20+ Fun Things to Do in North Carolina in February 2025

Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on January 27, 2025.

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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

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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.

Johnston County Heritage Center Black History Program

2025 Event Dates: February 27, 2025
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.

One particularly special event is at the JC Heritage Center on February 27. The PBS documentary “Fat Boy: The Billy Stewart Story,” will be screened. The film is about a nationally known R&B musician who tragically died in an accident near Smithfield in 1970.

Following the movie, the film’s writer and producer, Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, will lead a panel discussion.

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

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:

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!

Ice Fest Weekend in Haywood County

2025 Event Dates: January 30 to February 2, 2025
Event Info

Continuing the fun from the end of January is Ice Fest Weekend in Haywood County! There are also some new events added this year, including a Cool Jazz concert at HART Theatre in Waynesville and a Visit Haywood Ice Stroll in downtown Waynesville.

Returning festivities include live ice carving demonstrations, ice games, and a host of vendors at the Maggie Valley Ice Festival. The fun continues around Haywood County, with an ice skating rink in Canton, a “Frosty 5K” in Clyde, the Cataloochee Ski Torch Run, and more!

Astronomy Days in Raleigh

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

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!

Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City

2025 Event Dates: February 1 to 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

Johnnie Mercers Pier Dogfish Tournament in Wrightsville Beach

2025 Event Date: February 1, 2025
Event Info

The annual Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Annual Dogfish Tournament will host hundreds of anglers with cash prizes distributed by raffle drawing.

Note: All fish entered must be released alive to be considered for prizes.

Inside the snack bar area, there will be some additional family-friendly fishing fun to congratulate the winners of this Wrightsville Beach event.

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!

NCL Fishing Tournament at High Rock Lake

2025 Event Dates: February 7-8, 2025
Event Info

The National Crappie League (NCL) is hosting a fishing event for amateur and semi-professional anglers, with cash, prizes, and a chance to qualify for the NCL National Championship on the line.

High Rock Lake is a sought-after spot for both black crappie and white crappie, and anglers are recognizing the lake as a choice destination for crappie fishing during winter months.

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

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.

GAA Classic Cars Auction in Greensboro

2025 Event Dates: February 20-22, 2025
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!

Anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

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

Moores Creek National Battlefield NC Revolutionary War Sites

The Anniversary Celebration of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge commemorates the first significant victory for American soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Held on the same grounds where the famous battle took place, there will be historical reenactments, educational programs, guided tours, and other family-friendly activities. If you’re a history lover (or not), we think you’ll love learning about this crucial battle in our fight for Independence.

Mardi Gras By the Sea on Oak Island

2025 Event Date: February 22, 2025
Event Info

One of Oak Island’s most anticipated events is Mardi Gras by the Sea, and it’s back for 2025!

The fun begins with a traditional parade, and it ends at the Middleton Park Complex. There, a host of food vendors, a craft market, fun “Kids Zone” and live music from local bands all await.

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.

Tidewater Camellia Club Show in Wilmington

2025 Event Dates: February 22, 2025
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.

The day begins with a judged camellia bloom show in the morning and opens to the public afterward. This FREE event is sure to be a bloomin’ good time!

Yadkin Winter Reds in Yadkin County

2025 Event Dates: February 22-23 and March 1-2, 2025
Event Info

Kid Friendly Wineries in North Carolina Divine Llama

A popular event returns to Yadkin County, showcasing some of NC’s finest wineries, including Divine Llama, Laurel Gray, and more.

“Yadkin Winter Reds” will be held over two weekends (February 22-23 & March 1-2, 2025) and will pair Yadkin Valley wineries with a small serving dish.

After purchasing your ticket, you’ll be assigned to a “starting winery” where you’ll receive a souvenir wine glass and event map. You can join the fun on Saturday, February 22, from Noon to 5:00 pm and on Sunday, February 23, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

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.

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