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20+ Fun Things to Do in North Carolina in February (Updated for 2024)

Published by Christina. Last Updated on November 11, 2024.

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February in North Carolina is for romantics and for officially celebrating Black history, even if both deserve recognition throughout the year. Beyond the romance and important historic places, there are other fun things to do in North Carolina in February.

Winter’s last full month is also filled with events that’ll help you keep warm inside or celebrate the cold weather outside. Yes, there are plunges and races to go along with indoor expos and we’ve got them all here.

We hope these things to do in North Carolina in February will keep you busy enough not to think about spring being around the corner.

As you’ll see with previous monthly roundups, we’ve ordered these February events by starting date and alphabetized by city.

Because there are lots of fun things going on, we’ve organized this post into the following sections:

  • Black History Month Events
  • Winter Sports (NBA, NCAA Basketball, and Hockey)
  • More Things to Do in North Carolina in February

Read More: The NC Tripping Events Calendar

Things to Do in North Carolina in February

Note: If you represent a tourism bureau, destination marketing organization, or PR agency and want placement here, please visit this page for more info.

Black History Month Events

Things to Do in North Carolina in February
This sign commemorates Black Wall Street in Durham.

Celebrate Black history, culture, and African American-owned businesses by attending these events across North Carolina in February.

African American Heritage Festival in Charlotte

2025 Event Dates: February 20-22, 2025
Event Info

Celebrate Charlotte’s Black History at the Charlotte Museum of History at the annual African American Heritage Festival. The 2024 event will include art, music, food and more! Admission is free.

Read More: Important Places to Visit and Learn Black History in North Carolina

Johnston County Heritage Center Black History Program

2025 Event Dates: TBD
Event Info

Activities and events are held around the county during the month. Among them, the Johnston County Heritage Center and the Benson Museum of Local History both have Black History programs. 

NC Black Heritage Festival in Concord

2025 Event Dates: TBD
Event Info

The NC Black Heritage Festival will feature 100 black-owned vendors selling crafts, food, and more!

Admission to the festival is FREE, and there are plenty of activities for children, including limbo, a pie-eating contest, and games.

Winter Sports During February in North Carolina

Skiing and snow tubing may be winding down but other winter sports continue to shine during February in North Carolina. We start with the hardest-hitting teams in the business.

Hockey (All Month)

Things to Do in Raleigh NC Carolina Hurricanes Game

Seeing the Carolina Hurricanes is one of the best things to do in Raleigh. Here’s how their home schedule looks in February 2025:

  • Los Angeles Kings (February 1)
  • Utah Hockey Club (February 8)
  • Buffalo Sabres (February 27)

Carolina Hurricanes Ticket Info

Minor League Hockey will also be in full swing in February and throughout the winter months. Keep an eye out for these teams’ home games this January:

Read More: Things to Do in Fayetteville

NBA Basketball (All Month)

Not to be overshadowed by the NCAAs, watching NBA basketball’s Charlotte Hornets is one of the best things to do in North Carolina in February.

At least a few of these games at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte will pique your interest:

  • Denver Nuggets (February 1)
  • Washington Wizards (February 3)
  • Milwaukee Bucks (February 5)
  • San Antonio Spurs (February 7)

Charlotte Hornets Ticket Info

NCAA Basketball (All Month)

Spring in North Carolina College Basketball Duke

Men’s and Women’s college basketball conference play will already be hot by February in North Carolina. Here’s a refresher on the conferences and teams that represent universities and colleges throughout the state:

  • American Athletic Conference (AAC)
    • Charlotte 49ers
    • East Carolina Pirates
  • Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
    • Duke Blue Devils
    • NC State Wolfpack
    • UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Heels
    • Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  • Atlantic Sun Conference (ASun)
    • Queens Royals
  • Atlantic 10 Conference
    • Davidson Wildcats
  • Big South Conference
    • Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
    • High Point Panthers
    • UNC-Asheville Bulldogs
  • Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
    • Campbell Fighting Camels
    • Elon Phoenix
    • North Carolina A&T Aggies
    • UNC-Wilmington Seahawks
  • Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
    • North Carolina Central Eagles
  • Southern Conference
    • UNC-Greensboro Spartans
    • Western Carolina Catamounts
  • Sun Belt Conference
    • Appalachian State Mountaineers

Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)

More Fun Things to Do in North Carolina in February

These things to do in North Carolina in February will also keep your calendar occupied.

Plan a Romantic Getaway (ALL Month and ALL Year)

Things to Do in North Carolina in February Lakeview at Fontana Romantic Getaway
Lakeview at Fontana.

We think you should always have a romantic getaway in mind, and February is a great opportunity to get started. Some of our favorites include the following:

Read More: 25 Wonderful Weekend Getaways in North Carolina (For Families, Couples, or Just Yourself!)

Ice Skating at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte

2025 Event Dates: Through Mid-February 2025

This February event started in mid-November and continued through January and December. Check their schedule for the final days.

Spend the perfect family afternoon together on over 24,000 square feet of ice at the US National Whitewater Center! Hold hands as you skate across the USNWC’s upper pond and stop by their on-ice Airstream for a hot cup of cocoa.

Read More: Kid-friendly Events in North Carolina!

North Carolina Jazz Festival in Wilmington

2025 Event Dates: February 6-8, 2025
Event Info

The North Carolina Jazz Festival is celebrated with three days of extravagance at Hotel Ballast in Wilmington. With well-known jazz artists from around the world, the festival guarantees a trip of nonstop music!

Of all the things to do in North Carolina in February, you won’t want to miss this event during any typical year. It is the largest of its kind in the Southeast!

American Indian Powwow in Durham

2025 Event Date: February 8, 2025
Event Info

Learn about Native American traditions through music, dance, arts and crafts, and authentic cuisine at the NC School of Science and Mathematics American Indian Powwow.

This annual event focuses on the region’s history and guests of all backgrounds and ages are encouraged to attend.

Read More: Interesting Facts About North Carolina

Astronomy Days in Raleigh

2025 Event Dates: February 1 & 2, 2025
Event Info

Raleigh Museum of Natural Sciences1

Get to see the bigger picture at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences during Astronomy Days. During this free event, stations across the museum allow guests to interact, learn and ponder.

Create a rocket, play a Jeopardy-style game from the Raleigh Astronomy Club, and learn about constellations during the out-of-this-world and kid-friendly fun!

Read More: 10 of the Best Museums in Raleigh, NC (Downtown and Beyond)

Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City

2025 Event Dates: February 1 & 2, 2025
Event Info

What sweeter way is there to kick off February than at the Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City? With proceeds going to charities and scholarships to local high school seniors, attendees can enjoy life’s sweetest indulgence while giving back to the community.

Participate in the Cocoa 5 or, prepare for the bake-off! Either way, you are bound to have the best chocolate experience of your life during this two-day event!

Read More: Awesome Things to Do in Wilmington

Uncorked Wine and Rail Pairing Experience in Bryson City

2025 Event Dates: TBD
Event Info

Things to Do in North Carolina in February Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Bryson City

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day weekend than with primo vino and choo-choos in Bryson City? The annual Uncorked Wine and Rail Pairing Experience on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is an experience of culinary delight.

Book the February train ride to be treated to carefully selected wines and an accompanying freshly-prepared meal while chugging along through the beautiful mountains.

Read More: 45+ Stunning Blue Ridge Parkway Stops in North Carolina

Mardi Gras in New Bern

2025 Event Date: TBD
Event Info

New Bern’s Ghent Neighborhood Association is putting on its seventh annual Mardi Gras. The festival will start at 11:00 a.m. with fun throughout the day until 5:00 p.m.

The Mardi Gras Mile race along the parade route allows you to run in the middle of the festival with the crowds cheering you on. The race starts at 2:15 p.m.

Read More: 30+ Amazing NC Coastal Towns (+ Things to Do in Each One!)

Carolina Alpaca Celebration in Concord

2025 Event Dates: February 8 & 9. 2025
Event Info

February Things to Do in North Carolina Carolina Alpaca Celebration Concord NC Image
“Alpaca your bags and come see me?”

Are you ready for an adventure? Alpaca your bags because the largest camelid event in the Southeast is in Concord!

FREE to the public, attendees of the Carolina Alpaca Celebration can participate in educational seminars and classes, and watch over 600 registered alpacas in the Halter Show.

Read More: Restaurants in Concord and Breweries in Concord

Fearrington Folk Art Show in Pittsboro

2025 Event Dates: February 22 & 23, 2025
Event Info

Invigorate your creativity during the annual Fearrington Folk Art Show! Featuring self-taught artists, this weekend-long event brings an eclectic group together to showcase the best of their work.

The February event is perfect for people living near Pittsboro and if you’re staying at the Fearrington House Inn.

Read More: 50+ of the Best Day Trips from Durham

Outhouse Races in Sapphire

2025 Event Date: February 15, 2025
Event Info

We know February in North Carolina can leave a lot of people restless. So Sapphire Valley has found the perfect cure for boredom—race outhouses down the slopes!

Yep, you can slap some skis on a wooden outhouse and downhill your way to a win! Streamed on WNC Live, proceeds of Outhouse Races go to the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau.

Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina

GAA Classic Cars Auction in Greensboro

2024 Event Dates: February 22-24, 2024
Event Info

Check out the GAA Classic Cars Auction in Greensboro if you’re a classic car lover. With over 650 vehicles, attendees to this event can either drool over the classic cars or put in their bid for the auction.

This is the largest classic car auction in North Carolina and an impressive February event!

Read More: Fun Museums in Greensboro (Kid-Friendly, Contemporary Art, and More!)

Tidewater Camellia Club Show in Wilmington

2024 Event Dates: February 23 & 24, 2024
Event Info

Celebrating 70 years of all things camellia, the Tidewater Camellia Club Show brings judges, exhibitors, and enthusiasts from across the country to the largest event of its kind to Wilmington.

With hands-on workshops, floral arrangements, an art show, and camellias for sale, this FREE event is sure to be a bloomin’ good time!

Read More: The Best Restaurants In Wilmington (and Surrounding Beach Towns)

Ready for These Exciting Things to Do in North Carolina in February?

February in NC is a wonderful and busy time for everyone. We look forward to enjoying these local events and festivals while searching for more to share with you. 

Before looking ahead to our future adventures in March and beyond, we’d love to know what’s on your mind. Which of these fun things to do in North Carolina in February will you be attending?

Also, what events do you think we should add to this list? Let us know in the comments section, and please share your February in NC adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group.

Note: If you’re reaching out on behalf of a business, PR agency, or DMO, please visit this page.

More North Carolina Things to Do in February (and Beyond!)

We’ve featured many popular ways to enjoy February in NC in many of our North Carolina Travel Guides. Here are a few of them.