Autumn Fair

Experience the Magic!

Saturday, November 7, 2026
11 am - 3 pm

The Autumn Fair is a longstanding, beloved annual celebration of nature and the changing of the seasons. Every year, our entire school welcomes friends, family, and all who are curious to come share in the wonders and joys of our Emerson community. The festival features activities and entertainment organized by students, faculty, and families, as well as refreshments and food from local vendors, and art and crafts by local artisans.

Special Offerings

  • Perfect for our youngest Fair goers, our Early Childhood teachers will perform magical Puppet Shows at 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm. Enjoy an enchanting story with handmade puppets and get a peek into the storytelling style at the heart of Waldorf education. Tickets are available at the Welcome Table.

  • Our Magic Market will feature numerous vendors, all from within the Emerson Waldorf School community. This is the perfect time to shop local for the holidays! Vendors are paid directly for all sales and not via Waldoughs (our fair currency), so please have cash, check, and/or credit card available.

  • True Emerson Waldorf traditions, the Enchantment Shop and Pocket Person have small hand crafted items for sale. The Enchantment Shop is open throughout the Fair near the Gnome Playground but you will have to find the Pocket Person around campus to see what treasures they have!

More Activities for Children

  • Embark on a gentle voyage of discovery as you go "fishing" for little treasures in our magical pond, a heartwarming experience designed especially for our youngest Fair-goers.

    This activity engages the child's senses and imagination, nurturing their early development through playful exploration.

  • Embrace the spirit of Autumn as you embark on a creative journey to decorate your own Gnome Hat with an array of flowers in every color of the season. These whimsical hats will carry a piece of the fairytale forest with you as you explore the Fair.

  • Embark on a treasure-seeking adventure as you delve into our very own gem-filled cave. Here, hidden wonders await discovery, and you'll experience the excitement of uncovering the Earth's secret treasures. What gems will you unearth today?

  • Step into the warm and inviting world of candle making at our Candle Dipping station. Watch as your candle slowly grows with each dip into the melted wax, creating a beautiful, handcrafted piece, in a traditional process that dates back centuries. This hands-on activity is both meditative and fun, offering a chance to create a glowing reminder of the Autumn Fair. It's a wonderful way to connect with the season and take home a little light of your own.

Additional Information

  • Main parking is at the Eubanks Park & Ride, 2000 Eubanks Rd. Free shuttles run to campus from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. On-campus parking is reserved for families with children in car seats, guests with mobility needs, vendors, and musicians. Parking volunteers will direct you.

    We will only have two shuttle buses running during the event. If you have a larger group and/or multiple adults, please consider one driver dropping everyone on campus (Grades parking lot) then parking at the Park & Ride lot. There may be longer lines at the lot so please help us by carpooling and dropping off family members. Fair goers can also take the NS bus from anywhere along the MLK/Columbia St corridor to the Park and Ride for free then get on the shuttles to campus.

  • Activities, the puppet show, the hayride, and food are paid for with Fair tickets. Tickets are $1 each and can be bought with cash or card at either of two ticket stations: the Welcome Station at the Drop Off Zone, or in the Magic Market. Tickets are not sold in advance. Have some left over at the end of the day? Drop them at a ticket station and we'll recycle them for next year's Fair.

    Vendors in our Craft Market are paid directly and do not accept tickets.

    We are accepting credit card, cash, and check.

  • Enjoy performances at the High School by our wonderful community of musicians.

  • Please visit our Crystal Cafe and Grill for a wide selection of yummy goods, including:

    –Coffee, tea, and apple cider

    –Pastries (vegan, gluten-free, and nut free options available)

    –Cheese and cracker boxes

    –Traditional grilled fare (vegetarian, vegan, and GF options available)

  • The Emerson Waldorf campus has very limited paved sidewalks and the Grades building, where activities will be held, is very challenging to navigate with a mobility device. Parking for people with mobility needs will be at the High School which allows access to the Cafe, Enchantment Shoppe, High School activities, and vendors. Please call 919-967-1858 with any questions about navigating campus.   

Women at an outdoor craft fair or festival, looking at colorful handcrafted dolls and decorations hanging from trees. The scene is bathed in warm sunlight with fall foliage in the background.
A collection of handmade crafts including colorful woven hairbands, crochet flowers, and small decorated objects displayed in wicker baskets on a table.
A basket filled with festive paper ornaments amid colorful feathers, with a small felt Christmas stocking and various craft items nearby, set on a white cloth next to a tree with green foliage and new fairy lights.
Display of colorful handmade crafts, including ribbons, feathers, and knitted items, arranged in baskets on a table.
Colorful intricately designed mandala art pieces displayed on top of a table, with one person partially visible standing nearby.
A table at a craft fair displaying colorful jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, with signs listing prices, surrounded by trees and people in the background.
A display of handmade knitted hats and scarves at an outdoor market stall in a wooded area during autumn, with two smiling women sitting behind the table.
Outdoor craft fair in a wooded park with people browsing booths and vendor displays, decorated with colorful handmade floral accessories and clothing.
A food vendor at an outdoor fall market with a variety of baked goods including cupcakes, muffins, cookies, and cake slices, while a woman in a dark jacket with face paint interacts with a male customer.
A basket of bath bombs with a handwritten sign indicating rose, lemon, lavender, and peppermint scents, priced at 3 for $10.
Assorted bottles of probiotics and bottles of kombucha on a table surrounded by baked goods.
Display of multiple jars and bottles of natural products, including candles labeled cinnamon bark candle and lavender rose bath soax, along with small bottles of essential oils, on a wooden stand and table at a market or shop.
People browsing handmade dolls and crafts at an outdoor market in a wooded park.
Colorful handmade felted animal figures and crafts on a yellow surface.
Close-up of felted wool craft supplies, including a small felted fox figure surrounded by colorful wool fibers and felt balls on a bright yellow background.
Colorful felted wool creations resembling animals and abstract shapes on a yellow background.
Felt Christmas ornaments in various shapes, including animals and a Christmas tree, are displayed on a colorful surface, with some including embroidered details and a handwritten price tag of $25.
A group of people gathered outdoors in a wooded area during fall, with trees displaying yellow and orange leaves. Several individuals are standing at a table covered with food and supplies, engaging in conversation. The scene appears to be a communit