The Beer, Bourbon, And BBQ Festival's admission buys a souvenir glass to hold an all-you-care-to-taste sampling of beer and bourbon. So the staffers mean it. This mouthwatering barbecue festival coming March 11 to Wilmington is a great day for sipping beer, tasting bourbon, laughing, and dancing. Also, the Cochon Carnival offers fun activities and games, such as cornhole, Connect Four, giant Jenga, and ping pong. See what's in store at this exciting fifth-annual barbecue festival on the coast.
General admission is from 2 to 6 p.m. and includes a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited sampling of beer and bourbon, and live entertainment.
Fall festivals in North Carolina keep us grateful as we are lucky enough to have an abundance of reasons to celebrate autumn in 2024. Eat some of the most delicious homemade cuisine; listen to some deeply talented musicians play, and simply gather in this breathtaking state. Here are nine of the best upcoming reasons to travel to some very charming towns and discover fall in North Carolina.
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1. Liberty Antique Festival: Staley, Sept. 27 and 28, 2024
This event is worthwhile for antique lovers, as it brings 400 dealers from more than 25 states to a lovely, 100-acre farm near downtown Liberty. It is one of the best fall festivals near Asheboro featuring some of everything, including 18th to 20th century furniture, pottery, military items, and signs. Find out more on the Liberty Antiques Festival website.
A reason to celebrate the Appalachian Mountain culture is worth attending this fall festival near me, especially on its 50th anniversary. Sample the delicious food crafted from family recipes, and buy some gifts from the craft vendors; listen to traditional music, and watch fascinating demonstrations. For additional details, visit the
We love the talented lineup at this festival of sound, from folk to Americana, bluegrass, country, gospel, and jazz. They are bound to play something we love. Also enjoy arts, crafts, and other vendors. Read about this fun time on the Ol' Front Porch Music Festival website.
4. Carolina Mountain Cheese Festival: Black Mountain, Oct. 6, 2024
Celebrate the artisan cheeses at one of the best fall festivals in NC created to support artisan cheesemakers of Western North Carolina. It is the annual fundraiser for the WNC Cheese Trail, including gourmet food, winemakers, and other vendors. To discover more about one of the most delicious fall festivals near Asheville, visit the Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest website.
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5. Autumn Leaves Festival: Mount Airy, Oct. 11-13, 2024
Since 1966 one of the best North Carolina fall festivals has been a draw of people from near and far, making national headlines. Dance to the live beats; shop for one-of-a-kind items, and enjoy yummy food. More information is available on the Autumn Leaves Festival website.
6. NC Mountaineer and Apple Butter Festival: Bakersville, Oct. 11 and 12, 2024
For those who are good at making chili, enter the Chili and Cornbread cookoff this event brings. Watch contests and folks making scrumptious apple butter. Pick out a favorite hotrod at the car show. Read all about it on the NC Mountaineer Festival Facebook page.
Just look at the gorgeous space the organizers have chosen for this fun country fair in the mountains. Enjoy food, crafts, music, and games, such as pumpkin bowling. The Valle Country Fair website offers more information.
Go back to the early 1800s for an authentic fall in North Carolina at Hart Square Village, featuring hundreds of artisans and historic demonstrators showing their cool crafts. The costumes they wear are reason enough to attend this interesting celebration of history. And the best part: There will be 103 historic structures open to explore. Find out more on the Living History Festival website.
In its 40th year, this exciting festival helps honor the "world's best barbecue." And who could get bored with six stages of entertainment, a bicycle stunt show, delicious food, and other amusements? Look for more details about one of the best fall events near Winston-Salem on the Lexington Barbecue Festival website.
Fall festivals in North Carolina make us feel included as we reunite with old friends and family. Can we count you in? And when the events are over, we're always glad we booked a room ahead.
This Upcoming Sunflower Festival In North Carolina Will Make Your Summer Complete
Destination SunFest at Raleigh’s Dix Park is a free, family-friendly festival featuring acres of blooming sunflowers, live music, and various activities.
What is Sunfest in North Carolina, you ask? It's just the brightest festival all season and it takes place around the middle of July every year and on July 14, 2024. Destination SunFest at Raleigh's Dix Park celebrates the summer in grand style - with acres and acres of blooming sunflowers and you'll want to see them and take part in this one-day event that has something for everyone. Trust us on this one, when it comes to summer festivals in NC, you won't want to miss this one.
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The sunflower festival takes place at the expected height of the sunflower bloom which is perfect timing to see them at their best. As a result, this is one of the best sunflower festivals in North Carolina.
In 2010, the city began planting sunflowers along the Neuse River, and in 2018, the field moved to Dorothea Dix Park. At the end of the bloom season, the city harvests the seeds and turns them into thousands of gallons of biodiesel fuel to run tractors and more. It's a win-win.
The family-friendly SunFest is filled with a variety of ways to spend the day.
From live performances to art and craft vendors, and attractions for the kids, this FREE event is even more special because you can walk among the sunflowers.
You'll just need to stay on the walking paths as you meander through the bright, yellow fields.
This is a perfect spot to enjoy meandering around these lovely flowers. Take some pictures and enjoy the brightly-colored sunflowers. These tall and brilliant sunflowers certainly do make me smile; what about you? Don't you just love these amazing fields?
Feel free to bring lawn chairs or a blanket and set up a base camp right in the park. Dorothea Dix, with its clear view of the Raleigh skyline, is a spectacular place to spend the day. A twangy sound of bluegrass music will fill the air as the performance will be the grand finale of this wonderful day.
Make sure to bring those kiddos because food and games are on tap as well. There will be a variety of fun activities for the little ones which is sure to put a smile on their face like the sunflowers put a smile on my face.
The kids (and the kids at heart) will love this FREE festival. (Everything but the food is free!)
There will be loads of food vendors on site with unique brews, chews, and something new. You certainly won't go hungry as the smell of freshly cooked food will lure you in. There will also be multiple creative booths for people to enjoy, shop for a new gift, or just simply get inspired by the creativity of others.
Load up the backpack with all of the necessities and plan to spend the day celebrating at Destination SunFest at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh. Sunfest is sure to make your summer in North Carolina memorable.
Of course, if you can't make it to Sunfest to see the gorgeous sea of gold at Dix Park, you can always see it another day. You won't need a special event to have access to these lovely flowers. Take a stroll through the flowers anytime you like while they are fresh and in bloom.
The fields are expected to be in full bloom this year during the first two weeks of July. Sweet!
Put this awesome event on your calendar now and make plans to attend this spectacular sunflower festival in North Carolina.
SunFest in North Carolina takes place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 14, 2024. To preserve the integrity of the park, no parking will be available on the campus; however, FREE parking is available at NC State Centennial Campus, which will require some walking so make sure you bring the proper footwear. The lots are close enough, however, so you should have no problem walking. The free lots are accessible via Centennial Parkway (via Lake Wheeler Road and I-40, or Avent Ferry Road). All rides and activities at SunFest are free. Feel free to bring chairs, blankets, and even food and non-alcoholic drinks, but pets must stay home. Make sure you check out the map for parking and all the other details on this year's event by visiting Dorothea Dix Park's website.
