North Carolina has a lot of reasons to celebrate. From pickles to white squirrels to the coming snow season to a shared love of dance, there seems to be a festival for each type of person, and really, every season. While some are not for everyone, some you must experience at least once. Here are some truly unique festivals in North Carolina that you’re sure to love:

1. Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games, mid July
Flickr / Matt P.
For almost six decades, one of the most unique festivals in North Carolina has been the Highland Games. It is a gathering of Scottish clans at McRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain. This is considered to be one of the best Highland Games in America. Scottish or not, you'll enjoy the weekend of traditional games, bagpipes, and plenty of Celtic music and Gaelic culture.
2. Rogallo Kite Festival, Jockey's Ridge State Park, June
NC Park
Since 1982, this one-of-a-kind, two day festival has been drawing in people from all over the country. The festival is named after NASA scientist Francis Rogallo, who invented the flexible wing. You'll see a large collection of multi-sized kites, have the opportunity to make your own, or take power kite lessons. Besides, Jockey's Ridge is one of the best state parks in North Carolina.
3. Wilmington Riverfest, October
Wilmington Riverfest
The Wilmington Riverfest is a three-day festival that brings in almost 250,000 people a year. There are plenty of food and craft vendors, live performances on several different stages, dance competitions, the River 8k marathon, and Saturday night fireworks! Come see why this is one of the top fall festivals in North Carolina this year.
4. Carolina Renaissance Festival, weekends, Oct.-Dec
Flickr / Gregor Smith
You won't need a time machine to experience these ye olde times. Just outside of Charlotte and one of the largest festivals of its kind,, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is quite impressive. There is a whole village filled with quaint pubs, cottages, and small castles. Kids will especially love this one.
5. Lexington BBQ Festival, October
Flickr / gpparker
As "barbecue capital of the world," it's only appropriate to hold one the most delicious festivals in the birthplace of Lexington BBQ. The festival has been called "one of the top ten food festivals in the USA." With over 100,000 people in attendance, the estimated 12,000 pounds of BBQ served makes sense.

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6. Christmas at Biltmore
Flickr / Brett Kiger
During November and December this 'festival' is the best way to rekindle that Christmas spirit. Being hosted at 'America's Castle' you can assume the decor, the trees, and the ambiance will be like something out of a movie. This is a cute little North Carolina Christmas town the whole family is sure to love.
7. Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, April
Flickr / Selena N.B.H
This festival has been heralded as not just one of the best festivals in North Carolina, but also in the Southeast! This 3-day festival hosts live entertainment, craft vendors, artists, and several fun activities for children.
8. Folkmoot USA, July
Folkmoot USA
Folkmoot is an international festival hosted in the beautiful mountains of Waynesville and Maggie Valley. The festival draws in over 300 performers from a dozen or more different countries to celebrate the world's colorful connection through dance and folk music. You can expect lively concerts, dance performances, unique costumes, and a new perspective on the global art of 'folk music.' If you've ever looked for folk festivals in North Carolina, this is the one for you.
9. NC Seafood Festival, Morehead City, October
Flickr / Brad Carroll
As North Carolina's second-largest festival, this event has been a beloved tradition for 22 years. You won't just find seafood, but musical entertainment, arts and crafts, rides, and an 8k road race.
10. Seagrove Pottery Festival, November
Flickr / Brad Spry
The pottery-making tradition began in Seagrove over 200 years ago, and today the pottery festival allows you to browse over 100 unique vendors to find a piece that is perfect for you. With such a rich heritage, and connection to our state, the Seagrove Pottery Festival will inspire the inner artist in us all.

What is your favorite festival in North Carolina? Have you been to any of these? What would you call the best festivals in North Carolina? Tell us which one your favorite is in the comments.

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Best Festivals In North Carolina

Tori Jane | October 04, 2022

What are the best festivals in NC for families with kids?  

You’ll find lots of amazing events and festivals in NC, many of which are perfect for families with little ones hoping to find something fun to do. In April, you can’t miss the Spring Daze and Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, in Cary, and in May there’s the Meet in the Street Festival in Wake Forest that offers up tons of kid’s activities, food, and fun. We also love bringing the little ones to the annual Wizard of Oz Festival, which is traditionally held in Beech Mountain.  

What are the best festivals in North Carolina?  

The list continues! Other amazing North Carolina festivals you need to add to your bucket list ASAP include ones like the Liberty Antiques Festival, which is seriously as amazing as it sounds like it should be, and the strange-but-delicious North Carolina Pickle Festival is a joyful can’t-miss. We’re also hopelessly obsessed with the North Carolina Apple Festival, which might just be one of the best things to do in North Carolina during the fall.  

Which North Carolina festivals are the most popular?  

We would have to say that, out of all the festivals in North Carolina that there are to choose from, by far the most popular is the can’t-miss Carolina Renaissance Festival, which takes place on weekends every autumn. Amazingly, it’s one of the largest ren fests in the world, and it’s all ours! We couldn’t be prouder. Check out more than 100 amazing vendors, artisans, and craftsmen. Watch some fun shows, check out the archery competitions, and more. The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a joy and a half, and we wish it was all year (but then it wouldn’t be so special, we suppose). Of course, there’s also always the State Fair – usually in October. It’s huge, but that counts as a festival!  

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