North Carolina State Fair

Fall festival · North Carolina

North Carolina State Fair in North Carolina
Photo: Steveprutz / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Eleven days of rides and midway games at the state fairgrounds in west Raleigh, running mid to late October. Thousands of animals fill the livestock barns and deep-fried food stands line the walkways, an easy stop while the Piedmont oaks around Raleigh are turning.

Best for: A classic Raleigh outing each October

Don’t miss

  • Rides, games, and a full midway
  • Livestock shows and competitions
  • 11 days, mid to late October

Plan your visit

2026 season: Oct 15 – Oct 25.

Multi-day fair; single-day and season tickets sold online in advance

Dates from the official announcement — always confirm before you go.

2026 Forecast

Color nearby peaks: November 14–November 18

Color builds from November 1 · mostly bare by December 9

Color starts: November 1Peak: November 16Bare: December 9AugustDecember

Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at North Carolina State Fair’s own coordinates and elevation (146 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.

North Carolina State Fair on the map

More things to do in North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway (Graveyard Fields)

Scenic drive

Peak October 25 2026 forecast

The Blue Ridge Parkway's high country near Asheville crosses Graveyard Fields at milepost 418.8, a wind-stunted valley of blueberry shrub and yellow birch that turns scarlet in October, with waterfall trails and overlooks at nearly every mile toward Mount Pisgah.

Don’t miss: Milepost 418.8 waterfall loop · Mount Pisgah overlook · Peak color mid-to-late October

Chimney Rock State Park

State park

Peak November 4 2026 forecast

A 315-foot granite spire above Hickory Nut Gorge, reached by elevator or stairs, gives views over Lake Lure and a fall canopy of oak, hickory, and maple across the gorge walls that typically peaks in late October.

Don’t miss: Chimney Rock elevator climb · Hickory Nut Falls trail · Lake Lure overlook

Grandfather Mountain

Viewpoint

Peak October 27 2026 forecast

America's highest suspension footbridge, the 228-foot Mile High Swinging Bridge, crosses to Linville Peak at 5,305 feet, with sweeping Blue Ridge views that turn color at the summit by early October and in the valleys through mid-November.

Don’t miss: Mile High Swinging Bridge · Wildlife habitats · Linville Peak overlook

Biltmore Estate

Garden

Peak October 28 2026 forecast

George Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre Gilded Age estate outside Asheville pairs its 250-room chateau with Frederick Law Olmsted's gardens, where the Walled Garden and Bass Pond turn gold and crimson through October alongside the estate winery's fall harvest.

Don’t miss: Olmsted-designed gardens · Antler Hill Village winery · Walled Garden color

See all things to do in North Carolina

Plan from a city

Frequently asked

When is North Carolina State Fair open in 2026?
The 2026 season runs Oct 15 – Oct 25. Multi-day fair; single-day and season tickets sold online in advance. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
When does North Carolina State Fair peak in 2026?
Peak color is predicted for November 14–November 18 (best estimate November 16). Color starts around November 1 and is mostly bare by December 9.
What is North Carolina State Fair best for?
A classic Raleigh outing each October.
How do I get to North Carolina State Fair?
The closest city is Raleigh, about 4 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of North Carolina's fall lineup.

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