Annual Events

The Blackberry Festival in downtown Lenoir is one of North Carolina’s premier street festivals, drawing crowds of up to 25,000 over its two-day run each summer. If you love blackberries, good food and great music, you won’t want to miss this festival.

If you love a good glass of wine, you don’t want to miss the Windmill Wine Festival. A newer festival, this gathering brings together wine lovers and local producers from the area. Food trucks and live music round out the event.

Held in Baird Park in Sawmills, Autumn in the Park features 60-plus vendors, food trucks, a car show, a costume contest for kids, a kids' zone and more. The event draws more than 4,000 visitors.

The Butterfly Festival in Hudson has bought together vendors and performers from across North Carolina for over 39 years. Held in May, it’s a great day of family fun celebrating our native pollinators.

Held the first Saturday after Labor Day since the early 1980s in Lenoir’s Broyhill Walking Park, the indoor/outdoor Sculpture Celebration brings artisans and art lovers together to view sculptures made from metal, wood, found objects and even duct tape. Everything from abstract and contemporary sculptures to more traditional pieces can be found at the competition, which features movable, stationary, indoor and outdoor creations.

Since 2005, Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention has been managed by a group of volunteers who are committed to the preservation and promotion of traditional music.

The Town of Granite Falls proudly presents Splash Bash 2025! A fun-filled celebration marking the grand opening of our brand-new splash pad at Shuford Recreation Center! Join us on May 2, 2025 (rain date: May 9) 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm, for an unforgettable evening. Enjoy live music, delicious food trucks, and unique vendors as you explore the fun! Kids of all ages can enjoy free activity zones, featuring axe throwing, bounce houses, a gaming trailer, and more. For a more inclusive experience, visit our Sensory Zone, a calm and comfortable space designed for our patrons with sensory sensitivities. To cap off the night, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, with a live stream available in the Sensory Zone, ensuring everyone can join in the celebration in a way that suits them best. Bring your family, invite your friends, and help us kick off summer with a splash!