Hurricane Helene struck Asheville, North Carolina, during last year’s peak travel season. As fall rolls around again one year later, the city prepares for a milestone autumn with a U.S. art premier, reopenings and community-wide celebrations.
Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, biology professor, Appalachian State, and a fall color expert, says the upcoming fall color season in Western North Carolina will be long and vibrant, and the area offers no shortage of vantage points for enjoying autumnal hues.
Check out what’s coming for Asheville this season:
Blue Ridge Parkway Expands Access
The Blue Ridge Parkway completed a major repair that opened 38 miles of continuous access from milepost 382 in Asheville and Buncombe County. Nearly 60 percent of the parkway in North Carolina is now open, including Folk Art Center, Graveyard Fields and Cold Mountain Overlook.
©ExploreAsheville.com
Thomas Dambo’s Trolls Descend Upon North Carolina Arboretum
The traveling exhibition, “Trolls: A Field Study,” from Danish artist Thomas Dambo, will make its U.S. debut at North Carolina Arboretum, Nov. 15–Feb. 17, 2026. Crafted from reclaimed materials, the 12 larger-than-life trolls, crafted from reclaimed materials, promote sustainability and a deeper connection to nature.
Chimney Rock State Park Reopens
Chimney Rock State Park reopened in June after an extensive rebuilding effort following the hurricane. Reserve tickets to the attraction in advance.
Farm Tours Offer Taste of Foodtopia
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project hosts its annual Farm Tours Sept. 20–21, highlighting 24 farms in the region that specialize in a variety of produce and products. Meanwhile, Eliada Homes, five minutes from downtown, puts on the Fall Festival & Corn Maze, the foster care nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser.
©ExploreAsheville.com
The River Arts District along the French Broad River was among the hardest hit districts by Hurricane Helene, with hundreds of artist studios and galleries initially impacted. Since then, more than half have returned. The Marquee, home to 350 vendors and completely submerged during Helene, makes a bold return almost exactly a year later. The team behind The Radical Hotel opened the new RAD Rendezvous, a mix of artist studios, retail and pop-up experiences. Non-profit Local Cloth will open its restored workshop and boutique Sept. 13. Foundation Woodworks, a collective of 11 master woodworkers and furniture makers, will return to its restored workshop this month, and its Echoes of the Forest, aimed at transforming downed trees from the hurricane into a healing arts experience with installations, will unveil its installations at Wood, Wonder & Renewal, a community celebration at N.C. Arboretum, on Sept. 26.
Additionally, on Sept. 13, River Arts District Association will host RAD Resilience — a neighborhood-wide celebration of healing, creativity and collective strength in the year since Hurricane Helene.
When it comes to food, new and reopened spots serve soul and story. Some of the returning and new spots include Corner Kitchen, Zillicoah Beer Company, Crusco, Slava Cafe Xico, Finest Deli, Jersey South Bagel Co. and Piccolina.
©ExploreAsheville.com
Also be sure to check out these fall events:
- Goombay Festival, Sept. 4–7
- Blue Ridge Pride Festival, Sep. 26
- Black Mountain Blues Festival, Sept. 26–28
- Burnpile, Oct. 4
- LEAF Global Arts Festival, Oct. 16–19
- Asheville Symphony Orchestra Presents “Convergence,” 25
- RADfest, Nov. 8–9
- The Asheville Sessions, Nov. 6–9
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