Southern Affairs - Festival + Events + Things to Do

Bardstown Bourbon Festival  
September 16th through September 19th  

Discover the smooth luxury of all things bourbon at the 30th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Located in the Bourbon Capital of the World, feel the bourbon in the air while tasting Kentucky whiskeys under the star-filled sky. Savor the flavor of the Bluegrass State at the festival’s unforgettable experiences. From an upscale, plated four-course dinner to the Ultimate Maker’s Mark Bourbon Experience with Master Distiller Denny Potter, guests to Bardstown will enjoy personal tours of the industry’s only limestone Whiskey Cellar, Maker’s Mark’s National Historic Landmark distillery, and their lakeside tasting room. At the Master Distiller’s Auction – a live auction charity event, guests are invited to bid on rare, hard-to-find bottles of this Kentucky elixir. With almost 20 distillers offering samples of the delightful and decadent elixir celebrate the crowning jewel of Kentucky’s Bourbon Country at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.  
kybourbonfestival.com 

Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend 
September 24th through 26th  

Celebrating beach life since 1974 – the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival is the largest annual special event in Old Dominion. The 32-block long celebration attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year with concerts, performances, and of course, the beach. Marking the 47th anniversary of the festival, the Boardwalk Weekend features over 250 artisans displaying their crafts at one of the Top Fine Art and Design Shows across the country. Take a stroll on the beach and be amazed by 22 magnificent sand sculptures created by internationally acclaimed sculptors representing 11 countries across the globe at the Sandsculpting Competition. See the professionals turn grains of sand into jaw-dropping works of art, get running with Neptune’s 8k race, or watch the Grand Parade pass by – with three days of boundless coastal fun, no one will want to miss the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend.  
neptunefestival.com 

Pilgrimage Festival | Franklin, TN 
September 25th & September 26th 

Inspired by friendship, history, and incredible music, the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, Tennessee is a must-see festival this fall. Located at The Park at Harlinsdale, a century-old horse farm surrounded by rolling hills, natural amphitheaters, and breath-taking vistas, it is a perfect fit for the naturally inspiring festival. Welcoming all to the historic city of Franklin, just 20 minutes south of Nashville, this family-friendly event invites guests, young and old, to explore the Americana Music Triangle experience and discover the shared love of music from an eclectic mix of Southern communities. Stellar bands and artists, like Dave Matthews Band, the Black Keys, Tanya Tucker, Jamestown Revival, and many more, will grace the festival’s five stages of music. Stop by the Craft Beer Hall to check the score of the game and to taste one of the Hall’s 30 draught beers. Wander over to the Makers Village featuring local and regional crafts, clothing and artworks, from over 75 makers. With 18 local food trucks at the Farm to Turntable, and a shaded center court hosted by Grillex, enjoy a tasty treat while cooling down in the shade. Become a believer in the power of music at the Pilgrimage Festival.
pilgrimagefestival.com 

Natchez Balloon Festival  
October 15th through 17th 

Established in 1986, The Natchez Balloon Festival is one hot weekend of high-flying balloons and outstanding live music. One of the largest and most successful festivals in Southwest Mississippi, the festival welcomes an Arts and Crafts Fair, touring musicians, traveling artists, and lots of hot-air balloons. Located in Natchez’s historic downtown and tucked in the parklike grounds of the columned mansion of Rosalie, the Natchez Hot Air Balloon celebrates its 36th year of family-friendly fun. Spend the weekend overlooking the Mississippi River while hot-air balloons silently drift through the azure sky.  
natchezballoonfestival.com 

French Quarter Festival  
September 30th through October 3rd  

The world’s largest showcase of Louisiana music, food, and culture, the French Quarter Fest has been delighting residents and tourists since 1984. More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate and revel in some of the best local music, from contemporary jazz to New Orleans funk, brass bands, Zydeco, classical, and more. Sponsored by the Omni Royal Orleans, the festival's official hotel, the free-to-enjoy French Quarter Fest delights not only the ears but also, the tastebuds, with 60 food booths located throughout the historic French Quarter, the French Quarter Festival has been considered one of the top festivals by locals.   
frenchquarterfest.org 

OKTOBERFEST

Say, “Prost!” at these all-out Oktoberfests. From Texas to Georgia, experience the heritage and hospitality of Germany with a Southern flair.  

Fredericksburg, Texas 
October 1st through October 3rd  

Celebrate German heritage in the Polka Capital of Texas at the 40th Oktoberfest of Fredericksburg, Texas. Located at the Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg, this Hill Country attraction should not be missed while visiting the Lonestar State. Practice your dance steps and participate in the Waltz Contest or work those vocals at the Altstadt Yodeling competition. Hype up the kids at the Hauptstrasse Chicken Dance and get to the nines for the Family Dirndl & Lederhosen Contest. Burn off the calories with the 8k Kraut Run, test your strength at the Samuel Adams Stein Hoist, and enjoy live music across five stages.  
oktoberfestinfbg.com 

Asheville, NC 
October 2nd  

Don't miss the fun and tasty Oktoberfest in downtown Asheville in Pack Square Park where "Little Germany" mixes Bavarian traditions with Asheville’s eclectic vibe. A perfect time to celebrate the local beer scene, the 21 and over festival features a large variety of beer and hard cider tastings from 20 breweries with loads of seasonal ales, just for Oktoberfest. Pair the beer with one of the German staples for sale, like bratwurst, pretzels, and traditional dishes. Then sit back and enjoy the live entertainment as merry yodelers, shoe-slapping dancers, and spirited Polka bands take center stage. Revel in the fun of the popular Oktoberfest games, including the Brezel Toss (pretzel toss), Stein Hissen (stein hoist), Staffellauf (relay race) and Fass Roll (Keg Roll). Prost like a Pro this October when Bavaria arrives in Asheville. 
ashevilleoktoberfest.com 

Helen, GA 
Weekends in September 
Daily throughout October 

Experience the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States in Helen, Georgia. Tucked into the jeweled toned fall forests of Georgia's Mountains, experience Helen’s biggest celebration with German music, dancing, food, and heft steins full of foamy beer at Oktoberfest. Don some German-inspired attire and dance the day away to waltzes and polkas, at this year’s 50th-anniversary celebration. Looking like a pristine Bavarian village year-round, the Alpine Mountain town of Helen is the perfect setting for an incredible Oktoberfest in the Southeast. In the Festhalle, visitors to Helen experience the Munich version of the celebration with the ceremonial keg tapping. German-style bands featuring Alphorns, Cowbells, and Accordions take the stage as guests take a spin across the dance floor. With lively festivities and delectable food and drink, all accentuated with the dazzling fall foliage of Georgia’s Mountains, Oktoberfest in Helen is the perfect place to bring friends, make new ones, and enjoy German culture mixed with Southern hospitality.
helenchamber.com/oktoberfest