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From "The Wizard of Oz" and woolly worms to whirligigs and hot sauce, North Carolina is full of festivals you can't find anywhere else since so many of our eclectic small towns have been celebrating heritages, collections and the downright unusual for years. So save the date: Here’s your chance to plan a trip and see some truly one-of-a-kind events that'll make your friends' and family's eyes widen in wonder.
1 The Great Outhouse Races
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1 The Great Outhouse Races
Every February in SapphireSee on map
If you have “cheer on a team of people racing decorated homemade outhouses on skis” on your bucket list – we have great news! Ski Sapphire Valley celebrates just the event. Live music, fire pits, and food and drink offerings complete this entertaining afternoon held over Presidents Day weekend.
2 301 Endless Yard Sale
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2 301 Endless Yard Sale
Every June on US 301See on mapIt started as a 30-mile event between Kenly and Benson in Johnston County, but now the 301 Endless Yard Sale offers more than 100 miles of yard sales so you can turn one person’s trash into your treasure. Drive the route and stop when you spot a stall that intrigues you, or search JoCo’s website for specific vendors across the five participating counties.
3 WNC Bigfoot Festival
3 WNC Bigfoot Festival
Every August in MarionSee on mapCome a skeptic and leave a believer at this free larger-than-life festival. Spend the day taking notes at the Bigfoot Calling Contest, listening to paranormal speakers, jamming to live music, and enjoying Bigfoot-inspired food and art. Don't forget to take a photo with Bigfoot himself!
4 Fork Fest
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4 Fork Fest
Every August in McAdenville and CramertonSee on mapA floating concert – need we say more? Though Fork Fest is two days full of live music, food trucks, kids' activities and vendors, the highlight is the concert that begins in McAdenville on Saturday evening and floats down the South Fork River to Cramerton over a 1.5-hour span. You're free to bring your own canoe or kayak to float with the band, or you can rent one onsite.
5 Ayden Collard Festival
5 Ayden Collard Festival
Every September in AydenSee on mapNearly 50 years ago, the local newspaper held a contest to determine an annual festival, and collards won out over cucumbers to become the centerpiece in this town outside Greenville. In addition to one of the largest parades in our state featuring more than 100 entries such as marching bands, classic cars and live animals, there is an art show and a collard-eating contest.
6 Autumn at Oz
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6 Autumn at Oz
Every September in Beech MountainSee on mapTravel back in time to 1939 at the Land of Oz Theme Park high atop Beech Mountain to attend this popular festival – featuring three full weekends of magic – that celebrates the all-time classic film "The Wizard of Oz." Children and adults alike will be enchanted as they experience the re-creation of Dorothy’s trip from her farm home through the twister and down the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz. Bringing everything to life are the Emerald City fair, live shows, a petting zoo, vendors and more. Plus, make new friends with the stars from the film such as Dorothy and Toto – and you might even run into a munchkin or flying monkey.
7 North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival
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7 North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival
Every September in OxfordSee on mapFrom rich and smoky to sweet and tangy to fruity and zesty, the North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival is filled with flavors that have kept thousands coming back for years. The one-of-a-kind event in Oxford – about an hour north of Raleigh – features more than 200 vendors selling sauces, food and goods throughout downtown, all with the promise of being uniquely North Carolina. Try sauces with flavor combos you’ve never tasted, sample those in the running for honors such as NC’s Hottest and Most Unique, and take home your favorites to share with friends. Bold and brave types, think you can handle the heat? The Pepper Eating Contest is sponsored by Bailey Farms, one of the largest pepper producers in the East. Best of luck – winner gets $1,000 and bragging rights.
8 Bugfest
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8 Bugfest
Every September in RaleighSee on mapLook at insects in a whole new light at The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' BugFest, a celebration of bugs with more than 100 interactive booths and displays. For 20+ years, tens of thousands of visitors have attended to learn all about insects that creep and crawl. Feeling brave? Sample dishes made from insects and bugs at Café Insecta, then vote on your favorite dish. Don’t worry, they’re all safe to eat – and given that Raleigh-area chefs create many of the dishes, they’re actually tasty.
9 Benson Mule Days
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9 Benson Mule Days
Every September in BensonSee on mapThis popular event every September draws nearly 30,000 people from across the US and around the world. Activities include an annual parade, rodeo, food, arts, concerts, and mule races and events. You can even camp at Chamber Park throughout the event.
10 Mayberry Days
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10 Mayberry Days
Every September in Mount AirySee on mapYou can almost hear the famous whistle in the air every September in Mount Airy as the city classically celebrates "The Andy Griffith Show" and Andy’s hometown of Mayberry. The weeklong festival will fill your soul with nostalgia with events such as apple-peeling and pie-eating contests, live music featuring songs from the show, "The Emmett" golf tournament and a parade that often includes special guests.
11 Denim Days
11 Denim Days
Every October in ErwinSee on mapThe town of Erwin was once hailed as “The Denim Capital of the World” thanks to its booming denim cloth business from the Erwin Cotton Mill. Although that mill shut down years ago, townspeople and visitors alike still pay tribute during the first weekend in October every year at Denim Days. Turn an everyday action into a party when you put on your best pair of blue jeans and enjoy live music, carnival rides, crafts, food from local vendors and several contests, including “Baby Denim.”
12 Woolly Worm Festival
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12 Woolly Worm Festival
Every October in Banner ElkSee on mapFor generations, High Country residents and visitors have been studying the black and brown bands on these fuzzy caterpillars to determine what kind of winter to expect, with the 13 bands thought to represent the 13 weeks of winter. A race up 3-foot strings is held during this festival every October to determine which crazy crawler will be crowned the official woolly worm. There’s also a 10K “Woolly Worm Wace,” local crafts and food, and live entertainment.
13 Beaufort Pirate Invasion
13 Beaufort Pirate Invasion
Every November in BeaufortSee on mapAhoy, mateys! “Plan yer visit” to attend the reenactment of the 1747 Spanish Attack on Beaufort – in which the local militia finally drove the pirates away months later – at the town’s largest annual event. Nearly 200 professional performers (including magicians, sword fighters and musicians), vendors, mermaids and various peg-legged pirates entertain visitors of all ages the whole weekend. Special events include a Pirate Parley (Friday movie night), and dinner and a show Saturday night.
14 North Carolina Poultry Jubilee
14 North Carolina Poultry Jubilee
Every November in Rose HillSee on mapHome of “The World’s Largest Frying Pan” and headquarters of longtime chicken producer House of Raeford Farms, Rose Hill is a logical choice for the annual NC Poultry Jubilee, held every November. Enjoy carnival rides, shag music, the NC Poultry Jubilee Pageant and a wing-eating competition. Plus, cross an item off your foodie bucket list you didn’t even know you had: Eat fried chicken out of that huge frying pan. It can fry 365 chickens at one time!
15 North Carolina Whirligig Festival
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15 North Carolina Whirligig Festival
Every November in WilsonSee on mapWhirligigs are large sculptures created from recycled industrial parts, bringing together both art and science for a grand effect. And every November, downtown Wilson plays host to the Whirligig Festival, which honors the late local artist Vollis Simpson (his whirligigs are featured on display at the city’s park). This arts festival also includes concerts, a “whirli-kidz” zone complete with rides, and a host of local vendors selling crafts, food and more.
16 Acorn Drop
16 Acorn Drop
Every New Year's Eve in RaleighSee on mapBegin your new year with a completely new experience: Watch as a 1,250-pound acorn is lowered over Fayetteville Street in Raleigh to ring in new beginnings. The sculpture resides at the lawn of the city’s performing arts center most of the year but is moved over for Raleigh’s “First Night,” which also includes live music, comedic performances, a Ferris wheel and daytime activities for the kids, as well.
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