Family Weekend Guide

Asheville, NC family weekend: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18

17 events for the weekend of Oct 16–18, with 5 free and 2 indoors.

Updated

Age
Area
Cost
Weather
Days (pick any)

Top picks this weekend

Big outings first: festivals, farms, shows and attractions, mixing free and paid, for a range of ages.

Sat, Oct 17 · 9am

Sunflower Maze + Fall Festival

Fox Mountain Meadows — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · Central Asheville

Wander through a sunflower maze and enjoy a family-friendly autumn outing at a rural farm.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Paid: $29
Details at Eventbrite ↗
Sat, Oct 17 · 10am

Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival

Eliada Homes — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · Central Asheville

Eight-acre corn maze adventure paired with tractor rides, pumpkins, apple slushies, corn cannons, a spider climber, and lawn games for classic autumn fun.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Paid: $15
Details at AVL Today ↗
Sat, Oct 17 · 11:30am

Irene Wortham Center's Fall Festival

Irene Wortham Center — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · Central Asheville

A free fall festival packed with bouncy houses, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and classic treats like cotton candy and popcorn.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free
Details at Mountain Xpress ↗
Sun, Oct 18 · 2:30pm

Kids Yoga + Art Pop Up: Halloween

West Asheville Yoga Studio — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · West Asheville & Candler

Children ages three to eight explore playful yoga postures, mindful breathing, visualizations, and restorative movement in a Halloween-themed session.

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • Big outing
  • Paid: $15
Details at AVL Today ↗

Museums, gardens & more

Sat, Oct 17

Fall Trail Day

The North Carolina Arboretum — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · West Asheville & Candler

Fall Trail Day October 17, 2026 Hike, bike or run to join us for Trail Day at the Arboretum!

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
Details at The North Carolina Arboretum ↗
Sat, Oct 17 · 10am

Family Adventure: Western North Carolina Nature Quest

Western North Carolina Nature Center — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · Central Asheville

Explore Western North Carolina’s natural world together on a family adventure at a local nature center, with a quest-style outing designed to encourage discovery and…

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Paid: $23
Details at Eventbrite ↗
Sat, Oct 17 · 1pm

Coloring with Cats: Kiddie Edition

House of Black Cat Magic — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · West Asheville & Candler

Gentle, cat-assisted coloring sessions using markers and themed coloring books to reduce back-to-school stress for children; finished artwork can be taken home or hung…

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Paid: $15
Details at AVL Today ↗
Sat, Oct 17 · 2pm

Family Event: Blue Ridge Roller Derby Social

The Hop and Pop Bubble Tea — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · North (Weaverville, Woodfin, Leicester)

Meet skaters from three home teams and travel squads, learn about roller derby and upcoming bouts, browse official merchandise, and enter a raffle in a family-friendly…

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Free
Details at AVL Today ↗
Sun, Oct 18 · 8:30am

Boo Dash 5k

Tanger Outlets Asheville — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · East (Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Fairview)

A family friendly 5K on a unique flat course winding through Tanger Outlets, with chip timing, race shirts, and finisher coins.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed: Unknown
Details at Facebook event ↗
Sun, Oct 18 · 11am

Family Weekend- Mountain Mural tour

Well Played — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · Central Asheville

Guided outdoor walk through the South Slope’s murals, graffiti, and street art, digging into the artists, hidden details, and the stories behind why each piece was…

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Paid: $15
Details at Eventbrite ↗
Sun, Oct 18 · 2pm

Family Event: The Art of Play

The Hop and Pop Bubble Tea — Asheville · Buncombe Co. · North (Weaverville, Woodfin, Leicester)

Hands-on clay workshops invite all ages to shape playful creations, experiment with interactive games, and share ideas in a welcoming community gathering rooted in…

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Free
Details at AVL Today ↗

Library storytimes & programs (2, free)

From Buncombe County Public Libraries and Henderson County Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.

Saturday, Oct 17

3pmCreate-a-Monster! · Swannanoa Library, Swannanoa 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free