There are plenty of reasons to plan a fall trip to the North Carolina High Country, but few are quite as colorful—or nostalgic—as Autumn at Oz. For three weekends in September, the Land of Oz atop Beech Mountain opens its gates and gives visitors the chance to follow Dorothy, Toto, and friends down the Yellow Brick Road.

After taking a break in 2025, Autumn at Oz returns September 11–13, September 18–20, and September 25–27, 2026. The festival combines live performances, beloved characters, mountain scenery, food, shopping, and plenty of Wizard of Oz nostalgia.

If you’re considering a September getaway, here’s what you should know before heading over the rainbow.

In this article:

-Autumn at Oz returns to Beech Mountain, NC, September 11–27, 2026, across three festival weekends.
-Plan for 2–3 hours at Land of Oz, wear comfortable shoes, and dress in layers for High Country weather.
-Stay in Boone, NC, to pair Autumn at Oz with dining, shopping, scenic drives, and other fall activities.

Graystone Lodge is a 101-room boutique hotel located in Boone, NC, that captures the spirit of the High Country in a warm, welcoming ambiance of a mountain lodge with an enhanced modern design and upscale amenities. Book your stay or learn more about our rooms. Subscribe to our email list to “stay in the know” about local tips, events, and promotions: Join the list!

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What Is Autumn at Oz?

Land of Oz originally opened on Beech Mountain in 1970. Unlike a traditional amusement park filled with rides, it was designed around storytelling, allowing visitors to follow the story of Dorothy as they moved through the property. The park closed after the 1980 season, but interest never completely disappeared. Following later reunions and special openings, the first Autumn at Oz Festival was held in 1993.

Today, Autumn at Oz has grown into what the park calls the largest Oz celebration in the world. Guests begin around the Gale family’s Kansas farm, make their way through the tornado cellar, and emerge into Oz before following the Yellow Brick Road toward Emerald City. Along the way are live performances, character meetings, photo opportunities, food vendors, craft vendors, and Oz merchandise.

It’s especially fun for families, longtime fans of The Wizard of Oz, and anyone looking for something a little different during a Boone-area fall getaway.

There’s No Place Like Autumn: Everything You Need to Know About the Autumn at Oz Festival Infographic | Graystone Lodge in Boone, NC

Autumn at Oz 2026 Dates and Tickets

The 2026 festival takes place across three weekends:

September 11–13, 2026
September 18–20, 2026
September 25–27, 2026
General admission: $70 plus taxes and ticketing fees
Overlook add-on: $8 plus applicable fees
Children age 2 and younger: Free admission and no ticket required

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are valid only for the specific date and time purchased. General admission tickets include parking, shuttle transportation to and from Land of Oz, character meetings, live shows, and access to the Oz Gift Shop.

Because previous festival dates have sold out, purchasing tickets early is a smart move.

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How Much Time Should You Plan for the Festival?

The average walk through Oz takes about two hours, although guests move at their own pace. Organizers ask visitors to keep their total time in the park to roughly two to three hours. Your ticket time determines when you can board transportation to the park, rather than limiting you to a one-hour visit.

You can stop for character photos and performances as you move forward, but guests cannot walk backward along the Yellow Brick Road to revisit something they missed. That makes it worth slowing down and enjoying each section as you reach it.

Getting to Land of Oz From Boone

Autumn at Oz parking is located at Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway in Beech Mountain, NC. Parking and shuttle transportation are included with festival admission.

Visitors may also purchase a scenic chairlift ride from Beech Mountain Resort to the park. The round-trip lift is currently listed at $22 plus taxes and fees and is purchased on-site. A free shuttle is available for guests who prefer not to take the chairlift.

When it comes to planning your day, give yourself some extra travel time for winding mountain roads, parking, and checking in before your scheduled entry.

What Should You Wear to Autumn at Oz?

September in the High Country can bring sunshine, cool breezes, fog, rain, and temperature changes within the same afternoon. Autumn at Oz operates rain or shine, so dressing for mountain weather matters.

The festival recommends layers, comfortable footwear, and a poncho or small umbrella when rain is possible. The park includes uneven paths, gravel, stairs, steep ramps, and mountain terrain, making sturdy walking shoes a much better choice than footwear meant for a casual afternoon indoors.

Families bringing very young children should also know that Land of Oz is not fully stroller-friendly. Small umbrella strollers or child carriers are recommended over larger strollers. Guests with mobility concerns can contact Land of Oz ahead of their visit to ask about available accommodations.

Turn Autumn at Oz Into a Boone Fall Getaway

One of the best parts about attending Autumn at Oz is that the festival can easily become part of a longer High Country trip. Spend a day on Beech Mountain, then return to Boone for restaurants, shopping, scenic drives, Appalachian State attractions, or another day of exploring the mountains.

Graystone Lodge makes a comfortable home base for the trip. Our upscale boutique hotel in Boone, NC has 101 rooms and suites, a heated indoor pool, complimentary High Country hot breakfast, and a location that makes it easy to enjoy Boone while taking day trips throughout the surrounding mountains.

Families can unwind at the pool after a day walking the Yellow Brick Road, while couples and groups have an easy starting point for dining and exploring Boone. If you’re traveling with a dog, Graystone Lodge also offers pet-friendly accommodations, making us a convenient option for travelers searching for the best pet-friendly hotel in Boone, NC—just remember that pets are not permitted inside Land of Oz itself.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road This September

Autumn at Oz is one of those High Country events that feels completely at home in the mountains. There’s nostalgia for adults, plenty to keep kids entertained, beautiful Beech Mountain scenery, and a festival setting you simply won’t find on an average fall weekend.

Make your Oz tickets the centerpiece of a one- to four-day Boone getaway, then leave some room in the schedule for everything else that makes September in the High Country special.

Looking for the best place to stay in Boone, NC for your Autumn at Oz trip? Book your stay at Graystone Lodge and enjoy a comfortable Boone home base before and after your day in Oz.

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There’s No Place Like Autumn: Everything You Need to Know About the Autumn at Oz Festival