Every year, autumn faithfully ushers in crisper temps, colorful fall foliage, and a fabulous lineup of outdoor festivals. As you’re making plans for the coming season, don’t miss these top food, music, and arts festivals taking place across the South. There’s no shortage of tasty bites, tunes, and beverages that await!
*This list is just a taste of the myriad events throughout the South this fall! Use the links below to explore the festival list, organized by month.
SEPTEMBER
Euphoria
September 14-17, 2023 • Greenville, SC • More info: EuphoriaGreenville.com
Euphoria comprises more than 50 mouthwatering events, 200 chefs, musicians, and beverage professionals, and 40 charities supported while showing off Greenville’s charm. Since 2006, the popular non-profit festival has brought fresh tastes and positive impacts to its city.
Bourbon & Beyond
September 14-17, 2023 • Louisville, KY • More info: BourbonandBeyond.com
The world’s biggest bourbon and music festival has a little something for everyone. Whether you are new to the bourbon scene, trying to expand your palate, or seeking rare finds, Bourbon & Beyond has a variety of tasting events, vendors, and more … in addition to the packed lineup of musical acts.
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
September 20-24, 2023 • Atlanta, GA • More info: ATLFoodandWineFestival.com
Since 2011, AFWF’s five-day celebration has attracted food enthusiasts from all over the world. Showcasing the tastes and methods of more than 150 renowned chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and industry leaders, the festival has walk-around tastings, gourmet gatherings, live cooking demonstrations, and more.
Chester County BBQ Festival
September 22 & 23, 2023 • Henderson, TN • More info: ChesterCountyBBQFestival.com
In the “whole hog barbecue capital of the world,” the Chester County BBQ Festival has been an annual tradition since 1978. Aside from the melt-in-your-mouth BBQ, there’s live entertainment, fried treats, children’s activities, comedy, arts and crafts booths, an antique car show, and more.
Beignet Fest
September 23, 2023 • New Orleans, LA • More info: BeignetFest.com
Every year, New Orleans City Park fills with delicious, decadent delicacies that celebrate the beignet. From traditional sweet treats to savory seafood options, you’ll taste dishes from some of New Orleans’ best restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. It’s a family-friendly day with live, local music performances, a kids’ village, an artist market, and a beer garden.
OCTOBER
BayHaven Food & Wine Festival
October 4-8, 2023 • Charlotte, NC • More info: BayHavenFoodandWine.com
Hosted by Chef Greg and Subrina Collier of Leah and Louise, BayHaven celebrates Black chefs, mixologists, artists, and creators. Over five days, 75+ industry experts and vendors offer endless experiences to taste and learn.
The Gathering
October 6-8, 2023 • Maryville, TN More info: RTLodge.com
This immersive weekend-long experience includes special collaborative and chef-driven dinners, cooking demonstrations, food and beverage tastings, panel discussions, and more. In addition to the Friday and Saturday night dinners, the weekend package includes an exclusive foraging excursion and a room at the rustic and luxurious lodge.
Shrimp Festival
October 12-15, 2023 • Gulf Shores, AL • More info: MyShrimpFest.com
For over 50 years, this event has been a popular tradition on the beautiful beaches of Coastal Alabama. Food, music, art, and much more make up an action-packed weekend that nearly 250,000 people attend.
FOOD+ Fest
October 12-15, 2023 • Birmingham, AL • More info: bhamFoodPlus.com
This long-awaited new Birmingham festival features five signature events over four days, including more than 10 dinners, an amplified Market at Pepper Place experience, and more than 50 featured chefs, mixologists, brewers, and pitmasters.
Renaissance Euro Fest
October 13 & 14, 2023 • Ridgeland, MS • More info: VisitRidgeland.com
Make plans to attend the 2023 Renaissance Euro Fest this fall! The main event takes place on Saturday, October 14, at Renaissance at Colony Park. Attendees can spend the day weaving through endless rows of cars and motorcycles. Other event highlights include a Bavarian-style beer garden, live polka music, food trucks, and shopping.
Fall For Greenville
October 13-15, 2023 • Greenville, SC • More info: FallForGreenville.net
Fall For Greenville is the biggest culinary experience in the Upstate and just one of the reasons you need to visit Greenville this season. More than 50 restaurants will whip up 250+ menu items to taste during the three-day event, while 75 bands will play across six stages. Even if you come for the food, you’ll want to stay for libations, music, competitions, kids’ events, and cooking demonstrations.
Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
October 13-15, 2023 • New Orleans, LA • More info: JazzandHeritage.org
Established in 2006, this festival celebrates New Orleans’ historic role in making the blues and R&B among the most influential sounds in the world. Add melt-in-your-mouth barbecue and unique visual art to the mix, and you’ve got the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival.
Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival
October 14-22, 2023 • Bluffton, SC • More info: VisitBluffton.org
Held in their charming and eclectic historic cultural district, Bluffton’s Arts & Seafood Festival is a week-long series of events. The festival’s highlight has always been the Street Fest held on Saturday, October 21, and Sunday, October 22. Myriad activities will showcase the area’s locally harvested seafood, delicious Lowcountry cuisine, rich history and arts, and Southern hospitality found only in Bluffton.
South Beach Seafood Festival
October 18-21, 2023 • Miami Beach, FL • More info: SOBESeafoodFest.com
This iconic festival kicks off Miami’s globally recognized stone crab season every October and showcases South Florida’s leading chefs and culinary masterminds. The action-packed week includes pop-up cafes, fresh seafood, open bars, live music, culinary demonstrations, and more.
Harvest Wine & Food Festival
October 19-22, 2023 • Santa Rosa Beach, FL • More info: dcwaf.org
Harvest Wine & Food Festival is back this October in WaterColor for four days of excellence aimed towards both epicurean enthusiasts and wine lovers alike. Rated as one of the premier wine and food festivals in the Southeast, this year’s Harvest features wine dinners, the return of their famous Grand Tasting, and many chances to sip and savor some of the world’s finest wine and culinary selections.
Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival
October 20-22, 2023 • Richmond Hill, GA • More info: GOSeafoodFestival.com
The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival is one of the largest seafood festivals in the Southeast and features live music, amusement rides, arts and crafts, and mouth-watering seafood. The festival hosts more than 25,000 hungry attendees over a three-day weekend.
NC Oyster Festival
October 21 & 22, 2023 • Ocean Isle Beach, NC • More info: NCOysterFestival.com
October marks the start of oyster season in North Carolina and the return of the beloved NC Oyster Festival (its 42th anniversary!). This long-standing tradition celebrates all things oysters in Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Enter the oyster shucking contest and enjoy culinary delights from local restaurants, arts and crafts vendors, and live music.
Crafted
October 25-28, 2023 • Alys Beach, FL • More info: AlysBeachCrafted.com
Crafted is a weekend of food events around Alys Beach, gathering gurus of food and drink and renowned craftspeople from around the country to share their process, inspiration, and products. Explore the Makers Market and attend signature events like Firkin Fête, cocktail seminars, and the Spirited Soirée.
Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest
October 26-28, 2023 • Fredericksburg, TX • More info: fbgfoodandwinefest.com
Held in historic downtown Fredericksburg, this charmingly fall-forward weekend is a multi-course celebration of Texas food, wine, beer, and music. Taste your way around the expansive “food court,” shop craft vendors, tap your toes to some local tunes, and so much more.
NOVEMBER
North Carolina Pecan Festival
November 3 & 4, 2023 • Whiteville, NC • NCPecanFestival.com
People go NUTS for this celebration and harvest of the area’s cash crop that produces up to five million pounds of pecans annually. Aside from pecans galore and the Columbus Cooks Pecan Cooking Contest, enjoy the downtown parade, live entertainment, a queen’s luncheon, a tour of area homes, and a classic car show.
Whiskey, Wine, & Fire
November 4, 2023 • Charlotte, NC • More info: WhiskeyWineFire.com
This alfresco foodie celebration features whiskey bars, elegant wines and cocktails, live music, tented food stations, food trucks, and more. Pull up a chair around a fire pit or head to the fire gardens for open-fire cooking, specialty grilling, and drink pairings.
Austin Food & Wine Festival
November 4 & 5, 2023 • Austin, TX • AustinFoodAndWineFestival.com
From Central Texas favorites to the country’s top culinary stars, Austin Food & Wine Festival is a feast for the senses made up of delectable bites, sips of spirits, wines, and brew, and unmatched views of the Austin skyline.
Highlands Food & Wine
November 9-12, 2023 • Highlands, NC • More info: HighlandsFoodAndWine.com
Highlands Food & Wine is a four-day food and music party filled with culinary delights, delectable drinks, and a lineup of world-renowned musical acts like Grace Potter. What better way to truly welcome fall than at this mountain festival in one of our favorite mountain towns?
World Food Championships
November 9-12, 2023 • Dallas, TX • More info: WorldFoodChampionships.com
One of the most anticipated events in the food sport industry returns this November at its new location of Fair Park in Dallas, TX. Expect more than 20 tasting experiences and award-winning VIP tastings at what ABC News has called the “Olympics of Food.” This five-day throwdown and Flavor Fest includes many attractions for foodie attendees while also hosting more than 1,500 cooks — from celebrity chefs to pro teams to home cooks.
Gulf Coast Brunch Fest
November 12, 2023 • Biloxi, MS • More info: GulfCoastBrunchFestival.com
Located at the wonderfully modern Ohr O’keefe Museum and overlooking the beautiful Mississippi Sound, this festival celebrates our favorite weekend pleasure: brunch! Expect delicious brunch offerings from Gulf Coast chefs and restaurants, boozy cocktails, curated crafts from local makers, taste contests, live music, and more.
Vineyard Fest
November 12, 2023 • Braselton, GA • More info: ChateauElan.com
Chateau Elan Winery and Resort’s annual Vineyard Fest has been a sell-out event for the past two decades for good reason. This year’s festival theme, “Bon Voyage,” allows attendees to “travel internationally,” tasting culinary and wine delights from across the globe. Come stay the night or day-trip to this fabulous venue to sample more than 150 varieties of wine, regional craft brews, spirits from local distilleries, and more!
Here’s to fall, y’all!
**********
For more happenings across the South, subscribe to our newsletter!
