North Carolina Festivals
North Carolina is a state that loves to celebrate! From our world-famous barbecue and sweet potatoes to mountain music and coastal traditions, there is a festival for just about every week of the year. Here is a list of some of the most iconic annual festivals across the Old North State, organized by season. Why not grab the family and friends and visit a few?
North Carolina is a state that loves to celebrate! From our world-famous barbecue and sweet potatoes to mountain music and coastal traditions, there is a festival for just about every week of the year. Here is a list of some of the most iconic annual festivals across the Old North State, organized by season. Why not grab the family and friends and visit a few?
Spring Festivals (March – May)
North Carolina Azalea Festival | Wilmington
ncazaleafestival.org
MerleFest | Wilkesboro
merlefest.org
North Carolina Pickle Festival | Mount Olive
ncpicklefest.org
Fayetteville Dogwood Festival | Fayetteville
thedogwoodfestival.com
Cheerwine Festival | Salisbury
cheerwine.com/festival
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival | Durham
dprplaymore.org
Ham & Yam Festival | Smithfield
hamandyam.com
North Carolina Azalea Festival | Wilmington
ncazaleafestival.org
MerleFest | Wilkesboro
merlefest.org
North Carolina Pickle Festival | Mount Olive
ncpicklefest.org
Fayetteville Dogwood Festival | Fayetteville
thedogwoodfestival.com
Cheerwine Festival | Salisbury
cheerwine.com/festival
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival | Durham
dprplaymore.org
Ham & Yam Festival | Smithfield
hamandyam.com
Summer Festivals (June – August)
North Carolina Blueberry Festival | Burgaw
ncblueberryfestival.com
NC 4th of July Festival | Southport
nc4thofjuly.com
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games | Linville
gmhg.org
North Carolina Watermelon Festival | Murfreesboro
ncwatermelonfestival.com
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands | Asheville
southernhighlandguild.org
North Carolina Blueberry Festival | Burgaw
ncblueberryfestival.com
NC 4th of July Festival | Southport
nc4thofjuly.com
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games | Linville
gmhg.org
North Carolina Watermelon Festival | Murfreesboro
ncwatermelonfestival.com
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands | Asheville
southernhighlandguild.org
Fall Festivals (September – November)
North Carolina Apple Festival | Hendersonville
ncapplefestival.org
Mayberry Days | Mount Airy
surryarts.org/mayberrydays
The North Carolina State Fair | Raleigh
ncstatefair.org
North Carolina Seafood Festival | Morehead City
ncseafoodfestival.org
Woolly Worm Festival | Banner Elk
woollyworm.com
Carolina Renaissance Festival | Huntersville
carolina.renfestinfo.com
Barbecue Festival | Lexington
thebarbecuefestival.com
Whirligig Festival | Wilson
whirligigfestivalnc.org
North Carolina Apple Festival | Hendersonville
ncapplefestival.org
Mayberry Days | Mount Airy
surryarts.org/mayberrydays
The North Carolina State Fair | Raleigh
ncstatefair.org
North Carolina Seafood Festival | Morehead City
ncseafoodfestival.org
Woolly Worm Festival | Banner Elk
woollyworm.com
Carolina Renaissance Festival | Huntersville
carolina.renfestinfo.com
Barbecue Festival | Lexington
thebarbecuefestival.com
Whirligig Festival | Wilson
whirligigfestivalnc.org
Winter Festivals (December – February)
Blowing Rock WinterFest | Blowing Rock
blowingrockwinterfest.com
North Carolina Jazz Festival | Wilmington
ncjazzfestival.org
African American Cultural Celebration | Raleigh
ncmuseumofhistory.org
Blowing Rock WinterFest | Blowing Rock
blowingrockwinterfest.com
North Carolina Jazz Festival | Wilmington
ncjazzfestival.org
African American Cultural Celebration | Raleigh
ncmuseumofhistory.org
"The Golden Age of Piracy" Credit: © Bettmann/CORBIS. National Geographic.
Pirate Lore and North Carolina Locations
Did you know that a few places in North Carolina owes its name to pirate history/lore? It's true! Read the examples and fall even deeper in love with North Carolina Culture.
How did "Nags Head, NC" get its name?
The “nag’s head” was an evil trick performed by land pirates who found the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina a perfect refuge. A lantern tied around the neck of one of the horses that lived on the islands lured passing ships in close to the shallows. A stormy night presented the best time for the evil deed. Then they simply led the horse up and down the ridges of sand dunes. The unsuspecting seaman would mistake the lantern’s light for a ship’s light and believe they were in deep water, safe from running aground. By the time the ship’s captain realized his mistake, the ship was stuck in the sand, and it was all over. If it was not a stormy night the pirates came on board and made their raid, stealing the precious cargo and murdering the crew. But the storm made things even easier for the pirates. They just waited till morning to salvage what cargo washed ashore.
The “nag’s head” was an evil trick performed by land pirates who found the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina a perfect refuge. A lantern tied around the neck of one of the horses that lived on the islands lured passing ships in close to the shallows. A stormy night presented the best time for the evil deed. Then they simply led the horse up and down the ridges of sand dunes. The unsuspecting seaman would mistake the lantern’s light for a ship’s light and believe they were in deep water, safe from running aground. By the time the ship’s captain realized his mistake, the ship was stuck in the sand, and it was all over. If it was not a stormy night the pirates came on board and made their raid, stealing the precious cargo and murdering the crew. But the storm made things even easier for the pirates. They just waited till morning to salvage what cargo washed ashore.
How did "Kill Devil Hills, NC" get its name?
Stories vary when it comes to the strange origins of the town’s name. The most popular lore suggests the area's name originates from high-proof rum washed ashore from 17th-century shipwrecks. Locals claimed this "kill-devil" rum was strong enough to "kill the devil," a nickname for strong Caribbean liquor. Stories suggest pirates hid their stolen, potent rum in the area's massive sand dunes. The name appeared on maps as early as 1808 and 1814. The town was officially incorporated in 1953, with its name becoming internationally famous as the site of the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903.
Stories vary when it comes to the strange origins of the town’s name. The most popular lore suggests the area's name originates from high-proof rum washed ashore from 17th-century shipwrecks. Locals claimed this "kill-devil" rum was strong enough to "kill the devil," a nickname for strong Caribbean liquor. Stories suggest pirates hid their stolen, potent rum in the area's massive sand dunes. The name appeared on maps as early as 1808 and 1814. The town was officially incorporated in 1953, with its name becoming internationally famous as the site of the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903.
Historical Links;
https://greyareanews.com/feature/history/legend-nags-head-north-carolina/
https://shorelineobx.com/blog/kill-devil-hills-history/
https://greyareanews.com/feature/history/legend-nags-head-north-carolina/
https://shorelineobx.com/blog/kill-devil-hills-history/