There are plenty of summer events in North Carolina this 2024. Whether you want to have fun with family, friends, or by yourself, the Old North State has something for you!
Exciting Summer Events in North Carolina
Summer is almost here, so it’s time to plan your summer getaways. Whether you’re an NC local or a visitor, there’s always something to do. Here are the top summer events in North Carolina this 2024.
1. North Carolina Rhododendron Festival
- Bakersville, NC
- June 21-22, 2024
The North Carolina Rhododendron Festival is a blast, bringing in folks from all around. You’ll find everything from the Rhododendron Festival Pageant to the Craft Fair. Plus, there are tasty eats, fun stuff for the kids, and live tunes all day. If those aren’t enough, there’s also a cool classic car show, a 10K run, and two nights of street dancing.
2. Greenville Juneteenth Jamboree 2024
- Greenville, NC
- June 22, 2024, 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Get ready for a fantastic time! Greenville’s Juneteenth event has live music, food trucks, African American Cultural Trail tours, a bounce house, a vendor fair, fireworks, and plenty more!
3. Fire Truck Festival
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- Spencer, NC
- June 22, 2024, 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Experience the excitement at one of the top summer festivals in North Carolina!
Come hang out with firefighters from all over the state, check out their gear up close, and even vote for your favorite fire truck. It’s a perfect family day at the museum, packed with activities and train rides all day. There are inflatable games, a discovery map for kids, model layouts, and a thrilling fire truck parade!
4. Great Trent River Raft Race
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- New Bern, NC
- June 22, 2024, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
The Great Trent River Raft Race is fun for the entire family. It’s got live entertainment, delicious food and drinks, tons of activities for the kids, and some exciting racing action!
5. Summertime Mountain Arts & Crafts Show
- Cullowhee, NC
- June 28-29, 2024, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
The Mountain Artisan Craft Show is the go-to event for handcrafted arts and crafts in Jackson County. This year, the event boasts tons of talented artisans showing off their heritage crafts. You’ll find top-notch dollmakers, leather experts, amazing jewelers, and even award-winning gourd artists at this summer’s show. It’s a chance to check out crafts that have been honed over generations.
6. NC Fourth of July Festival
- Southport, NC
- July 1-4, 2024
Get ready to celebrate Independence Day in a big way at one of Southport’s best NC summer festivals! For over 220 years, the city has been honoring the nation’s freedom, and this year’s Fourth of July Festival is no exception.
The event kicks off on June 30 with a welcoming ceremony and a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Fort Johnston Lawn. The fun then continues with Oak Island Beach Day on July 1st. Expect a day packed with games, entertainment, and delicious food starting at 8 am, with live music from the Carlton New Review band keeping you grooving.
Throughout the four days, there’s something for everyone, from live entertainment and arts & crafts markets to food truck rows and live pro wrestling. Don’t miss the parade and the breathtaking fireworks display on July 4th, lighting up the Southport waterfront for miles around!
7. Independence Day Fireworks & Celebration
- Ocracoke, NC
- July 2-4, 2024
Ocracoke knows how to party for America’s birthday! The festivities start with a spectacular fireworks display before following it up with an old-time parade. You won’t run out of things to do all weekend long!
8. City of Wilmington 4th of July Celebration
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- Wilmington, NC
- July 4, 2024, 5:00 pm-9:30 pm
Get ready for an unforgettable night along the Riverwalk. Explore the historic downtown, grab some goodies, and enjoy a delicious meal before the festivities begin. Then, settle in for a program by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and more. Finally, cap off the night with a breathtaking fireworks display along the nearly 2-mile-long Riverwalk. It’s sure to be a celebration to remember!
9. Marion Independence Day Celebration and Parade
- Marion, NC
- July 4, 2024, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm
Downtown Marion is the place to be for a rockin’ Independence Day bash. The parade rolls out at 6:00 pm, and don’t miss the zany “Anything That Rolls” lineup leading the way. The city is honoring McDowell County veterans as the Grand Marshals this year. As the sun sets, get ready for a sky ablaze with fireworks at 9:45 pm.
That’s not all, though — groove to live tunes, dance in the streets, and indulge in a feast of delicious eats and drinks. And for the little ones, Marion’s got free inflatables to bounce the day away.
10. Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Show
- Maggie Valley, NC
- July 6-7, 2024 & August 31-September 1
Gear up for Maggie Valley’s artisan bonanza! Crafters from all over the Southeast are gathering to showcase their handmade gems. From seasonal treats to stunning artwork, pottery, jewelry, and more, there’s something for every taste. Plus, indulge in festival bites while you shop!
11. 2024 AJSA Southern Summer Series
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- Spindale, NC
- July 6-7, 2024
Get ready for the excitement as jet ski racing returns to Isothermal Community College, courtesy of the AJSA! Visitors should prepare for the adrenaline rush of jet ski racing featuring riders from 8 to 70 years old. Pro racers nationwide will also drop by, along with a thrilling freestyle exhibition.
12. Cashiers Plein Air Festival
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- Cashiers, NC
- July 15-20, 2024
Discover the magic of outdoor painting at the Cashiers Plein Air Festival, a standout among North Carolina summer festivals!
Renowned artists from across the country gather to capture the beauty of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau landscape. They create stunning original artworks displayed at The Village Green Commons throughout the week. Don’t miss live artist demos and the Palette to Palate Affair for a week of artistic inspiration and fun.
13. Doc & Rosa Lee Watson Musicfest
- Sugar Grove, NC
- July 19-20, 2024
This festival pays homage to the late great Doc Watson, a Grammy-winning musician from Deep Gap. Doc’s legacy lives on through this event, featuring top acts like the Dan Tyminski Band and the Kruger Brothers. Enjoy tasty eats, crafts, acupuncture demos, and more. Plus, it’s all for a good cause — the festival raises funds for the Historic Cove Creek School and hosts the remarkable Doc Watson Folk Art Museum.
14. Dillsboro Art Walk
- Dillsboro, NC
- July 20, 2024, 2:00 pm-7:00 pm
Discover Dillsboro’s artistic vibe at the new annual Art Walk. Explore street-side and indoor displays, engage with artists and shop for local art. It’s a celebration of creativity you won’t want to miss!
15. China Grove Farmers Day Festival
- China Grove, NC
- July 20, 2024, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Experience the China Grove Farmers Festival, a unique celebration of farming that has become one of the liveliest NC summer festivals. What began 43 years ago to honor local farmers has become a vibrant street fest on Main Street. Explore colorful booths showcasing arts, crafts, and local produce. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, antique tractor displays, homemade ice cream, and more. Don’t miss this lively celebration of agriculture and community!
16. Hillbilly Jam 2024
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- Maggie Valley, NC
- July 26-27, 2024
Come hang out with some of the stars from Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners at Maggie Valley’s biggest festival! This yearly bash celebrates the rich musical history of western North Carolina and Appalachia and the heritage of moonshine making. From crafters to plenty of delicious food, a car and motorcycle show, and loads of fun activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
17. Dragon Boat Festival
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- Salisbury, NC
- July 27, 2024
Get ready for the 10th annual Dragon Boat Festival in Rowan County. Teams from near and far will race on High Rock Lake. Spectators can cheer on the action while enjoying vendors and food trucks. It’s going to be a memorable experience!
18. Historic Valdese Waldensian Festival
- Valdese, NC
- August 9-10, 2024
For over four decades, Valdese has marked the second Saturday in August with an annual festival commemorating the “Glorious Return” of the Waldenses to their native valleys in Italy. This tradition, dating back to 1976, is shared by Waldensian communities worldwide. If you’re looking for concerts in NC this summer, don’t miss out on this unique celebration!
19. American Legion World Series Festival
- Shelby, NC
- August 10, 2024, 10:00 am-10:00 pm
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ALWS Festival in 2024 with a bigger and better event! Enjoy expanded activities, vendors, and entertainment, including free music and a headliner concert. Head down to Uptown Shelby for a nostalgic baseball-themed experience, with handmade crafts and classic ballpark snacks. And don’t miss the Little Miss ALWS pageant!
20. Black Mountain Sourwood Festival
- Black Mountain, NC
- August 10-11, 2024
Come join the fun at downtown Black Mountain’s free, family-friendly street festival! There’s something for everyone, from arts and crafts to delicious food, exciting games, toe-tapping music, thrilling carnival rides, and much more!
21. Winterville Watermelon Festival
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- Winterville, NC
- August 22-25, 2024
Don’t miss out on the legendary Winterville Watermelon Festival, one of the top summer events in North Carolina! This multi-day extravaganza offers fun for the whole family, including live music from local and national acts, the iconic Watermelon Parade, and a thrilling watermelon-eating contest. Enjoy carnival rides, games, and explore the flea market and vendor booths. And of course, indulge in delicious watermelon treats and classic fair food like funnel cakes and corn dogs.
22. NC Apple Festival
- Hendersonville, NC
- August 30-September 3, 2024
Celebrate the summer season in North Carolina at the annual Apple Festival! Over Labor Day Weekend, this event pays tribute to the apple and its vital role in Henderson County and across the state.
23. Historic Morganton Festival
- Morganton, NC
- September 6-7, 2024
The Historic Morganton Festival is an event filled with entertainment. Enjoy free evening music at the Courthouse Square Stage, dazzling performances including dancers and acrobats on the Pepsi Stage, and magical moments at the Kid Zone stage. Alongside the entertainment, there are rides, games, food for all ages, and over a mile of arts and crafts vendors to explore!
24. NC Freedom Festival
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- Goldsboro, NC
- September 7, 2024
Step into a world of gratitude and celebration at the NC Freedom Fest. This festival is about honoring our military and first responders, bringing together families for a day of appreciation and fun. With free live entertainment, a bustling kids zone, vibrant street fair vendors, captivating static displays, an impressive car show, and much more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
25. Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival
- Mooresville, NC
- September 16, 2024
Indulge in a refreshing brew, groove to live tunes, and savor delicious eats at Downtown Mooresville’s Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival! This outdoor extravaganza showcases North Carolina craft beer, delectable food tastings, and top-notch local music from around the region.
Mark Your Calendars
As you can see, you’ll never run out of summer events in North Carolina. Take your pick and get ready for a fun-filled season of new experiences!
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