Mark your calendars for these fun and family-friendly events happening across North Carolina in April.
North Carolina Azalea Festival
Wilmington, April 8-12, 2026, Wilmington
Touted as one of the best festivals in the South, the North Carolina Azalea Festival is a full week of natural beauty, big-name entertainment, festive galas, fun family events and more. Guests will enjoy community pride and springtime pageantry.
Learn more about the festival at ncazaleafestival.org.
See more: Why You Should Attend the North Carolina Azalea Festival
Pig Cookin’ Contest
Newport, April 10-11, 2024
Go hog wild this April in Newport, when it celebrates the 48th anniversary of one of the largest whole hog, pig-cooking competitions in the country. Each year, more than 60 cooks enter this Coastal Carolina cook-off with hopes of winning the title of perfect pig.
The contest, which began in 1978 to raise funds for a local school, has continued the tradition of giving back to the local community and has even been dubbed the nation’s largest all-volunteer nonprofit whole-hog contest.
For more information about this year’s contest, including a full schedule of events, visit newportpigcooking.com.
Oriental In-Water Boat Show & Nautical Flea Market
Oriental, April 10-12, 2026
Visit this historic fishing and boating village for the three-day Oriental In-Water Boat Show & Nautical Flea Market. Highlights include boat dealers, several vendors offering nautical goods for sale, food vendors and a nautical flea market. The show takes place Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekend admission tickets cost $10 on Friday and Saturday and $5 on Sunday. Tickets for children ages 12 and under are free.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit orientalboatshow.com.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherryville, April 24-25, 2025
Welcome the spring season at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Cherryville this April. The annual community event features fun for the whole family. Attendees will enjoy more than 100 craft and commercial vendors, games, rides, the Little Miss Cherry Blossom Pageant, live music, an antique car and truck show, and more.
For more details, visit cityofcherryville.com for more information.
Farmville Dogwood Festival
Farmville, April 23-26, 2026
For more than 35 years, the annual Farmville Dogwood Festival has been drawing visitors to the town commons. The event centers around an arts and crafts pavilion featuring artisans from throughout the area and products such as jewelry, woodworking, pottery, stained glass and more.
Don’t miss the annual Market on Main event, sponsored by the May Museum & Park, Farmville Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, and Farmville Community Arts Council. Guests can enjoy live demonstrations, living-history expos and open-air artists that will include blacksmithing, weavers and more. For more information, call (252) 753-6725, email lannis@farmvillenc.gov or visit farmvilledogwoodfest.com.
BloomFest
Raseboro, April 24-25, 2026
Celebrate the arrival of springtime at Roseboro’s annual BloomFest, a two-day event packed with activities for visitors of all ages. The free, family-friendly festival features local merchants, arts and crafts, musical performances, children’s activities, food trucks, and more. This year’s event is slated for April 24-25, with a kickoff concert by Too Much Sylvia from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, followed by the main festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
For more details, visit roseboronc.com/bloomfest or call 910-525-4121.
Liberty Antiques Festival
Staley, April 24-25, 2026
Held on the 100-acre Pike Family Farm near downtown Liberty, the Liberty Antiques Festival welcomes 400 antiques dealers from more than 25 states for a biannual event that’s been voted the best antiques show in the Mid-Atlantic region. The festival features an assortment of treasures, including 18th- to 20th-century furniture, jewelry, quilts, art, military items, pottery, toys, clocks and much more. There are no crafts or reproductions at this event – just acres of authentic antiques and collectibles. The spring festival takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, and admission is $10 for adults and free for children under 12. For more information, visit libertyantiquesfestival.com or call 800-626-2672.
Daniel Davenport Festival
Creswell, April 25, 2026
The Daniel Davenport Homestead in Creswell is celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026 with this special event commemorating the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers. The America 250 NC Washington County 250th Committee and the Washington County Historical Society are teaming up to host historical demonstrations and living histories, including musket demonstrations, as well as musical performances, tours of the homestead and other presentations.
The Albemarle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Brick House Landing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will also hold a wreath-laying ceremony at 2 p.m., honoring Daniel Davenport’s service in the NC 5th Regiment. The festival is free, and there will be a food truck on-site. For information about the festival and more America 250 NC events across the state, visit america250.nc.gov.
North Carolina Tribute Festival to the King
Lexington, April 25-27, 2026
The North Carolina Tribute Festival to the King features headliner concerts with renowned Elvis tribute artists, along with contests involving up-and-coming Elvises. These “Kings in waiting” range from age 8 to 48, and they will vie for prize money and the chance to advance to the world championships in Memphis, Tennessee.
Events conclude Sunday with the headliners performing a collection of Elvis’ top gospel songs. Main Street businesses go all-out with Elvis window displays, Elvis-themed menu items and even a pig statue (to join the others throughout downtown) in a white jumpsuit and shades known as Elvis Porksley. The festival also has a neat historical tie: Lexington hosted Elvis himself in 1956, when he played a sold-out concert at the YMCA. Learn more at visitlexingtonnc.com/nctributetotheking.
North Carolina Pickle Festival
Mount Olive, April 25, 2026
Pickle fans won’t want to miss the North Carolina Pickle Festival in downtown Mount Olive this spring. The festival kicks off on Friday evening from 5 to 10 p.m. with live music, carnival rides, concessions and the Cuke Patch 5K. The fun continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the main events, including a pickle-eating contest, the “Tour de Pickle” bicycle ride, a car show, artisan vendors, music and much more.
For more information, visit ncpicklefest.org or call (919) 658-3113.
Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival
Spruce Pine, April 25, 2026
Celebrate the art of the blacksmith at the annual Fire on the Mountain, held in Spruce Pine near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The festival is celebrated all month long with the annual blacksmith exhibit at the Toe River Arts Council, which partners with Spruce Pine Main Street and Penland School of Crafts to put on the event. Fire on the Mountain culminates on the last Saturday of April with a free festival in downtown Spruce Pine featuring blacksmithing demonstrations, forging competitions, master blacksmith lectures at Penland, goods for purchase, food and entertainment.
To learn more about this year’s festivities, visit discoversprucepinenc.com or call (828) 765-3008.
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