Celebrate this summer staple at one of North Carolina’s annual watermelon festivals.
40th Annual Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival
July 26, Riverside Drive in Fair Bluff
Venture to Fair Bluff for a time-honored tradition of the Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival. The origins of the event began as early as 1979 when two best friends, Monroe Enzor, Sr. and A.J. Worley, spent the summer comparing watermelons that they grew. The event itself was born in the summer of 1986 and 2025 marks the 40th annual event. Hosted by the Fair Bluff Watermelon Growers Association, the festival includes watermelon quality contests, biggest melon contest and, of course, watermelon eating. Don’t miss the parade or duck races.
fairbluffwatermelonfestival.org
40th Annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival
July 30-Aug. 2, Main Street in Murfreesboro Historic District
Don’t miss the 40th Annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro this summer. Enjoy a shrimp dinner, live music, festival market, foot court, pageants, free watermelon samples and more. The event runs Wednesday from 4 to 10:30 p.m., Thursday from 6 to 10:30 p.m., Friday from noon to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Outer Banks Watermelon Festival
Aug. 1, Jockey’s Ridge Crossing, 3933 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head
Head to Kitty Hawk Aug. 1 for the 19th Annual Outer Banks Watermelon Festival. Enjoy a tie-dye station, watermelon-themed competitions, a splash pad, food trucks, a rock wall, arts and crafts and more. The festival is happening Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
kittyhawk.com/event/outer-banks-watermelon-festival
40th Annual Winterville Watermelon Festival
Aug. 21-24, 324 Sylvania St. in Winterville
Mark your calendar for a late August fest that you don’t want to miss. Enjoy live music, Watermelon Parade, watermelon-eating contest, carnival rides, games, food vendors, a flea market and more. The event is happening Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. (rides only), Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
