Must-See Events in North Carolina

Centered on the agricultural heritage of the state, this fair in Raleigh features a Folk Festival, Historic Village, Animal Ark, and garden show among its many attractions. Livestock competitions vie for your attention amid career counseling and firework displays. Children will be enthralled by the Grandstand Shows, a plethora of free entertainment and carnival rides, not to mention Kiddieland Fun Park.

Deep in North Carolina's Hendersonville, the state's Apple Festival tempts visitors much like the fruit did our Biblical ancestors. Responsible for its fiendish allure are a street fair and arts and crafts stalls, besides myriad apple-related edibles. The highlight of the festival is the King Apple Parade, which culminates at the Historic Courthouse on the town's charming Main Street. The festival also puts growers in touch with the local community, fostering sustainable living and local pride.

Take the kids to Tiki Pier at Carolina Beach, where live music works together with sea, sand, and sunshine to produce blissful results. Surf bands draw fans of beach music like wave riders to a roller. The pier itself bobs along with the rhythm of the dancers, which can make it feel a little like bobbing about on the ocean.

Every spring and fall, thousands of music fans congregate at Silk Hope. Situated on an idyllic 75-acre farm, the festival takes place over the course of four days. Kids' activities, dance workshops, and instrument making are among the alternative attractions at this unique festival that will entertain your entire family.

Durham's contribution to North Carolina's outdoor festival scene takes place on Wednesday evenings throughout June and July. Concerts are held on the lawn adjacent the Doris Duke Center, providing the ideal opportunity to gather and enjoy live music in a serene natural setting.

In contrast with the pastoral vibes of North Carolina's other outdoor festivals, Benson's version takes place in the heart of the city. This way, should the weather turn, the show will go on in a comfortable indoor venue. Local performers draw crowds from across the state to this summer crowdpleaser.

Charlotte's outdoor event heralds the beginning of summer. Located on a rooftop terrace in town, this concert offers plenty of live music, grilling, and drinking in the beer and wine garden. Grab a wristband and move freely between all the EpiCentre bars without having to pay entry. The festival runs every Thursday throughout August.

Raleigh's three-day music festival is another pleasing jam between the musical and visual arts. SiteWork, for instance, is a local artist group developing the cultural and conceptual landscape of the city, and POSTERscotch sees local artists sell handmade posters. Meanwhile, various record labels and promoters organize parties throughout the festival. The final string to the festival's bow is its design component, which brings together designers working in all fields.

Hosted by Grammy winner Don Watson in honor of his son Eddy Merle Watson, this annual music festival still draws hordes of traditional music fans to Wilkesboro. Genres span blues, folk, Cajun, and Celtic, and the festival is famous for unlikely onstage jams such as the Grateful Dead performing with Sam Bush. Famous headliners have included Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, and Elvis Costello, to name but a few.

North Carolina's premier rock and heavy metal festival has seen such headliners as Skillet, Korn, Papa Roach, The Deathtones, Marilyn Manson, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. You'll find that even the backup acts are a who's who of the genre, making this festival a must for metal fans hailing from far beyond the state periphery.