Spring, summer and fall mean it's festival time in North Carolina!
Whether you're in the mood for music, shopping, food, camping, fitness or arts and crafts, there are festivals in North Carolina that offer something for all ages and interests. Some of our favorites include Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, Spring Daze in Cary, the Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival in Durham and the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.
There are also festivals celebrating every type of food you can imagine, like strawberries, potatoes, blueberries, yams, barbecue and more.
Here's a month-by-month look at festivals in NC from the mountains to the coast.
April festivals in NC
NC Science Festival (April 1-30) - With both virtual events and events across the state, this festival features more than 600 events, including an engineering competition and Gravity Games.
Dreamville Festival (April 6-7) - Hip hop artist J. Cole, raised in Fayetteville, presents this festival at Dix Park. This year's lineup will be announced soon!
PirateFest (April 20) - Swashbucklers of all ages will converge on the banks of the Tar River in Greenville for this annual festival. There will be live music, arts and crafts for sale, mermaids, sword fights and a beer and wine garden.
NC 'Cuegrass Festival (April 20) - Enjoy a day of bluegrass, local brews and great barbecue in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District during this annual festival.
Broadway Our Way Festival (April 20) - Festival events in downtown Broadway include a street fair, food vendors, classic cars, kid's activities, and live entertainment featuring Britton Buchanan, Nu Blu, Potter's Will and Sweet Potato Pie.
Spring Daze (April 27) - This arts and crafts festival at Bond Park in Cary features over 170 local artists, live music, food and more.
MerleFest (April 25-28) - Since its founding in 1988, MerleFest has operated as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and so much more. This year's headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, The Teskey Brothers, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway and Steep Canyon Rangers.
May festivals in NC
Jiggy with the Piggy Fest (May 2-5) - This Kannapolis festival features a Kansas City Barbeque Society Competition, carnival rides, outdoor movies and barbecue and wing tastings.
Apex Peak Fest (May 4) - Arts and crafts, inflatables, live music and food will be available at this festival in downtown Apex.
MayFest (May 10-11) - Held annual in Pilot Mountain, this festival includes arts and crafts, plants and flowers, local musicians and food.
Carolina Indie Fest (May 10-11) - Carolina Indie Fest is a free two-day multi-stage music festival located in downtown Sanford. There will be two outdoor stages, and one stage inside Hugger Mugger Brewing, which will also act as the hub of the festival.
Carthage Buggy Festival (May 11) - This festival is held each year to commemorate the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory, which made carriages that were essential to life in rural North Carolina. There is a classic car and truck show, in addition to a buggy and tractor show.
Race City Festival (May 11) - This event includes an outdoor street fair, NASCAR displays and souvenirs, live music and food trucks in downtown Moorseville.
Beaufort Music Festival (May 17-18) - Past BMF performers include the Avett Brothers, St Paul and the Broken Bones, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Mandolin Orange, American Aquarium, Donna the Buffalo, Yarn, River Whyless, AJ Ghent Band, Chatham County Line and more.
NC Potato Festival (May 17-19) - Food, arts and crafts, contests, live entertainment, carnival rides and more highlight this annual celebration in downtown Elizabeth City.
Durham Blues and Brews Festival (May 18) - This annual event includes performances from three fantastic blues performers, samples from more than 20 North Carolina breweries and 10 food trucks at Durham Central Park.
Artsplosure (May 20-21) - This spring festival started in 1980 in downtown Raleigh. There are vendors, live music, children's activities and more.
June
NC Black Bear Festival (June 1) - Mark your calendar and plan to attend this unique event in Plymouth on the first weekend in June each year. There are more than 30 activities including wild bear tours.
Ocrafolk Festival (June 7-9) - Get your toes tapping in the Outer Banks with an island celebration of musicians, storytellers, artisans, local food, and so much more.
Raleigh's International Food Festival (June 1) - Over 30 countries are represented at this celebration of Raleigh's diversity, art, culture, traditions and history. Enjoy free admission and over 30 food trucks and dessert trucks from around the globe and the largest outdoor international dance party with non-stop performances.
Cherry Bounce Festival (June 7-8) - Named after moonshiner Amos Owens' corn whiskey-based "Cherry Bounce" moonshine, the Cherry Bounce Festival features art from local and regional artists, live bluegrass/Americana music, moonshine and cherry-inspired items by local restaurants and businesses.
Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival (June 13-15) - This Roxboro festival is a throw-back festival from the time that festivals were friendly gatherings with plenty of social time and jamming. There will be workshops, storytelling and a jamming tent set up during the day. Both national and local bands will be part of our stage show.
NC Blueberry Festival (June 14-15) - Held annually in Burgaw, this festival attracts more than 30,000 people. There are more than 20 events including a car show, street fair, barbecue cook-off, 5K and more.
Rogallo Kite Festival (June 14-15) - See amazing 30-100 foot kites on top of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Fly a kite of your own, take part in free stunt kite lessons, kite coloring for the kiddos, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular kites.
Apex Juneteenth Festival (June 15) - Food trucks, performers, kid games/activities and 30 Black-owned business in the Triangle promoting their products and services in downtown Apex.
Juneteenth Festival (June 13-16) - The 2022 festival in Charlotte will feature 40 Black-owned companies, crafts, culture, performances, art, kids games and more.
July festivals in NC
Christmas in July (July 5-6) - Held in historic West Jefferson, this festival features traditional mountain music, arts and crafts, festival food and children's activities.
Festival on the Square (TBD) - This Hayesville festival begins with a street dance on Friday and arts and crafts, food and entertainment on the Courthouse Square on Saturday.
Avery Fine Art Festival (July 19-21) - Held in Sugar Mountain, this juried fine art and master crafts festival features hand-crafted wares from more than 90 vendors, including photography, paintings, jewelry, sculpture and pottery.
Love, Shine, Play Festival (July 25-28) - The festival classes take place in beautiful venues throughout downtown Asheville and in nature. You will be able to choose from a variety of offerings including yoga classes, meditation, talks, hikes and more.
Folkmoot Summer Soiree (July 11) - On Saturday of this days-long festival, enjoy over 75 craft vendors, food trucks and live music on Main Street in Waynesville.
August
Avery Fine Art Festival (Aug. 16-18) - Held in Sugar Mountain, this juried fine art and master crafts festival features hand-crafted wares from more than 90 vendors, including photography, paintings, jewelry, sculpture and pottery.
NC State Packapolooza (Aug. 24) - Packapalooza is an all-day block party and street festival on Hillsborough Street capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week at the start of the academic year.
Lazy Daze (Aug. 24-25) - This large festival in downtown Cary features juried artists, performances, food, drink, music and more.
September festivals in NC
Festa Italiana Raleigh 2024 (Sept. 21) - The Triangle’s largest, most diverse, annual celebration of Italian and American Italian culture with dance, music, food and drinks at Fayetteville Street Mall in Raleigh.
Benson Mule Days (Sept. 21-24) - The weekend is packed with rodeos, a mule pulling contest, arts and crafts, vendors, street dances, carnival rides, camping, parades, bluegrass shows and more.
October festivals in NC
Selma Railroad Days (Oct. 4-6) - This event celebrates the railroad heritage for a full weekend filled with model train displays, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, carnival rides and a parade.
NASCAR Day Festival (Oct. 4-5) - This Randleman festival pays homage to racing heritage.
Mountain Glory Festival (Oct. 12) - The Marion festival is three jam-packed blocks featuring locally made arts and crafts, lots of festival foods and a wide variety of live entertainment and old time mountain music.
Valle Country Fair (Oct. 19) - Music, arts and crafts, foods and baked goods all during the peak of fall foliage between Boone and Banner Elk.
This list is constantly being updated! Check back soon for more 2024 festivals.