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As summer gives way to crisp fall days across the South, September brings a fresh lineup of festivals, fairs, and celebrations worth adding to your calendar. From apple harvests and bourbon tastings to horse parades and home shows, there’s no shortage of ways to welcome the changing season. These September events offer plenty of excuses to get out, explore, and savor the start of fall.
South Carolina Apple Festival | Westminster, SC
September 10-12, 2026
South Carolina Apple Festival turns Westminster, SC’s favorite fruit into a weekend of sweet Southern fun. Sample fresh-picked apples from local growers, watch bakers put their best recipes to the test, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend. Whether you come for the apple treats or stay for the small-town charm, this festival is one delicious way to welcome fall.
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival | Atlanta, GA
September 10-13, 2026
Get ready for four days of flavor at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, where the region’s culinary traditions take center stage. Sip your way through wines, spirits, and cocktails, dig into chef tastings, and dive into memorable immersive food experiences. With plenty to sample and discover, this Atlanta, GA staple is a must for anyone who plans their days out around a good meal.
Best of the Bluegrass – Festival of the Horse | Georgetown, KY
September 11-13, 2026
Saddle up for a weekend of Kentucky pride at Best of the Bluegrass – Festival of the Horse, where bluegrass and equestrian heritage come together in Georgetown, KY. Browse handmade crafts, listen to live music, and grab a bite or a cold drink from the food and beer garden before the Grand Parade of Horses makes its way through town. The fun starts the night before with the Fireman’s Chili Cook-Off, where local cooks compete for bragging rights and chili-lovers gather to cheer them on.
Nashville Home Show | Nashville, TN
September 11-13, 2026
Give your home a fresh start at the Nashville Home Show, where design inspiration, renovation ideas, and the latest home products fill Music City Center for three days in Nashville, TN . Meet home improvement experts, browse show specials and new products, and pick up clever ideas for everything from interiors to outdoor spaces. Don’t miss appearances from bestselling author Virginia Chamlee, plus the chance to Visit, Stamp, & Win prizes worth up to $250.
The Arts in the Heart Festival | Augusta, GA
September 18-20, 2026
Let your creative side run wild at the Arts in the Heart Festival, where three days of art, music, food, and cultural experiences take over downtown Augusta, GA. Browse work from talented artists and makers, sample international dishes, and take in performances while the Family Area keeps younger festival-goers entertained. This colorful celebration offers a little something for every kind of art lover, with inspiration around every turn.
Alabama State Fair | Birmingham, AL
September 18-27, 2026
Get ready for ten days of classic fair fun at the Alabama State Fair, returning to Birmingham, AL with a lineup of wild attractions and family-friendly entertainment. Watch the Rastelli Circus, get up close with animals at the petting zoo and Tails of the Tropics, or test your nerves with helicopter rides and A Grizzly Experience. And, of course, save plenty of room for the deep-fried favorites and sweet treats that make a trip to the fair complete.
More state fairs around the South this September:
Highland Jazz & Blues Festival | Shreveport, LA
September 19, 2026
Turn up the tunes at the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival, where Shreveport, LA’s Highland neighborhood fills with music spanning generations and genres. Bring the whole crew, including your four-legged friends, for an afternoon of live performances, local art, food vendors, and plenty of “funky party in the park” vibes. With free admission and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s an easygoing way to spend a fall Saturday in the South.
Bourbon & Beyond | Louisville, KY
September 24-27, 2026
Bourbon and live music collide at Bourbon & Beyond, bringing four days of big-name performances, theme park rides, and Kentucky pours to Louisville, KY. Catch an eclectic lineup of artists across multiple stages, then explore bourbon-focused experiences like the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar, The Hunter’s Club, and hands-on tastings with bourbon experts. Come for your favorite artists, stay for the whiskey, and leave with a whole new appreciation for the signature spirit.
Banana Ball World Tour | Biloxi, MS
September 25-26, 2026
America’s oldest pastime gets a bananas makeover when the Banana Ball World Tour rolls into Biloxi, MS for two nights at Keesler Federal Park. The Firefighters and Loco Beach Coconuts will face off in this fast-paced reimagining of baseball, with unconventional rules, nonstop entertainment, and plenty of surprises packed into every game. Created by the Savannah Bananas, Banana Ball brings a whole new kind of ballgame to the field.
Elvis ‘56: Elvis Homecoming Concert | Tupelo, MS
September 26, 2026
Celebrate the King’s return to Tupelo, MS at Elvis ‘56: Elvis Homecoming Concert. The concert recreates the excitement of 1956, when a young Elvis came back to his hometown as a rising star, with live music, period-inspired performances, and plenty of rock ’n’ roll nostalgia. For fans, it’s a chance to step back into the year that changed music history forever!
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