The Latest
Fall is in full swing in Raleigh, with temperatures cooling off, leaves beginning to change, and autumn activities filling up the calendar. From time-honored festivals that bring the community together to unique attractions that invite you to discover something new, there's plenty to explore all season long.
Life in BanksTwenty invites you to make the most of every season without going far from home. With a convenient Raleigh location, the community is just around the corner from fall fun, including the following top picks.
Outdoor Activities & Fun on the Farm
Grasshopper Farms | All Season | Knightdale
Minutes from BanksTwenty, Grasshopper Farms is a quintessential destination for Raleigh families year-round, especially in the fall. With a corn maze, pumpkin patch, playground, fresh produce market, plant nursery, and gemstone mining, it’s easy to spend a whole day here making memories.
Crossroads Corn Maze | All Season | Wendell
Crossroads Corn Maze offers a range of fall fun, with a 5-acre corn maze, a hay maze, hayrides, lawn games, and more. If you’re visiting on the weekend, stay a while to enjoy rotating food trucks!
Catch the Fall Colors | Early to Mid-November | Raleigh
Fall colors typically peak in the first half of November in this part of North Carolina, making now the perfect time to plan a leaf-sighting excursion. Raleigh’s dozens of parks offer premium views of the changing leaves, including local favorites Historic Yates Mill County Park, William B. Umstead State Park, and Lake Johnson Park.
Autumn colors on display at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Fall Festivals & Special Events
NC State Fair | October 15-25 | Raleigh
No fall season in Raleigh would be complete without a trip to the NC State Fair, one of the state's most beloved traditions. Each year, fairgoers flock to the grounds to enjoy exciting rides, agricultural exhibits, musical entertainment, and—of course—indulgent fair food. This year, 50 food vendors will be serving up everything from banana pudding flights to jalapeño popper pizza.
Clayton Harvest Festival | October 22-25 | Clayton
Head out to the Clayton Harvest Festival for an activity-packed weekend featuring carnival attractions, a classic car show and tractor show, local vendors, and plenty of entertainment. Each day offers something new to enjoy, including trick-or-treating, movie night, and a Latin American Festival.
Fall on First Ave | October 31 | Knightdale
This Halloween, Unhinged Coffee & Co. will transform First Avenue in Knightdale into an autumn wonderland, complete with pumpkin carving, a pie competition, and a costume contest, with prizes for the best-dressed kid, teen, adult, and furry friend. Attendance is free, and local vendors will be on-site both indoors and out.
Moonlight in the Garden | November 6-7, 13-14, & 20-21 | Raleigh
On select dates in November, JC Raulston Arboretum puts on a spectacular light show after dark, with installations woven throughout the gardens. Moonlight in the Garden also features live music, food trucks, and refreshments, with ticket proceeds going to support year-round free admission to the arboretum.
Halloween Happenings
Pumpkin Flotilla at Bond Park | October 23 | Cary
If you're looking for a more distinctive fall tradition, the Pumpkin Flotilla fits the bill. Whether you bring your own carved pumpkin or simply attend as a spectator, you're invited to celebrate the season with a festive display of floating jack-o'-lanterns on Bond Park Lake. For those that can't make it on the 23rd, the pumpkins will be relit for a second viewing the following day.
Carolina Ballet's Dracula | October 15-November 1 | Raleigh
Spend an immersive night at the theatre with Carolina Ballet's Dracula at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. The two-act performance portrays the classic spooky story on select nights throughout the fall.
Lions Park Trunk-or-Treat | October 29 | Raleigh
Trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited to this free community event in Lions Park. Start your Halloween festivities early with an afternoon of arts and crafts, costumes, music, and candy!
Fall in Raleigh is packed with opportunities to celebrate the season, whether it's a cherished local tradition, a spooky Halloween celebration, or simply enjoying the crisp weather and surrounding natural beauty. Throughout the seasons, BanksTwenty places you close to all that Raleigh has to offer. As the community continues to take shape along the banks of the Neuse, join our VIP list to be a part of what comes next.
