Grifton Shad Festival 2025

The Grifton Shad Festival is one of the longest running festivals in North Carolina, celebrating their 53rd year in 2025! Running from April 10-13th, most events will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Find shad-tastic activities for all at this festival, including a parade, car show, teen pagent, petting zoo, art show, and the traditional Shad Toss! Come hungry, as there will be delicious food all throughout this festival, including the Shad Festival Fish Stew.

Enjoy live music from performers all weekend. On Friday, listen to the Donald Thompson Band at 6pm, and The Band of Oz at 9pm. On Saturday, enjoy an evening of tunes, starting with Morgan & Hudson Company at 4:30pm, followed by The Lovesick Drifters at 7pm, and closing with All My Rowdy Friends at 9pm!

Fun Fact: The festival slogan “Eat Mo Shad” came to life in 1974 when graffiti was found on the drawbridge over Contentnea Creek.