Home > Top 20 Events
Southeast Tourism Society's TOP 20 EVENTS in the Southeast USA
October / November / December 2006
October 2006
Sept. 8-Oct. 22 Biltmore Estate Harvest Home Celebration and Jazz at the Winery, Food and wine heritage takes center stage in an event featuring musical entertainment, dancing, storytelling and more for the entire family. Asheville, NC 800-543-2961 www.biltmore.com happenings@biltmore.com
Sept. 29-Oct. 28 closed Thursdays, National Gospel & Harvest Celebration, Celebrate fall with four weeks of soul-stirring southern gospel concerts along with arts and crafts from across the country. Pigeon Forge, TN 800-DOLLYWOOD www.dollywood.com
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 The Virginia Wine Festival, Kicking off the Virginia Wine Month in style, the festival features a grand tasting, educational demonstrations, live entertainment and culinary and craft artisans. Leesburg, VA 703-823-1868 www.virginiawinefestival.org info@virginiawinefestival.org
Oct. 6-8 The North Carolina Seafood Festival, A three day festival that spans eight blocks and includes a boat show, fireworks, four stages of music and much more for the whole family. Morehead City, NC 252-726-6273 www.ncseafoodfestival.org fun@ncseafoodfestival.org
Oct. 6-15 Georgia National Fair, This fair celebrates Georgia’s youth, agriculture and heritage with competitive and educational exhibits in a family environment. Perry, GA 478-987-3247 or 800-987-3247 (GA only) www.georgianationalfair.com mtreptow@gnfa.com
Oct. 7-14 Red River Revel Arts Festival, A unique eight day celebration of the arts coordinated by 10,000 volunteers with food, performing and visual arts. Shreveport, LA 318-424-4000 www.redriverrevel.com rrr@redriverrevel.com
Oct. 7-8 The Cotton Pickin’ Fair, Three hundred of the best artisans, craftsmen, and antique specialists from across the US and Canada present this exceptional festival featuring music, arts, crafts and much more. Gay, GA 706-538-6814 www.cpfair.org info@cpfair.org
Oct. 12-15 35th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Fine arts exhibit, over 300 arts and crafts vendors and, of course, shrimp – fried, grilled, broiled or steamed. Gulf Shores, AL 251-968-6902 www.nationalshrimpfestival.com festival@gulftel.com
Oct. 12-15 Suffolk Peanut Fest, This family friendly festival offers educational exhibits, rides and games, endless varieties of food, cloggers, karaoke and the world’s only peanut butter sculpture contest. Suffolk, VA 757-539-6751 www.suffolkfest.org info@suffolkfest.org
Oct. 13-15 Foothills Fall Festival, Downtown Maryville presents this three day event with some of the hottest musical acts in country, blues, rock and gospel, along with children’s entertainment, a juried arts and crafts showcase and much more. Maryville, TN 865-273-3406 www.foothillsfallfestival.com jmgroff@ci.maryville.tn.us
Oct. 13-15 68th National Folk Festival, A celebration of the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, crafts and storytelling featuring the best performers of a diverse range of music genres on seven different stages. Richmond, VA 804-788-6466 www.nationalfolkfestival.com info@nationalfolkfestival.com
Oct. 13-14 Goats, Music and More Festival, An event honoring Marshall County’s famous native fainting goats includes children’s activities, arts and craft booths, food and music. Lewisburg, TN 866-96GOATS www.goatsmusicandmore.com jecddirector@vccourthouse.net
Oct. 13-15, Autumn Leaves Festival, A family oriented show featuring the beautiful fall colors of the areas autumn leaves, a variety of vendors, entertainment and more from the festival celebrating its 40th year. Mount Airy, NC 336-786-6116, Ext. 5 www.visitmayberry.com admin@mtairyncchamber.org
Oct. 14-15 MUMfest, A festival showcasing the revitalized beauty of historic downtown New Bern features everything from outdoor concert events from well-known bands and musicians to a BMX bike show. New Bern, NC 252-638-5781 www.mumfest.com swissbear@swissbear.org
Oct. 19-29 Pensacola Interstate Fair, Recently celebrating its 72nd anniversary, the fair is a Gulf Coast tradition featuring headliner musical groups, a midway and agricultural exhibits. Pensacola, FL 850-944-4500 or 850-944-2000 www.pensacolafair.com info@pensacolafair.com
Oct. 21 The Barbecue Festival, A celebration of North Carolina’s best pork barbecue with arts and crafts, antique car show, outstanding entertainment, and of course, barbecue. Lexington, NC 336-956-1880 www.barbecuefestival.com info@barbecuefestival.com
Oct. 21 The Great Delta Bear Affair, On the 100th anniversary of President Roosevelt’s famous bear hunt which lead to the creation of the Teddy Bear, the Great Delta Bear Affair was first observed and is celebrated with fireworks, children’s games, musical entertainment and interactive activities. Rolling Fork, MS 662-873-6261 www.lowerdelta.org megldp@bellsouth.net
Oct. 25-28 Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic, A celebration of the rivalry between two of the top college football teams in the country. Jacksonville, FL 904-630-3690 www.flga.org events@coj.net
Oct. 20-21 Roast N’ Boast, This competition draws approximately 20 barbeque teams per year to Columbus in a “Memphis in May” sanctioned barbeque contest. Columbus, MS 662-328-5026 ddarby@cableone.net
Oct. 28-29 Alabama Renaissance Faire, Authentic costumes, arts and crafts, wandering minstrels, magicians and chamber singers await you as you step back in time in a faire that transforms downtown Florence into a 600 year old European atmosphere. Florence, AL 256-768-3031 www.alarenfaire.org
November 2006
Nov. 1-Dec. 31 Holiday Season in Old Salem Museum & Gardens, This event takes people back to a quieter, more traditional holiday season and teaches how holidays have evolved since the 1700s with historic holiday decorating, music and more. Winston-Salem, NC 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org kreich@oldsalem.org
Nov. 1-Dec.15 (weekends only) Louisiana Renaissance Festival, In this authentic Renaissance event, experience the romance of the 16th century through shows, music and more. Hammond, LA 985-429-9992 www.larf.org rick@la-renfest.com
Nov. 2-5 Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, One of only two Concours events in the southeast region, with over 350 unique cars showcased over the weekend. Vintage Track Day offers everything from practice rounds to hot lap rides with professional drivers. Hilton Head Island, SC 843-785-7469 www.hhiconcours.com info@hhiconcours.com
Nov. 2-5, 7th Annual Pow Wow & Indian Festival, A celebration of the history and heritage of Native Americans through education. Dance and drum competitions, basket weaving and hide tanning demonstrations and much more. Stone Mountain, GA 770-498-5690 www.rthunder.com generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com
Nov. 4-Jan. 1 Christmas at Biltmore Estate, See America’s largest home decorated in style for Christmas, including dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths and bows and more. Ashville, NC 800-543-2961 www.biltmore.com
Nov. 3-5 Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, A festival hosting more than 200 fine art and craft exhibitors from around the country; also features a children’s arts festival. Pensacola, FL 850-432-9906 www.ggaf.org ggaf@duncanmccall.com
Nov. 3-Dec. 31 (Saturdays and Tuesdays) Opry at the Ryman, The Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville is home to the Opry for an exciting winter run. Nashville, TN 800-SEE-OPRY www.opry.com
Nov. 3-11 National Peanut Festival, Enjoy a large carnival, nationally recognized entertainment, circus animal acts, arts and crafts and more in this nine day family oriented event. Dothan, AL 334-793-4323 www.nationalpeanutfestival.com nationalpeanut@aol.com
Nov. 3-Dec.31 The Carolina Opry Christmas Special, A holiday family tradition - A wonderful mix of sentimental songs, brilliant musicianship, dazzling dance numbers for the whole family. Myrtle Beach, SC 800-843-6779 www.thecarolinaopry.com ticketing@cgp.net
Nov. 4-Dec. 30 Smokey Mountain Christmas Festival, Dollywood offers a winter wonderland of more than 3.5 million holiday lights, lavish holiday buffets and Christmas entertainment. Pigeon Forge, TN 800-DOLLYWOOD www.dollywood.com
Nov. 8-11 Cucalorus Film Festival, Over 50 filmmakers from all over the continent travel to Cucalorus for the laid-back, non-competitive festival. This year, the festival makes the move to historic Thalian Hall. Wilmington NC 910-343-5995 www.cucalorus.org dan@cucalorus.org
Nov. 9-19 Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival, A cultural event dedicated to real architects of the music industry, celebrating the creativity, influence and power of music. Pensacola, FL 850-492-7664 www.fbisf.com reneda@fbisf.com
Nov. 9-12 The Dickens Christmas Show & Festivals, Take a trip back in time to Victorian England during the Christmas holiday season. Myrtle Beach, SC 800-261-5991 www.dickenschristmasshow.com dickensshow@sc.rr.com
Nov. 10-11 Longhorn Championship FINALS Rodeo and Western Trade Show, The top 10 in six pro-rodeo contests compete in a sudden death competition. Added acts featuring a Lippizaner horse and more make this a fun family event. Murfreesboro, TN 615-876-1016 or 800-357-6336 www.longhornrodeo.com info@longhornrodeo.com
Nov. 11,12,17-19,24-26, Dec. 1-3,8-10,15-17,18-30 A Stone Mountain Christmas, See a nightly “snowfall”, along with fascinating 1870’s townsfolk, entertainers and skilled crafters in this Christmas event for the whole family. Stone Mountain, GA 770-498-5690, www.stonemountainpark.com generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com
Nov. 17-Dec.16 Christmas in the Valley, Experience the magic and wonders of the season in a travel back through time to a nostalgic country Christmas. Renfro Valley, KY 606-256-2638 or 800-765-7464, www.renfrovalley.com specialevents@renfrovalley.com
Nov. 17-Jan. 6 Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, An award winning light extravaganza featuring more than 25 holiday scenes and nearly a million lights. Lookout Mountain, GA 706-820-2531 www.seerockcity.com
Nov. 23-Dec. 31 Galaxy of Lights, Take a 1 ¾ mile ride through this holiday light, larger than life, animated exhibit with more than 4 million lights. Huntsville, AL 256-830-4447 www.hsvbg.org wmaster@hsvbg.org
Nov. 24-Jan. 1 Winter Wonderland, See your favorite holiday movies on a giant outdoor movie screen, a figure skating exhibition, live music and contests all on the riverfront. Owensboro, KY 270-687-2787 www.riverparkcenter.org travisestes@riverparkcenter.org
Nov. 25 Jacksonville Light Parade, In a Thanksgiving weekend tradition for families, more than 50 participants compete in the lighted boat contest with each boat judged on composition, originality and holiday spirit. See a wonderful fireworks show all on the beautiful St. Johns River. FL 904-630-3690 www.coj.net events@coj.net
December 2006
Nov. 24-Dec. 31 Newport Aquarium’s Santa’s Water Wonderland, See the regions only “Scuba Santa”, sharks, fish and loggerhead sea turtles in unique underwater presentations. Newport, KY 859-261-7444 www.newportaquarium.com info@newportaquarium.com
Nov. 30-Dec. 3 39th Annual Snowball Derby, The traditional event brings a close to racing season throughout the U.S. drawing racing enthusiasts for more than 30 years. Pensacola, FL 850-944-8400 www.fiveflagsspeedway.com tim@snowballderby.com
Dec. 1-2 Belhaven’s Singing Christmas Tree, This unique event, brings the holiday season to life with the Belhaven College Choir forming a lighted “human” singing Christmas tree. Jackson, MS 601-968-5980 www.belhaven.edu mdukes@belhaven.edu
Dec. 1-3 Chimneyville Crafts Festival, A crafts festival preserving the fine work of regional craftsmen through demonstrations, displays and sales by more than 160 master artisans featuring one of a kind gift items of quilts, jewelry, and much more Jackson, MS 601-981-0019 www.mscraftsmensguild.org info@mscraftsmensguild.org
Dec. 1-3 Christmas in the Country, This small town celebration is like a step back in time as the entire historic district is illuminated in lights. A live nativity, Christmas carols being sung by the entire community and a children’s Christmas parade provide something for the whole family. St. Francisville, LA 800-789-4221 www.stfrancisville.us lauriemainst@bellsouth.net
Dec. 1-Dec. 31 Santa’s Village, Alabama Constitution Village is converted into a holiday Fantasy Land with nightly snow flurries, live reindeer and of course, Santa Claus. Huntsville, AL 256-564-8120 www.earlyworks.com
Dec. 1-31 Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival, Two parades and lighting events kick off the festivities that include story times, dance performances, musical and theatre groups and more. Lake Charles, LA 800-456-7952 info@visitlakecharles.org
Dec. 1-2 Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes, The tour showcases a variety of homes in different areas in the city from old Victorians to new lofts and condos in the downtown area, as well as a lively festive marketplace with local musicians and more. Decatur, GA 404-371-9583 www.decaturga.com events@decaturga.com
Dec. 2-8 Trees of Christmas “Christmas Dreams”, See decorated trees representing dreams of Christmas past, present and future. Manchester, TN 931-728-0273 jbcor2002@aol.com
Dec. 2-10, 21-23: High Point & Dec. 15-17: Winston-Salem: The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, A production of an old Christmas favorite which remains true to the Dickens spirit. High Point, NC 336-841-2273, ext. 226 www.ncshakes.org sales@ncshakes.org
Dec. 2 13th Annual Christmas in Collierville, Enjoy Christmastime in the 1800s with horse-drawn carriage rides, continuous entertainment and more in the historic town square. Collierville, TN 901-853-1666 www.collierville.com/mainstreet mnstreetcv@aol.com
Dec. 2 The Winter Festival – A Celebration of Lights, Music, and the Arts, Five stages of local entertainment, lighting ceremony, parades and youth tree decorating contest highlight this event. Tallahassee, FL 850-891-3860 www.talgov.com winterf@talgov.com
Dec. 3 Plantation Christmas, A re-creation of an early 19th century holiday celebration with period musical entertainment and traditional decorating reminiscent of the “Old South”. Tuscumbia, AL 256-383-0783 or 800-344-0783 colberttourism@comcast.net colberttourism@comcast.net
Dec. 3 29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, A 45 foot Christmas tree with over 10,000 lights, a holiday musical and dance performance are only part of what has become a grand festival of activities. Alpharetta, GA 678-297-6078 www.alpharetta.ga.us kdodson@alpharetta.ga.us
Dec. 9-10 13th Annual Holiday Tour of Inns, The touring of 26 historic inns located in historic St. Augustine showcasing the best of what St. Augustine has to offer from restaurants to wineries to bakeries. St. Augustine, FL 904-824-2229 www.staugustineinns.com relax@oldcityhouse.com
Dec. 9-26 (closed Dec. 13,20,24,25) Christmas in Hopelands, A night-time journey through the historic,14 acre Hopelands Gardens with over 100,000 lights with local performances and artisans. Aiken, SC 803-642-7631 www.aikenprt.net adavis@aiken.net
Dec. 9, 16 Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens Christmas Candlelight Tour, The palace is illuminated and filled with elegant dancers and fascinating characters. Children of all ages will enjoy the grand illumination at evening’s end. New Bern, NC 800-767-1560 www.tryonpalace.org info@tryonpalace.org
Dec. 14-16 NAIA National Football Championship, Families and friends travel from all over the nation to attend the National Championship game as two NAIA college teams compete for the title. Savannah, TN 800-552-3866 www.tourhardincounty.org teamhardin@charterinternet.com
Dec. 16 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Ten miles of intracoastal waterways in Broward County are traveled by beautifully decorated vessels carrying musical groups, beauty queens and a floating circus. Fort Lauderdale, FL 954-767-0686 www.winterfestparade.com info@winterfestparade.com
Dec. 17 Wright Brothers Anniversary, Military and civilian flyovers, speakers and honorees are all together for a celebration of the Wright brothers’ first flight. Kill Devil Hills, NC 2523-441-1903 www.firstflight@earthlink.org
Southeast Tourism Society has always recognized the many unique and diverse events in the region, and in 1985 began the Top 20 Events Program. For every month of the year, 20 of the top events from across the region are chosen as the Top 20 in the Southeast. The winner events, along with descriptions, dates and contact information, are published quarterly and the listing is sent to over 600 media contacts around the country. The winning events are listed for two years on the www.southeasttourism.org web site, along with our consumer web site at www.escapetothesoutheast.com Selected events enjoy free, widespread publicity from newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and more as well as having the honor of being included in this prestigious list of special events and festivals.
Nomination/Application forms, along with deadlines and nomination information can be found at www.southeasttourism.org under the Top 20 tab.
For more information, please contact Laura Guptill, Top 20 Event Coordinator at top20@southeasttourism.org.
