Sat, Oct 3 – Sun, Oct 4
This page covers and . It moves on to the next weekend on its own, from what North Carolina attractions publish on their own websites.
Everything below is a dated item a venue published itself, quoted word for word and linked back. Nothing is a listing anyone paid for, and no price appears here that the venue did not print.
3 of the 5, one to a region and one to a kind of day out, chosen for being on this Saturday or Sunday rather than on all year — and for the venue having published both a photograph and a price. Everything else is below.
On nowOct 3
Apple Hill Farm: Tickets Required, Banner Elk
Families get a front-row view of angora goat shearing, learn about mohair production, and discover how fleece is prepared for spinning. Visitors can make a reservation and attend anytime between 11 am and 2 pm.
On nowOct 3 – 4
Carolina Renaissance Festival, Huntersville
The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens with an invasion celebration weekend featuring raucous renaissance antics, performances, and themed activities for families.
On nowOct 3
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
Families participate in a dance fitness class led by Jordan Farrell at the museum on Saturday morning.
Free to get into
The venue: “Admission to the People's Collection and Museum Park are free.”
5 items running for a fortnight or less, so these are on now rather than on all year. Where the same place also has a longer run on, it is on the same card.
On nowOct 3 – 4Event
Carolina Renaissance Festival, Huntersville
The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens with an invasion celebration weekend featuring raucous renaissance antics, performances, and themed activities for families.
“Oct 3 to Oct 4 Opening Invasion Celebration! Adult Discount! (conditions apply) - Sat, Oct 3, 2026”
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
2 things on here this weekend
On nowOct 3 · 9:00 amEvent
Families participate in a dance fitness class led by Jordan Farrell at the museum on Saturday morning.
Free to get into
The venue: “Admission to the People's Collection and Museum Park are free.”
“NCMA Dance Gumbo: Dance Fitness with Jordan Farrell Photograph of Jordan Farrell dressed in jeans and a white tank top smiling and standing against a black backdrop. October 3 @ 9:00 am – 9:45 am”
On nowOct 3 · 9:00 amEvent
A guided outdoor tour exploring science and sustainability in the Museum Park, with participants walking on paved paths surrounded by grass, trees, and flowering plants.
Free to get into
The venue: “Admission to the People's Collection and Museum Park are free.”
“October 3 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am”
Armstrong Artisan Farm, Walnut Cove
2 things on here this weekend
On nowOct 3Event
Families watch draft horse pull competitions, tractor shows with prizes, horse-drawn wagon rides, live sorghum cutting and cooking, and antique farm equipment displays. All seasonal farm activities included.
“Saturday, October 3, 2026 10:00 AM 6:00 PM”
On nowSep 5 – Nov 7Season
The farm opens for fall festivities with a real pumpkin patch, two corn mazes, sunflower fields, petting zoo, hayrides, jumping pillow, apple cannons, and games. Families pick pumpkins, explore mazes, and enjoy farm activities.
“Sat, Sep 5, 2026 10:00 AM Sat, Nov 7, 2026 6:00 PM”
On nowOct 3Event
Apple Hill Farm: Tickets Required, Banner Elk
Families get a front-row view of angora goat shearing, learn about mohair production, and discover how fleece is prepared for spinning. Visitors can make a reservation and attend anytime between 11 am and 2 pm.
“DATE: April 11 & October 3, 2026”
21 longer runs — exhibitions and seasons open across the weekend but on for more than 14 days. Closing soonest first.
On nowSep 28 – Oct 29 · 9:00 amSeason
Cabarrus Arts Council, Concord
Ceramic exhibition in The Bridge Gallery showcasing handmade works by current students and alumni, exploring the intersection of art and everyday life through form, color, and functionality.
Free to get into
The venue: “visitors can enjoy free admission to explore a diverse array of artistic expressions”
“September 28 @ 9:00 am - October 29 @ 4:00 pm”
On nowOct 2 – 31Season
Shelby Corn Maze, Shelby
A nighttime haunted corn maze attraction featuring brand-new scenes, horrifying decorations, and unexpected scares. A safe section is cleared for all ages. Families navigate the dark maze on Friday and Saturday evenings.
“Dates: October 2, 2026 – October 31, 2026”
On nowAug 29 – Dec 31Season
Discovery Place Science, Charlotte
An exhibition of more than two dozen works by Charlotte artist Tina Alberni exploring conservation, biodiversity, endangered species and reclaimed fabric art. Included with admission.
“August 29 – December 31, 2026”
On nowOct 1 – 29Season
Hidwell Family Farms, Apex
Hidwell Family Farms hosts its 5th Annual Pumpkin Patch with admission including a pumpkin or mum. Families can ride the barrel train, purchase apple cider, and select pumpkins during scheduled hours.
“October 1st-29th Hidwell Family Farms will be hosting its 5th Annual Pumpkin Patch this year!”
On nowOct 3 – 31Season
Firefly Farm, Hillsborough
A family-friendly haunted barn with spooky attractions, a pumpkin patch, and farm animals. Children receive candy at the end. Open most Fridays and every Saturday in October, noon to 7 pm on Saturdays, noon to 5 pm on select Fridays.
“All Saturdays & most Fridays in October 2026…”
On nowSep 26 – Oct 31Season
McKee CornField Maze, Rougemont
The cornfield maze opens for the fall season with a 12-acre adventurous maze, smaller interactive maze for children, hayrides, pumpkin patch, animals, barrel train ride, play areas, corn hole, ice cream, and snacks.
“Opening September 26th through October 31st”
On nowSep 19 – Nov 6Season
Hill Ridge Farms, Youngsville
Families visit the farm for wagon tours to the pumpkin patch where each guest picks a free pumpkin, plus train rides, carousel, gem mine, corn house, jump pillow, and homemade apple cider doughnuts.
“September 19th - November 6th”
On nowSep 19 – Nov 7Season
Hubb's Farm NC, Clinton
Hubb's Farm offers a fall festival with pumpkin patches, tractor-pulled wagon rides, corn mazes, and farm animals. Families can pick pumpkins, navigate a 15-acre maze, and enjoy various attractions across the property.
“September 19 - November 7”
On nowSep 21 – Oct 31Season
Ingram Farm, High Point
Families pick their own fresh buckets of strawberries from rotating daily fields of Chandler strawberries. Humans of all ages are welcome to visit the farm during the season.
“Available May - October”
On nowSep 26 – Oct 31Season
McLaurin Farms, Greensboro
Families visit the pumpkin patch on weekends for hayrides to the field, a free mini pumpkin, bounce houses, fall games, chalk painting, and playground access. Optional paid add-ons include dinosaur walk-throughs, train rides, gem mining, and face painting.
“Weekends September 26 – October 31 Hours 10 am – 3pm”
On nowSep 23 – Oct 31Season
Waterworks Visual Art Center, Salisbury
An exhibition celebrating Hispanic culture at Waterworks Visual Arts Center, running from late September through the end of October.
Free to get into
The venue: “There is NO CHARGE for admission. Donations are greatly appreciated.”
“Wed, Sep 23, 2026 9:00 AM Sat, Oct 31, 2026 4:00 PM”
On nowSep 26 – Nov 1Season
Fogleman Farms NC, Liberty
Fogleman Farms opens its 3-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch for fall. Families explore the maze, pick pumpkins, enjoy hayrides, bounce houses, slides, the cow train, duck races, and playground attractions.
“Open September 26-November 1”
On nowSep 12 – Nov 8Season
The Farm Dobson, Dobson
The farm opens for fall with over 35 family-friendly activities including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, apple orchard, and sunflowers. All children 12 and under receive a free pumpkin with admission.
“Fall at the Farm: September 12-November 8”
On nowSep 18 – Nov 8Season
Zane's Clodbuster Farms, Kernersville
The farm opens for fall with a corn maze, hayrides through 87 acres, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, farm animals to feed, and pumpkins and gourds to pick. Games and weekend food are available.
“September 18, 2026 thru November 8, 2026”
On nowSep 12 – Nov 14Season
Alpha and Omega Corn Maze, Hamptonville
The 5-acre corn maze opens with 30+ farm activities including hayrides, horse-drawn wagon rides, bounce pillows, pig races, duck races, fire pits, and more. Families navigate the maze using a customized QR code app.
“Corn Maze Season Opening September 12th -November 14th”
On nowSep 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027Season
Kaleideum, Winston-Salem
A hands-on winter exhibit featuring indoor ice skating on socks, ice fishing, igloo building, snowball fights, and a pint-sized ice resurfacing machine. Families meet Yuki the taxidermy polar bear and explore Arctic life.
“From September through January, chill out with Ice Venture, a hands-on adventure filled with icy fun for the whole family.”
On nowSep 13 – Oct 25Season
Creasman Farms, Hendersonville
The U-Pick orchard opens for the fall season, offering families the chance to pick fresh apples from over 40 varieties of heirloom and new apple trees on Sunday afternoons.
“U-Pick opens Sunday Sept. 13th, 2026! We will be open Sundays only 12 - 5 pm thru October 25th.”
On nowOct 3 – Nov 12Event
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock
A juried exhibition on view in the Alexander Community Gallery from October 3 through November 12, 2026.
Free to get into
The venue: “Admission to the museum is always FREE.”
“October 3 - November 12, 2026 | Alexander Community Gallery”
On nowSep 26, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027Season
The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
An exhibition of National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan's images and videos of wild wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Canadian Arctic, exploring the relationship between wolves and humans.
“Dates: September 26, 2026 – January 10, 2027”
On nowSep 11 – Nov 12 · 8:00 amSeason
Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, Fayetteville
The 19th Annual Field of Honor is a living display of flags, each with its own story, flying as a patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans and honoring all who serve.
Free to get into
The venue: “While admission is free, donations are greatly needed and appreciated.”
“Dates: September 11, 2026 – November 12, 2026 at 8:00 am”
On nowOct 3 – 24Season
Island Farm, Manteo
Island Farm hosts its 15th annual Pumpkin Patch on the first four Saturdays in October with historic games, doll crafting, candle making, pumpkin picking, a corn tunnel, local vendors, and apple cider donuts.
“On the first four Saturdays in October, Island Farm will host its 15th annual Pumpkin Patch event, taking place on October 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 9 A.M. until 3 P.M.”
Looking further ahead? Every attraction’s own page carries its full what’s on list.
