From quilt shows and folk festivals to watermelon celebrations, these August events in North Carolina are fun for the whole family:
North Carolina Watermelon Festival
July 29-Aug. 1, 2026, Murfreesboro
Summer in North Carolina isn’t complete without watermelon, and the juicy fruit has a whole celebration in Murfreesboro. Now in its 41st year, the festival invites you to get your fill of watermelon while listening to live music or watching the Watermelon Parade. Guests can enjoy festival fare at the food court, catch some thrills on the rides or compete in the watermelon-eating or watermelon seed-spitting contests. Don’t miss the crowning of the Little Farmer and Little Miss Farmer as well as the Watermelon Queen.
Visit ncwatermelonfest.com or call (252) 398-7695 for more information.
Mountain Piecemakers Quilt Guild Annual Quilt Show
Aug. 7-8, 2026, Burnsville
The Mountain Piecemakers Quilt Guild is hosting the 70th annual quilt show this August at the Burnsville Town Center during the Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair. The show features large and small bed quilts, wall hangings, modern quilts, fiber arts and challenge quilts with the theme “Take Flight.” The Mountain Piecemakers Quilt Guild booth at Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair will also feature numerous handcrafted items.
The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Purchase tickets to learn more at mountainpiecemakersquiltguild.
Ocracoke Fig Festival
Aug. 6-8, 2026, Ocracoke
Take a trip to Ocracoke Island, the land of the figs. Every year, village locals and visitors from all around gather for the island’s traditional fig festival. Don’t miss the fig marketplace, which offers fig trees, preserves and other treats for sale, or the kid-friendly activities, including old-fashioned crafts, games and live music. The main event of this fig-tastic festival is the Fig Cake Bake-Off, which is open to all participants who can submit a cake for the traditional and/or innovative cake categories. Plus, after judging, there are free cake samples to go around. Mark your calendars and plan your visit – head to visitocracokenc.com/calendar-event/ocracoke-fig-festival for more information.
Brew & Choo Festival
August 8, 2026, Spencer
Visit the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer this August for the Brew & Choo Festival. Craft brewers will be onsite for visitors to purchase and sample their original ales. Enhance your experience by purchasing a train ride ticket. While aboard, you’ll get to sample brews crafted specially for this event. It’s a one-of-a-kind beer tasting experience you’re sure to raise your glass to. Train ride times are 4:30, 5:45 and 7 p.m. Seating is limited, so hurry before tickets sell out.
The festival will also include a variety of food trucks serving up delicious pairings. Enjoy lawn games and other activities like Balloon Twister at this family-friendly event.
Note: Table seats are purchased individually. Parties wishing to purchase seats together at the same table are encouraged to purchase under one ticket order to assure being seated together. If a party does not purchase all tickets at a table, there is the possibility of another party purchasing the remaining tickets at the table.
The festival takes place from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for guests age 21 and up and free for those age 20 and under. These prices do not include taxes or fees. Learn more at nctransportationmuseum.org/
Auto Shows at the N.C. Transportation Museum
Aug. 8, 15, 2026, Spencer
This car show is open to all Fords and all Ford orphans. The largest of the museum’s car shows, this event grows each year, usually featuring more than 100 cars. The All GM Show, set for Aug. 8, 2026, features GM vehicle owners in the spotlight, with an awesome collection of Chevys, Buicks, GMCs, and Cadillacs. At the All MOPAR Show on Aug. 15, 2026, enthusiasts of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT®, and Mopar® come together for this annual event sponsored by the Carolina Plymouth Car Club.
To register your vehicle, contact Dick Goho at (315) 771-7322 or email rbg204@yahoo.com.
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