Statesville — Carolina BalloonFest, Oct. 16-18, features colorful balloons, concerts, food, wine and craft beer tastings, art vendors. www.carolinaballoonfest.com.
Banner Elk — Woolly Worm Festival, Oct. 17-18, features worm races, food, crafts and live music. www.woollyworm.com.
Andrews — Cruise Night, Oct. 17, features antique cars, trucks and tractors, children's activities and food vendors. www.andrewschamber.com.
Lexington — The Barbecue Festival, Oct. 24, features pork barbecue, concerts, arts and crafts, children's attractions, car shows, rides and games, and other pig-themed activities. www.barbecuefestival.com.
Blowing Rock — Ghost Train Halloween Festival, Fridays and Saturdays, through Oct. 31, features train and carnival rides, haunted attractions, a maze, trick-or-treating and children's activities. 1-800-526-5740, www.tweetsie.com.
Dillsboro — Western North Carolina Pottery Festival, Nov. 7, features pottery competitions, demonstrations and more. 828-631-5100 or 828-586-3601, www.wncpotteryfestival.com.
Rural Hill — Sheep Dog Trials and Dog Festival, Nov. 7-8, features sheepherding championships, demonstrations, livestock, hay rides, local beer and wine, food vendors, shopping and antique tractors, children's activities and more. www.ruralhill.net.
Wilmington — Cucalorus Film Festival, Nov. 11-15, features films that focus on dance, music videos, emerging artists, social justice, works-in-progress and international cinema. 910-343-5995, www.cucalorus.org.
Raleigh — American Indian Heritage Celebration, Nov. 21, features arts and crafts, storytelling, hands-on activities, music, games, dance, medicine, language and instrument activities. 919-807-7900, www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.
Wrightsville Beach — Holiday Flotilla, Nov. 27-28, features illuminated ships, fireworks, a tree lighting ceremony, holiday shopping, music, food and children's activities. 910-256-2120, www.ncholidayflotilla.org.
Greensboro — Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival, Nov. 27-29, features handcrafted works, demonstrations and opportunities to interact with artists. www.craftshow.com.
Wilmington — Enchanted Airlie, Nov. 27-Dec. 22, features more than 750,000 lights illuminating a half-mile, self-guided, walking trail of holiday displays and refreshments. www.airliegardens.org.
Charlotte — Christmas at the Library, Dec. 1-23, features a live Nativity scene, carriage rides, caroling and festive music, story time, food, shopping and Journey of Faith tours at the Billy Graham Library. 704-401-3200, www.billygrahamlibrary.org.
McAdenville — Christmas Town USA, Dec. 1-26, features decorated homes and trees, live entertainment, hot chocolate and kettle corn. 704-823-2330, www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.
Wilmington — Holiday Flea at BAC, Dec. 4-6, features a flea market complete with vintage, retro and upcycled finds, such as furniture, jewelry, clothing, home décor, kitchenware, art, collectables and more.. 910-616-9882, www.brooklynartsnc.com.
McAdenville — Christmas Town USA, Dec. 1-26, features decorated homes and trees, live entertainment, hot chocolate and kettle corn. 704-823-2330, www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.
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