Annual Events 2025/2026

Plan your trip around these featured select 30+ events worth a weekend stay! The communities of Orange County show their unique personalities through historical events, music, art & film, cultural heritage plus a little bit of sports and holiday cheer. Here is our complete list of 2025 Major Annual Events which will be revised and updated as needed as we go through the year. Check back often to plan your visit. 

January Events

January 23-25. 20th Annual Carrboro Film Festival at new Drakeford Library Complex in Downtown Carrboro. The Carrboro Film Fest has an established history as a dynamic event that brings filmmakers and audiences together for a heartfelt celebration of independent cinema. In recent years, the South has produced numerous independent films that challenge and expand our understanding of Southern culture. Visit the CFM website for updated schedule and ticket information to be announced.

February Events

February 26-28. 49th Annual Carolina Jazz Festival. Many events are free and open to the public at various locations on the UNC Campus in Chapel Hill; Visit the UNC Department of Music Jazzfest webpage for updates on this year's festival guest artists.

March Events

March TBA. The Bazaar Craft & Art Market. 12 pm - 5 pm Held at the Carrboro Town Commons at 301 W. Main Street. Shop handmade crafts and creations from 20+ talented local makers, and enjoy awesome eats and drinks including food trucks, craft beer, coffee & kombucha. Face painting and more. The Bazaar is family-friendly and free to attend. 

April Events

April date TBA.  Revolutionary War Living History Day. Experience the captivating history of the American Revolution with a live Revolutionary War Reenactment at the historic Alexander Dickson House, plus other events around downtown Hillsborough. This event is family friendly and features reenactors, dancers, historic tours and other interactive activities. Hours are 10 am – 4 pm. Phone (919) 732- 7741. Stay tuned for more information for 2026 at the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough website. 

April dates TBA.  UNC Science Expo, UNC Campus at Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, Chapel Hill celebrates science with our community — As a part of the North Carolina Science Festival (click to visit website), this annual expo features more than 100 hands-on activities and science demonstrations lead by STEM students, researchers, and practitioners from UNC-Chapel Hill. Hours are 11am - 4pm. Phone (919) 843-7959. Visit Morehead Planetarium/Expo website for upcoming details.

April dates TBA.  Tarheel Antiques Festival. This spring festival features antique vendors, auctions and appraisals. Located at the historic Barn at Lloyd’s Dairy centrally located between the Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina at the merge of Interstate 40 & 85. $7 weekend pass. The Festival opens to the public featuring antique and craft vendors, auctions, appraisal and Christmas themed activities and entertainment on Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm. Sunday - the Finale Day features antiques, crafters and vendors from 9 am – 5 pm. The address is 226 N. Lloyds Dairy Rd, Efland and phone (919) 732-7322. Visit the festivals website for upcoming information. (This event occurs again in October).

April date TBA. The 19th Annual Tar Heel 10 Miler and Fleet Feet 4 Mile Run. Thousands of runners from Chapel Hill, the Triangle and out of towners participate in this annual running event. The route takes you on a beautiful tour of Chapel Hill. Spectators are encouraged to watch and cheer for runners. The event starts at 7:45 AM on the UNC campus Start Line at 199 South Rd Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, near the UNC Bell Tower and the Finish Line ends at 104 Stadium Drive near Kenan Stadium Gate 2. Bookmark this website for 2026 information. 

April 25 - 26, 2026. Chapel Hill Garden Tour. The Chapel Hill Garden Club's biennial event is celebrating their 30 year anniversary of Garden Tours with the theme "Sculpted and Soaring Skyward". This year's tour will feature the Gourley Garden, King Garden, McGraw Garden, Huckshorn Garden, Allison Garden and the North Carolina Botanical Garden. For more information contact Margit Iwanowicz via phone at 858-254-3760. Ticket sales will be announced on the Chapel Hill Garden Club's website.

April 25 - 26, 2026.  Piedmont Farm Tour. This annual celebration of sustainable, local food features a tour of various farms throughout the area of Orange, Chatham, Person, Durham, Wake and Alamance counties from 2 pm – 6 pm, both days. Over thirty farms participate! For information call (919) 542-2402 or visit the website. Cost is $35 per car for ALL FARMS if purchased in advance. (All proceeds benefit CFSA).

April date TBA.  Fields of Funk Beer Festival. Coordinated by Carrboro's Steel String Brewery at Pluck Farm at 6901 NC Hwy 54 West, Mebane in western Orange County. 20+ beers, ciders, wines and meads from around the south and beyond. Expect food trucks, a mini pop-up market with the most eccentric, spacey, and funky vendors in the Triangle and live tunes . Tickets are $40 which includes a specially designed Fields Of Funk festival glass and unlimited pours from 3pm-7pm, Free shuttle between Steel String Brewery’s Carrboro Taproom and Pluck Farm. Limited on site parking pass $10. More information for 2026 to come.

May Events

May dates TBA. The 30th Annual Art in the Garden Sculpture Exhibition is a unique once yearly event and one of the finest outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the triangle region of North Carolina. The event is held at the private residence of artists Tinka Jordy and Mark Donley just six miles away from downtown Hillsborough. Artists set up their work on nearly 10-acres. Saturday hours 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm. View the Garden Art Gallery website for past exhibitions. 2026 dates will be announced there as well.

May dates TBA. Freight Train Blues Concert Series.  Each spring the Music Maker Foundation and the Town of Carrboro present free root music concerts honoring the legacy of Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten who was born in an area that would later become known as Carrboro, NC. Cotten became a well-known guitarist in the blues and folk genre with Freight Train as one of her most popular pieces. Fridays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Beer and food available for purchase. Visit the Music Makers Foundation website for 2026 dates.

May 23, 2026. Carrboro Bluegrass Festival. Hosted by The Cat's Cradle  2025's lineup featured acts such as legendary North Carolina singer-songwriter and two-time Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale, the high-energy, hard-driving classic bluegrass band “Po’ Ramblin’ Boys,” Woody Platt, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Graham Sharp, Max Wareham, and more. The festival took place at the Cat’s Cradle Back Yard, which is an outdoor space immediately behind the venue. Check back for 2026 details.

May dates TBA. Preservation Fest  A free event showcasing local preservationists and hands-on exploration. More details for 2026 to come at the Preservation Fest website.

June Events

Small Town Pride Events:

June date TBA. Pride Promenade is a march from Peace & Justice Plaza to 140 West Franklin Street for music, food and more begins at 12 pm. Find more details on the Pride Promenade website. 

June date TBA. Carrboro's Pride Piper Walk. 4:30 pm. Join local officials to help roll Rainbow Ram down Weaver Street from El Centro Hispano to Town Commons for the Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration.

June date TBA. Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration. The Carrboro Dance Party has merged with Orgullo Latinx! 5-8 pm. Join community for food, dance and frolicking on the lawn. Food trucks, drag shows, music and crafts for the kids. Organizers from El Centro Hispano are collaborating with the Town of Carrboro to bring an event that fosters unity, inclusivity, and empowerment. 

June 19. Juneteenth Celebration. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration is from 4 pm – 8 pm pm with food, music and more. Juneteenth, officially observed on June 19, is also known as Emancipation Day, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Visit the Town of Carrboro's webpage for upcoming details for 2026. Event happens at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street, in Carrboro, NC  

July Events

Carrboro July 4^th Celebration, Weaver Street Lawn (9:30 am – 11 am), People's Parade begins at 10:50 am to the Carrboro Town Commons. From  (11 am - 1:30 pm) enjoy contests, games, food, live music and more. End the celebration with The 12th Annual Community Reading of the Frederick Douglass Essay "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" to be held at the Carrboro Century Center from 2 - 4 p.m. For more information call (919) 918-7364 or visit the town's web page, July 4th Celebration. 

Old Fashioned 4^th of July Celebration. From 1 pm – 3 pm on the lawn at the Horace Williams House, 610 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill enjoy FREE ice cream, lemonade, flags and patriotic music. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family and friends. Details for 2026 will be added to the Preservation Chapel Hill website. 

July 4^th Fireworks.  Fireworks in Southern Village Community Park. Shuttles begin from Jackson Deck near UNC Hospital at 6 pm and parking lot at Southern Village opens at 7 pm with fireworks at 9 pm. Call the Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture for information at (919) 968-2828 or visit their website here.

August Events

August 1 - 23. Uproar Festival of Public Art. Will feature sixty bold, high-impact, outdoor works of art showcased throughout the downtown communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, and in cash prizes were awarded based on public voting and a jury panel of experts. The event celebrates artists, engages art lovers of all types and supports and celebrates the community. Free trolley rides available along the route in Chapel Hill and Carrboro on August 2,9 & 16 from noon - 8 pm. This is a biennial event. Bookmark their website, Uproar Fest NC for 2027. 

August 15 –September 28 in Chapel Hill, NC. 25th Annual Forest Theatre Summer Giant Puppet Show.  This year's theme is: The Gift. Shows run Fri-Sun and Labor Day, at the Forest Theatre on the UNC Campus, 123 S. Boundary Street. Their phone number is (919) 923-1857. Each summer, the creative team of Paperhand Puppet Intervention brings a newly themed show with spectacular life sized puppets to the beautiful outdoor Forest Theatre on UNC Campus. Paperhand Puppet Intervention's annual puppet pageant includes giant puppets, rod puppets, mask and dance, shadow puppetry and stilt walking and paper-mache characters. Paperhand’s yearly spectacle tells stories of the human heart, illuminates and incorporates myths from around the world, and inspires young and old alike. For tickets and more information visit Paperhand's website.

September Events

September 11-12, 2026. Hog Day.  Enjoy live music, local handmade crafts and gifts; local food vendors, classic car show, children’s area, 5K Run, Pigs on Parade Art Project and BBQ cook-off contest with lots of BBQ to enjoy. The two day event runs from Friday 6 pm – 10 pm and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm in River Park at 114 E. Margaret Lane, in Downtown Hillsborough.Check out the Hog Day website here.

September 14 - December 7, 2025. 37th Annual Sculpture in the Garden. Take a self-guided tour of this annual showing of works by 50 North Carolina artists displaying their one-of-a kind sculptures placed amid the native wildflowers and shrubs to delight garden visitors at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. The event is free. Call (919) 962-0522 for more information. The garden is located at 100 Old Mason Farm Road in Chapel Hill, NC. More information can be found on the North Carolina Botanical Garden's website.

September 27. Apple Fest with Live Apple Pressing + more. Expect apple milling and pressing demos, new cider & wine releases, cider flights, wood fired farm pizza, fresh apple cider donuts, caramel apples, hot mulled cider and fresh apple juice, live music with the Wilted Plums, face painting and yard games. Fun for the whole family. Cost is $5/pp.The Apple Fest takes place at Botanist & Barrel, located at 105 Persimmon Hill Ln. in Cedar Grove. For more information visit the Botanist & Barrel website event page.

September 27 - Nov 1. Weekends. Fall Corn Mazes at McKee Farms. Explore 2 mazes; a 12 acre cornfield maze and 2 acre fun, interactive adventurous maze for children. Also hayrides, pumpkins, farm animals, play area, games, picnic area, barrel train rides and more. Cost is $15. Age 2 and Under Free. Days and hours are Fridays 3-8pm, Saturday 10-8pm, Sunday 1-7pm. Cedar Creek Farm, 5011 Kiger Rd, in Rougemont. Phone (919) 732-8065. Details can be found on the McKee's Cornfield Maze website

September 28. 28th Carrboro Music Festival. All types of music! This annual event features numerous venues throughout downtown Carrboro with dozens of musical acts as well as food, craft and non-profit vendors. A Free shuttle bus is provided from the Carrboro Plaza Park & Ride. Phone  (919) 918-7364. Kick-off begins Saturday Sep 27th with an Open Mic at Town Commons beginning at 2pm and live shows at the Cat's Cradle. Click the Carrboro Music Festival website for all the details

October Events

October 3-4. FlushFest in West Hillsborough. A day of music, silent film, plus plenty of great local music, kids activities, food trucks, a photo booth, outdoor games, and lots of fun. Performances at three locations in Hillsborough: Eno River Brewery, Eno House and Nash St. Tavern. Visit the Flushfest website for music line-up, location info and more.

October 18.  10th Annual Bluegrass at Moorefields.  The event takes place on the lawn at Moorefields, an idyllic homestead on 70 beautiful acres in Hillsborough. Bring your chairs and blankets.  Proceeds benefit Historic Moorefields.  The event features five bands, food trucks, beer & wine. The event is from 1 pm – 6 pm at the Moorefields Estate, 2201 Moorefields Road, in Hillsborough. Visit Moorefields website for tickets.  Lawn seating tickets are $ 20 per person. Teens 13-17 are $10 and kids 12 and under are free. Free parking.  Call (919) 732-4941.

October 18. The Haunting Hour | Historic Hillsborough Haunted Performance. 

Step into the shadows of Hillsborough’s past at The Haunting Hour, our brand-new take on the dearly departed Spirits Tours! We've buried the old format, now join us for an immersive evening of storytelling, where ghostly tales and eerie legends unfold around you in a spine-tingling performance at the historic Hughes Academy. With haunting histories brought to life before your eyes, every twist and turn will keep you on edge. For those brave enough, add on Tales from the Grave—a moonlit mini walking tour through St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church graveyard, where stories of the departed echo among the stones.  Tickets are $20 per person for adults and $10 per person for children. Add an additional $10 for Tales from the Grave. To purchase tickets, visit The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough's website.

NEW EVENT October 18. Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival Two great festivals merge: Acme’s Salt & Smoke and Sonark Media’s Harvest Festival! Big Something headlines the music stage with The Tan & Sober Gentlemen, Rissi Palmer, Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba, Nothing Good, Ben Sollee, and My Brother’s Keeper rounding out the line-up to date. Food will be provided by Acme’s Kevin Callaghan and a team of local chefs and food trucks offering a wide variety of dishes and dining options. The festival will feature craft beers, curated beverages, and other interesting spirit-free options. All food and drink will be available for purchase and is not included in the price of festival entry. Tickets can be purchased on the Salt Smoke and Sound website. The event runs from 12:30 pm – 10 pm at Blackwood Farm Park, located at 4215 NC-86 between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.

October 18. Festifall Arts Market: Carolina Day Chapel Hill’s downtown annual arts festival is a street market that will feature artisan vendors, music, performances, and more with various themes. Learn more on The Festifall Arts Markets & More website. The market will be held at 140 West Franklin Street from 12 pm - 5pm.

October 25.  River Park Concert. The event opens at Noon and music begins at 12:30 pm ending around 7 pm. Entrance to the park at the River Arch is 228 S. Churton Street, Hillsborough. There will be 4 bands, local beer, food, art vendors, live mural painting, and community mural. It is completely free to attend. See the music line-up on the hosts website: Triangle Music Alliance

October 31st & Nov 1.  Efland Ruritan Pro Rodeo. This is a full rodeo featuring all the classic events of a rodeo such as Ranch Style Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Cowgirls Break-Away Roping, Calf Roping, Cowgirl Barrel Racing and of course Bull Riding, clowns, special entertainment, good food and more. Ticket booth and gates open at 5:30PM.  Rodeo starts at 7:30PM. Admission - $15 - Adults, $14 - Adults with military ID (active, reserve, retired), $7 - Military in uniform, $7 - Children aged 5 - 12.  3009 Forrest Ave, Efland, NC 27243   Phone (919) 971-1129. Hwy 70, I-40/85 Exit 160.  Parking is free. More info can be found at the Annual Efland Ruritan Rodeo Facebook page.

November Events

November 1 Festifall Arts Market: Día de los Muertos. Chapel Hill’s downtown annual arts festival is a street market that will feature artisan vendors, music, performances, and more with various themes. This is the second market. Visit the The Festifall Arts Markets & More website for details. The event will be held at 140 West Franklin Street from 12 pm - 5pm.

November 1-2 & 8-9. 31st Annual Orange County Open Studio Tour. Over 100 artists invite you into their studios to see where and how they work. Sponsor: Orange County Artists Guild which can be reached at (919) 933-7880. The annual event takes place the first two weekends in November. Hours are Sat 10 am – 5 pm and Sun 12 pm – 5 pm. For a map of locations and bios on artists, visit the Orange County Artists Guild website.

November 8. Fool's Faire 2025 Renaissance Festival at Pluck Farm. Steel String Brewery, Beer Study, and Honeygirl Meadery have come together to host Fool's Faire from 12 pm - 7 pm at Pluck Farm at 6901 NC Hwy 54 West, Mebane in western Orange County. This renaissance festival offers fantastical beverages, craft vendors & artisans, medieval food vendors, feats of strength, cosplay contest, and more. Visit Steel String Brewery's event page for more information.

November 23. Arts on Market Shop for hand-crafted art and gifts made by regional artists, artisans, bakers, and makers on Southern Village Green. Live music and free admission. Noon – 4 pm. Click the link for Arts On Market's Facebook page for event details.

December Events

December 1 - 31 The Carolina Inn's Favorite Things Visiting the Carolina Inn during the holidays has become a tradition for many visitors. The hotel is decorated exquisitely beautiful and events are held throughout the month. We know for sure that Santa will be there!  This years event details and tickets sales will be announced on Oct 1st and will be listed on their website, Carolina Inn Events.

December 1 - January 1, 2026. Homes for the Holidays: A Hillsborough Gingerbread Tradition. A downtown walking tour of confectionary creations, a collaboration designed to bring gingerbread scenes to local shop windows in historic, downtown Hillsborough to be enjoyed by the entire community throughout December. The theme is Winter Wonderland.

Dates to be announced for 2025 Christmas in the Groves. 6-9 pm. Decorated Christmas Barn with Local Vendors Market. Visit Santa, Horse Carriage Rides, Live Nativity Scenes. Free Admission to the Barn. Purchase tickets for special activities ranging from $5 - $15/pp. Christmas in the Groves is located at 3510 NC 86 N. in Hillsborough. Complete details can be found on the Christmas in the Groves website

December 12th -13th. Elfland Christmas Festival features an Elfland Christmas Village, Santa’s workshop with arts, crafts, children’s and holiday gifts, Hayrides, and interactive holiday scenes from your favorite holiday memories (A Christmas Story, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch and more for amazing photo opts), Outdoor lights, entertainment, field of Christmas trees and much more. Tickets starting at $5/child & $10 for adult. Weekend passes available. Hosted at The Barn at Lloyds Dairy, 227 North Lloyds Dairy Road, in Efland, NC. from 6 pm – 10 pm each day. Follow their Facebook event page for updates

December 20: Solstice Lantern Walk 5 pm – 8:00 pm. Each December, the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, and the longest night of the year. Individuals are asked to bring a handmade lantern that lights up the night, to guide all of us along the walk. Participants will gather at the Eno River Farmer’s Market Pavilion at 144 E. Margaret Lane and be led on a procession through River Park, to the River Walk, and ending back in downtown Hillsborough.​ Enjoy the Solstice Market with local artists, live music, hot drinks, warm food, and more to be enjoyed before and after the walk. Registration is required to attend the event which can be done on the Hillsborough Arts Council's website beginning November 1st. Tickets are free but a donation of $5 - $10 is suggested.