NC Festivals Worth the Drive

In a state full of so much bounty — unique landscapes, robust agriculture, and rich traditions — there are many reasons to celebrate. If you plan to tour NC this year, check out these signature events for a taste of local culture and family fun.

Asheville Fringe Arts Festival

March 16–23
Asheville

Multi-day, multi-venue performing arts extravaganza highlighting artists exploring the edges of their work, collaborating across genres, and bringing innovative performances to adventurous audiences.

NC Azalea Festival

April 2–6
Wilmington

Longstanding springtime tradition featuring azalea garden tours with plein air painting, concerts by Justin Moore and Flo Rida, garden and dance parties, a street fair, parade, historic home tours, and more.

Charlotte SHOUT!

April 4–20
Charlotte

Annual fete built on celebrating art, music, food, and ideas throughout the Queen City. Weaving together the talents of internationally and locally acclaimed artists, Charlotte SHOUT! showcases dancers, musicians, poets, storytellers, photographers, chefs, and thought leaders in an inspiring feast for the senses.

PirateFest

April 5
Greenville

Swashbucklers turn Greenville into a pirate’s paradise complete with live music, fine art for sale, and a pirate encampment with sword fighting and sea shanties. Named the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events 2024 Event of the Year.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival

April 12
Manteo

With the Roanoke Sound as a backdrop, sample food from 10 of the Outer Banks’ favorite restaurants, while sipping wine and local craft beer. Stroll behind The Lost Colony’s historic Waterside Theatre Stage, and browse a silent auction and regional art show. Proceeds benefit The Lost Colony production.

The Lost Colony at Waterside Theatre

MerleFest

April 24–27
Wilkesboro

A four-day music celebration showcasing traditional and contemporary sounds of Appalachia — including bluegrass, Ameriana, country, blues, and rock — performed on 12 stages. Headliners include The Avett Brothers and Bonnie Raitt, plus dozens more. Enjoy a shopping village, family area, kids’ showcases, and Pickin’ Place jam tents.

NC Tribute to the King

April 25–27
Lexington

Celebrate all things Elvis throughout this three-day event, featuring a competition among the top Elvis tribute artists, headliner concerts, and an Elvis Gospel Celebration show on Sunday.

Fayetteville Dogwood Festival

April 25–27
Fayetteville

Family-centric free event with carnival rides, live music, food trucks, entertaining performances, classic car and truck cruise, and handmade craft vendors.

NC Pickle Festival

April 26
Mount Olive

A dill-lightful community festival with a pickle eating competition, pickleball tournament, pickle princess pageant, live performances, a car show, 5k race, and a recipe contest.

NC Strawberry Festival

May 1–4
Chadbourn

The strawberry capital of the world hosts its 92nd annual festival, the longest-running agricultural festival in the state. Enjoy a parade, luncheon and auction, and fun events dedicated to sweet berry goodness.

Ocean Fest

May 2–4
Surf City

Founded by three surfing buddies, Ocean Fest celebrates a love for the ocean with a music festival, surf contest, beach cleanup, yoga, and community oyster roast.

BBQ Fest on the Neuse

May 2–3
Kinston

A whole-hog barbecue cook-off with professional and backyard teams stationed throughout downtown Kinston, plus arts and craft vendors, live music, car show, and kids’ activities. Barbecue will be available for purchase at the BBQ Chop Tent on Saturday — but only until it sells out.

Ham & Yam Festival

May 3
Smithfield

The annual Ham & Yam Festival is teeming with ham biscuits, barbecue pork, sweet potatoes, and more. There will be craft vendors, kids’ activities, live entertainment — including country music star Aaron Tippin — and the popular “What’s That Yam Thing?” art contest.

Wings Over Wayne Air Show

May 3–4
Goldsboro

The US Air Force Thunderbirds perform solo and formation flying routines designed to showcase the precision and training of the US Air Force pilots and the capabilities of the fighter jets. Enjoy food offerings, kids’ activities, and civilian performers as well. Held at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

NC Muslim Festival

May 10
Greensboro

Celebrate diversity, cultural understanding, community engagement, and unity among the Muslims living in North Carolina with a day of live entertainment, a vendor fair featuring local businesses, and a KidZone. Visitors of all faiths are welcome for an immersive cultural experience.

The Cheerwine Festival

May 17
Salisbury

Three cheers for Cheerwine — a cherry-flavored soda invented in Salisbury in 1917 — and the festival celebrating the beverage’s 100-year history. Live music, Cheerwine-inspired beer, crafts, and food (think Cheerwine tacos) lure nearly 100,000 visitors to the downtown streets.

Yadkin Valley Wine Festival

May 17
Elkin

Renowned wineries and vineyards in Yadkin Valley come together with local chefs to impress visitors with food, drink, and hospitality. Savor the region’s unique flavors and enjoy captivating arts and crafts and live music.

Ocrafolk Festival

June 6–8
Ocracoke Island

Musicians, storytellers, artisans, and characters of Ocracoke Island come together for a weekend of performances in a legendary setting.

National Black Bear Festival

June 7
Plymouth

Home of the world’s largest black bears, Plymouth boasts the highest black bear densities on the planet, as well as the best public bear viewing in NC. The festival, which debuted in 2015, celebrates the animals and educates the public in fun and interactive ways. Located on the banks of the Roanoke River, the festival also includes paddle and boating events, lazy river tubing, and a fireworks show reflected in the river.

NC Blueberry Festival

June 20–21
Burgaw

Commemorate the historic and economic significance of the humble blueberry with live music, arts and crafts vendors, the Tour De Blueberry cycle, 5k Blueberry Run, recipe contest, whole-hog barbecue cook-off, car show, and all the blueberries you care to eat.

Christmas in July

July 4–5
West Jefferson

A cool mountain breeze blows through downtown West Jefferson during this festival celebrating the area’s Christmas tree industry and mountain heritage with arts, crafts, local entertainers, and family fun.

Ocean City Jazz Festival

July 4–6
North Topsail Beach

Local and nationally recognized musicians inspire and entertain with jazz performances at an outdoor venue. Discover the history of Ocean City and Topsail Island on a 2-mile Learn & Hike experience, enjoy instructor-led line dancing, or opt for a curated bourbon tasting.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

July 10–13
Linville

The NC mountains transform into the Scottish Highlands for a weekend in July, featuring dance and music events; traditional ceremonies, such as the Parade of Tartans; athletic and field competitions, including the caber toss; and a Scottish cultural village.

North Carolina Peach Festival

July 17–19
Candor

A peach cooking contest, parade, live music, helicopter rides, and not-to-be-missed homemade peach ice cream and Flamin’ Hot Wing Contest.

NC Watermelon Festival

July 30 to Aug. 2
Murfreesboro

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of North Carolina’s Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro, about 2 hours northeast of Holly Springs, with a watermelon seed-spitting contest, parade, lots of live music, midway games, a hometown market, food vendors, and a fireworks show.

NC Apple Festival

Aug. 29 to Sept. 1
Hendersonville

Visit the four-day street fair for freshly picked apples, arts and crafts vendors, festival food, educational booths, and engaging children’s activities. Don’t miss the festival finale with an antique aircraft flyover and King Apple Parade.

John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival

Aug. 30–31
High Point

Acclaimed jazz musician John Coltrane first learned to play the saxophone growing up in High Point. Founded in 2011, the John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival pays homage to Coltrane’s legacy and celebrates the top names in jazz and blues music. The festival’s popular Student Instrument Contest awards a brand-new instrument to one middle– or high-school– aged aspiring musician.

Outer Banks Kite Festival

Sept. 12–13
Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Two days of kite flying on the sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge, including some of the nation’s best stunt kite pilots, synchronized flying, and performances set to music. Set your sights on a 100-foot octopus or a 50-foot fish kite and participate in free kite lessons taught by pros.

North Carolina Seafood Festival

Oct. 3–5
Morehead City

Situated on the waterfront in Morehead City, 200,000 visitors shop, dance, play, and savor more than just freshly caught seafood. Cooking demonstrations, amusement rides, an artisan market, and a fireworks show over Sugar Loaf Island cap off the festival’s 39th year.

Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace

Oct. 4 to Nov. 23 (Saturdays and Sundays only)
Davidson

A grassy meadow not far from I-85 transforms into a 16th-century European marketplace in the fictional village of Fairhaven. This 25-acre outdoor hamlet hosts castles, cottages, kitchens, and pubs, live music, comedy, and theater, as well as medieval artisan demonstrations, jousting knights on horseback, and falconry.

Autumn Leaves Festival

Oct. 10–12
Mount Airy

During the height of fall leaf-viewing season, artisans and crafters line both sides of Main Street, followed by iconic Southern “food for the soul,” including ham biscuits, collards, ground-steak sandwiches, and more. Mount Airy’s rich musical heritage is also on display, with local old-time, bluegrass, and gospel musicians performing live on the downtown stage.

MumFest

Oct. 11–12
New Bern

Spotlighting beautiful downtown and waterfront areas of New Bern, this annual event combines live music, amusement rides, an RV show, exhibitors, and a 5k road race with the charming shops and cafes that enjoy permanent homes in New Bern’s city center. Stop by Tryon Palace for a free garden tour and annual Fall Heritage Plant Sale.

Lexington Barbecue Festival

Oct. 25
Lexington

This one-day street festival celebrating NC’s favorite smoked meat draws more than 200,000 to uptown Lexington. Local pitmasters work together in three tents to serve the eager visitors traditional Lexington-style ’cue. “Side items” include live music, a hospitality garden, dinosaur show, K-9 Disc & Trick Show, limited-edition Fine Swine Wine by nearby Childress Vineyards, and a closing fireworks display.

North Carolina Whirligig Festival

Nov. 1–2
Wilson

Spread out through downtown Wilson, five music stages, dozens of food vendors, arts & craft booths, a BMX demonstration, live painting, Jeep car show, inflatables, and a build-your-own whirligig contest make this Wilson’s largest annual event. The festival grounds include the town’s signature Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, home to the famous recycled sculptures.

Candlelight at Tryon Palace

Dec. 13 & 20
New Bern

Celebrate the season in 18th-century style at Tryon Palace’s holiday Candlelight event. Witness the mansion decorated and illuminated by the magical glow of candlelight. As you travel from one room to another, costumed interpreters present an engaging story that references the Palace’s colonial history.

More From Our Mar-Apr 2025 Issue

• The Art of Restoration
• Presenting the 2025 Maggy Awards: Best of Main & Broad
• Quirky Sights in NC
• Small Business Spotlight: Dupre’s Coffee & Company
• NC Festivals Worth the Drive
• See & Do: March to April 2025
• Dig In & Drink Up: Den of Dragons
• Remembering the Crush of Covid
• 2025 Maggy Awards: Restaurants
• 2025 Maggy Awards: Lifestyle
• 2025 Maggy Awards: Services
• 2025 Maggy Awards: Shopping