Southern Affairs (September/October)
September 2-3
Taste of Soul Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Celebrate soul and Southern food at Taste of Soul (TOSA), an annual two-day, citywide free food, music and cultural festival. Hosted in West Downtown Atlanta across from Mercedez Benz Stadium, TOSA features more than 100 live music performances — including national headliners — across soul and R&B genres. Opt for lawn chair or individual seating or splurge on ticketed premium tables for your favorite acts. Fuel up for your concert lineup with comforting Southern flavors from dishes like fried catfish, mac ‘n cheese, candied yams, yellow rice, fried crab legs, smothered pork chops and more. Kids will enjoy fun family-friendly activities and art displays too.
https://tasteofsoulatlanta.com/
September 12-17
West Tennessee State Fair
Jackson, Tennessee
It’s fun for the whole family at the West Tennessee State Fair. What began as an agricultural and mechanical fair organized in 1855 to educate farmers on new farming concepts has turned into a wholesome option for family entertainment every fall. The festive fair features classic fried fair food, games and carnival rides, in addition to petting zoos and a range of exhibitors showing off quilts, arts and crafts, photography and more. Stop by to praise pageant winners of all ages or to cheer on your picks for Queen and King of the Kitchen. Be sure to head to the stage to jam out to your favorite country and rock performers too.
https://wtsfair.com/
September 16-17
Art on the Rocks
Gadsden, Alabama
The falls, caves and changing fall leaves aren’t the only things to look at during the twice-yearly Art on the Rocks event at Noccalula Falls Park. This unique Alabama art show displays hand-crafted arts and crafts from nearly 100 local vendors. Shop around for beautiful, one-of-a-kind paintings, woodwork, pottery, carvings, soaps, candles and jewelry. As you make your way between the booths, the park’s walking paths will also host a wide range of food, drinks and other goodies for visitors. Pets are welcome to the event, but are requested to remain distanced from the animal habitat.
https://www.noccalulafallspark.com/events/art-on-the-rocks/
September 29-October 1
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Bop around the sunny 30-block boardwalk for a bustling weekend at the 49th annual Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. Sway to your favorite music with more than twenty daily concerts scattered among two stages on the boardwalk, or admire the artwork of more than 200 artisans displaying their handmade work. Be sure to spot the sand sculptures created by world-renowned international sculptors at Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship too. For an active weekend, lace up your sneakers for Neptune’s 8K Race, bump, set and spike at the volleyball tournament or perfect your downward facing dog with free beachside morning yoga classes. Other events to look out for include the Grand Parade, Atlantic Regatta and Symphony by the Sea concert series.
https://www.neptunefestival.com/events/boardwalk-weekend/
September 30-October 8
Red River Revel Festival
Shreveport, Louisiana
It’s time to dance, add to your art collection and enjoy your favorite foods at the annual Red River Revel Festival. Set in Festival Park in Shreveport, this nine-day festival features multiple stages for the ultimate, multi-genre music experience. Headliners in 2023 include Neal McCoy, Mannie Fresh and Everclear. For visual art, visit with more than 80 artists specializing in oils, acrylics, sculpture, jewelry, glass, metal and more. Come hungry: the festival dishes up everything from funnel cake to seafood macaroni to Natchitoches meat pies to chicken and waffles. Admission to the Red River Revel Festival is free before 5 p.m. on weekdays.
https://redriverrevel.com/
October 5-15
Venardos Circus
Louisville, Kentucky
Created by former Ringling Brothers Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the Venardos Circus is a unique Broadway-style circus. The traveling circus will be heading to Louisville at the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park for two weeks of awe-inspiring acrobatics, laugh-out-loud comedy and fearless aerialists. Adults and kids of all ages will enjoy juggling and balancing acts, daredevil stunts, magic shows and musical production under the classic big-topped red-and-white striped tent. The doors to the circus open one hour prior to showtime for pre-show performance attractions, as well as traditional circus fare like popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, sno cones and lemonade.
https://venardoscircus.com/
October 6-8 & 13-15
Austin City Limits
Austin, Texas
Set under the hot Texas sun in Zilker Park with the Austin skyline as a scenic backdrop, Austin City Limits is a two-weekend festival filled with music, bites and photo-worthy spaces. Led by acts like Kendrick Lamar, The Lumineers, Maggie Rogers, Odesza and Shania Twain this year, the diverse festival features more than 100 performances across nine stages. Everything is bigger in Texas, including the festival’s foodie lineup. Festival attendees can nosh on tacos, brews, sweets and vegan options from the city’s favorite restaurants. Between sets, check out the kids’ mini-fest and dozens of sponsored giveaways.
https://www.aclfestival.com/
October 6-8
Oglebayfest
Wheeling, West Virginia
Pay homage to Oglebay Park at the annual Oglebayfest fall celebration, which kicked off in 1978. This three-day event in Wheeling features regional foods and an extensive display of fine handcrafted wares, as well as a chance to see some of the tri-state area’s best artisans hard at work. Oglebayfest also offers elaborate displays of quilts, homegrown crops and farm animals. Get your competitive kick satisfied with butter making, hog calling, fiddling, baby crawling and rock throwing contests. Don’t miss the parade and fireworks to cap off the festival too.
https://oglebay.com/oglebayfest/
October 11-22
South Carolina State Fair
Columbia, South Carolina
The beloved fall fair experience comes to life at the South Carolina State Fair every October in Columbia. The 12-day family-friendly fair is stacked with midway rides, rollercoasters, carnival games and exhibits, as well as prize-winning pigs, blue-ribbon roses and other competitions. Snack on classic hot corn dogs and candy apples or take on a daring dish like fried Oreos. This year, the fair has a new lineup of nightly entertainment on the Pepsi Place stage, including up-and-coming local bands and Columbia City Ballet’s preview of Dracula. Guests can also go on a stunning visual journey with never-heard-before stories at the A Princess Diana Accredited Access Exhibition in the Rosewoods Building.
https://www.scstatefair.org/
October 14-15
Mumfest
New Bern, North Carolina
There’s no shortage of family fun to be had at MumFest, set amidst New Bern’s historic downtown and its waterfront. This award-winning festival has something for all ages. Kids will enjoy the MumFest Amusement Zone, which is filled with an exciting rollercoaster, ferris wheel a giant slide, carnival games and more. Meanwhile, adults can imbibe in a fresh draft at the Miller Lite Beer Gardens. The whole family can sit back and relax with country, rock, pop and bluegrass musical performances, delicious bites, trampoline stunt shows, dog shows and shopping at dozens of local vendors.
https://mumfest.com/
