Autumn at Oz Festival

The Autumn at Oz Festival has returned to Beech Mountain’s Land of Oz for three weekends in September for more than 30 years. This season marks 85 years since the MGM classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” was released. “It’s a huge year for ‘The Wizard of Oz’ universe,” says Sean Barrett, Land of Oz’s producer and artistic director. “The ‘Wicked’ movie is coming out in November. ‘The Wiz’ returned to Broadway for the first time in 40 years. There’s a lot of Oz culture around at the moment. We’re excited to be added to the mix.”

HOW TO PREPARE

Land of Oz’s cast and staff, more than 160 people from all over the East Coast, make the theme park come alive each day. About 90% return every year, scheduling time off to take part in the three weekends. “A lot of love goes into this event,” Barrett says. “I have been really fortunate with the actors who come through Oz. They are very dedicated to it and believe in the park.”

• Watch the “The Wizard of Oz.” Play the movie’s music: “Over the Rainbow,” and “If I Only Had a Brain.” For a deeper dive, add “Wicked,” and “The Wiz Live!” to movie night.
• Pick up a copy of “The Wizard of Oz: The Official Picture Book.” Read it with your littles to familiarize them with the story.
• Dress up for the occasion. Many people wear Dorothy costumes to the festival. It’s not unusual to see groups wearing matching outfits or T-shirts to commemorate the event. Slip on your ruby red slippers or plan for themed attire for the whole family.
• Buy your tickets ahead of time. The shows are expected to sell out as they did last summer. Morning and late afternoon time slots are often best for young families.
• Prepare for the weather. The show must go on…and it will despite cold weather, rain, or heat.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The show begins at the Gale Family Farm in Kansas. Dorothy, the farm hands, and Professor Marvel perform familiar scenes and songs from the iconic movie. Guests experience the tornado that lands Dorothy in Oz (think 1970’s special effects). And just like Dorothy, guests follow the Yellow Brick Road and meet the Wicked Witch of the West, the Cowardly Lion, and many others along the way.

• Travel to the Land of Oz by shuttle or chairlift. Your ticket indicates when you’re allowed to get on the bus which takes you up the mountain to the theme park. For an extra fee, you can take the Beech Mountain Resort chairlift to the top, if you’re over 36 inches tall. Buses also return guests to the parking lots after they’ve finished at the park.
  
• Plan for a two to three hour walk. The show begins in Kansas and ends in Oz with performances and photo opportunities along the way. Your ticket time allows you to enter the park and experience the performance at your own pace. Guests are unable to go backwards—everyone moves forward on the Yellow Brick Road.
• Take photos with all your favorite characters. After each performance, characters are available for a photo. These opportunities are included in the ticket price.
• Bring water and snacks. Once inside the theme park, snacks are sold before the performance begins and at the end, once you reach Oz. Carry out any trash or find a receptacle along the way.
• Travel the Yellow Brick Road. Due to stairs and tight spaces, no strollers or wagons are allowed.
• Read these FAQs for more details.

STAY THE WEEKEND

• Sleep over. AirBnB, 4 Seasons at Beech, Best Western Mountain Lodge, Top of the Beech Inn, and White Wolf Lodge offer a variety of accommodation for an overnight stay.
• Dine out. Famous Brick Oven Pizza, Fred’s Backside Deli, and Holy Smoke’s BBQ serve a variety of food in family-friendly atmospheres.
• Take a hike. The one-mile hike to Falls Trail is an easy loop that takes you to a waterfall.
• Pedal it out. Experienced bikers will enjoy Witch’s Backbone and Witch’s Tail, a .8-mile strenuous ride.

Autumn at Oz 2024
Dates: September 6-8, 13-15, 20–22

Festival Hours:

Fridays, 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

General admission tickets:

$60 + taxes and processing fees

Children 2 and under are free.

Chair lift to the top is $17 plus fees.