Best time to visit North Carolina

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North Carolina

7 THINGS TO DO IN NORTH CAROLINA (OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 26)

Carolina Balloon Fest

Carolina Balloon Fest

unconfirmedOctober 18–20, 2024 • event

A fun hot air balloon festival in the Southeast

North Carolina State Fair

North Carolina State Fair

October 17-27, 2024 • event

Raleigh hosts one of the largest and oldest fairs in the country

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Carolina Renaissance Festival

October 5–November 24, 2024 (on weekends only) • event

Go back in time among dozens of costumed characters, enjoying music and feasting on ale and turkey legs

North Carolina Fall Colors

North Carolina Fall Colors

October–early November • nature

Stunning fall foliage wraps North Carolina's landscapes from the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the Atlantic plains in the east

Tail of the Dragon Road at Deals Gap

Tail of the Dragon Road at Deals Gap

April–October • activity

An extremely curvy drive between North Carolina and Tennessee, excellent for motorcycles and sport cars

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome

April–November • activity

Drive up to the highest point in the Smokies

High Shoals Falls

High Shoals Falls

all year round • nature

The No. 1 attraction in South Mountains State Park

55 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

out of rangeJuly 11-14, 2024 • event

The largest gathering of Scottish clans in the United States

Liberty Antiques Festival

Liberty Antiques Festival

out of rangeApril 28–29, 2023 | September 29–30, 2023 • event

One of the most famous antique fairs in Eastern U.S.

Carolina Panthers Fan Fest

Carolina Panthers Fan Fest

out of rangeAugust 2, 2023 • event

One of the favourite football fan events in Charlotte

NC Mountain State Fair

NC Mountain State Fair

out of rangeSeptember 6-15, 2024 • event

A showcase of North Carolina's agriculture with lots of entertainment

North Carolina Seafood Festival

North Carolina Seafood Festival

out of rangeOctober 4-6, 2024 • event

One of the best food festivals of the Southeast

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

out of rangeNovember 17, 2023–January 14, 2024 • event

The night is illuminated with dozens of giant lanterns in Cary

Barbecue Festival

Barbecue Festival

out of rangeOctober 26, 2024 • event

Find out why Lexington is called the barbecue capital of the world

North Carolina Apple Festival

North Carolina Apple Festival

out of rangeSeptember 1–4, 2023 • event

A premiere family event in North Carolina

Carolina Classic Fair (Dixie Classic Fair)

Carolina Classic Fair (Dixie Classic Fair)

out of rangeSeptember 29–October 8, 2023 • event

The favorite fall event for the City of Winston-Salem

4th of July

4th of July

out of rangeJuly 2–July 4 • event

Old-fashioned small-town celebrations and massive street parties

Monarch Butterfly Migration

Monarch Butterfly Migration

out of rangeMay–July | mid September–early October  • nature

The most recognizable Monarch butterflies fly on the treetop level along the state's best mountain ridges twice a year

Wings Over Wayne

Wings Over Wayne

out of rangeMay 20–21, 2023 • event

The largest free airshow in North Carolina

Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights

Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights

out of rangeNovember 17, 2023–January 7, 2024 • event

A spectacular drive-thru made of four million LED lights

Charlotte Comicon

Charlotte Comicon

out of rangeDecember 10, 2023 • event

A one-day family-friendly comic and toy show

GalaxyCon Raleigh

GalaxyCon Raleigh

out of rangeJuly 25-28, 2024 • event

One of the largest comic cons in North Carolina

Waynesville Christmas Parade

Waynesville Christmas Parade

out of rangeDecember 4, 2023 • event

Join this annual tradition filled with joy and Christmas lights

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

out of rangemid-March–early Fall • nature

Watch hummingbirds escape the cold in this beautiful state

Kernersville 4th of July Community Concert & Fireworks

Kernersville 4th of July Community Concert & Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Become a part of a splendid community Fourth in the largest suburb of Winston-Salem

North Carolina Azalea Festival

North Carolina Azalea Festival

out of rangeApril 3-7, 2024 • event

The largest festival of its kind in North Carolina

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

out of rangeearly November–early January • event

Amazing light displays in the Southeast that will make your Christmas unforgettable

Festival of Lights in Greensboro

Festival of Lights in Greensboro

out of rangeDecember 1–2, 2023 • event

One of the most impressive holiday celebrations in North Carolina

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Cary

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Cary

out of rangeAugust 2-3, 2024 • event

A foodie's paradise in a suburb of Raleigh and 30 minutes drive from Durham

Fort Bragg 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Fort Bragg 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Celebration in the largest military installation in North Carolina

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

out of rangeApril–September • nature

Attracted by fruits and nectar, these birds are often spotted in the gardens

Elizabeth City Christmas Parade

Elizabeth City Christmas Parade

out of rangeDecember 2, 2023 • event

This is how North Carolina folks celebrate the big holiday

Greensboro Fun Fourth Fireworks

Greensboro Fun Fourth Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

One of the top 4th of July celebrations in North Carolina

North Carolina Jazz Festival

North Carolina Jazz Festival

out of rangeFebruary 6-8, 2025 • event

One of the largest traditional jazz festivals in the Southeast

Taylorsville Apple Festival

Taylorsville Apple Festival

out of rangeOctober 21, 2023 • event

This harvest fest is the best way to celebrate fall

Brushy Mountain Apple Festival

Brushy Mountain Apple Festival

out of rangeOctober 7, 2023 • event

One of the largest single-day harvest, arts, and crafts festivals in the Southeast

Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights

Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights

out of rangeNovember 17, 2023–January 1, 2024 • event

A spectacular holiday display located just a 10-minute drive west of Winston-Salem

St. Patrick's Day Parade

St. Patrick's Day Parade

out of rangeMarch 16, 2024 • event

A beloved annual event in Uptown Charlotte

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and Snowboarding

out of rangemid-November–early April | February–mid-March • activity

Consider North Carolina as a lovely place for your active family getaway

Craftsmen's Christmas Classic in Greensboro, NC

Craftsmen's Christmas Classic in Greensboro, NC

out of rangeNovember 24–26, 2023 • event

A universal art and craft show, offering something for every taste and budget

North Carolina Folk Festival

North Carolina Folk Festival

out of rangeSeptember 6-8, 2024 • event

A free, locally-produced multicultural event

Charlotte Christmas Village

Charlotte Christmas Village

unconfirmedlate November–late December 2024 • event

A sweet European-inspired celebration in Uptown Charlotte

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangeearly March–mid-April • nature

Spring is an enchanting time in North Carolina thanks to massive tree blossoms

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year

out of rangeFebruary 10–24, 2024 • event

Ring in Lunar New Year with dances and delicious food in Charlotte

Cicada Mania

Cicada Mania

out of rangeMay–mid-June • nature

A billionth population of American cicadas come out during final weeks in their lives to rejoice in a huge mating par

Eastern North Carolina Renaissance Faire

Eastern North Carolina Renaissance Faire

out of rangeApril 13-14, 2024 • event

An annual event celebrating the spirit of the Renaissance era

Jacksonville Winterfest

Jacksonville Winterfest

unconfirmedearly December 2023 • event

One of the best family-friendly events in North Carolina

Hops and Hogs Festival

Hops and Hogs Festival

out of rangeSeptember 7–9, 2023 • event

Enjoy delicious craft beer, mouth-watering BBQ, and live music at the Hops and Hogs Festival

High Country Beer Fest

High Country Beer Fest

out of rangeAugust 24, 2024 • event

Join over 1500 beer lovers at High Country Beer Fest and learn more about the craft brewing industry

Duck Jazz Festival

Duck Jazz Festival

out of rangeOctober 12-13, 2024 • event

A coveted community event, making for a memorable Columbus Day Weekend

Carrboro Music Festival

Carrboro Music Festival

out of rangeOctober 1, 2023 • event

A showcase of the best musicians in the Piedmont region of North Carolina

Brewgaloo

Brewgaloo

out of rangeApril 26-27, 2024 • event

The largest beer festival in North Carolina

Blowing Rock Winterfest

Blowing Rock Winterfest

out of rangeJanuary 25 - January 28 • event

Tons of fun winter activities in the scenic North Carolina mountains

Lake Julian Festival of Lights

Lake Julian Festival of Lights

unconfirmedDecember 2-23, 2024 • event

A magical display with animated and stationary light displays

Carowinds Winterfest

Carowinds Winterfest

out of rangeNovember 17, 2023-January 1, 2024 • event

A festive event for kids and adults who want to experience a real fairytale

Clayton Harvest Festival

Clayton Harvest Festival

out of rangeOctober 26–29, 2023 • event

Carnival midway and plenty of fall-themed entertainment

GreyBeards Viking Experience

GreyBeards Viking Experience

out of rangeApril 1–2, 2023 (Virginia) | July 8–9, 2023 (North Carolina) • event

Mounted archery, highland game demos, and other themed activities

Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms

Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms

out of rangeNovember 23–December 30, 2023 • event

Old-fashioned holiday fun for the whole family

Piedmont Winterfest

Piedmont Winterfest

out of rangeNovember 17, 2023-January 28, 2024 • event

Winter wonderland in downtown Greensboro

Beaufort Music Festival

Beaufort Music Festival

out of rangeMay 17–18, 2024 • event

Plenty of jazz and blues on the North Carolina's waterfront

Charlotte Memorial Day Weekend Events, Fireworks

Charlotte Memorial Day Weekend Events, Fireworks

out of rangeMay 24–27, 2024 • event

Spend the Memorial Day Weekend in a wonderful atmosphere of unity

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