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Dates & Times
July 29 - August 1, 2026
Location
100 Sycamore St.
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
Contact
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For more than four decades, the North Carolina Watermelon Festival has transformed the charming town of Murfreesboro into one of the state's most exciting summer destinations. Held each year in historic downtown Murfreesboro, this beloved festival celebrates North Carolina's rich agricultural heritage with four days of family-friendly fun, entertainment, and, of course, plenty of sweet, refreshing watermelon. The festival traces its roots to 1957 and has called Murfreesboro home since 1985.
Visitors can enjoy a lively parade, thrilling carnival rides, live music, delicious food vendors, craft and artisan markets, classic festival games, and crowd-favorite competitions such as watermelon seed-spitting and watermelon-eating contests. Families gather beneath the iconic Watermelon Arch, children enjoy midway attractions, and festival-goers savor free watermelon slices while experiencing the warm hospitality that makes Murfreesboro special.
More than just a festival, the NC Watermelon Festival is a celebration of community, tradition, and small-town charm. Each summer, thousands of visitors from across North Carolina and beyond come together to create lasting memories, support local businesses, and honor the farmers who help make North Carolina a leader in watermelon production. Whether you're enjoying live entertainment, cheering on parade participants, or sharing a slice of fresh watermelon with friends, the NC Watermelon Festival offers a true taste of summer in the South.
Visitors can enjoy a lively parade, thrilling carnival rides, live music, delicious food vendors, craft and artisan markets, classic festival games, and crowd-favorite competitions such as watermelon seed-spitting and watermelon-eating contests. Families gather beneath the iconic Watermelon Arch, children enjoy midway attractions, and festival-goers savor free watermelon slices while experiencing the warm hospitality that makes Murfreesboro special.
More than just a festival, the NC Watermelon Festival is a celebration of community, tradition, and small-town charm. Each summer, thousands of visitors from across North Carolina and beyond come together to create lasting memories, support local businesses, and honor the farmers who help make North Carolina a leader in watermelon production. Whether you're enjoying live entertainment, cheering on parade participants, or sharing a slice of fresh watermelon with friends, the NC Watermelon Festival offers a true taste of summer in the South.
