Autumn Leaves Festival

Mt. Airy’s Premiere Fall Festival

Join us for a wonderful day at the Autumn Leaves Festival in Mt. Airy, NC. This beloved Fall tradition was voted the event of the year by The Southeast Tourism Society.  The festival began in 1966 as a community celebration to mark the successful end of the local tobacco and apple harvesting seasons. The streets are filled with the strumming of banjos and fiddles with flat-foot dancers. You will find dedicated stages and impromptu street jams featuring the region's rich Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Gospel music heritage. There will be live apple butter making demonstrations as well as tastings. You can purchase hand-thrown clay plates, mugs, and regional face jugs; original oil and watercolor paintings, and local printmaking; custom hand-turned bowls, intricate birdhouses, live-edge furniture, and children's wooden toys; hand-woven clothing, custom leather goods, and intricate jewelry forged from raw metals and fused glass; and the beloved massive, fresh-baked sweet treats that always command the longest lines at the festival.  Satisfy your sweet tooth with traditional funnel cakes, or a deep-fried Oreo and a fresh fried apple pie! Or if you are a heavy hitter, grab a giant turkey leg, corn dog, sausage with peppers and onions, or curly fries.  Then wash it down with some hand-squeezed lemonade.  Don’t forget to look for the traditional, southern collard green sandwiches! Return home with memories of a festive day of what fall traditions mean to you. Returning approximately 8:00 pm.