The Annual Fall Festival was established in 1974 and is held each year on the first full weekend in October, with this year falling on October 4+5 2025. There are three outdoor areas for vendors, including juried and non-juried areas, that wind along parts of our beautiful 270-acre campus. In 2023, over 200 vendors shared their work with over 13,000 visitors throughout the southern Appalachian region of TN, VA, NC & SC, and GA. Two stages are host to dozens of local and regional musicians and dancers. There is a $25 non-refundable application fee, and booth fees range from $225 for a 10’x10′ booth in non-juried areas to $300 for our open-air Festival Barn spaces. Options are available for electricity in some vendor areas. Acceptance notifications will be sent the week of May 15, with booth fees due by July 1 at 5 p.m. In order to receive a full refund for cancelations, you must let us know by no later than July 15. We do maintain a waitlist, and vendors will be notified of their waitlist status.
Fall Festival 2025
Come celebrate Appalachia at our 49th Annual Fall Festival!
October 4-5, 2025
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Annual Fall Festival, established at the John C. Campbell Folk School in 1974, is held each year on the first full weekend in October—this year on Oct. 4 and 5. This beloved tradition is extra special as it will kick off the Folk School’s 100th Anniversary!
The event features three outdoor vendor areas – both juried and non-juried – for visitors to experience the stunning 270-acre campus. This year, look forward to 230 craft vendors and 29 food vendors, plus close to 75 makers demonstrating traditional and contemporary crafts across multiple locations. Each year, more than 13,000 visitors attend 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 areas, will highlight traditional skills and craft practices. Community Room, in the historic Keith House will also be open for participatory activities, inviting everyone to get hands-on with Appalachian traditions.
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 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
The Fall Festival presents a wonderful opportunity to share treasured Appalachian culture, crafts, and music with our region’s residents and visitors. When planning each year’s event, we always look for ways to broaden our connection to our Folk School community. This year, we’ll celebrate our 47th anniversary, and we’re excited to offer several new elements we think everyone will enjoy.
Our Fall Festival is essentially a multifaceted arts and music showcase that draws hundreds of passionate artisans and performers. Hundreds of fine craftspeople will showcase distinctive crafts that range from quirky to elegant. Local and regional musicians and dancers, including some talented family groups, will bring a delightful energy to our Folk School campus.
"I attended an artisan bread class around 1999 and have come back for Fall Festival several times. I hope to attend another class in the near future. I love the school grounds and everything that the school stands for."
Celebrate Appalachian Culture
Visit a wide variety of fine craft exhibitors tucked along the school’s winding wooded paths. Watch more than 30 artisans demonstrate traditional and contemporary crafts. Fill your ears with traditional roots music, and tap your toes to clogging, Morris, and other dance performances throughout the weekend.
Fall Festival: News & Stories
The John C. Campbell Folk...
Linda Chapley has been a...
We are excited to talk to the creator of the 2024 Fall Festival quilt banner, Dana Bolyard! A longtime Folk School quilting tradition is the creation of the Fall Festival quilt banner. Over the 48-year history of Fall Festival, different community quilters have created a handmade quilt commemorating the event each year.
We're thrilled that Annie Smith...
"Good to Be Together" CP:...
Betsy Henn Bailey celebrates her 36th year as a Fall Festival vendor and artist. A local artist and teacher in the Brasstown and Murphy area for over 40 years, Betsy has had a great influence on art and culture in our community. The week before the 39th Annual Fall Festival I talked to Betsy about the festival, her art, and her Folk School memories.
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Thirty-eight years ago, the very first Folk School Fall Festival was held by Open House beside the large fields. Gus and Maggie Masters, then directors of the Folk School, were enamellists who were used to selling their art at shows and festivals. So they simply brought to the Folk School and local artists a festival of our own!
…
It’s raining again, and if this were boy-scout camp, there’d be a lot of soggy tents, unroasted marshmallows, and unhappy campers. But here at the John C. Campbell Folk School, each shower puts another bud on the lilies and another apple on the bough over at Orchard House, which will make for fine cider come the Fall Festival. Over one hundred people have gathered to weave backpacks from straw, piece fabric into quilted jackets, build their own mountain dulcimer or learn to play one–just a few of the projects this week.
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The Sunday Morning String Band, Jan Davidson, Martha Owen, and David Liden started the day out right with some old time fiddle tunes. This year they invited guests to the stage. Fred Ward, a friend from England, played some tunes from old Britain on the melodion, which looks like a small accordion. Before long they invited their youngsters, Chole Davidson, my sister Annie Fain Liden, and I to sing a family favorite – Lazy John.
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Images from past Fall Festivals
Locate & Contact
The John C. Campbell Folk School
Events & Volunteer Manager
Morgan Budzinski
1.800.FOLK.SCH (365-5724)
Mailing Address
One Folk School Road
Brasstown, NC 28902