Brasstown NC - John C. Campbell 49th Annual Fall Festival
John C. Campbell Folk School 49th Annual Fall Festival
Buy Your Tickets on-line or at the Gate
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!
Single Day Admission:
Adults:$12 | Seniors 65+/Veterans/Ages 12-17: $10 | Under 12: Free
Multi Day Flex Pass Admission:
Adults:$22 | Seniors 65+/Veterans/Ages 12-17: $18 | Under 12: Free
October 05, 2025
Cost: See Above for prices
Categories:
- Art & Craft Events & Festivals
- Artist Demonstrations
- Concerts & Music Venues
- Craft Beer Events
- Creative Classes
- Dance Performances
- Fall Events & Festivals
- Family Friendly Events
- Kid Friendly Events
Location:
John C. Campbell Folk School - Celebrating 100 years of Creativity & Community
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Phone:828.837.2775
Website: Click to Visit
