Events

Jousting knights on horseback, fantastic falconry, fairies, dragons, and feasting! So much excitement, all live, and you are a part of it, The Carolina Renaissance Festival will be held Saturdays and Sundays October 4 through November 23, 2025, 9:30am-5:30pm. Tickets are now available. See our article for information and tickets.

Create your own scroll painting inspired by works in Brandon Sadler: The Path of Totality, on October 11, 11am-2pm, in the Auditorium Lobby at North Carolina Museum of Art, NCMA (formerly SECCA), 750 Marguerite Dr, Winston Salem. The 2nd Saturday provides opportunities for all ages to enjoy free, hands-on art-making and free admission to explore …

Come in costume to this free event hosted by Winston-Salem Parks & Recreation on October 11 from 4:30 – 6:3pm at Bolton Park, 1590 Bolton Street, Winston-Salem. Enjoy family fun with games, prizes, and candy from local vendors.

Siren Series Jazz every Monday night at Footnote Coffee and Cocktails at 6pm located at 634 W 4th Street Suite #120, Winston-Salem. Free entry. Full bar and dinner service from Foothills Brewpub is available.

The Katharine Brasserie and Bar, located in The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, 401 N Main Street, Winston-Salem, features live jazz performances every Thursday in October from 5 to 9 pm. The Chris Crutcher Trio will perform on October 2, 16, and 30.  The MK Trio (Melchi Kbade) will perform on October 9 and 23. In addition …

The Carolina BalloonFest is the country’s second-oldest hot air balloon festival. The festival on October 17 -19  at 531 Old Airport Road, Statesville, features hot air balloon morning competitions, mass ascensions, and evening balloon glows. There is also live entertainment on two stages at the festival, a kids’ zone, a marketplace, an artisan village, a …

Enjoy breathtaking balloon competitions, mass ascensions, and evening glows, along with live music, tethered balloon rides, an Artisan Village, a Kids Zone, an NC wine garden, great festival foods, and more at Carolina BalloonFest, October 17-19, at 531 Old Airport Road Statesville. See more information in our Fall Activities guide.

The Horror Movie Freaks Film Fest returns to The Palmetto Theatre, 329 N Main Street, Walnut Cove, on October 17 & 18 from 5pm – 12am for two nights of independent horror on the big screen. From local nightmares to international frights, it showcases the very best in indie horror — twisted shorts, haunting features, …

Climb aboard a festive hayride and journey through 65 acres of enchanted woods, where lanterns glow and autumn magic fills the night. Along the way, meet the Revolution Rider—a friendly Revolutionary War hero brought to life through stories shared by our own Revolution Academy students and teachers. The 30-minute adventure, perfect for families with young …

Celebrate Greensboro History Museum's 100th Anniversary with an evening of music, cocktails, games, and friends on October 17 from 6:30pm-9:30pm at GHM, 130 Summit Ave, Greensboro. Speakeasy Night throws it back to when the museum first opened in 1925. Dance to the sounds of Durham’s Mint Julep Jazz Band, enjoy signature cocktails and tasty bites, …

Groups of 12 people ages 10+ will join the Night Watchmen in Old Salem on their lantern-lit rounds, hear of the mysteries and tragedies that took place in the very buildings you enter, and learn about Salem’s most famous ghost. Grab your lantern and experience the chilling truths and ghostly legends that once haunted the …

Enjoy a night of creative expression, exploration, and celebration on October 17, 7pm - 10pm, at Art Crush in Downtown Winston Salem Arts District on Trade Street and 6th Street. On the third Friday of every month, established and emerging artists and performers share their talents with the community.