Ayden Collard Festival

Celebrate one of Eastern North Carolina's most beloved small-town traditions at the Ayden Collard Festival! Held each September in historic downtown Ayden, this longtime festival honors the town's agricultural heritage and the famous collard greens that have become a local symbol. Visitors can enjoy two days of live entertainment, delicious food vendors, arts & crafts, a lively parade, community exhibits, an art show, a pageant, children's activities, and the crowd-favorite Collard Eating Contest.

Whether you're exploring charming downtown Ayden for the first time or returning for a favorite annual tradition, you'll experience Southern hospitality, local flavors and family-friendly fun around every corner. Since 1975, the Ayden Collard Festival has welcomed visitors from across the region to celebrate community, culture and Eastern North Carolina pride.