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Dates & Times
September 24
-
September 27,
2026
Hours vary according to events
Location
406 E. Main St.
Benson, NC 27504
Cost
Varies based on scheduled events
Contact
Benson Chamber of Commerce
loretta@benson-chamber.com
(919) 894-3825
View Event Website
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For more than 75 years, this four-day festival draws 20,000 to 30,000 people for rodeos, mule competitions, arts & crafts, live music, carnival rides, camping and parades.
Thursday kicks off the festival with downtown vendors, trolley rides, live music and carnival fun. Performances by Raynorshine Band, Jason Michael Carroll and Zac Lee Band keep the celebration going into the evening.
Friday’s events put the four-legged stars of Benson Mule Days in the spotlight at Chamber Park and Arena. Watch competitors take on mule races, jumping contests and “Mules Got Talent” before judges select the Grand Champion, who will appear in Saturday’s parade.
Between events, explore downtown vendors and entertainment, then stop inside Benson’s locally owned shops. Visitors can also tour the town’s last remaining mule stable Friday and Saturday or see historic Benson from a horse-drawn wagon.
On Saturday, thousands of spectators line the streets for one of North Carolina’s largest parades. Hundreds of horses, mules, buggies, bands, floats, Shriners units, classic cars, antique tractors and other creative entries make their way through downtown.
Sunday closes out the festival with one final afternoon of carnival rides.
Thursday kicks off the festival with downtown vendors, trolley rides, live music and carnival fun. Performances by Raynorshine Band, Jason Michael Carroll and Zac Lee Band keep the celebration going into the evening.
Friday’s events put the four-legged stars of Benson Mule Days in the spotlight at Chamber Park and Arena. Watch competitors take on mule races, jumping contests and “Mules Got Talent” before judges select the Grand Champion, who will appear in Saturday’s parade.
Between events, explore downtown vendors and entertainment, then stop inside Benson’s locally owned shops. Visitors can also tour the town’s last remaining mule stable Friday and Saturday or see historic Benson from a horse-drawn wagon.
On Saturday, thousands of spectators line the streets for one of North Carolina’s largest parades. Hundreds of horses, mules, buggies, bands, floats, Shriners units, classic cars, antique tractors and other creative entries make their way through downtown.
Sunday closes out the festival with one final afternoon of carnival rides.
