High Country Events Calendar This Week 2026 - events and festivals for Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro
This events calendar is updated weekly every Monday by the NC High Country Regional Visitor Center staff.  The newest print version is also available for pick up every Monday in the visitor center located between Boone & Blowing Rock.  Screenshot to your phone for easy reference!

MILL CAMP FREE WALKING TOURS 
Every Monday, 12 pm, Mill Camp Wines & Ciders, Boone 
Join us for a casual, behind the scenes tour and learn about Mill Camp Wine & Ciders’ land, cellar, and history. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Call or text 828-222-3992. These tours are free and open to all ages!

KING STREET MARKET
October 13, 3:30- 6:30, 126 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone
Enjoy delicious honey and jams, farm fresh produce and bread, skin care, plants and crafts available every week!

COTTONWOOD BARK CARVING DEMONSTRATION
October 15-17, 10-4pm, Moses Cone Manor, Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock
Tom Gow will be demonstrating how he carves whimsical cottages out of the thick bark of fallen cottonwood trees. This demonstration will be held on the front porch of the Moses Cone Manor

AVERY COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
October 15, 3-6pm, Historic Banner Elk School Grounds, Banner Elk
Local produce, meats and more

OLD TIME JAM
October 15, 7-10pm, Jones House Community Center, Downtown Boone
Bring your banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin - or whatever old-time acoustic instrument you have - and spend a few hours playing along with fellow musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds. Guests and visitors are welcome to observe and enjoy the music but are asked to be respectful of the musicians.

FLANNEL FEST AND FALL LEAF LOOKER HAYRIDE
October 16, 5-7pm, Buckeye Recreation Center, Beech Mountain
Enjoy a scenic sunset hayride through the colorful fall foliage. Take part in fun games and activities for all ages. Savor the taste of freshly roasted corn and watch our old-fashioned apple press turn fresh apples into delicious cider. Perfect for families, friends, and anyone who loves the sights, smells, and flavors of fall in the High Country.

MOUNTAIN STAGE WITH KATHY MATTEA
October 16, 7pm, Schaefer Center, AppState, Downtown Boone
Be a part of the live radio audience as Mountain Stage records an episode for NPR Music with host Kathy Mattea!

JEFF LITTLE TRIO
October 16, 7:30pm, Ashe Arts Center, West Jefferson
Mixing Appalachian traditions and an innovative edge, the Jeff Little Trio delivers high-energy shows fueled by amazing musicianship. Rooted in music from the Blue Ridge mountains, Jeff’s virtuosic piano drives their remarkable sound. Award winning musicians Steve Lewis and Luke Little provide intricate guitar, banjo and mandolin. Together they bridge past and present, resonating both history and innovation. From NPR to international stages, their shows have captivated audiences across the globe

WATAUGA COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
October 17, 8-12pm, Horn in the West Parking Lot, Boone
Offers local produce, meats, and flowers plus live music, cooking demos and children's activities

ASHE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
October 17, 8-1pm, Backstreet Park, Downtown West Jefferson
Fill your baskets with fresh local produce, homemade baked goods, and one-of-a-kind creations from talented artisans & crafters. Enjoy Fall Harvest Soups, fresh-baked goods, and FUN for the kids- including Friend of the Library Wooly Worm Races!

WOOLLY WORM FESTIVAL
October 17, 9-5pm, 18, 9-4pm, Downtown Banner Elk
Up to 1,000 worm racers vie for the top position and the honor of having their worm predict the upcoming winter weather at the festivals famous woolly worm races. In addition food, over 150 craft vendors, great music all weekend, kids activities are available.

VALLE COUNTRY FAIR
October 17, 9-4pm, Valle Country Fairgrounds, Banner Elk (*In Valle Crucis, but use Banner Elk for correct address)
Hand-made crafts, home-cooked food and mountain music make this fall festival and community celebration an authentic slice of Blue Ridge culture! All proceeds help people in need. Free admission, $10 parking per vehicle.

MOUNT JEFFERSON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
October 17, 11:30-2:30pm, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area Picnic Shelter, West Jefferson
Join park staff for an afternoon of fall themed arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, birthday cake, and a guided fall foliage hike to one of our most popular overlooks. This is a FREE public program. All ages are welcome!

TRAIL TO VICTORY: THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN
October 17, 12-3pm, Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, Boone
Step into the heart of the 1780 Kings Mountain Campaign and witness the pivotal events that shaped the American Revolution. This immersive museum experience leads you into the heart of the harrowing events leading up to the October 7, 1780 battle, places you amidst the chaos of the conflict, and allows you to experience the battle's repercussions from the perspectives of both Patriots and British soldiers.

LIVE MUSIC
October 17-18, 2-4pm, Historic Orchard at Altapass, Blue Ridge Parkway
Live traditional music on the newly renovated pavilion stage every Saturday from 2-4pm. Come have a seat and listen to great music performed by regional musicians. The views are unforgettable, and dancing is always encouraged.

GHOST TOURS OF WILKES COUNTY
October 17, 7:30pm, Wilkes County Heritage Museum, Wilkesboro
Tour the historic Wilkes County Jail where Tom Dooley was held and walk the historic streets. Pre-paid reservations are required and cost $15. Call to reserve at 336-667-3171

CAROLINA COMEDY PARLOR
October 17, 7pm, Mysterium, Downtown Boone
Your destination for laughter, astonishment, and pure live magic entertainment. This is not a big-stage spectacle; it’s a front-row experience in a charming parlor theater where every seat is the best seat in the house.

BLACK LIGHT MINE TOUR
October 17, 8pm, Emerald Village, Spruce Pine
See vivid greens, reds, and blues come to life before your eyes! Discover a hidden world of beauty at night in the Bon Ami Mine, one of the few places in the world where you can see this rare phenomenon. Extensive deposits of Hyalite Opal and other rare minerals respond with fantastic colors.

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