Subscribe | Follow | Advertise

October 6, 2025

🚗 Events Worth Leaving Town For

It’s time for a (short) road trip! Here are six noteworthy festivals happening in the Tar Heel State this month.

Carolina Renaissance Festival | Runs through November 23 | Huntersville | ~1 hour

• Step back in time to the Renaissance! Watch jousting knights, discover unique treasures in the artisan marketplace, and feast like royalty.

• Each weekend features unique themes, such as “Wizards & Revels” on October 11-12 and “Pirates’ Christmas” on November 1-2.

Mumfest | October 11-12 | New Bern | ~ 3 hours

• Make your way to the coast! Experience the magic of MumFest, a charming fall festival in historic downtown New Bern.

Carolina BalloonFest | October 17-19 | Statesville | ~50 minutes

• Watch balloon launches and drone shows, go on tethered balloon rides, and listen to live music at the second-oldest hot air balloon festival in the country!

Apple Harvest Festival | October 18 | Waynesville | ~2.5 hours

• Named one of the “10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation,” this beloved annual street festival in charming downtown Waynesville features local arts and crafts, apple-inspired treats, and live music.

Woolly Worm Festival | October 18-19 | Banner Elk | ~2 hrs

• This might be NC’s most unique event! Watch wolly worms race up strings to see which one will “officially” predict our winter forecast. The festival features live Appalachian music, 100+ craft and food vendors, kids’ activities, and more!

Lexington BBQ Festival | October 25 | Lexington | ~40 minutes

• Savor Lexington-style BBQ in its birthplace! Aside from the ‘cue, you can also watch a BMX stunt show and admire a 50-ton pig-themed sand sculpture.

🏆 Want to be parent of the year? Give your kids an unforgettable summer at YMCA Camp Hanes. Registration opens October 15—mark your calendar and secure their spot early!

• Camp Hanes (Overnight): The ultimate summer camp experience! From new adventures to lifelong friendships, it’s no wonder kids beg to come back to Camp Hanes year after year. Open to ages 6–15.

• Camp Hanes (Day Camp): All the thrills of camp packed into a full day of fun for kids 6-12 years old. Meals and transportation from Winston-Salem are included.*

🗓 Events

Live Music | Recurring Events

Tuesday, October 7

• Cocktail Class - Join Alma Mexicana for a hands-on lesson in THC-infused cocktails and leave with recipes and techniques you can recreate at home. 6 PM

• Taylor Swift Trivia - We know you’ve been listening to “The Life of a Showgirl” all weekend, so why not test your Swiftie knowledge at Chill Nitro? 8:30 PM

• Paint Your Pet - Create a cartoon painting of your pet at Dive Bar! A portion of ticket sales benefits AARF. 6:30 PM

• Sip & Improv - Play improv games with Spring Theatre at this adults-only event at Kaleideum! 6 PM

Wednesday, October 8

• Fair - Bring 5 non-perishable food items to receive free admission to the Carolina Classic Fair. 11 AM

• Author Talk - New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber discusses her newest magical thriller, “Alchemy of Secrets,” at Reynolds Place Theatre! 6:30 PM

• Wine Class - Take a tour of Italy at The Caviste. RSVP required. 6 PM

• Decor DIY - Make a moss arrangement for your dining table at M&A Design Studio! 6 PM

• Comedy Night - Enjoy a hilarious comedy show at Joyner’s, featuring five comedians! 8 PM

Thursday, October 9

• Matcha Class - Join Winston Girls Club at Chill Nitro for a matcha-making class! 6:30 PM

• Ghouls Night Out - Paint a Halloween-themed design on wood or canvas at Maddie Cakes Bakery with West & Co! Registration required. 6 PM

• Murder Mystery - You’ve been invited to the Skull Manor Costume Ball at Gypsy Road Brewing—but who knows if you’ll make it out alive? 7 PM

• Vegetarian Dinner - Enjoy dinner prepared by Bobby Boy Bakeshop, featuring cipollini onion tart and smoked eggplant! RSVP required. Seatings between 6 and 7 PM.

• Herbal Medicine 101 - Learn how to use common herbs for common ailments in this hands-on class at The Green House Apothecary. 6 PM

• Curator Tour - Join curator Maya Brooks for a special tour of NCMA Winston-Salem’s newest exhibit, “Brandon Sadler: The Path of Totality.” 6:30 PM

Friday, October 10

• Halloween Movie - Watch “Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin” at Koren Farms, followed by flashlight pumpkin picking! Free to attend. Additional showing on Saturday.

• Party in Pink - Support breast cancer awareness at Old Nick’s Pub! Dress in pink and get ready for a night of line dancing and karaoke. 7:30 PM - 12 AM

• Winston Shorts - Watch short films shot by local filmmakers in and around Winston-Salem at Camel City Playhouse! 7:30 PM

• Outdoor Movie - Watch “Hocus Pocus 2” at Shallowford Square! Movie begins at dark.

⬆️ Lift, sculpt, and define your face with Silhouette Instalift — no surgery needed!

• What: 45-minute in-office treatment that lifts sagging cheeks & jawline.

• How: Threads provide an instant lift while stimulating collagen for gradual, long-lasting improvement.

• Results: Immediate lift with youthful-looking skin lasting 12–18 months, and in some cases up to 2 years.

Restore your natural look at Renewal Med Spa!*

🗞 Other News

• 🏠 Homes: Join the Fall Parade of Homes! Explore 30+ newly constructed homes across Winston-Salem and surrounding areas during the Fall Parade of Homes, October 11–12 & 18–19. Homes are open from 1-5 PM! Pick the homes you want to see and enjoy a free self-guided tour!*
  
  

• 🎓 Education: Wake Forest President Susan Wente announced she will conclude her presidency on June 30, 2026. Wente, who has served as the University’s 14th president since July 2021, will take a sabbatical before returning to Wake Forest as a faculty member.
  
  

• 😔 Closed: Hoots Beer Co., a music venue in West End Mill Works, has closed after being unable to renew its lease due to hosting live music (according to a Facebook post). They are searching for a new home.
  
  

• 🗳 Vote: Help Kaleideum choose their next mascot! Will it be Huey the Macaw, Digger the Gopher Tortoise, or Pinky the Axolotl? Cast your vote through October 23—the winner will be announced at Kaleideum’s Ghoul Times event on October 25!
  
  

• ❤️ Announced: 6th & Vine announced it will close on October 19 after nearly two decades. In a Facebook post, owner Kathleen Barnes called the restaurant her “heart and soul” and said she hopes the final days will be a celebration.
  
  

• 📚 School: WS/FCS has named Don Phipps as its next superintendent, starting Dec. 1. Currently leading Caldwell County Schools since 2018 and the state’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year, Phipps says he hopes to help steer the district toward a brighter future as it faces a $37 million deficit. (WFDD)

SPONSORED

Upcoming Events

• Art For Albania - View and purchase artwork from 30+ artists at the Elberson Fine Arts Center on October 11. Money raised goes toward feeding the poor and hungry in Albania.

• Evening in the Atrium - Talented musicians and great food—catch de la Fonk live while enjoying small bites from The Downtown Grille at 500 W 5th on October 16.

• Drone Show - Follow the yellow brick road to Truist Stadium on October 24 for a magical Wizard of Oz drone show!

• Operation Protect & Serve - Support the Winston-Salem Police Foundation in style—enjoy a catered dinner and silent auction at BioTech Place on October 29.

🌀 The Wrap

• 🍎 Looking for apple cider donuts? We’ve got you covered.

• 🎡 The Carolina Classic Fair runs through Sunday! We asked our Instagram followers what they love most: 66% said the food, 16% the rides, 11% the animals and competitions, and 7% the entertainment.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

* denotes sponsored content

Become a Member & Support The Go-To