03 Sep Our 49th Annual Fall Festival Returns on October 4 and 5, 2025
The John C. Campbell Folk School will officially launch its yearlong 100th anniversary campaign and celebrations at its beloved Fall Festival, taking place October 4-5, 2025, on the school’s Brasstown, N.C., campus. The milestone event will kick off a year of activities honoring a century of creativity, community and the preservation of Appalachian traditions.
Fall Festival, a regional favorite for 49 years, will launch the centennial year, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience live music, craft demonstrations, artisan markets and cultural performances in the larger context of the school’s 100th anniversary.
Founded in 1925 by Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler, and named in honor of Olive’s late husband, the John C. Campbell Folk School was inspired by the Danish folk school model of lifelong learning and community engagement. Over the past century, it has grown into a world-renowned destination for traditional and contemporary craft, music, dance and storytelling, drawing students from around the globe while remaining deeply rooted in Southern Appalachian culture.
“Our 100th anniversary is a milestone for everyone who has been part of the Folk School’s story, including students, instructors, makers, neighbors and visitors,” said Bethany Chaney, Executive Director of the John C. Campbell Folk School. “By announcing our centennial celebrations at Fall Festival, we’re honoring our history in the best way possible: surrounded by the community that has always been at the heart of the Folk School.”
The John C. Campbell Folk School’s Fall Festival, established in 1974, is held each year on the first full weekend in October. The festival features three outdoor vendor areas – both juried and non-juried – for visitors to experience the Folk School’s stunning 270-acre campus. The 2025 festival will feature 230 craft vendors and 29 food vendors, plus nearly 75 artisans demonstrating traditional and contemporary crafts across multiple locations.
Each year, more than 13,000 visitors travel to the Folk School from across the Southern Appalachian region, including Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to celebrate the spirit of community and creativity. The event will feature two music and dance stages showcasing dozens of local and regional performers. In addition, the Demonstration Stage, along with three other demonstration locations, will highlight traditional skills and craft practices. The Community Room, in the historic Keith House on the Folk School campus, will be open for participatory activities, inviting all festivalgoers to get hands-on with Appalachian traditions.
For complete event details, visit www.folkschool.org/fallfestival or call 1-800-365-5724. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to our 2025 Festival Sponsors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a free booth at Fall Festival because I am a non profit?
All vendors selling items or services for profit or fundraising must pay the designated booth fee for Fall Festival in the area where they are assigned. This includes individuals, organizations, and nonprofits.
Nonprofit status does not exempt a vendor from the fee if funds are being collected. Booth fees help cover event costs and ensure fairness for all participants.
Informational-only booths (with no sales or solicitations) may be eligible for a fee waiver, subject to approval.
Is the Fall Festival rain or shine?
Yes! In case of a heavy down pour we will relocate our Craft Shop music stage over to Davidson Hall and our demonstration stage into Keith House Community Room!
What is Parking like for the Fall Festival?
Tri County Early College Athletics Association will be managing our parking this year. Your donations will help support their athletics program—please consider contributing!
Is it free?
Yes, parking is free and located in our big field around campus.
On Saturday only there will be parking available at Little Brasstown Baptist Church with a shuttle running to campus on a loop.
Accessible Parking
Accessible Parking will be available in the gravel lot across from the Keith House and in the fields with spots reserved closest to the entry gates. Please present a valid accessible parking permit to the attendants for access.
Are pets allowed at Fall Festival?
The festival can be challenging for pets because of the crowds and the heat. We encourage those who bring their pets to seek out water stations, keep their pet on a leash, clean up after your pet, and be respectful of attendees. If your dog is not on a leash, you will be asked to leave the Festival.
Are there any alternate routes to Fall Festival ?
The following roads lead to the Folk School:
Old Hwy 64 West (Coming from Murphy, Peachtree, Andrews, Warne, Hayesville, Young Harris, Hiawassee)
Settawig Road to Old Hwy 64 West (Coming from Hayesville)
Hiawassee Street to Harshaw Road (Coming from Tennessee, Ranger, Murphy)
Hwy 129N to Martins Creek Road to Brasstown Road (Coming from North Georgia, Bellview, Martins Creek)
Will the craft shop be open? 
The Craft Shop is open this year and they are selling t-shirts in a tent just outside, right by the dining hall’s Famous Folk School BBQ table.
Where will the craft shop demonstrations be located?
Craft demonstrations are taking place at five separate locations. Demonstrations will be located on a stage to the left of the Enameling Studio, inside the Woodcarving Studio, outside of the Davidson Hall Wet Room, the Woodworking porch, and Blacksmithing Shop.
Where can we look for Fall Festival merchandise?
There will be a tent located outside of the Craft Shop with Fall Festival t-shirts, sweatshirts and other logo items!
What is the firearm policy at the Fall Festival?
For the safety and comfort of all attendees, firearms are not allowed on the premises (Pursuant to North Carolina Statutes 14-415.11) at the John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a welcoming and family-friendly environment for everyone.
Where can I find the Brasstown Carvers?
They will be inside the Woodcarving Studio all day demonstrating and selling their work!
Will there be Kids’ Activities?
The Kids Zone is located in Shady Grove and features a variety of activities hosted by local nonprofits. “Keep on Walking” will offer pumpkin painting, spin art, and an array of yard games for children to enjoy for a flat fee. No cost options will be provided by First United Methodist Montessori Pre-School, the Cherokee County Arts Council and Parents as Teachers of Cherokee and Clay Counties.
Where will on campus accessibility locations be?
Parking
Accessible Parking will be available in the gravel lot across from the Keith House and in the fields with spots reserved closest to the entry gates. Please present a valid accessible parking permit to the attendants for access.
Bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms are located in the Keith House circle
Access into buildings?
There will be no building access for this event except for the Woodcarving Studio and The Log Cabin Museum which has a ramp entrance.
Shuttles?
Shuttles will run from Little Brasstown to campus in a loop and a shuttle will run in the fields to bring people to the gates. these shuttles will not be wheelchair accessible
Is the Fall Festival Wheelchair/walker Accessible?
We are almost a 300 acre campus. We do have reserved accessible parking but our trails are unpaved which could be difficult for wheel chair/walkers. We will also have a few accessibility carts that will be available.
Where will bathrooms be at Fall Festival?
We will have portalets available on campus for festival goers. They will be located near the Festival Barn, across from Davidson Hall, Studio Row Annex handicap accessible bathrooms are here, next to Bidstrup and behind our Woodworking studio.
Where are ATMs located?
We will have two ATMS located outside of the Craftshop, and near our Fiber Arts building!
Questions about Vendor & Volunteer Check in?
Vendor Check-In
Vendors will receive an email with their vendor check in location. Please check in to grab your booth sign and other important information for this years Fall Festival. Check in locations will be based on booth locations and located in the Keith House circle, Festival Barn, Craft Shop Info Booth and Marketplace Info Booth.
Check in will begin on Friday, October 3rd @1pm and go until 6pm.
Early check-in will not be allowed as we will still have students onsite before 1pm. You will have to wait even if you arrive early.
Volunteer Check-In
We will have two volunteer check in locations this year! Please check in to grab your t-shirt and meal ticket before reporting to your assignment. Make sure you arrive 30 minutes early for this new check-in step. Volunteers’ check-in will be located at a booth near the Craft Shop and at a booth in Marketplace right after you enter the Garden Gate. Your check in gate will be assigned when you receive your volunteer confirmation email.
Have a Question we didn't answer here?
For any further questions please contact our Event and Volunteer Manager!
Morgan Budzinski
Mbudzinski@folkschool.org
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.