Top 15 Fall Activities In Winston-Salem For 2024

Fresh, cool, crisp air, warm sunshine, glorious colored leaves – outdoors is where you want to be in the Fall. It’s a perfect time to enjoy all the fall activities and fests happening in and around Winston-Salem. You can gather up the kids and visit a corn maze and pumpkin patch, grab your friends and head to a vineyard or Oktoberfest, or spend the day at an artisan and craftsmen show. Check out our list of fall activities below and plan some fun for you and your family.

Corn Maze And Hayride – Now Through October 26, 2024

• Jones Strawberry Farm and Corn Maze
• 5480 Seward Road, Pfafftown, NC
• Saturdays, 10am – 9pm; Sundays, 1pm – 6pm; Fridays (beginning Oct 4) 3pm – 9pm

A 5-acre corn maze is fun and challenging, and a great way to spend a fall day! It may take you awhile to get through, and if you do it at night, don’t forget your flashlights! After finding your way through the maze, you can enjoy a fun hayride around the farm, try your hand at the football toss, play tug of war, have a sack race, play tic tac toe, checkers, or a giant 4-in-a-row game, or (for an additional charge) take aim with the sling shot. Admission is $12 per person; children 4 and younger are free. There is also a market where you can buy apples, cider, pumpkins, and other items. The market is the shelter with the red roof, the entrance for the corn maze is across the street. See their website for more information.

Corn Maze Season – Now Through November 9, 2024

• Alpha & Omega Corn Maze
• 1129 Cheek Road, Hamptonville, NC
• All Season, Sat, 10am – 9pm; Sun, 12:30pm – 6:30pm; Also in Oct, Wed & Thurs, 9am – 3pm, Fri, 9am – 9pm; in Nov, Wed – Fri, 9am – 3pm

Located just over a half hour from Winston-Salem, Alpha & Omega Corn Maze offers an exciting day of fun for families. Starting with their 5-acre corn maze with twisting and turning trails that is meant to be challenging but still allow visitors to exit any time they wish. Using their customized QR code interactive app, you can work individually or as a team. The fun does not end with the corn maze; there is a hayride, Pipe World, farmer football, barnyard baseball and softball, duck races, milk, cow contest, giant pounce pillow, pig races, tug of war, corn hole, corn cob express, steer racing, hay bale pyramid, large corn box, Toddler Town, sensory music wall, and more, all included in the general admission price of $14 weekend or weekday, $10 Senior or Military person. Children 2 and under are free. They have other attractions for additional fees, including feeding the animals, pumpkin blaster, pony rides, and ax throws. They also offer packages that include those attractions, or you can purchase tickets for the attractions separately. See their website to buy admission tickets or for more information.

Mayberry Days – September 23-29, 2024

• Mount Airy, NC
• Main Street and other locations
• Events throughout the week; Parade, Saturday, September 28, 9am

Travel back to the simpler and less troubled days of Andy Griffith’s Mayberry with a visit to Mount Airy during the Mayberry Days celebration. They will be celebrating throughout the week with concerts, golf tournaments, and other events, but Saturday, September 28, is the big parade that is a spectacle and so much fun to watch. It begins at 9am on Main Street at Independence Boulevard near Truist Bank and travels to the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Following the parade, vendors will be near the Andy Griffith Playhouse with food and drink and handmade arts and crafts. On Friday and Saturday, September 27 & 28, from 10am – 5pm, visit the Mayberry Kids section at the Andy Griffith Playhouse picnic area for Otis Tile Therapy (painting), face painting, sidewalk chalk, checkers, and the Ernest T. Bass Rock Throwing Competition, sponsored by Vulcan Materials. A trophy for the competition will be presented at 3pm on Saturday. While in Mount Airy, tour the Andy Griffith Museum; it is fun to look at all the memorabilia from that great show. There are many concerts and shows scheduled during the week. See the Mayberry Days Facebook Page for information and tickets.

Apple Fest – September 28, 2024

• Historic Bethabara Park
• 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC
• 10am – 4pm

Enjoy the day at this free event listening to the music of The Burnett Sisters Band and The Blushin’ Roulettes and Ken Bloom playing his bowed dulcimer. Stroll around and visit the artists and artisans, explore history with eighteenth-century craftsmen, play colonial games, have your face painted, and eat apples! There will be food vendors available so you can grab a meal. Though admission is free, there are charges for food and crafts. Be sure to buy some delicious, fresh apples while you are there! See the Website for Apple history at Bethabara.

Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival – September 28, 2024

• Elkin, NC
• 257 Standard Street and Main Street
• 9am – 4pm

Would you like to see the largest pumpkin east of the Mississippi? You will have the chance to do just that if you attend the Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival. They will be awarding $1000 to the winning pumpkin after the weigh-in of pumpkins brought in by growers from all over the East Coast. Some of them could weigh over 1000 pounds! You will see some huge pumpkins that would make awesome jack-o-lanterns! You can find the pumpkins at 257 Standard Street, along with the new Kid Zone – a fun place with bounce houses, pony rides, and a petting zoo. The Main Street of Elkin will be filled with music and lined with vendors featuring antiques, pottery, funnel cakes, wood furnishings, baked goods, handcrafted goods, polish sausage, BBQ, and pumpkin butter. There will also be pumpkin painting and sand art. See Website for more information.

Winston-Salem OktoberFest Bar Crawl – September 28, 2024

• Broad Branch Bar
• 740 NW Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• Check-In 4pm – 6pm | Event lasts 4pm-11pm

Gather your friends, dress in your best Oktoberfest attire and go from bar to bar celebrating the spirit of Oktoberfest. Follow the digital map on this self-guided tour, where each venue offers different drink specials, music, and a high-energy atmosphere. Your Bar Crawl ticket includes access to over 4+ venues, free entry into the best bars, PubCrawls.com wristband, detailed custom digital bar crawl map, generously low drink specials, hundreds of crawlers ready to celebrate, a feature on their social media, and helpful PubCrawl.com staff on site to be sure you have a blast. Check-in is 4pm – 6pm. Go to this Website for additional information and tickets.

Southern Charm At The Farm – September 28, 2024

• Tanglewood Park
• Park entrance off US Route 158, Clemmons, NC
• 9am 4pm

Southern Charm at the Farm is the South’s largest one-day artisan show featuring over 300 makers. The event is held on a flat grassy area and includes live music, a wide variety of food trucks to choose from, and a seating area under a big tent. Vendors include antiques, bath and body, candles, soap, woodworking, jewelry, pottery, metalwork, signs, glass, furniture, pet goods, gifts, and more. The admission fee is $5, and children under 5 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate (cash only) or online here. If you purchase tickets online, you must pull them up on your phone or print them out to show at the gate. Parking is available on-site. Some walking is required. Limited handicap spaces are available. Have a placard or plate and tell the attendant when entering the lot. See Southern Charm’s Website or Facebook Page for information and vendors.

Visit The Vineyards In Fall – Through November, 2024

• Various Wineries and Vineyards
• Located throughout the Yadkin Valley
• Most open Saturday & Sunday, some have weekday hours

The beautiful countryside on a Fall day, the cool air, and sipping a glass of fine wine sound like a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. You might enjoy a wine tasting or a meal at a bistro, or just sit and take in your surroundings and relax. Some of the vineyards may have music; some offer wine tours. There are many to choose from within a short distance from Winston-Salem. Look at our best Yadkin Valley wineries article to decide where you want to go for your Fall outing. You should also plan to go to the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival on October 19, 2024 in downtown Yadkinville. Admission is free, and wine tasting begins at 11am. See information about the event in our fall festivals article.

Salem Saturdays In Autumn – Through November, 2024

• Old Salem Museum and Gardens
• 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC
• Saturdays, 10am – 4pm

Fall is a wonderful time to visit the historic village of Old Salem. Interact with historic tradespeople demonstrating their craft, speak with costumed interpreters, and learn the seasonal practice of harvesting and processing food for the winter season. Enjoy hands-on historical activities and games at The Boys’ School and learn about education in Salem. At the Single Brothers’ Workshop, learn how gardens support the community, what is growing this time of year, and how the seeds tell stories. Be sure to include the Winkler Bakery in your tour to learn its history and purchase some delicious sugar cake, cookies, or lovefeast buns. The Old Salem tour is always an interesting and educational way to spend the day, and beautiful in the Fall. For more information and tickets, see their website here.

Corn Maze & Fall Festival – September & October, 2024

• Armstrong Artisan Farms
• 1499 Brook Cove Road, Walnut Cove, NC
• Saturdays, 10am – 6pm

Have a fall day of fun at the farm with the corn mazes, hayrides, apple cannons, paintball guns, pedal carts, giant bubbles, corn pit, jumping pillow, bounce house, games, duck race, tractor train, and horse-drawn wagon ride. There is also live music, ponies, a petting zoo, pick-your-own pumpkins, sunflower and wildflower fields, food, and ice cream available. Fall Festival Combo Pass is $13 per person ages 3 and up and includes access to everything on the farm. Pumpkins and flowers are sold separately, as are food and ice cream. Check out their Website for more information and tickets, and see the Carolina Harvest Festival on October 5, with harvest demonstrations, antique displays, and a live draft horse pull. For fun in the dark, see the information on the Night Maze and Spooky Maze. Armstrong Artisan Farms Events Website.

Carolina Classic Fair – October 4 – October 13, 2024

• Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
• 421 27th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• Sunday-Friday, 11am – 11pm; Saturdays, 9am – 11pm

The Carolina Classic Fair is celebrating its 142nd year and is the most anticipated fall event in Winston-Salem. Originally known as The Dixie Classic Fair, it brings with it the sounds, sites, smells, and excitement that draw people in and make it magic. The fair features many rides for all ages, various entertainment, live music throughout the park, games, food booths, demolition derby, a petting zoo, a circus, magic shows, pig races, and so much more. There is the Beer Garden, Yesterday Village, Competitive Entries in arts, crafts, food, livestock, agriculture, wine, and many more categories, as well as fireworks nightly. And the Food Trucks – Elephant Ears, Funnel Cakes, Cotton Candy, Candy Apple, Gator and Taters – Beer Cheese, Ribbon Fries, Pulled Pork, Gourmet Kettle Corn, Turkey Legs, Italian and Polish Sausage, Waffle Cones, Corn Dogs, Jerk Chicken, Pizza, Calzones, Roasted Corn, and so much more! See our Carolina Classic Fair article for pricing and special promotion days.

Fall Market In The Coalpit – October 13, 2024

• Incendiary Brewing Company Coalpit
• 453 N Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• 12pm – 4pm

Enjoy a fall day at the Coalpit visiting 30+ local small businesses and browsing their wares, grabbing a drink at Incendiary Brewing and a slice or two from Cogino Forno Pizza. This is a family-friendly, pet-friendly event, so bring the kids and your fur baby and spend the afternoon! See their Facebook Page for information.

Night Watchman Tours, Halloween 2024 – October 18 – 31, 2024

• Old Salem Museum & Gardens
• Check in: The Boys’ School, 3 E Academy Street, Winston-Salem
• Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, time slots between 6:30pm – 7:45pm, advance tickets required

Groups of 12 people ages 10+ will join the Night Watchmen 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 streets of Salem. This is a partially outdoor walking tour on uneven streets and in buildings on stairs, so wear comfortable shoes. All tours may be held regardless of weather conditions, so dress accordingly. Tickets are $50 per person, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult in the same group. All parties should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled time. See the Website here for more info and to select a time slot and purchase tickets.

Fall Fest Calvary – October 25 & 27

• Calvary Peace Haven | Calvary West
• Peace Haven: 134 S. Peace Haven Road, Winston-Salem, NC | West: 136 Medical Drive, Advance, NC
• Peace Haven: 10/25, 6pm – 8:30pm | West: 10/27, 4pm – 6:30pm

Calvary Fall Fest means food, games, popcorn, candy, and fun. Calvary Peace Haven, on October 25, will have carnival-style games, a trunk-or-treat, popcorn, and food truck vendors. Calvary West, on October 27, will have carnival-style games, a trunk-or-treat, and treats from Maddie Cakes. See their website to register. Registration is free.

Spookywoods – September 27 – November 2, 2024

• Kersey Valley
• 6948 Cecil Farm Road, Archdale, NC
• Parking opens at 6:30pm; Tickets available for 8pm – 10 or 11pm

Halloween is a fall favorite, and Spookywoods is one of America’s most thrilling and haunted experiences! It is the ultimate scare for those brave enough to dare to enter. The Midway may send shivers down your spine but offers refreshments to tantalize your taste buds. Be sure to bring your ID. Club Spooky has a DJ to set the tempo for the night, and a quick trip through the original haunted farmhouse begins your trek. ICONS is R-rated. To bypass this section, Do Not Board The Wagon, which will take you to a place where horror themes come to life like never before. The final haunted complex is in the pine forest, home of local legends and nightmares. Tickets are available for general admission, VIP, and Immediate access. Wait time for general admission is approximately 1 hour from when you get in line. Cash is required for parking, which is $10 per car, and $20 for large vehicles. Throughout the farm, only credit or debit cards are accepted. You can exchange cash for a Kersey Valley gift card at the Gotcha Covered location at the farm and use that as well. Be sure to see the FAQ on the website. Purchase tickets and see more information at the Kersey Valley Spookywoods Website.

Piedmont Craftsmen Fair – November 23 & 24, 2024

• Benton Convention Center
• 301 W 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC (Parking at 527 N Cherry Street)
• Nov 23, 10am – 6pm; Nov 24, 12pm – 5pm

In 2024, The Piedmont Craftsmen Fair celebrates its 61st year of bringing work of quality craftsmanship and excellent design to Winston-Salem. Held annually, the fair showcases the work of over 100 artisans from across the Southeast. The artists include those working in glass, clay, fiber, jewelry, metal, mixed media, wood, works on paper, and leather. Spend the day meeting the artists, learning about their work, and finding unique gifts. Admission is Adults: $7, Seniors and Students: $6, Children under 12: Free. Weekend passes are available. To see a list of and information about this year’s artists, visit the Piedmont Craftsmen Fair Website.

Continue To Celebrate The Season

There are more ways to celebrate the Fall with the many festivals that take place around Winston-Salem. Celebrating the season can be about changing colors, pumpkins, wooly worms, and even good food! Though you really don’t need any reason to celebrate Fall! Take a trip to one or more of these exciting and fun-filled fall festivals.

What do you enjoy doing to celebrate the Fall? Tell us in the comments.