Tucked within the misty Blue Ridge Mountains lies a region steeped in mystery. Western North Carolina is a natural haven not just for hikers and nature lovers, but also for believers in the strange, the spooky, and the downright otherworldly. From unexplained lights in the sky to elusive creatures lurking in the forests, this area is a goldmine of folklore—and it celebrates that heritage proudly.
Every year, thousands of enthusiasts gather across mountain towns to attend festivals dedicated to aliens, ghosts, Bigfoot, and other oddities. Whether you’re a true believer or just a curious traveler looking for an unforgettable weekend, these festivals are worth the trip.
Here’s a guide to some of the best cryptid and paranormal festivals lighting up Western North Carolina.
Spruce Pine Alien Festival
Location: Spruce Pine, NC
Typical Date: Early June
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, the tiny town of Spruce Pine transforms into an interstellar hotspot each summer during the Spruce Pine Alien Festival. Drawing UFO enthusiasts, cosplayers, and skeptics alike, this event offers an eccentric celebration of all things extraterrestrial.
The 2025 festival will be held on June 14th and highlights included alien costume contests, music, and over 200 vendors selling galactic goodies. You can also purchase a ticket to their Sky Tribe UFO XPO with more specialized speakers. What makes this festival especially unique is its welcoming atmosphere for families and its emphasis on both fun and education.
If you’ve ever gazed into the night sky and wondered what else is out there, this is your kind of crowd.
WNC Bigfoot Festival
Location: Marion, NC
Typical Date: Previously Mid-May – but more than likely August moving forward
If aliens aren’t your thing, how about a massive, hairy forest dweller? The WNC Bigfoot Festival in Marion is one of the largest Bigfoot-themed events in the country, pulling in over 40,000 visitors annually. Since its debut in 2018, this celebration has only grown, blending Appalachian folklore with carnival fun.
After poor weather wreaked havoc in 2024, the decision was made to move the festival to later in the year. For 2025, the festival will be held on August 23rd, and features Bigfoot calling contests, lectures from researchers and cryptozoologists, themed food, and an extensive vendor village. The town embraces the event wholeheartedly—storefronts decorate for Sasquatch, and local restaurants offer Bigfoot-themed menu items. Whether you think the creature is real or not, the sense of community around the festival is undeniably powerful.
Check out our 2022 visit to the Bigfoot Festival on YouTube:
Brown Mountain Lights Festival
Location: Morganton, NC
Typical Date: Varies (often in the fall)
Of all the mysteries in Western North Carolina, none are more enduring—or better documented—than the Brown Mountain Lights. These ghostly orbs of light have been reported for over a century near the Linville Gorge and remain unexplained by scientists. I look forward to when my boys are just a little bit older so we can head out on some late-night trips to see if we can spot them.
The Brown Mountain Lights Festival in Morganton features a day full of live music by local bands on the amphitheater stage, arts and craft vendors, along with food and drink vendors from across western North Carolina. While the lights themselves are elusive, the storytelling and lore around them make this festival an atmospheric delight.
The 2025 festival will be held on October 25th this year.
Qualla-Ween & The Sgili Ghost Hunt
Location: Cherokee, NC
Typical Date: October
Each October, Cherokee’s Qualla Boundary becomes a spooky playground thanks to Qualla-Ween, a series of Halloween-themed events celebrating Cherokee culture and paranormal lore. Of particular interest to supernatural seekers is The Sgili Ghost Hunt, hosted at the Oconaluftee Indian Village.
The event explores the legend of the Sgili—a ghost or witch in Cherokee folklore—and offers guests a chance to join a guided investigation using professional paranormal equipment. Part haunted house, part cultural immersion, this experience adds depth to traditional ghost stories and makes for an unforgettable Halloween season activity.
2025 dates have not been announced yet.
Trivette Clinic ParaFest
Location: Hamptonville, NC
Typical Date: April/May
Though technically just east of the mountain region, Trivette Clinic ParaFest is worth the short drive. Held at a former 1930s clinic turned haunted attraction, this festival mixes historic preservation with modern-day ghost hunting.
Guests can participate in workshops, attend psychic readings, and even join after-dark paranormal investigations of the clinic itself. Known for unexplained activity and chilling backstories, the Trivette Clinic provides an eerie but fascinating backdrop for those seeking direct contact with the beyond.
The event is organized by Great State Paranormal, whose staff offers insights into the site’s haunted history while promoting responsible and respectful paranormal exploration.
Though the date for 2025 has passed, keep an eye on their website for next year’s event!
Woolly Worm Festival
Location: Banner Elk, NC
Typical Date: Mid-October
While not a paranormal festival, the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk celebrates the folklore surrounding the woolly bear caterpillar’s ability to predict winter weather. According to tradition, the color bands on the caterpillar indicate the severity of the upcoming winter.
Since 1978, this quirky festival has drawn crowds eager to watch the caterpillar races, where competitors cheer on their fuzzy contenders. The winning worm earns the honor of forecasting the winter weather for the region. With live music, craft vendors, and a playful atmosphere, the festival offers a charming blend of science, superstition, and community spirit.
In 2025, the Woolly Worm Festival will be held on October 18th and 19th.
Why These Festivals Matter
Beyond the costumes, the crafts, and the cryptid-themed funnel cakes, these festivals serve a deeper purpose: they preserve and promote the rich oral traditions and cultural heritage of Appalachia. The legends of Bigfoot, aliens, and ghostly lights aren’t just tall tales—they’re part of a collective storytelling tradition that shapes the identity of these mountain communities.
These events also provide valuable tourism boosts to small towns, creating spaces where history, mystery, and local flavor collide in delightful, unexpected ways.
Plan Your Own Paranormal Road Trip
If you’re itching for a unique travel experience, consider plotting a “Cryptid Trail” through Western North Carolina. Pair a festival visit with local hikes, historical landmarks, and quirky roadside stops. Bring your curiosity, an open mind, and maybe even a night-vision camera—just in case.
And remember: even if you don’t see a UFO or glimpse Bigfoot in the shadows, you’ll definitely return with some larger-than-life stories.
Have you been to one of these festivals—or have another favorite cryptid event? Let us know in the comments! 
