ASHEVILLE, N.C. 828newsNOW — The final weekend of September brings fall events, community gatherings, live music and outdoor activities to Asheville and Western North Carolina, with several events centered on local neighborhoods, animals, arts and seasonal traditions.
Events scheduled Sept. 25-27 include the Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival in Asheville, Blue Ridge Pride Festival, the Black Mountain Blues Experience, Sarge’s Downtown Dog Walk, the Haywood County Fair, Art Along the River and several concerts across the region.
Here’s a look at some of the events scheduled for the weekend.
Weekend at a glance
- Family-friendly: Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival, Clawtoberfest, Sarge’s Downtown Dog Walk or Haywood County Fair
- Festival: Blue Ridge Pride Festival
- Live music: Black Mountain Blues Experience, Gov’t Mule and Ziggy Marley, Houndmouth and Molly Tuttle or Rising Appalachia
- Outdoors: Birding Walk or Goat Yoga in Asheville
- Arts and culture: Art Along the River
Family-friendly & community
Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival
Eliada Homes, Asheville
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
The Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival offers a seasonal outing with a corn maze and fall activities. The festival is also connected to Eliada’s broader mission serving children and families.
Clawtoberfest
Highland Brewing, Asheville
Saturday, noon | Prices vary
Clawtoberfest’s community event is family friendly. The event includes Oktoberfest-inspired activities, food, drinks, and games in the Meadow.
Sarge’s Downtown Dog Walk
Downtown Waynesville, Waynesville
Saturday, 10 a.m. | Registration may apply
Sarge’s Downtown Dog Walk brings dogs and their owners to downtown Waynesville for a community walk supporting Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation. The event gives participants a way to support animal rescue while spending time downtown.
Haywood County Fair 2025
Haywood County Fairgrounds, Waynesville
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
The Haywood County Fair includes agricultural displays, livestock, rides, food, exhibits and community activities. The fair highlights local farming, youth programs and county traditions.
Festivals
Blue Ridge Pride Festival
Pack Square, Downtown Asheville
Friday-Saturday | Free admission
Blue Ridge Pride Festival brings Pride events, vendors, entertainment and community programming to Asheville. The festival focuses on LGBTQ+ visibility, resources and community gathering in Western North Carolina.
Black Mountain Blues Experience
Downtown Black Mountain, Black Mountain
Friday-Sunday | Prices vary
The Black Mountain Blues Experience brings blues music to venues and public spaces around Black Mountain. The weekend includes performances, community programming and music-focused events across town.
Live music & nightlife
Gov’t Mule & Ziggy Marley
Hellbender, Asheville
Friday | Ticketed
Gov’t Mule and Ziggy Marley perform Friday at Hellbender in Asheville. The concert brings together Gov’t Mule’s Southern rock and jam-band sound with Marley’s reggae catalog and musical legacy.
Houndmouth + Molly Tuttle
Hellbender, Asheville
Saturday | Ticketed
Houndmouth and Molly Tuttle perform Saturday at Hellbender, with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country also listed on the bill. The lineup includes folk, roots, country and Americana-influenced music.
Rising Appalachia Hurricane Helene Anniversary Shows
Pisgah Brewing, Black Mountain
Sunday, 3 p.m. | Ticketed
Rising Appalachia performs as part of a Hurricane Helene anniversary show. The event connects live music with reflection on the storm’s impact and ongoing recovery across the region.
Outdoors & daytime
Birding Walk
Lake Julian Park, Arden
Saturday, 8 a.m. | Registration may apply
The Birding Walk gives participants a guided chance to observe local birds and learn more about species found in the area. Check the event listing for meeting location, registration details and weather guidance.
Goat Yoga in Asheville
Asheville area, Asheville
Saturday, 9 a.m. | Ticketed
Goat Yoga in Asheville combines a yoga class with time around goats. The event is intended as a light outdoor activity and includes animal interaction as part of the class experience.
Arts and culture
Art Along the River
River Arts District, Asheville
Friday-Sunday | Free admission
Art Along the River brings artists, studios and visitors together in Asheville’s River Arts District. The event includes opportunities to visit working studios, view art and connect with artists along the river.
Looking ahead
Additional fall festivals, concerts, markets and outdoor events are scheduled across Asheville and Western North Carolina in October. Find more local listings on the 828newsNOW events calendar.
Note: Event details are subject to change. Some events may be delayed, rescheduled or canceled because of weather or other conditions. Check official event listings for the latest updates before attending.