It's officially November and while Halloween is over, fall events are still in full swing.
Some state parks are open for the first time since Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina, a place many families visit during this time of year. State parks west of Interstate 77 were closed through at least Oct. 31. Check the map to see which parks are open.
If a park visit isn't on your radar this weekend, we put together a list of other events happening around North Carolina.
Kites of all shapes and sizes will be gliding through the air in Kure Beach this weekend.
Festivities will start Friday night (after dark) at Carolina Beach Beachfront for a "Night with Kites."
The event will continue Saturday and Sunday in Kure Beach and Fort Fisher. Event organizers said this will be the final kite event of the professional kite-flying season.
Admission is free! The event Saturday and Sunday will take place from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Fort Fisher.
There will be a reception and music at SeaWitch Saturday.
If you prefer to be in the sky, you can take a hot air balloon ride in Salisbury! The Balloon Glow and Laser Show is coming to the Rowan County Fairgrounds Nov. 1-2.
There will be live music, a kids zone with games and rides, and craft and food vendors.
Each night around 9 p.m., the Hot Air Balloon and Laser Show will ignite.
"We will light up all the balloons in unison with crowd participatory 'count downs!' This show incorporates music and visually stunning coordinated burns by the Hot Air Balloons & Lasers.. creating a glow!" event organizers said.
Event organizers reccomend that attendants bring blankets, chairs and/or umbrellas.
Tickets are limited and start at $10 for kids.
Halloween may be over, but it's still pumpkin season! Grab the family and head out to the Statesville Pumpkin Festival, where there will be vendors, classic cars, live entertainment and a kids zone.
"Court Street will transform into a large parking lot of Classic cars (1995 and older) during the 2024 Statesville Pumpkin Fest," event organizers said.
Live music will start at 10 a.m. on the main stage, with dancing and other entertainment starting at 10:30 a.m. on the community stage. Click here for a lineup.
The event starts at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 5 p.m.
The festival is free but event organizers reccomend bringing cash as many vendors do not accept cards.
Click here for a map of where to park for the festival.
North Carolina Whirligig Festival
Food, activities, music and wind-powered sculptures - give it all a whirl at the North Carolina Whirligig Festival in Wilson!
"Watch active artists create masterpieces in real-time, bounce your heart out on extreme inflatables, or entertain the smallest Whirligigers at our Kids Zone," event organizers posted. And the event is free to attend!
The festival is happening Saturday and Sunday at 301 Goldsboro Street S. Get ready for entertainment on multiple stages, including a kids stage. Click here for the schedule of events, and here for the lineup.
Dia de Muertos and Catrina Parade
Dia de Oakwood in Raleigh continues, but this will be the last weekend of the event this year.
The event is a collaboration between Day of the Dead 5K and the director and artist at Oakwood Cemetery.
"The intention with this event is to create an installation that celebrates all the traditional aspects of the Day of the Dead holiday, as well as create a new display for the community collaboration," event organizers said.
It's happening Nov. 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Historic Oakwood Cemetary. The parade will step off at 7 p.m.
"On the night of Dia de Muertos, the Catrina Parade is the concluding performance, where everyone from the community gathers in their best Catrina attire to parade from the entrance of the Cemetery to the Ofrenda installation," event organizers said.
Click here for the event schedule, which includes poetry and face painting. There will also be food vendors.
Grab a turkey leg and take a step back in time! The Carolina Renaissance Festival is going on in Huntersville Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 24., from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
"Adventure awaits with games and rides, valiant jousting knights on horseback, majestic falconry, beautiful mermaids and fairies, friendly dragons, feasting, and so much more," event organizer posted.
With over 140 vendors, there's jewelry, arts and crafts available at the event's open-air market, and the opportunity to rent a costume for the day. Event-style food, like bread bowls, and beverages are available too. From tomato-tossing to a jousting show, entertainment is scattered through the park.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time. Event organizers said they often sell out. Children under age 4 are free.