101 North Carolina Festivals: July

Lumbee Homecoming. Photo by Richard Mathis Photography.

Lumbee Homecoming

Sponsored by Lumbee River EMC
Pembroke | lumbeehomecoming.com

The Lumbee Homecoming includes the Miss Lumbee Pageant and the Annual Lumbee Pow-Wow, the largest attended American Indian event in NC. These events help the tribe keep its culture and history alive by showcasing social, economic, cultural, and educational contributions to surrounding communities.

An Appalachian Summer Festival

Boone | appsummer.org

Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, this annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming.

Folkmoot USA

Sponsored by Haywood EMC
Waynesville | folkmoot.org

An international folk festival celebrating the people of the mountains of Western North Carolina. Every July.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

MacRae Meadows near Linville | gmhg.org

A 4-day Scottish festival held each year on the second full weekend in July in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

NC Peach Festival

Candor | ncpeachfestival.com

Candor's history is steeped in peach growing tradition. Be a part of a true southern favorite this July! Parade, live music, peach cooking contest, helicopter rides, Peachy Feet 5k and more. Bring your lawn chair, so that you can sit down and enjoy some out-of-this-world homemade peach ice cream, plus some fantastic live entertainment!

NC Watermelon Festival

Sponsored by Brunswick Electic
Fair Bluff | fairbluffwatermelonfestival.org

Nothing is finer than a sweet watermelon from the Carolinas! The North Carolina Watermelon Festival in Fair Bluff is held annually the 3rd weekend in July.

Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival

Ridgeway | ridgewayhistoricalsociety.com

Festival includes the Cantaloupe 5K races and the Cornhole Tournament. Enjoy Brunswick stew, hot dogs, festival refreshments — and of course, cataloupe! Historical displays, local entertainment, kiddie rides, horseback rides, and arts and crafts vendors.