Fall at HomeTrust Park 2026: BBQ, Trivia, a 5K, and Halloween Movie Night in Asheville, NC
The Asheville Tourists played their final game of 2026 with a 6-4 loss, but the stands were packed. The season closed with record attendance, which says something about how much this town loves its ballpark.
You might expect HomeTrust Park to go quiet now. It's doing the opposite. Between now and Halloween, the ballpark on Buchanan Place is hosting a barbecue festival, a trivia night, a 5K that ends on the warning track, and a free movie night on the field. If you live in Asheville, this is a good fall to visit the park without a ticket to a game.
A ballpark built for more than baseball
If you haven't been since the renovation, a lot has changed. The park reopened in April after an 18-month, nearly $40 million overhaul, and the home opener drew a sellout crowd. It also kept its old name in the conversation, since plenty of locals still call it McCormick Field. That renovation added a multi-use space meant to work all year, which explains why the calendar is so full this fall. The park is also open for weddings, meetings, festivals, and other gatherings outside baseball season.
It sits in the South Slope district, just south of the heart of downtown, at 30 Buchanan Place. Downtown is compact enough that you can walk most of it from the gate, and if you're driving, Exit 5B off the interstate puts you on Charlotte Street.
Carolina EGGfest: BBQ in the outfield (Saturday, September 19)
The season's first big event is also the first of its kind here. The inaugural Carolina EGGfest turns the outfield into a barbecue festival, with pitmasters and backyard grill fans all cooking on Big Green Egg grills. The organizers say it's the only Big Green EGGfest in both North and South Carolina.
Most people will come as tasters. Your ticket gets you all-you-can-eat samples while supplies last, a chance to wander the outfield, and a vote in the People's Choice awards, which cover professional and amateur divisions, poultry, beef, pork, an "anything but" category, and a personality award for the best-looking setup. Doors open for tasters at 11 a.m., and the event runs until 3 p.m. VIP ticket holders get in an hour early, with early samples, a whiskey pour, a barbecue-and-beer pairing, and access to the Champion Credit Union Club.
If you'd rather compete, grill teams cook on a supplied Egg and serve the crowd. And if you get hooked, ticket holders can pre-purchase a lightly used demo Egg for $1,199 plus tax, which the organizers say saves over $400. Local beer is available for purchase, and if there's a Saturday football game you care about, it'll be on the largest videoboard in Western North Carolina.
The event benefits Food Connection, a local nonprofit. If the weather turns, the rain date is Sunday, September 20.
Trivia night at the ballpark (Thursday, October 1)
Two weeks later, the Tourists are hosting trivia at HomeTrust Park on October 1. Details are still rolling out, so check the Tourists' website for the format, start time, and how to sign up. It's a good excuse to gather a team and see the renovated park from the inside.
The Downtown Diamond Dash 5K (Saturday, October 17)
The event I'm most curious about is the inaugural Downtown Diamond Dash 5K. Runners start outside the ballpark, wind through downtown, and re-enter through the right-field gate. They finish on the outfield warning track, in front of the Champion Credit Union Club, with spectators cheering from the stands.
The course is USAT&F-certified and chip-timed by Right on Time Race Productions, so your time is official. It's open to all levels, so first-time 5K runners are as welcome as people chasing a personal best. Registration includes a bib, a post-race craft beer (21+) or Powerade, and the inaugural event t-shirt if you registered by September 18. Packet pickup is Friday, October 16, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Tourists Box Office, and race-day check-in opens at 7 a.m. Friends and family can watch for free, and select concessions will be open.
BOO Ridge Halloween Movie Night (Friday, October 23)
The month ends with a free family night. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the BOO Ridge trick-or-treat trail, where local businesses hand out candy until 7. At 6:30, Disney's 1993 Hocus Pocus starts on the field, and it runs about 96 minutes. Concessions stay open until 7:45. The event is presented with Tanger Outlets, and there's no admission charge, which makes it an easy plan for families.
More on the Tourists' calendar
Those four are just the headliners. The Tourists Signature Events lineup also includes the Tourists Fitness Series, the Asheville Grass Open, and the Bats & Badges Home Run Derby. You can find current dates on the Tourists Signature Events page.
Quick answers
What's happening at HomeTrust Park this fall? Carolina EGGfest on September 19, trivia on October 1, the Downtown Diamond Dash 5K on October 17, and BOO Ridge Halloween Movie Night on October 23.
Which events are free? BOO Ridge is free, and spectators can watch the 5K at no charge. EGGfest is ticketed, and 5K runners need to register.
Can I book the ballpark for my own event? Yes. Tourists Signature Events handles weddings, holiday parties, and other gatherings.
Baseball season may be over, but HomeTrust Park is having a good fall. Pick an event, bring a friend, and see it before the leaves are gone.
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