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North Carolina has been the backdrop of hundreds of films and television series over the years. Plus, lots of stars of the silver and TV screens have called the Tar Heel State home. So it’s no surprise there are plenty of tours and festivals throughout the year that commemorate these iconic movies, TV shows and stars.
1 Lake Lure Dance Festival
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1 Lake Lure Dance Festival
Every September in Lake LureSee on map
Released in 1987 and starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey as a dance instructor and his student, Dirty Dancing became one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year, birthed a smash soundtrack, had a follow-up film in 2004 and a made-for-television remake in 2017. With legions of fans worldwide, the Dirty Dancing Festival was formed after Swayze’s death in 2009 and has since evolved into something even larger. Today, the Lake Lure Dance Festival – celebrating its first annual event in 2023 – honors this iconic film plus all things dance throughout the years.
2 Mayberry Days
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2 Mayberry Days
Every September in Mount AirySee on mapIt doesn’t get more family-friendly wholesome than Mayberry Days in Andy Griffith’s hometown. What began as an idea hatched at the estate auction of Frances Bavier – Aunt Bee to her TV friends – as a one-day celebration to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show in 1990, is now a week-long celebration of all things that made Andy Griffith (and his beloved Mayberry) household names. With autograph and photo sessions with past cast members and their families, live performances and backstage tours at the Andy Griffith Playhouse and the Historic Earle Theatre, “The Emmett” golf tournament, fiddle and banjo performances and lessons, parades, and so much more, you’ll be whistling the theme song with thousands of like-minded fans.
3 Hunger Games Unofficial Film Tours
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3 Hunger Games Unofficial Film Tours
Asheville, Brevard, HickorySee on mapBased on a trilogy of popular novels, The Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future where two teenagers from each of the 12 districts of Panem compete in a televised fight to the death. The 2012 film – which set opening day box office records and put Jennifer Lawrence on the map – was filmed extensively in the Asheville area at Dupont State Recreational Forest, which was the setting for “The Arena,” and Henry River Mill Village, which stood in for “District 12.” Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours offers insider information to all the filming spots, plus a map for groups to set out to explore the locations on their own. Self-guided itineraries are also available at the Asheville visitors center or online.
4 A Walk to Remember Tour
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4 A Walk to Remember Tour
New BernSee on mapNo one is more synonymous with North Carolina-based books and movies than Nicholas Sparks. With many of his romance novels having been made into feature films, the scenery of our state has become a character on its own. New Bern has been a backdrop for three films including A Bend in the Road, The Wedding and The Notebook. The A Walk to Remember Tour through the New Bern Convention and Visitors Bureau takes visitors to 15 different landmarks from these best-selling novels and blockbuster films. Although not all the locations are featured in the films, visiting them gives guests insights into the characters, stories and romance that Sparks deftly crafts.
5 One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek Self-Guided Tours
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5 One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek Self-Guided Tours
WilmingtonSee on mapWith One Tree Hill being produced in Wilmington for years, there are dozens of locations throughout Wilmington and the island beaches where scenes were shot or where the stars visited during the run of the show. The same can be said for Dawson’s Creek, which also filmed in Wilmington and served as the precursor to One Tree Hill. Restaurants, inns, characters’ homes, schools, shops, basketball courts and more featured in the shows can be explored with self-guided maps available at the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau or online. Put on your walking shoes and see where the action took place all over town, find out how to get there and learn what role each location had in both shows.
6 Southport Fun Tours
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6 Southport Fun Tours
SouthportSee on mapThis charming coastal community has been the site of several movie and TV productions, and a tour with Southport Fun Tours aboard an oversized electric tram stops at several locations, including The Brunswick Inn, which was featured in Oprah Winfrey’s production of The Wedding, as well as the television series Hart of Dixie. The tour also stops at the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum, which was used in the 1986 Crimes of the Heart starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange and Sissy Spacek. Much of the tour features stops from Nicholas Sparks’ film Safe Haven, starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough, including the American Fish Company – which was transformed into Ivan’s Restaurant where Katie worked as a waitress – Alex’s house in the historic district, and Ports of Call restaurant where Alex and Katie had their romantic dinner.
7 Film Festivals
7 Film Festivals
StatewideDozens of more film festivals run throughout the year and throughout our state. Whether your interests lie in long-form, short-form, documentary, mainstream, Jewish, Asian, black, gay and lesbian, LGBT, horror, sci-fi and everything in between, there is a festival filled with cinematic choices. From the coast to the mountains, the big cities to the small towns, North Carolina boasts an impressive lineup of juried and non-juried festivals. The best source to find the perfect film festival is the North Carolina Film Office.
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