January
January 1st – Annual KwanzaaFest, Durham
Cultural celebration day filled with festivities, entertainment and educational activities. sponsored by the African American Dance Ensemble.
February
Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus, Raleigh
“The greatest show on earth” usually comes to the Triangle in early February.
March
NC Renaissance Fair, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
Annual two-day festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.
April
Apple Chill Arts & Music Festival, Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill’s spring street fair. Music, arts and local vendors.
Easter Egg Hunt, Chapel Hill & Carrboro
Horace Williams House sponsors an annual egg hunt for children under 10.
Galaxy Fest at Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill
Star-gazing festival with special showings and events.
Piedmont Farm Tour
Crops, animals, machinery, bees and more – tour at your leisure.
Earth Day Festival, Durham
The Durham Bulls Athletic Park hosts this food and educational festival for children of all ages.
May
Peak Week Festival, Apex
Annual Apex street festival draws thousands for food, music, comedy and kids fun.
Orange County Farm Tour, Pittsboro
Area farms open their doors to the public for the weekend. Tons to see and do.
Carrboro Day
Festive fun in celebration of Carrboro’s local scene. Music, arts and more.
Community Pride Days, Hillsborough
Celebration of Hillsborough’s community spirit. Music, arts and more.
Artsplosure, Raleigh
Two-day annual Spring Jazz and art festival. Loads to do with the kids.
Brookhill Steeplechase
NC’s own Kentucky Derby! Run the first Sunday in May.
Bimbe Cultural Festival
International festival sponsored by Durham City Parks & Recreation – dancing, food, arts & crafts.
Siler City Chicken Festival, Siler City
Food, music, crafts and more.
June
American Dance Festival, Durham
Dance and music.
Hillsborough Hog Day
Fun-filled family barbecue and entertainment festival.
Fishing Rodeo, Carrboro
Cast a line at Strayhorn Pond.
July
Festival on the Eno, Durham
Annual festival in support of Eno River State Park in Durham. Music, arts and more.
McCorkle Place/Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
July 4th evening fireworks, bands and more.
Carrboro Town Hall, Carrboro
July 4th afternoon celebration for families.
August
Bull Durham Blues Festival, Durham
Food, arts & crafts against a backdrop of soulful blues music.
Old Fashioned Farmer’s Day, Siler City
Antique cars, antique tractor pull, arts & crafts, musical performances, contests, food, steam engines in operation, exhibits, and more.
September
Carrboro Music Festival
Music, music, music!
CenterFest, Durham
Annual street fair; arts, music, food and more.
La Fiesta Del Pueblo, Chapel Hill
Weekend long festival in celebration of Latin American arts, culture and heritage for people of all ages.
October
Jordan Lake Music Festival
Festifall, Chapel Hill
Fall street festival – music, food, arts & crafts and lots of local vendors.
Shakori Hills Festival of Music and Dance
Halloween Pumpkins at Bynum Bridge, Orange Co
Beautiful display of carved Halloween pumpkins on Bynum Bridge. Go after dark for full effect.
NC State Fair, Raleigh
Annual week-long celebration of North Carolina agriculture. Carnival, farm animals, machinery and demonstrations.
October 31st – Halloween Downtown, Chapel Hill
Hilarious and revelous impromptu student costume gathering degenerates into late night street party.
December
First Night Raleigh
Alcohol-free, event-filled community New Year’s Eve celebration.
Christmas Tree Lighting & Singalong, Chapel Hill
Friendly Christmas event held atop the Rosemary Street parking deck, sponsored by the Downtown Commission.
Christmas Parade, Chapel Hill
Santa, elves, floats and more parade from Morehead Planetarium to the end of West Franklin Street.
Light Up Durham
Community entertainment celebration with fireworks, music and festivities acknowledging the holiday season.
Festival of Lights, Raleigh
Drive through event featuring more than 200 displays of sparkling holiday lights.
