North Carolina Attractions and Events

This is your ultimate guide to popular NC attractions & events. Use this resource to help you decide where to go on your next North Carolina day trip or vacation!

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Popular Sites & Activities:

Biltmore Estate:

Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate, photo by Christy Evers

Known as America’s Castle and America’s largest, privately owned home, the Vanderbilt family moved into Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina and warmly opened it to family and guests. Today Biltmore Estate remains family owned and they continue to welcome guests from around the world.

Popular Biltmore Articles

Is a Biltmore Annual Pass Worth it? What I Love & What I Hate About my Biltmore Annual Pass

Christmas at Biltmore Estate/ The Ultimate Guide

Large Christmas Tree lit up in front of Biltmore House at night
Christmas at Biltmore Estate, a 55 ft. tall Tree!!!!

Popular Biltmore Videos

10 Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estate (Fan Favorite!)

Biltmore Estate Full Christmas tour, Plus Fun FAQ

5 Tips for Getting Discounted Tours at Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate Restaurant Guide

Room Tour of the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate

Carowinds Amusement Park:

Located in Charlotte, NC, “Only at Carowinds will you find more than 60 world-class rides, the Carolinas’ best waterpark, live entertainment, Camp Snoopy, and downhome Carolina cuisine. Family-friendly special events keep guests coming back for new ways to play all season long. At our well-appointed on-site hotel, and beautiful campground, you can turn your Carowinds stay into a fun getaway.” ~Carowinds.com 

Popular Posts

Carowinds Winterfest 2023 A Review by Adventures That Rock

Popular Videos

Mount Mitchell State Park

Dorthea Dix Park

Dorthea Dix Park was once an old Insane Asylum. Today it’s one of Raleigh’s most beloved and innovative parks. They host events, classes, workshops, tours, and more! Each July they boast one of the best sunflower fields in all of North Carolina!

Lighthouses

Battleship North Carolina

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Reed Gold Mine

Chimney Rock

Carl Sandburg Home

Land of OZ

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Fort Fisher Aquarium

NC State Capitol

Pinehurst Resort

Guilford Courthouse

Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Pisgah National Forest

US National Whitewater Center

Historic Bethabara Park

Tryon Palace

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

NC Zoo Asheboro

Love Valley

North Carolina Museum of Art

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Oconaluftee Indian Village

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort

Museum of the Cherokee People

Carolina Tiger Rescue

2024 Event Guide:

By Month:

January 2025

Jan. 5th Hamilton Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts – Greensboro, NC

7th – Feb 2nd: Hamilton Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – Charlotte, NC

Ends Jan 14: NC Chinese Lantern Festival: Ends January 14th

15th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

27th Maggie Valley Ice Festival

Jan 19-28: Queens’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week

Carolina Hurricanes Hockey

Charlotte Hornets Basketball

February, NC Attractions & Events

NC Attractions & Events
NC February Evens

1-3 North Carolina Jazz Festival, Wilmington

2nd Glenn Miller Orchestra, Greensboro

3rd Hatteras Island Oyster Roast

3rd Hayword County Mid-Winter Flea Market, Waynesville

3-4 Astronomy Days, Raleigh

3-4 Carolina Chocolate Festival, Morehead City

9th Dianne Reeves, Carolina Theatre – Greensboro

9th Dinner and Jazz Featuring Cyndra Fyore, Garner Performing Arts Theatre

9-11 Beaufort’s Waterfront Mardi Gras Festival

10th Black Heritage Festival, Concord

10th Carolina Raptor Center Baby Shower, Huntersville

10th 8th Annual New Bern Mardi Gras, New Bern

10th 2024 King Street Winter Farmers Market, Boone

10-11 Carolina Alpaca Celebration Show, Concord

13th-18th Mean Girls, Charlotte

17th Run Oak Island

17th Fearrington Folk Art Show, Pittsboro

17th The Great Outhouse Races, Sapphire

17-18 Ashville Celtic Festival, Ashville

17th Swan Lake, Durham, Carolina Theater

23-24 2024 Charlotte Bead and Jewelry Show, Charlotte

24th Carolina Tiger Rescue, Black Tie & Tails Ball, Durham

24-25 Body Mind Spirit Expo, Raleigh

28th & 29 NC Rice Festival, Leland & Navassa

February Concerts & Shows:

Durham Performing Arts Center:

1st Scotty McCreery

6th-11th Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations

13th-18th Mean Girls, Charlotte

17th Dancing With the Stars

27th – Mar 3rd Peter Pan

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium – Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts:

1-18 Carolina Ballet

2nd & 4th North Carolina Opera: The Barber of Seville

Charlotte Underground

17th KPop Club Night

28th JP Saxe

Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville

16th-18th Billy Strings

Asheville Music Hall

3rd Guavatron

16th Kyle Tuttle Band

17th East Nash Grass

March, NC Attractions & Events

NC Attractions & Events
March Events in North Carolina

1-3 Peter Pan, Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC

1-10 The Musical of Musicals, The MusicalTemple Theatre – Sanford

1 & 2 Sheryl Underwood, Raleigh Improv

1 & 2 NC Rice Festival, Supply & Winnabow

1 & 2 Wake Forest Film Festival

1st Rumba on the Lumber Festival, Lumberton

2 & 3 C.S. Lewis:Further Up and Further InFletcher Opera Theatre – Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Raleigh

2nd The Market at NCMA, Raleigh

2nd Artisan Festival, Southport

2nd NC Indigenous Artist Festival, Raleigh

3rd – 5th Spring Flowers, Art on the Gogh, Raleigh

5- 10 (Select Dates) Peter PanBelk Theatre – Blumenthal PAC – Charlotte

7 Michael W. Smith McGregor Hall – Henderson

7 – May 19 Carolina Ballet Fletcher Opera Theater At Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Raleigh

7-10 & 14-17, Halle Culture Arts Center, Apex. 150th play, Forged in Fire – The Story of Apex

7 Ron White, Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham

8 Ron White, Ovens Auditorium – Charlotte

8 – 16 Into The Woods Paramount Theater – Burlington

11th St. Patricks Day Festival, Wilmington

16th Sylvan Heights Bird Park, BBQ cook off – Birds, Brews & BBQ, Scotland Neck

16th Holi, Morrisville

19 -24 Mrs. Doubtfire Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham

23rd Cliffs Trail Run and Hike, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs

23rd Mystic Highland Games, Durham

23,24, 30 & 31st Zootastic Easter Egg Hunts, Troutman

24th Fort Fisher Spring Festival

24th Triangle Vegfest, Raleigh

25th- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

30th, Kure Beach Headphone Party

24 -31, Cape Fear Craft Beer Week, Wilmington

April NC Attractions & Events

April NC Attractions & Events

1 – May 19 Carolina Ballet Fletcher Opera Theater At Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Raleigh

1 – Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

3-7, NC Azalea Festival, Wilmington

4th Battleship Boom & Bloom Fireworks Bonanza, Wilmington

5-7, 13 & 14th 55th Annual Pottery & Glass Festival, Creedmoor

6 & 7 Artisan Market, New Bern

6 & 7 Herb & Garden Fair, Wilmington

12th-14th OBX Taste of the Beach, Annual Food and Wine Festival on the Outer Banks (Multiple Cities)

12th-14th Oak Grove Rhythm Retreat Hosted by One Tribe, Tarboro

20th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day, Kitty Hawk

20th River Park Concert Series, Hillsborough

21st Race for the Planet 5K at the NC Aquariam at Fort Fisher

19-21st Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Hendersonville

27th NC Pickle Festival, Mt. Olive

27th Bull City Yoga Festival Zinchouse Winery and Brewery

27th Annual Festival of Legends “Shiny Things”, Holly Springs

27th Spring Dazy Arts & Crafts Festival, Cary

27th 2024 Bee Festival, Holly Ridge

30th – May 5th Mrs. Doubtfire – The Musical Belk Theatre – Blumenthal PAC – Charlotte

May, NC Atrractions & Events

NC Attractions & Events 
May Events in North Carolina

1 – May 5th Mrs. Doubtfire – The Musical Belk Theatre – Blumenthal PAC – Charlotte

1 – May 19 Carolina Ballet Fletcher Opera Theater At Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Raleigh

1- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

3rd & 4th Carolina Strawberry Festival, Wallace

3rd & 4th Crystal Coast Star Party, Harkers Island

4th 19th Annual Strawberry Festival, Durham

4th 38th Annual Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival

10th-12th Vintage Market Days, Raleigh

10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19 Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex. Spring Play – Cheaters

11th The Wizard of Oz Experience, Charlotte (an outdoor escape room experience)

17th & 18th Beaufort Music Festival

18th Dix Park Inter-Tribal Pow Wow, Raleigh

18th Cheerwine Festival, Salisbury

18th WNC Bigfoot Festival, Marion

18th Yadkin Vailley Wine Festival, Elkin

25th-Aug. 17th“Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee)

June NC Activities & Events

Now- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

Every Tues. June 4-Aug 20th, Kure Beach Market 8AM-1PM

1st 17th Annual Mermaid Parade & Festival, Marshall

7th & 8th Balloon Glow & Laser Show – Holy Springs

8th Apex Pride Fest

14th All Things Groovy Hippie Festival, Wilmington

15th Upper French Broad Riverfest, Rosman

19th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

22nd Carolina Ciderfest, Asheville

29th Wizard of Oz Experience, Asheville (Outdoor escape room experience)

29th Wizard of Oz Experience, Wilmington (Outdoor escape room experience)

All month -Aug. 17th “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee)

July NC Activities & Events

Dix Park Sunflower Fields in Bloom All Month, Raleigh

4th of July Celebrations: Visit OurState.com for a list

Now- Jan 5, 2025: Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

12th: Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC

12-13th: Blackberry Festival, Lenoir

Every Tues. June 4-Aug 20th: Kure Beach Market 8AM-1PM

“Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee) May 25th-Aug. 17th 2024

20th: SUMMER JAM 2024: Jeffrey Osborne, Whispers & Evelyn King
Koka Booth Amphitheatre – Cary, NC

20th: Wizard of OZ Experience, Raleigh (Outdoor escape room experience)

All month -Aug. 17th: “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee)

30 & 31: Mamma Mia! Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC

August NC Activities & Events

1-4 Mamma Mia! Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC

2 & 3 Beer Bourbon and BBQ Koka Booth Amphitheatre – Cary, NC

Now- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

Every Tues. June 4-Aug 20th, Kure Beach Market 8AM-1PM

4th & 19th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

8th -Sept. 8th The Lion King, Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – Charlotte, NC

10th Rocket Man Show Durham Performing Arts Center

All month -Aug. 17th “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee)”Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee)

24-25th Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Cary

30 & 31 Mamma Mia! Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC

September NC Activities & Events

1st & 8th The Lion King, Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – Charlotte, NC

Now- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

13- Oct. 27th Scarowinds at Carowinds Amusement Park, Concord

21st Camden Heritage Festival

28th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

28th Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival

29th Muddy Princess, Raleigh

Fall foliage begins to change at the end of September! Here’s a North Carolina Fall Colors Prediction Guide to help you plan where and when to see the leaves at their peak!

October NC Activities & Events

Fall foliage is at its height this month! ! Here’s a North Carolina Fall Colors Prediction Guide to help you plan where and when to see the leaves at their peak!

Now- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

4-6 Annual NC Seafood Festival, Morehead City

1- 27th Scarowinds at Carowinds Amusement Park, Concord

26th 4th Annual Oak Island Withces Ride

28th & Juliet Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts – Greensboro, NC

November NC Activities & Events

Fall foliage may still be around at start of this month! Here’s a North Carolina Fall Colors Prediction Guide to help you plan where and when to see the leaves at their peak!

Now- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

Cape Fear Kite Festival Nov. 1st -3rd Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Nov 7th- Dec. 31st Bryson City Polar Express

11th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, NC Begins

23 & 24 Gift Expo, New Bern

23 & 24 Home Expo, New Bern

December

NC Attractions & Events
December events in North Carolina

Now- Jan 5, 2025 Chihuly at Biltmore Estate, Asheville

Chinese Lantern Festival, Cary

17th Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

New Bern, Tryon Palace Candlelight Dec. 14 & 21

Nov 7th- Dec. 31st Bryson City Polar Express

26th – Jan. 5th Hamilton Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts – Greensboro, NC

By Region:

Eastern NC Festivals & Events 2024

NC Activities & Events 
Eastern North Carolina

April 3-7, NC Azalea Festival, Wilmington

April 21st Race for the Planet 5K at the NC Aquariam at Fort Fisher

May 3rd & 4th Carolina Strawberry Festival, Wallace

27th NC Pickle Festival, Mt. Olive

June 29th Wizard of Oz Experience, Wilmington (Outdoor escape room

Nov 1-3 Cape Fear Kite Festival Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Dec 14& 21, New Bern, Tryon Palace Candlelight

Central NC Festivals & Events 2024

NC Activities & Events
Central North Carolina Events

April 12th-14th Oak Grove Rhythm Retreat Hosted by One Tribe, Tarboro

May 11th The Wizard of Oz Experience, Charlotte (an outdoor escape room experience)

June 20th Wizard of OZ Experience, Raleigh (Outdoor escape room experience)

Chinese Lantern Festival, Cary

Statesville Balloon Festival

NC State Fair

Western NC Festivals & Events 2024

NC Activities & Events 
Western North Carolina

January 27th 27th Maggie Valley Ice Festival

May 25th-Aug. 17th “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama (Cherokee)

June 29th Wizard of Oz Experience, Asheville (Outdoor escape room experience)

8 Days through out the year FREE at the Wright Brothers Memorial FREE Day

Nov 7th- Dec. 31st Bryson City Polar Express

May 18th Big Foot Festival, Marion,

Autumn in Oz, Beech Mountain (Dates TBD)

Biltmore Christmas Candlelight