. Enthusiasts are welcome! Take part in days of skills challenges and racing, group rides, and riding clinics. Camp Grier has some special surprises in store, in addition to the Onewheel park, ramps, and specialty vendors. It’s everything Onewheel - Go float!
October Events
October 11th: Mountain Glory Festival
- Location: Downtown Marion, NC
- Time: 9A - 4P
- Details: One of the largest fall events in McDowell County, this street fair covers three blocks and features more than 150 vendors. If you enjoy shopping for handmade and craft items, put this on your agenda. There are two stages for live music, tons of food and drink options, and fun for the kiddos. We hear Bigfoot just may be there, too.
October 18th: Geyser Growl Half Marathon
- Locations: Black Mountain to Old Fort, NC
- Time: 8A -12N
- Details: This is a peak leaf season race taking runners through Black Mountain, by Andrews Geyser, ending in Old Fort at Hillman’s Beer, where cold beer and warm soup await.
October 24th: Halloween Dance
- Location: Historic Marion Depot, Marion, NC
- Time: 4:30 - 7:30P
- Details: Here’s a special one for the kids! Free to attend and offering free pizza and drinks, come for the kid-friendly DJ music, games, and candy. Get everyone dressed up for Halloween and enjoy this one family style.
October 31st: Old Fort Boo Bash
- Location: Main Street & Catawba Ave, Old Fort, NC
- Time: TBD (stay up to date on Facebook)
- Details: Food, candy, live music, contests, movies, trunk or treat, & more
October 31st: Downtown Marion Trick-R-Treating
- Location: Downtown Marion, NC
- Time: 4P -5:30P
- Details: This free, family-friendly event is organized and supported by your local Downtown businesses and organizations. Participating businesses will be handing out candy to little ghouls and goblins, and some will be hosting special spooky activities for the community.
Ongoing Fall Events
Saturdays and Sundays: Live Music at the Orchard at Altapass
- Location: Orchard at Altapass, NC
- Time: 2 - 4P
- Details: Free music series featuring regional musicians performing on the farm. The Apple Core Grill is open on the weekend and serving delicious sandwiches and sides. Pick some apples! Enjoy a tractor ride. Soak it all in at the Orchard.
Throughout Fall: McKinney Farm Harvest
- Location: Nebo, North Carolina
- Time: Learn more here
- Details: 3rd year providing a pumpkin patch for all ages. The haunted trail is also available every Friday and Saturday in October.
