Events

Hear from contemporary artists who embrace the limited palette, and explore what becomes possible when color steps aside, at Hanes House, at the North Carolina Museum of Art, NCMA (formerly SECCA), on October 7, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem. This is a pay-what-you-wish event. See this site for more information and …

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 …

One of the top 20 events in the Southeast, the Autumn Leaves Festival in downtown Mt Airy, N Main Street, takes place on October 10-12 from 10am-7pm. Enjoy craft vendors, food vendors, live music, and KidFest. Fun for the whole family! See the Facebook page for more information.

The Town of Bermuda Run will hold Food Truck Friday with live music, vendors, kids activities, and food trucks, October 10, 4-8pm, at 120 Kinderton Blvd, Bermuda Run. See our food truck article for more information.

Just in time for Halloween, a still-music-focused yet slightly spooky film, the 1986 hit Little Shop of Horrors, will be playing on October 10, beginning at sunset, at the lower lawn in Bailey Park, 445 Paterson Avenue, Winston-Salem. Innovation Quarter and a/perature cinema present this event, which, if you have seen it, you know you …

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.