Raise a Pint to Fall Beer Festivals in North Carolina

There’s something around North Carolina perhaps best described as a “brew-spirit” that occurs when willing taste buds collide with lovingly created craft brews coming from more than 400 breweries here. Some of the best places to experience this spirit are the beer festivals that dot the Tar Heel landscape in the fall – and with October being NC Beer Month, there's even more of a reason to toast to the season. 

1 Mecktoberfest

1 Mecktoberfest

Sept. 13-15, Sept. 20-22, Oct. 4-6 & Oct. 11-13, 2024; Two Charlotte locationsSee on map

Thanks to a second Charlotte location that opened in summer 2024, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's annual celebration is doubling its Mecktoberfest fun. Spanning the large brewery and biergarten, the September events will be held at the original location in LoSo, while the October dates will be held at the new Ballantyne space. Expect German-style food, award-winning beer, live bands and fun for the whole family at both.

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2 Triangle Oktoberfest

2 Triangle Oktoberfest

Oct. 4-5, 2024; CarySee on map

North Carolina's largest Oktoberfest prides itself on being the most authentically German festival, all while donating 100% of the proceeds to local charities. Take part in exciting contests – like hammer strike, stein hoisting and yodeling, just to name a few – and events such as the wiener dog races and live music. Festivities kick off with a tapping of the keg ceremony.

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3 Kernersville Oktoberfest

3 Kernersville Oktoberfest

Oct. 5, 2024; KernersvilleSee on map

Bring your camping chairs for this lawn party that supports Korner's Folly, a 22-room Victorian house museum filled with eccentric architecture. Each ticket includes beverage and food tastings, a souvenir tasting glass, and a house tour of historic museum.

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4 Tour de Fat

4 Tour de Fat

Oct. 5, 2024; AshevilleSee on map

Celebrate beer, bikes and music at New Belgium's Liquid Center as you help raise funds for local nonprofits. The event includes a bike parade, variety show, costume contest (be sure to don your own!) and live music.

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5 Hickory Oktoberfest

5 Hickory Oktoberfest

Oct. 11-13, 2024; HickorySee on map

Hickory has a number of ties to Germany: The city was cofounded by a man from Germany, it houses the US headquarters for several German companies and its sister city is Altenburg, Germany. So hosting an Oktoberfest celebration is a natural fit. Go for the beer tents, multiple stages for live music, KidsFest and food drive.

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6 Sugar Mountain Resort's Oktoberfest

6 Sugar Mountain Resort's Oktoberfest

Oct. 12-13, 2024; Sugar MountainSee on map

This event has been entertaining families for more than 30 years with its Bavarian food and beer, cloggers, live music, arts and crafts, costume contest and kids fun center. If you're looking to make a weekend out of it, a couple of local accommodations also offer discounts. Admission, parking and the shuttle service are all free.

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7 Voracious and Rare Beer & Wine Festival

7 Voracious and Rare Beer & Wine Festival

Oct. 25, 2024; WilmingtonSee on map

Try craft beers you've never had and many you've never heard of from dozens of breweries. The uniqueness of this event is further exemplified by its location on the banks of the Cape Fear River as the sun sets over the water.

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8 Carousel Center Beer and Wine Festival

8 Carousel Center Beer and Wine Festival

Oct. 26, 2024; WilmingtonSee on map

The port city of Wilmington, where history says pirates might have enjoyed an ale or two, has built a tradition with this 23rd annual festival along the Cape Fear River downtown. Lighthouse Beer and Wine shop organizes the event, with more than 100 craft breweries and wineries serving their best.

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9 OBX Brewtäg

9 OBX Brewtäg

Oct. 26, 2024; Nags HeadSee on map

A celebration of flight and beer, OBX Brewtäg is modeled after the Red Bull Flugtag, translated to "flying day" in German. Here, contestants will be competing to see who can launch an empty 1/6-keg barrel the farthest. And a crafty selection of local and regional beer and food will be available throughout the day.

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Please drink responsibly and travel safely while on your visit to North Carolina breweries and festivals. Note that a number of the festivals offer special tickets for designated drivers.