Welcome to the Top 10 Events in North Carolina
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of North Carolina, including events in Durham, Atlantic Beach and Lexington.North Carolina Pickle Festival
April
Mount Olive, North Carolina
Good, green family fun salutes the agricultural heritage of this area, home to the Mt. Olive Pickle Company. Get free pickles and don’t miss Mr. Crisp, an eight-foot pickle. Whether your idea of fun is biking in the "Tour de Pickle," participating in the Pickle Derby, cheering on the N.C. Pickle Princesses, dancing to beach music or helping your kids with the Pickle Treasure Hunt, there are two full days of activities to suit all tastes.
For more information visit: www.ncpicklefest.org
The Biltmore Festival of Flowers
April / May
Asheville, North Carolina
Biltmore's gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, are alive with color as spring arrives. Guests enjoy special events and the beauty of tulips, azaleas, and countless other flowers during Festival of Flowers.
On the weekends, Biltmore Winery joins the celebration with a commemorative Festival of Flowers wine and music, wine programs, and children’s activities. In the Farm Village, blacksmiths, woodworkers, and farmers demonstrate their skills on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information visit: www.biltmore.com
North Carolina Azalea Festival
April
Wilmington, North Carolina
A springtime tradition celebrating Wilmington's exceptional artwork, gardens, history and culture, activities at the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival include headline concert entertainment, a three-day river front street fair with arts & crafts, food, a spectacular parade, triathlon and more.
Since its inception in 1948, the Festival has blossomed into an extended weekend celebration that attracts more than 300,000 people and the largest festival of its kind in the state.
For more information visit: www.ncazaleafestival.org
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL
American Dance Festival
June
Durham, North Carolina
The largest and most influential modern dance festival in the world features more than a dozen modern dance companies.
The American Dance Festival is heralded as “One of the nation’s most important institutions” by the New York Times, and the festival has been called “The world’s greatest dance festival” by the New York Post.
For more information visit: www.americandancefestival.org
Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament
June
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is an exciting Crystal Coast tradition. The tournament is fished by approximately 100 competitors in substantial cash categories.
During this week-long event, visitors can view the live weigh-ins, pig out at the pig pickin’, or get down at the Captain’s Party. For the first time guest can enjoy fireworks.
For more information visit: www.thebigrock.com
Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games
July
Linville, North Carolina
A tradition for over 53 years, the Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, held at the spectacular highland setting at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, presents a colorful celebration of Scottish culture.
Considered one of the best highland games in America, and with the goal to to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, the festivities attract brawny athletes, delicate dancers, noisy bagpipe band parades, rocking Celtic music and visitors from across the country.
For more information visit: www.gmhg.org/
Folkmoot USA
July
Waynesville and Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Folkmoot USA, North Carolina's Official International Festival, is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance.
Held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performances, parades and workshops by more than 350 performers from a dozen or so countries.
Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through colorful, authentic and original reproduction costumes, lively dance and beautiful music.
During its 25-year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at Folkmoot USA.
For more information visit: www.folkmootusa.org
Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)
October
Black Mountain, North Carolina
One of the top small festivals internationally, the Lake Eden Arts Fetival (LEAF) offers a global music line-up with over 50 cultural genres, as well as over 40 healing arts workshops such as Yoga & Tai Chi, folk art, juried handcrafts, a National $1000 Poetry SLAM, talent contest, fiddle fontest, mountain drum circles, over 30 Performers & Wacky Games in the Kids Village including Kids Bedtime Stories, jam sessions, gourmet food and more!
For more information visit : www.theleaf.com/
North Carolina Seafood Festival
October
Morehead City, North Carolina
A tradition for over 22 years, and the second largest Festival in North Carolina, the North Carolina Seafood Fetsival features seafood, free national and regional musical entertainment and the cultural heritage and traditions that surround commercial fishing.
The event also includes Arts & Craft Vendors, an 8K road race, and rides.
For more information visit: www.ncseafoodfestival.org
Woolly Worm Festival
October
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Since 1978, the residents of the village nestled between the Carolina's two largest ski resorts have celebrated the coming of the snow season with a Woolly Worm Festival.
Races up a three-foot length of string determine which one worm will have the honor of predicting the severity of the coming winter.
The event includes 140 craft vendors, food, live entertainment and rides. This family event captures the attention of 20,000 attendees looking for a good laugh and the opportunity for their Woolly Worm to make the winter forecast.
For more information visit: http://averycounty.com
Barbecue Festival
October
Lexington, North Carolina
Lexington is said to be the Barbecue Capital of the World, and the annual Barbecue Festival has been ranked as “one of the top ten food festivals in the USA” by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the exhibits, exciting entertainment, sporting events and some of the best barbecue in North Carolina. There are an estimated 100,000 people and more than 11,000 pounds of Barbecue served each year.
For more information visit: www.barbecuefestival.com
Seagrove Pottery Festival
November
Seagrove, North Carolina
The annual Seagrove Pottery Festival is the largest pottery festival of its type and the only annual gathering of potters under one roof. It is also the only time of the year that most of the Seagrove area potters sell their pots at one location.
The event will include demonstrations, displays, auction, and food vendors.
For more information visit: www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com
