20 Southern Events & Happenings: September 2026
From food and wine festivals to state fairs, live music, arts, and plenty of early fall flavor, these standout Southern events are worth adding to your September calendar. Image: Facebook / Bourbon And Beyond
Summer’s heat will soon give way to the first hints of fall, bringing a packed calendar of events across the South. Food and wine festivals, live music, state fairs, and seasonal celebrations offer plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the changing season. Here are a few of our favorite happenings to add to your calendar this month!
September 3 – 6, 2026: Ozark Folk Festival — Eureka Springs, AR
The original Ozark Folk Festival is in its 79th year, celebrating Ozark heritage with four days of folk music, dance, arts, workshops, and a Folk Fair in Basin Spring Park. This year’s lineup includes Steve Poltz, Rainbow Girls, Beat Root Revival, and James McMurtry & The Martial Law Review, plus an old-time community dance and lots of mountain-made charm. ozarkfolk.com
September 4 – 7, 2026: WorldFest — Louisville, KY
Louisville’s annual WorldFest turns the Belvedere into a globe-spanning celebration over Labor Day weekend, drawing crowds for international food, live music and dance, cultural exhibits, the colorful Parade of Cultures, and a Global Village representing more than 20 nations. The free, family-friendly festival is a great way to experience the many cultures that call Louisville home. louisvilleky.gov
September 4 – 7, 2026: North Carolina Apple Festival — Hendersonville, NC
The North Carolina Apple Festival commemorates its 80th year with four days devoted to the region’s favorite fruit. Expect apple treats galore, a bustling street fair, arts and crafts, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and the beloved King Apple Parade — a sweet salute to Henderson County’s growers and apple-growing heritage. ncapplefestival.org
September 4 – 13, 2026: Delta Fair & Music Festival — Memphis, TN
The Delta Fair & Music Festival returns to Agricenter International to celebrate the art, music, agriculture, and traditions of the Delta with 10 days of carnival rides, live music, family-friendly entertainment, competitions, and agricultural exhibits. Gate admission is $15 for adults, $10 for kids ages 5 through 12 and seniors 65 and older, and free for children 4 and under, with all concerts, shows, and special events included. deltafest.com
September 9 – 12, 2026: Tennessee Soybean Festival — Martin, TN
The Tennessee Soybean Festival in historic downtown Martin spotlights Weakley County’s signature crop with carnival rides, a bustling street fair, art shows, a community BBQ cook-off, family-friendly entertainment, and live music. The festival’s concerts are free to attend from the general viewing area, with optional Bean Zone tickets available for reserved seating and front-of-stage access. tnsoybeanfestival.org
September 10 – 13, 2026: Kentucky Bourbon Festival — Bardstown, KY
Head to Bardstown and raise a glass to 35 years of spirited tradition as the Kentucky Bourbon Festival returns. The four-day celebration brings together more than 60 leading bourbon brands and enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s featured distillery is Northern Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling, known for its bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey, and gin. (Note: Limited tickets remain.) kybourbonfestival.com
September 10 – 13, 2026: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival — Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival offers four days of serious sipping and sampling, with 200+ chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and culinary insiders serving up flavors of the South and beyond. This year brings four signature Tasting Tents back to The Home Depot Backyard, the return of fan-favorite Whiskey & Fire at Guardian Works, and two new events — Stacked: The Burger Social and Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair — so arriving hungry is practically a requirement. atlfoodandwinefestival.com
September 12, 2026: Fall Food Truck Festival — Laurel, MS
Come hungry to the fall edition of the Laurel Food Truck Festival at the Laurel Fairgrounds, with an expanded lineup of food trucks, live music, and family-friendly fun. Admission is just $1, making it an easy excuse to spend the day sampling your way through the event. For additional information, visit the event’s official Facebook page.
September 12, 2026: Wine on the River — Nashville, TN
Wine on the River brings wine (naturally!), beer, and spirits from around the globe — along with live music, skyline views, and food vendors — to Nashville’s Riverfront Park. All beverage samples are included with admission; VIP guests get a 30-minute head start, and proceeds support The DISTRICT Nashville and its work to preserve and revitalize downtown — consider it a world tour with considerably less jet lag. wineontherivernashville.com
September 12 & 13, 2026: Big Four Arts Festival — Louisville, KY
Louisville’s Big Four Arts Festival celebrates its 10th year on the Big Four Bridge Lawn at Waterfront Park, where more than 200 juried artists showcase paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramics, and more available for purchase. Add live music, food and drinks, family-friendly activities, and four shady acres overlooking the Ohio River, and it’s a pretty picturesque way to kick off fall festival season. bigfourbridgeartsfestival.org
September 18 – 27, 2026: Alabama State Fair — Birmingham, AL
The Alabama State Fair hosts 10 days of carnival rides and fair-food favorites. This year’s lineup also includes pig races, the Rastelli Circus, Jurassic Lockdown, Dino Adventures, thrill shows, a petting zoo, Goat Island, and more — basically, no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained. And to justify a funnel cake or two. alabamastatefair.com
September 19, 2026: Highland Jazz & Blues Festival — Shreveport, LA
Shreveport’s favorite “party in the park” at historic Columbia Park features three stages of jazz, blues, and funk. This year’s free festival is headlined by New Orleans funk favorites Dumpstaphunk, along with The Good Dudes, a tribute to late blues musician Buddy Flett, 70+ food and artisan vendors, hands-on kids’ activities, and a pet-friendly area. Take advantage of complimentary shuttle service to make getting around a breeze. highlandjazzandblues.org
September 19 – October 11, 2026: Knoxville Oktoberfest — Knoxville, TN
Schulz Bräu Brewing Company brings a taste of Bavaria to Knoxville with three weeks of German beer, hearty fare, live polka music, steinholding competitions, costume contests, and prost! moments inside its castle-inspired Biergarten. The celebration kicks off with a Munich-style Barrel Tapping Ceremony, with tickets required opening morning only; after that, Oktoberfest is free and open to the public. knoxvilleoktoberfest.com
September 24 – 27, 2026: Bourbon & Beyond — Louisville, KY
Bourbon & Beyond pairs Kentucky bourbon and chef-driven bites with four days of seriously stacked live music. This year’s headliners include Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews Band, with Kacey Musgraves, Queens of the Stone Age, The Red Clay Strays, Hootie & the Blowfish, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and other favorites rounding out the bill. bourbonandbeyond.com
September 24 – October 1, 2026: MOJA Arts Festival — Charleston, SC
Charleston’s MOJA Arts Festival honors African-American and Caribbean arts and culture with eight days of music, dance, theater, visual art, storytelling, food, family programming, and community traditions across the city. mojafestival.com
September 25 – 27, 2026: Pink Palace Crafts Fair — Memphis, TN
The Pink Palace Crafts Fair pairs serious browsing with nearly 150 juried artists and craftspeople showcasing pottery, jewelry, glass, woodwork, fiber, sculpture, and more. You’ll also enjoy live music, master craft demonstrations, food and drink vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, a climbing wall, and the beloved choo-choo train, with all proceeds benefiting MoSH. moshmemphis.com
September 25 – October 4, 2026: Neptune Festival International Sandsculpting Championship — Virginia Beach, VA
The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival’s International Sandsculpting Championship brings 32 master sculptors from 15 countries to the Oceanfront to transform more than 450 tons of sand into jaw-dropping works of art. You can explore 22 sculptures inside the nearly football field-sized tent, catch live “QuickSand” competitions and artist meet-and-greets, or try your hand at free sand-sculpting clinics. Admission is $7, with children 12 and under free. neptunefestival.com
September 25 – October 18, 2026: State Fair of Texas — Dallas, TX
Since 1886, the State Fair of Texas has promoted local agriculture, education, and community involvement. This year, the event celebrates its 140th birthday with the theme Stars, Stripes, and Howdies! Expect 24 days of live music, livestock exhibits, creative competitions, over-the-top fair food, nightly parades, and plenty of Big Tex-sized fun. bigtex.com
September 26, 2026: Mississippi Book Festival — Jackson, MS
Bookworms, clear some shelf space. The Mississippi Book Festival on Mississippi’s State Capitol grounds is a full day of free literary fun, with author panels, book signings, Authors Alley, food trucks, and activities for young readers. This year’s impressive roster includes George Saunders, Deesha Philyaw, Kate McKinnon, Rick Ross, Mychal Threets, Andrew McCarthy, and Simon Winchester. msbookfestival.com
September 26, 2026: Fiesta BHAM — Birmingham, AL
Alabama’s largest celebration of Hispanic culture includes live music, dance, Latin cuisine, and more than 20 cultures represented throughout its themed villages. New this year, you can cheer on a taco-eating contest with $500 on the line, plus catch high-flying Lucha Libre, family activities, and many more ways to celebrate. fiestabham.com
Have a splendid September!
**********
To see more great Southern events, visit our Happenings calendar.
Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.