January
January 24-26. 19th Annual Carrboro Film Festival at The 203 Project in Downtown Carrboro. 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. Schedule and Tickets to come.
February
February 27-March 1. 48th Annual Carolina Jazz Festival, Locations on the UNC Campus, Chapel Hill; Sponsor UNC Department of Music (919) 962-1039 http://music.unc.edu/jazzfest
March
March 30. 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. https://www.takethehighstreet.com/thebazaar
April
April 5. Revolutionary War Living History Day. Revolutionary War Reenactment at the historic Alexander Dickson House, plus other events around downtown Hillsborough sponsored by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, 10 am – 4 pm. (919) 732- 7741. https://visithillsboroughnc.com/event/revolutionary-war-living-history-day-2/
April 5. UNC Science Expo, UNC Campus at Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, Chapel Hill, 11am - 4pm. Celebrate science with our community — as a part of the North Carolina Science Festival. This annual expo features more than 100 hands-on activities and science demonstrations lead by STEM students, researchers, and practitioners from UNC-Chapel Hill. (919) 843-7959.
April 5 & 6. 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. Saturday Main Day: 9 am – 5 pm. Festival opens to the public featuring antique and craft vendors, auctions, appraisal and Christmas themed activities and entertainment. Sunday - Finale Day: 9 am – 5 pm. Second day of antiques, crafters and vendors. 226 N. Lloyds Dairy Rd, Efland. (919) 732-7322. (Occurs again in October).
April 19. The 18th Annual Tar Heel 10 Miler and Fleet Feet 4 Mile Run. Run takes you on a beautiful tour of Chapel Hill. Event starts at 7:45 AM on the UNC campus Start Line: 199 South Rd Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, near the UNC Bell Tower and Finish Line: 104 Stadium Drive near Kenan Stadium Gate 2. https://tarheel10miler.com/
April 26. Fields of Funk Beer Festival. 3 pm - 7 pm Coordinated by 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. Food trucks: Holy Mole Enchiladas (second one to be announced), A mini pop-up market with the most eccentric, spacey, and funky vendors in the Triangle. Live tunes by Lucid Evolution – psychedelic wizardry and funk-infused rock rhythms. Tickets $40 includes A specially designed Fields Of Funk festival glass, Unlimited pours 3pm-7pm, Free shuttle between Steel String Brewery’s Carrboro Taproom and Pluck Farm. Limited on site parking pass $10 https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/fields-of-funk-2025/
April 26-27. Piedmont Farm Tour. Orange, Chatham, Person, Durham, Wake and Alamance counties; Tour various farms throughout the area from 2 pm – 6 pm, both days. Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (919) 542-2402. Cost: $30 per car for ALL FARMS if purchased in advance, $35 per car for ALL FARMS if purchased during the tour, and $10 per car per farm the day of the tour. (All proceeds benefit CFSA).
May
May 3. Hillsborough Garden Tour. Celebrating 100 years of Gardening Together. Ticket sales will begin February
May 3,4 & 10. 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. Saturday hours 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm.
May 16 - June 13. Freight Train Blues Concert Series. Each spring the Music Makers and the Town of Carrboro present free root music concerts at the Carrboro Town Commons on Fridays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Beer and food available for purchase. https://www.musicmaker.org/freight-train-blues/
May 16-17.* NEW EVENT* Hillsborough SeaFest. A seafood and music festival with live music, great food, and fun for the whole family, supporting a local non-profit organization., Meals on Wheels. Friday 4 pm – 10, Saturday 9 am – 9:30 pm. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564368885699
May 24. *NEW EVENT* Carrboro Bluegrass Festival. Hosted by The Cat's Cradle This year's lineup will feature 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 will take place at the Cat’s Cradle Back Yard, which is an outdoor space immediately behind the venue. Doors will be at 1 p.m., and the event itself will start at 2 p.m. There are two different presale price tiers for tickets: standing for $43.02 and seated for $63.62 https://www.facebook.com/carrborobluegrassfestival/
May 31st *NEW EVENT* Preservation Fest A showcase of local preservationists and hands-on exploration. More details to come https://historichillsborough.org/preservationfest/
June
Small Town Pride Events
June 7. Pride Promenade is a march from Peace & Justice Plaza to 140 West Franklin Street for music, food and more begins at 12 pm. https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/pride-promenade/
June 27. Carrboro Pride Dance Party https://www.carrboronc.gov/2706/Pride-Month
June 19. Juneteenth Celebration. Come be a part of the Chapel Hill's Juneteenth Celebration at 4-8 pm at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W Main St. 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. https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/juneteenth-celebration/
July
Carrboro July 4th Celebration, Weaver Street Lawn (9:30 am – 11 am) and Carrboro Town Commons (10:30am – 4 pm); Carrboro Recreation & Parks Department, (919) 918-7364. People’s Parade at 10:50 am. www.townofcarrboro.org
Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. From 1pm – 3pm on the lawn at the Horace Williams House, 610 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill enjoy FREE ice cream, lemonade, flags and patriotic music performed by the Village Band. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, family and friends. www.preservationchapelhill.org
July 4th 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. Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture. (919) 968-2828. https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/fireworks/
August
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. https://uproarfestnc.com/
August 8 –September 28 in Chapel Hill, NC. 25th Annual Forest Theatre Summer Giant Puppet Show. Theme: The Gift. Shows Fri-Sun and Labor Day, Forest Theatre on the UNC Campus, 123 S. Boundary Street (919) 923-1857. Ticket sales begin June 1.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.
September
September 12-13. Hog Day. Friday 6 pm – 10 pm and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm. River Park, 114 E. Margaret Lane, Downtown Hillsborough. 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 cookoff contest with lots of BBQ to enjoy. www.hogday.org.
Mid-September - Early December. 37th Annual Sculpture in the Garden. Annual display of works of 50 North Carolina artists displaying their one-of-a kind sculptures placed amid the native wildflowers and shrubs to delight garden visitors. (919) 962-0522. 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 https://ncbg.unc.edu/visit/exhibits/sculpture-in-the-garden/
TBA. Weekends. Fall Corn Mazes at McKee Farms in Rougemont. $15 corn maze admission. Age 2 and Under Free. Fridays 3-8pm, Saturday 10-8pm, Sunday 1-7pm. 2 mazes – 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. Cedar Creek Farm, 5011 Kiger Rd, Rougemont, (919) 732-8065. https://mckeecornfieldmaze.com/corn-maze-1
September 28. 28th Carrboro Music Festival. All types of music! Event features numerous venues throughout downtown Carrboro with dozens of musical acts as well as food, craft and non-profit vendors. Free shuttle bus from Carrboro Plaza Park & Ride. Coordinated effort by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department and the Carrboro Music Festival Planning Committee. (919) 918-7364. www.carrboromusicfestival.com.
October
TBD. River Park Concert. The event opens at Noon and music begins at 12:30 pm ending around 8 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. https://www.trianglemusicalliance.com/
October 3-4. FlushFest in West Hillsborough. Silent movie with live piano, plus plenty of great local music, kids activities, food trucks, a photo booth, outdoor games, and lots of fun.
October 3-4. Annual Efland Ruritan Rodeo. Featuring all the classic events of 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 (919) 971-1129. Hwy 70, I-40/85 Exit 160. Parking is free. (Photo below by Wesley Broome)
Oct 11. 10th Annual Bluegrass at Moorefields. 1 pm – 6 pm will take 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. Moorefields Estate, 2201 Moorefields Road, Hillsborough, Visit www.moorefields.org to see when tickets available for purchase. Lawn seating tickets are $15 per person. Teens 13-17 are $10 and kids 12 and under are free. Free parking. Call (919) 732-4941.
TBA. Hillsborough Spirits Tours 2025. Hillsborough, the oldest town in the Triangle, is haunted! Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and The Orange Community Players for the annual Haunted Tour through the historic district to encounter these ghostly residents! This fun and dramatic tour will bring you face-to-face with Hillsborough’s past. Route and theme to come. Tours last approximately one hour. The ghost performances are family-friendly, but please be aware that this is a walking tour over several blocks, and may include hills and uneven ground. Tours start every 20 minutes. Friday 6 pm - 8 pm and Saturday 5 pm - 8 pm. Tickets are timed and groups depart from the Hillsborough Visitors Center (150 E. King St.). Tickets: Adult – $20, Children 5-12 – $10. Call (919) 732-7741 or www.visithillsboroughnc.com.
October 18. Sonark Harvest Festival. This festival at the scenic Blackwood Farm Park 4215 NC Hwy 86 South, Chapel Hill, is a day-long celebration designed to delight the entire family. This Festival promises an enriching experience from 2 PM to 8 PM. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local arts scene with a diverse array of vendors showcasing their crafts. Savor delicious eats from top food trucks and enjoy craft beers and other drinks. Lineup schedule and tickets info to come. https://www.sonarkharvestfestival.com/
TBA. Festifall Arts Market: Chapel Hill’s downtown annual arts festival is a street market that will feature artisan vendors, music, performances, and more with various themes. The Festifall Arts Markets & More at 140 West Franklin Street. 12 pm - 5pm.
November
November 1-2 & 8-9. 31st Annual Orange County Open Studio Tour. Over 90 artists invite you into their studios to see where and how they work. Sponsor: Orange County Artists Guild (919) 933-7880. First two weekends in November, Sat 10 am – 5 pm and Sun 12 pm – 5 pm.
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.
TBA. 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
TBA ACME's Salt & Smoke Festival hopes to return in 2025. It’s a full afternoon and evening of live music, whole hog barbecue, and raw oysters & roasted clams from our friends at Shooting Point Oyster Co. Delicious Southern sides and plenty of the beverages to wash it all down - local beer, wine, and cocktails..
December
December 1 - 31 The Carolina Inn's Favorite Things Holiday Events Holiday afternoon tea, Brunch with Santa, Holiday market and Bier Garten. Get your tickets and reservations, events sell out fast!
December 1 - January 1, 2026. Homes for the Holidays: A Hillsborough Gingerbread Tradition. A downtown walking tour of confectionary creations! collaborates 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.
TBA. 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. General Admission is $5 - $15/pp for activities. 3510 NC 86 N. Hillsborough.
TBA.. Elfland Christmas Festival features Elfland Christmas Village, Santa’s workshop with arts, crafts, children’s and holiday gifts, Hayrides, 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, Efland, NC 27243 and Efland United Methodist Church from 6 pm – 10 pm. www.elflandfestival.com
TBA. Hillsborough on Ice Holiday Show. Friday at 6 pm and Saturday at 10:30 am. Tickets for the show are $15 per person. Orange County Sportsplex, 101 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC (919) 644-0339, https://www.oc-sportsplex.com/
December 21: Solstice Lantern Walk 5 pm – 8:30 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 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. $5 registration. https://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/solstice (photo credit below Drone Data and Film)
