101 North Carolina Festivals: January

African American Cultural Celebration, 2017. Photo by the North Carolina Museum of History.

African American Cultural Celebration

Raleigh | ncmuseumofhistory.org

Join the statewide kickoff to Black History Month at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the 17th annual African American Cultural Celebration will feature more than 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, reenactors, and more.

Chinese Lantern Festival

Cary | boothamphitheatre.com

Join us at the Triangle’s fourth annual Dragon Boat Festival at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheater on September 23. In addition to a full slate of dragon boat races, this celebration of Asian culture includes dozens of live stage performances, games for kids, food vendors, cultural and health information booths, and more. Organized by Asian Focus with races by Pan Am, the festival offers hours of family fun in a beautiful setting while learning about the Triangle’s growing Asian community.

Winterlights

Manteo | elizabethangardens.org

Stroll along enchanted garden paths and discover the joy of the season with holiday lights, sights and sounds transforming The Elizabethan Gardens into an illuminated winter wonderland. The radiant glow of the gardens, traditional holiday décor and fantastical displays are a true spectacle to behold.