North Carolina is home to tons of great festivals and annual events. If you think about it, we’ve got a lot to celebrate.
To me, a festival includes vendors, food trucks or stalls, a kid section, and entertainment. Annual events can be anything from enjoying the sunflowers at Dorothea Dix Park to the once-a-year Autumn at Oz at Beech Mountain.
There’s no way to create a list of every festival and event, so I highlighted some of my favorites. I’ve noted months where you may find similar local festivals you can easily search for. Think of this list as inspiration to find fun things to do throughout the year.
Also, the “official sites” aren’t always official. Some festivals have great websites they routinely update, and others use Facebook. Overall, I’ve found that in the days leading up to the festival, you’ll want to check the Facebook sites. Organizers tend to provide more up-to-the-minute information via social media.
“My Review” next to a festival indicates I’ve personally attended and have an article with all the details you need to plan your visit.
January
Several winter wonderlands and holiday light events begin in December and continue through January. You can search for local places to go online. It’s a wonderful way to wind down after the busy holidays.
Penguin Plunge
- Atlantic Beach, NC
- Free for spectators, fee for participants (Note, you can donate without plunging)
- Official site to track event and register
- Always the first of January
February
North Carolina Jazz Festival
- Wilmington, NC
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, early February
Outhouse Races
- Sapphire, NC (near Cashiers)
- Free for spectators
- Official site to track dates
- Held the Saturday of President’s Day Weekend
March
March is home to several Saint Patrick’s Day parades. Check online to find the one closest to you.
Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival
- Wilmington, NC
- Tickets Required (Discounted tickets for designated drivers available)
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-March
April
North Carolina Azalea Festival
- Wilmington, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-April
North Carolina Pickle Festival – My Review
- Mount Olive, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, the end of April
Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
- Fayetteville, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, the last weekend of April
May
North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival
- Huntersville, NC
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, the first week of May
Breakaway Music Festival
- Charlotte Dragway
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, the first week of May
Jiggy with the Piggy
- Kannapolis, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-May
Cheerwine Festival
- Salisbury, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, the end of May
June
North Carolina Black Bear Festival
- Plymouth, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, the first weekend in June
Carolina Beach Music Festival
- Carolina Beach, NC
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, early June
Pimento Cheese Festival
- Cary, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-June
July
Grandfather Mountain Highlands Games
- Held in MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain in NC
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, early July
Sunflower Field at Dorothea Dix Park – My Review
- Raleigh, NC
- Free
- Official site to track peak bloom
- Typically, sunflowers reach peak bloom mid to late July
August
NC State Bluegrass Festival
- Marion, NC
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, mid-August
Outer Banks Watermelon Festival
- Nags Head, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, the first weekend in August
September
North Carolina Apple Festival
- Hendersonville, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, Labor Day Weekend
Autumn at Oz – My Review
- Beech Mountain, NC
- Tickets Required (purchase in advance)
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Multiple weekends in September
Hillsborough Hog Day – My Review
- Hillsborough, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-September
October
North Carolina Seafood Festival – My Review
- Morehead City, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, the first weekend in October
Woolly Worm Festival
- Banner Elk, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, the third weekend in October
Autumn Leaves Festival
- Mount Airy, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-October
Barbecue Festival
- Lexington, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, end of October
Wilmington Riverfest
- Wilmington, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically held in October
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train – My Review
- Boone, NC
- Tickets required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically, weekends throughout October
November
North Carolina Whirligig Festival – My Review
- Wilson, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, early November
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival – My Review
- Koka booth amphitheater, Cary, NC
- Tickets Required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Typically runs the week before Thanksgiving through the first week of January
December
There are tons of winter festivals and winter markets throughout December. You can search “winter festivals near my town” and find the ones closest to you. There are also holiday light displays that run through January.
MAKRS Holiday Fest
- Downtown Raleigh, NC
- Free
- Official site to track dates
- Typically, mid-December
Tweetsie Railroad Christmas
- Boone, NC
- Tickets required
- Official site to track dates and purchase tickets
- Select dates throughout December
Solstice Lantern Walk
- Hillsborough, NC
- Free (donations accepted) – Registration Required
- Official site to track dates and register
- Typically, the third week of December