Woolly Worm Festival

View on map
UniqueBeattyville
DatesDates TBA · Usually OctoberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-About 20,000 people
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe festival is built around a genuine piece
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Woolly Worm Festival in Beattyville

The Woolly Worm Festival is a folklore-themed celebration held the last full weekend of October in downtown Beattyville, Kentucky, running annually since 1988. Centered on the banded woolly bear caterpillar's legendary ability to predict winter weather, the event draws up to 110,000 visitors for races, a parade, and craft vendors.

Long before the National Weather Service existed, Appalachian communities looked to nature for clues about the coming winter, and few pieces of folk wisdom have proven as durable as the legend of the woolly worm.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival is built around a genuine piece of Appalachian folk belief: the woolly worm, or banded woolly bear caterpillar, is said to predict the severity of the coming winter through the width of its black and brown segments, with the thirteen segments corresponding to the thirteen weeks of winter

02

The mystery stays covered

That single piece of folklore has anchored an event running continuously since 1988, drawing crowds far larger than Beattyville's small population would suggest, up to 110,000 visitors according to festival estimates

03

The city starts moving

The signature woolly worm races give the folklore a literal competitive stage, while a full slate of craft vendors, a car show, a parade, and even helicopter rides round out the weekend along Beattyville's closed-off main street

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The central tradition is the woolly worm race

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a competitive folk event that puts the caterpillar's winter-predicting folklore into playful action

The sacred route

Living ritual

alongside a broader Appalachian belief that reading the 13 segments of the woolly worm's body

The local code

Living ritual

alternating black for harsh cold weeks and light brown for milder ones

Tradition 5

Living ritual

offers a forecast for the coming winter

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The parade and car show carry forward small-town Kentucky festival traditions layered onto that central folklore theme

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually October

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual outdoor fall clothing. Late October in the eastern Kentucky hills can be crisp, especially in the morning and evening, so layers and a warm jacket are recommended.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.57 N, 83.71 WOpen in Google Maps

Beattyville, KY

Nearest airportLOZ — London-Corbin Airport/Magee Field
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Beattyville via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Beattyville, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor fall clothing. Late October in the eastern Kentucky hills can be crisp, especially in the morning and evening, so layers and a warm jacket are recommended.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Woolly Worm Festival?

Woolly Worm Festival is listed for October · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Woolly Worm Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Beattyville, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Beattyville, KY

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwoollyworm.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually October
Source statusOfficial source linked
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