These 9 North Carolina Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals

North Carolina, also nicknamed the Tar Heel State, is a southeastern state known for its stunning natural scenery and captivating history. What people might not know, however, is that North Carolina is home to some of the most unique festivals across the country. Being the ninth-most populous state, NC embraces the responsibility of hosting spectacular festivals even in the smallest of towns, so rest assured, you'll find a festival that piques your interest wherever you go. Ready yourself for a trip to the South, where hospitality runs deep and people truly know how to throw a good party.

Holly Springs

Holly Springs is a town in Wake County, North Carolina. With interesting museums, beautiful scenery, and festivals galore, Holly Springs is an ideal destination for a visit. One of its most distinctive festivals is Chalk of the Town, and what makes it so special is that everyone can participate in this event, no matter their skill level. Whether you want to grab some chalk and be creative or watch local artists show off their skills, Chalk of the Town is the perfect occasion for children and the young at heart. There’s a crafts and activities area for kids, plus music and food vendors throughout the festival.

If you are looking for some quality time with a furry friend, Holly Springs’ annual dog-themed festival, Canine-Con, also returns in September with its special event, Wicked Fur Good, where participants can show up in their costumes that match their favorite little companion. The festival is full of dog-themed activities, and you can also donate to the Canine-Con Dog Donation Drive, proceeds from which will be given directly to the Wake County Animal Center.

Mount Airy

The Mount Airy Old-Time Fiddlers Convention is an annual event. Established in 1972 and held the first weekend in June at the Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, North Carolina, the lively gathering honors the musical heritage of Surry County with bluegrass music, competitions, dancing, and workshops. Camping is available, and you can access wristbands that cover admissions and parking for the week.

Tourists can also enjoy the Andy Griffith Museum. The beloved actor was born in Mount Airy in 1926 and the museum represents the world's largest collection of memorabilia and artifacts related to his life and career. Mount Airy is also home to the Historic Earle Theatre and Old-time Heritage Hall, a music hall turned movie theater, that also hosts live music and community events.

Brevard

Brevard is the county seat of Transylvania County with a very interesting festival hosted annually: White Squirrel Weekend. Although white squirrels are quite rare on a global scale, Brevard is full of the fluffy little creatures. They are celebrated with a festival stretching across an entire weekend full of craft beer, live music, local food vendors, and handcrafted treasures. Brevard’s mascot, Sammy the Squirrel, will be available for pictures, and the three-day event is open to all ages.

The white squirrel also has another event celebrating its significance in Brevard, which is Brevard‘s Squirrelly Scavenger Sprint. The self-guided scavenger hunt is a great way to learn about Brevard’s history, explore its picturesque scenery, and understand the importance of the white squirrels to this beloved town.

Lake Lure

Lake Lure is considered one of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the world, which is perhaps why it was chosen as a film location for the timeless classic, Dirty Dancing. A festival was made to honour the movie, originally named the Lake Lure Dirty Dancing Festival, which later evolved into the Lake Lure Dancing Festival. Grab your dancing shoes and prepare to learn from professionals, compete in the "Lake Lift" competition and a watermelon carry, watch a film screening under the stars, and enjoy live performances to the movie's soundtrack. The event brings locals and visitors together to pay homage to the movie, even hosting Broadway stars. The festival has food and drink vendors all around, and is the perfect event for all ages.

Salisbury

Salisbury is a city in the Piedmont region of North Carolina known for its art, historic sites, hotdogs, and famous Cheerwine Soda. The popular soft drink was created by L.D. Peeler in 1917 during a sugar shortage. The drink became a hit in the state, so much so that they created an entire festival for it. Check out local handcrafted art, such as wooden sculptures, soap, and Cheerwine merchandise, and pick up a unique souvenir to remember your day.

The festival has a delicious variety of Cheerwine-inspired dishes and Southern favorites, with lots of other tasty treats as well. They also have a number of local breweries with a lot of Cheerwine-themed options made especially for the occasion. There is an area for children and lots of family-friendly things to see and do, such as jugglers, magicians, and a live band for all to enjoy.

Grifton

Grifton is a town in Lenoir and Pitt counties, and its unique festival takes you into a time machine to enjoy a bit of pioneer heritage and learn about past cultures and lifestyles. Hosted by the Grifton Museum, John Lawson Legacy Days is a family-friendly weekend that teaches you all you need to know about pioneers and colonial history. The event includes historical demonstrations and presentations, cannon firing, rope making, blacksmithing, and so much more.

The festival also hosts Blackbeard and the Beaufort Pirate Invasion, a team of performers bringing pirates to life with sword-swallowing and epic battles, and cultural demonstrations by the Tuscarora, an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands in Canada and the US.

Ayden

Looking for a fun way to introduce your kids to leafy greens? The Ayden Collard Festival is just the place to do it. Ayden, a town in Pitt County, has an intriguing history with the Collard Festival. In 1975, Mrs. Lois Theuring wrote a letter to the editor of the Ayden News Leader suggesting the town hold a festival, and after a few discussions and debates over names and themes, the Ayden Collard Festival was born. The festival offers floats, bands, vegetable-themed mascots, live music, circus performances, delicious leafy meals, carnival rides, and the ever-popular Collard Eating Contest.

Saluda

Saluda is a town in Polk and Henderson counties that hosts an annual summer event celebrating a specific and beloved breed of canine with their Coon Dog Day Festival. Coon Dogs are an American hunting dog that are very popular in Saluda, so much so that they have an entire day just for them. The festivities include live music, a parade, a 5K fun run, a dog show, dancing, and of course, lots and lots of dogs. Feel free to bring your four-legged friend to be celebrated alongside the loyal Coon Dogs at an event appropriate for all ages, people, and pets.

Carthage

Carthage is the county seat of Moore County. Since 1989, Carthage has been hosting the Carthage Buggy Festival annually to celebrate the town’s history. The festival remembers the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory that produced carriages essential to rural life in North Carolina. The event brings in an estimated 20,000 people, despite Carthage’s population being just around 3,000, with live music, over 100 food and craft vendors, a rock-climbing wall, a kids zone, and fashionable buggies to admire. Learn about Tyson and Jones' journey to creating a significant factory and brand-name at this family and pet-friendly event.

North Carolina’s smallest towns have some of the best festivals across the entire country, and you cannot find them anywhere else. Whether it is honoring white squirrels, coon dogs, chalk art, collards, or buggies, these festivals reflect the Tar Heel state’s culture, history, and traditions. Gear up for a trip to North Carolina, where small towns go big when it comes to celebrations.