Autumn at Oz is a Wizard of Oz Festival In North Carolina You Won't Want To Miss

There’s a Wizard of Oz festival each fall in North Carolina, and if you haven’t been yet, it is most definitely one for the bucket list. Even if you aren’t (and who wouldn’t be?!) a fan of the iconic 1939 movie, this festival promises to be fun for everyone in the family.

For starters, you'll gain access to one of the most famous closed theme parks in America. The Land of Oz has been closed since 1980, but is maintained regularly. Get ready to take a walk (or a skip!) on the famous Yellow Brick Road and discover the fun of this former theme park.

Secondly, for this one weekend during the festival, the characters from the movie magically appear. Who can resist the cowardly lion?

And thirdly, the characters aren't the only ones dressed for the occasion. Many (and by many, we mean a LOT of) people actually wear their own Wizard of Oz attire to the festival. And it's fun to see everyone's rendition of their favorite movie character.

The former theme park is often touted in the media as "abandoned," but you'll see during the festival that the Land of Oz is anything BUT abandoned. From the mostly volunteer-staffed park, to the lovely grounds, and more, the theme park flourishes for this special event.

Don't be surprised (really, don't be... ) when a forlorn Dorothy strolls out of her tiny Kansas cottage and breaks in to song. (All of the character actors at the festival are carefully selected; and often are volunteers.)

The wicked witch will definitely show up, in more places than one. In this photo she's (gasp!) on Dorothy's porch!

This annual festival is the highlight of the year for the former theme park and its fans. For that reason, it has been known to sell out quickly. (The number of tickets are limited.)

Will you be making the pilgrimage to the very top of Beech Mountain to the Land of Oz this year for this annual festival? We'd love to know!

Also, did you know the yellow brick road at the Land of Oz is visible from space?! It’s true! See this link.

The Wizard of Oz festival in North Carolina is called Autumn at Oz. The 2018 dates are September 7-9. Tickets are $40 each, plus fees and taxes. The Land of Oz is located in North Carolina’s (and eastern America’s) highest town, Beech Mountain. Get all the information about the festival at this link on the official website for Land of Oz. Tickets are available at this link on etix.com.

For more reasons to visit Beech Mountain, keep reading here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Magical Wizard Of Oz Themed Festival In North Carolina You Don’t Want To Miss

Robin Jarvis

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