Savor the NC Flavor: Fun Local Food Festivals

Whether you're a foodie looking to savor unique dishes, a music lover ready to dance or someone seeking fun for the whole family, these local festivals offer a special look at the culture and community spirit that make North Carolina one of a kind.

1 Carolina Strawberry Festival

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1 Carolina Strawberry Festival

Every May in WallaceSee on map

A berry good time is guaranteed with the Little Miss Strawberry Pageant, the pet-friendly 5K featuring strawberry doggie treats, bushels of vendors selling handcrafted goods and regional bands jamming on the downtown stage. Fresh strawberries abound atop funnel cakes and other sweet and savory items.

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2 Cheerwine Festival

2 Cheerwine Festival

Every May in SalisburySee on map

Kick off summer at the Cheerwine Festival, celebrating North Carolina’s beloved cherry soda. Enjoy local breweries, food trucks and a variety of delicious eats. For the kids, there are bounce houses, face painting and gem mining, adding extra fun to the experience. Take a guided trolley tour to discover the history of Cheerwine and enjoy a vibrant day that’s sure to spark cheer.

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3 Ground Steak Festival

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3 Ground Steak Festival

Every June in DobsonSee on map

At the Ground Steak Festival, the air fills with the sizzle of ground steak, serving up the region’s signature dish alongside lively entertainment. Can't make it to the festival? Follow the Surry Ground Steak Trail, where more than 15 locations are showcased.

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4 NC Blueberry Festival

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4 NC Blueberry Festival

Every June in BurgawSee on map

For nearly 20 years, the NC Blueberry Festival has celebrated the harvest from Bladen, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender and Sampson counties. The sweet scent of fresh blueberries fills the air as the town comes alive with a parade, a spirited blueberry pie-eating contest and vendors offering fresh berries, blueberry treats and handmade crafts. You can even join the fun by participating in the 5-mile Blueberry Run.

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5 Cantaloupe Festival

5 Cantaloupe Festival

Every July in RidgewaySee on map

The Cantaloupe Festival is a sweet celebration of summer’s favorite fruit, and in Ridgeway, the soil and climate combine to create the perfect environment for growing cantaloupes. Held every July, the festival offers cantaloupe-inspired treats and local crafts.

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6 NC Okra Fest

6 NC Okra Fest

Every August in WhitevilleSee on map

Boiled, fried, pickled – you name it! Try all kinds of okra at the NC Okra Festival, when the town comes alive with local vendors serving up creative okra dishes, cooking classes and a big ol' Okra Fry. If you're lucky, you might even win a prize at the door.

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7 Ocracoke Fig Festival

7 Ocracoke Fig Festival

Every August in OcracokeSee on map

Bring your date and get figgy among the island’s signature fig trees, dancing to live music, savoring an abundance of fig preserves and biting into straight-up Ocracoke figs. Each year, an award-winning North Carolina chef helps judge the prized Fig Cake Bake-Off. You’ll want to stick around for a free sample from the winning entry.

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8 Ayden Collard Festival

8 Ayden Collard Festival

Every September in AydenSee on map

Packed with fun for all ages, the Ayden Collard Festival features exciting rides, local art shows, food vendors and the crowd-favorite Collard Eating Contest. Fun fact: Collard greens are more than just a tasty dish – they’re a symbol of wealth in the South. Eating them on New Year’s Day is believed to bring prosperity because their leafy greens resemble folded money.

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9 NC Apple Festival

9 NC Apple Festival

Every September in HendersonvilleSee on map

The North Carolina Apple Festival features the King Apple Parade, a lively street fair with freshly picked apples, arts and crafts, festival food and free entertainment at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street. About 15 local apple growers offer fresh apples, fried apple pies, apple cakes and cider. With more than 80% of the state’s apples grown in Henderson County, this festival is sure to make your day a bushel of fun.

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10 NC Hot Sauce Festival

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10 NC Hot Sauce Festival

Every September in OxfordSee on map

As “the only festival that takes pride in making grown men cry,” the NC Hot Sauce Festival mixes fiery fun with spicy sauces and plenty of excitement. Not a fan of spice? No worries – there are also local NC craft beer vendors, a scavenger hunt and a classic car show to keep you busy and sweating just the right amount.

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11 Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival

11 Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival

Every September in ElkinSee on map

In the heart of Elkin, pumpkins take center stage at the Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival. The event honors the season with a pumpkin pie contest, local food vendors and a farmers' market full of regional goods. Kids can enjoy pumpkin carving and hayrides while the whole family soaks in the autumn atmosphere.

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12 Liver Mush Festival

12 Liver Mush Festival

Every October in ShelbySee on map

Mush, music and mutts – oh my! Enjoy live performances, explore 100-plus vendors, and visit the RollOver Pet Zone to meet furry friends and watch the exciting pet costume contest and parade. With free parking and a shuttle, it's a relaxed and easygoing day for the whole family.

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13 NC Sweetpotato Festival

13 NC Sweetpotato Festival

Every October in BaileySee on map

Outside of Raleigh, the Sweetpotato Festival celebrates NC's official vegetable and serves up a recipe contest, chicken wing cookoff, axe-throwing and live music that will keep you dancing all night.

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14 Swansboro Mullet Festival of North Carolina

14 Swansboro Mullet Festival of North Carolina

Every October in SwansboroSee on map

Along the coast, sporting a fresh mullet can mean two things: You either just went to the hair salon or you’ve caught one of the little blue gray fishies that swim in the region’s waters. This event celebrates the latter with a fish fry, a Mullet Toss competition and a Blessing of the Fleet that honors boat owners.

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