Community Calendar

From Oct. 4 through 12, guests enjoy short, guided nature walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors. The Fall Color Rambles take place daily, weather permitting, and are included in your admission ticket. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. and typically last for 30 minutes. Rambles will start outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.

October is one of the best times of year to stargaze at Grandfather Mountain. The air is cool and clear, and the summer constellations are still very prominent, with some early winter sights making their appearance later in the evening. Our goal for this class is to create a familiarity with the night sky and learn the basics of stargazing that can be applied on your own on any clear night throughout the year. We’ll start in the classroom by exploring some of the best print and digital resources for exploring the night sky and cover some of the basics of stargazing and how to orient to the night sky. We’ll also discuss the use of planispheres, star maps and star charts to find some of the most beautiful deep sky wonders that can be seen through binoculars or small telescopes. During the evening hours, we’ll be out at various viewing locations on the mountain, practicing our stargazing skills while looking for meteors and learning about some of the most prominent stars, constellations and other objects visible this time of year. This event costs $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax. Limited to 15 participants.

Miles 2 Hearts was born from the eyes of a truck driver who saw more than just highways - he saw people hurting, forgotten, and alone on streets across the country. Instead of looking away, he decided to take action. That action became a mission. That mission became a movement.

Miles That Matter 5K isn't just a race - it's a call to the community to care deeper, to step forward, and to run with heart.

From Oct. 4 through 12, guests enjoy short, guided nature walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors. The Fall Color Rambles take place daily, weather permitting, and are included in your admission ticket. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. and typically last for 30 minutes. Rambles will start outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.

Join us for Claudia’s 5K: Call Out for Courage—a powerful event where fun meets purpose, all in support of mental health. Hosted by icuTalks, a Charlotte-based ministry working to break the stigma around mental health and create spaces for healing and hope, this 5K promotes courage, connection, and real change.

Visit Grandfather Mountain for a day of nature programs about animals that some consider creepy and crawly! This fun-filled celebration includes an opportunity to trick-or-treat on the mountain and then watch special Halloween enrichments be given to the animals. Included with admission.

The Lake Norman Orchestra returns to beautiful Laurel Gray Vineyards-Winery for a free admission Sunday afternoon concert featuring Halloween-theme music. The all-volunteer full orchestra will present "Thriller," "The Monster Mash," "Hotel California," music from Phantom of the Opera, and several "spooky" classical and classic music favorites. A wide variety of refreshments and food will be available during the afternoon. The orchestra is led by music director Mr. Samuel A. Kyzer.