Fall Festival 2026

The John C. Campbell Folk School will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fall Festival on October 3-4, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival welcomes more than 13,000 visitors from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and beyond. Set on a scenic 270-acre campus with 17 studios, wooded walking paths, and ample parking, the festival features more than 200 craft and food vendors in both juried and non-juried categories.

The Folk School accepts handmade work created by applying artists; no mass-produced, commercial, or buy-sell items are permitted. Craft vendor booths are 10' x 10', with a limited number of double booths available. Food vendor booths are 20' x 20'. Vendors must provide their own tents, tables, and chairs. Booth sharing is permitted with a maximum of two vendors per booth. Booth locations include Festival Barn ($300, juried), Studio Row & Studio Row Annex ($250, juried), and Marketplace non-juried area ($225). Food vendors are located in food alley and various spots around campus ($250). Electricity is available for $50 (not available in all areas, maximum 20 amps). Food vendors must apply with the Cherokee County Health Department before submitting an application to the Folk School. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

The application fee is $30. Accepted vendors who cancel on or before July 15 receive a full refund. Cancellations by August 1 receive 50% refund of the booth fee. Cancellations after August 1 are non-refundable. The application fee is non-refundable. No-shows or vendors who fail to notify the Folk School will not receive a refund and may not be invited to participate in future festivals. The festival is a rain or shine event with no rain date. WiFi is provided throughout campus and three ATMs will be available for visitors.