Whether it’s the arts, music, food, beer, history, animals, outdoor movies or fireworks, there are plenty of amazing Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough festivals and events to check out this summer. Here are 12 fun summer events and festivals not to miss in 2024.
Southern Village on the Green events include Thursday & Friday Night Live Music and Sundays at Sundown Music, Summer Movies on the Green ( Saturdays through August 31 at $8.25 person beginning at 8:45 pm) and other special events. Make sure you Wine Down Wednesdays at La Vita Dolce. Follow along the SV event calendar.
Movies on the Southern Village Lawn
Kick back and kick off the First Weekend of Summer June 21 at The Carolina Inn’s Fridays on the Front Porch. Each Friday through October 25, you can enjoy food trucks, beer, wine and music on The Inn’s expansive lawn from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Hillsborough’s largest music festival is the annual FlushFest. Hear more than 20 bands on five stages, June 21-22. The event also has silent films with live piano, food trucks and an after party. all supporting global clean water projects. Events at Eno House, Eno River Brewing, The Cloth Mill and Nash Street Tavern.
Jen and Dave of O My Machine to perform at FlushFest (Instagram)
Last Fridays & Art Walks in Hillsborough this summer are June 28, July 26 and August 30. See the Makers Markets with art, live music, art making activities, face painting, roaming poets and 20+ Art galleries and venues open. Don't miss the Living arts collective with drumming and dance. Hang out in in the River Park or stroll the Riverwalk trail. Activities run 6 pm – 9 pm.
Independence Day Goatsravaganza at Chapel Hill's Spring Haven Farm is June 26 - July 7 each day from 10 am – 6 pm. Tickets are $14.95 and must be purchased online in advance. See cute animals, tractor train rides, engaging games, crafts and shopping.at the General Store.. There is also food, drinks, ice cream and beer.
Celebrating July 4th at Spring Haven Farm Facebook Image
Happy Independence Day at Carrboro’s 4th of July Celebration with costume contests, bike decorating, People’s Parade, Frederick Douglass essay reading, and afternoon of music, food, games and more. Events run 9:30 am – 3 pm. Old Fashioned Fourth of July is on the lawn of Horace Williams House at 610 E. Rosemary Street from 1 pm - 3 pm. Enjoy music by the Village Band, ice cream, lemonade and flags while supply lasts. Bring your blankets and chairs to see the Town of Chapel Hill’s Fireworks at Southern Village Community Park. Event opens at 7 pm with fireworks at 9 pm.
Fireworks at Southern Village by Town of Chapel Hill
Summer would not be summer without tomatoes. The Carrboro Farmers’ Market celebrates all things tomato on Tomato Day 2024 on Saturday, July 13. Shoppers can enjoy freshly-sliced tomato samples, live music, tomato recipes, and a raffle with prizes from local businesses. CFM farmers grow over 50 varieties of tomatoes. The market opens at 7 am and the event starts at 8:30 am and will run until noon.
Tomatoes at the Carrboro Farmers' Market by Visit Chapel Hill
9th Annual Blueberry Fest (formerly Pick-A-Ton) at Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm is July 20 from 10 am - 4 pm. The day is filled with locally produced fresh donuts, cookies, and desserts, wood-fired pizza, local cheese and charcuterie, blueberry lemonade, face painting, live music, wine and cider flights, local craft beer, frozen adult drinks and of course u-pick blueberries. $5 per person.
National Ice Cream Day is July 21. Head to Maple View Farm for a delicious cool treat.
International Soccer at UNC's Kenan Stadium on July 23 features Manchester City vs Celtic. Ride the Trolley through downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro July 22-24 from 1 pm to 9 pm..
From August 9 –September 29 enjoy the 24th Annual Forest Theatre Summer Giant Puppet Show with the theme Earth & Sky All Great Beings by Paperhand Puppet Intervention. You will see a giant puppet spectacle for all ages featuring masks, stilts, painted flats, cardboard trickery, illuminated puppets and shadows, all with a live musical score. Shows Fri-Sun and Labor Day at the Forest Theatre on the UNC Campus. Matinee shows are on Sunday, September 15, 22 and 29.. Tickets are $15 - $25. (Photo at the top of blog shows 2023 Puppet Show at the Forest Theatre by Anna Norwood Photography)
The popular Hog Day returns to the River Park in downtown Hillsborough, 114 E. Margaret Lane, September 13-14- On Friday 6 pm – 10 pm and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, enjoy live music, local handmade crafts and gifts; local food vendors, classic car show, children’s area, 5K Run, Pigs on Parade Art Project, the BBQ cookoff contest with lots of BBQ to enjoy.
Kids games at Hillsborough Hog Day by SP Murray
