Last Updated on June 2, 2021
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The heat has definitely made itself known by the time we get to June in North Carolina. Thanks to all the fun local events and things to do throughout, it’s still one of our favorite times to travel around the state.
And in case you were wondering, we found these things to do in North Carolina in June. As with every other monthly events roundup, we’ve ordered them by starting date and alphabetized by city when events simultaneously occur.
Quite a few of these June events appear in our guide to Summer Things to Do in North Carolina, too!
Things to Do in North Carolina in June
If you’d like to add to our things to do in North Carolina in June and represent a tourism bureau, destination marketing organization, or PR agency, please contact us.
Lavender Picking, Statewide (June 1-30)
Lavender blooms between the months of May and September. However, the best time to see and pick them at these lavender farms is typically in June.
Many of the farms throughout North Carolina offer something unique beyond lavender, too. So grab your scissors and head out to a lavender farm near you!
Graham County Native Azalea Festival, Robbinsville (June 1-15)
The first of our things to do in North Carolina in June is over in Robbinsville. The Graham County town invites folks to come to its Native Azalea Festival. For 2021, it’s both a digital and an in-person event.
Visitors to the area are welcome to hike up Hooper Bald off the Cherohala Skyway for a look at native flame azaleas.
Pride, Statewide (June 1-30)
Many of 2021’s Pride events have been rescheduled for later in the year, but there are still a few in June, which is officially recognized as “Pride Month.” The Run for Love 5K in Raleigh (June 5) and F2FNC: Youth PRIDE Awareness in Charlotte (June 12) are two events that are still happening this month.
Trail Days Festival, Elkin (June 3-6)
Elkin’s Trail Days Festival is a great mix of paddling, hiking (including Stone Mountain State Park), and more fun. A low country boil will kick off the fun at 6:00 pm on the Friday of this four-day June event, with plates available on a pre-purchase basis.
While you’re in the area, one of these Yadkin Valley Wineries will surely be open and ready to help you relax after the excitement! Many are part of the Surry County Wine Trail if you’re up for a challenge.
Art in Bloom, Raleigh (June 3-6 and June 10-13)
Art in Bloom is the NC Museum of Art‘s biggest event, a four-day fundraiser that typically takes place each March. For 2021, the event returns in June over eight days and two weeks.
Art in Bloom is the only event where visitors pay admission to enter the permanent collections. Its purpose is to support the museum.
Taste of Pimento Cheese, Cary (June 4-13)
Taste of Pimento Cheese will pair with Cary‘s amazing restaurants for over a week in June. Academy Street between Dry Ave and Waldo St. Participating restaurants will create dishes that feature pimento cheese and look forward to seeing you visit!
NC Gold Festival, Vein Mountain (June 4-5)
Celebrate our state’s rich history at Vein Mountain’s NC Gold Festival. North Carolina’s “first in gold mining” heritage will be on display and for some interactive fun, festivalgoers can even pan for gold themselves.
Kayak for the Warriors, Pine Knoll Shores (June 5)
Another paddle opportunity awaits on the coast, via Kayak for the Warriors at Pine Knoll Shores. Each sponsored participant will race either a kayak or paddleboard 3.2 miles through the Pine Knoll Shores canals and afterward, an awards ceremony and “Barbecue Feast” will commence.
If you’re in town to enjoy this most exciting of things to do in North Carolina in June, keep Atlantis Lodge on your list of places to stay!
Black Bear Festival, Plymouth (June 5)
The award-winning North Carolina Black Bear Festival returns to Plymouth. Attendees will find over 30 bear-themed activities to celebrate the world’s largest black bears, which happen to live along our coast.
Saddlebred Show, Blowing Rock (June 10-13)
Known as “One Week of Glitz and Glam,” Blowing Rock’s Saddlebred Show is a segment of its Charity Horse Show. Held at L.M. Tate Horse Show Grounds, spectators will get a look at some of the finest horses and ponies competing for prizes.
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Morehead City (June 11-20)
The Big Rock Tournament has long been a fixture on anglers’ lists of things to do in North Carolina in June. It returns for its 63rd year and many boats will leave Morehead City in the hopes of snagging a prize marlin.
You can watch the action from Morehead, too, with events held throughout the week.
Maritime Day, Beaufort (June 12)
The NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort will be hosting its free Maritime Day. Folks who attend can sail in wooden boats, cast a line, enjoy games. Of course, you can just relax by the water with a picnic.
Blowing Rock Art in the Park, Blowing Rock (June 12)
The second of six outdoor shows, Art in the Park in Blowing Rock will host more than 90 artists and thousands of visitors. You’ll have opportunities to buy unique handcrafted pieces that you can take home from this mountain town.
Depot District Music Fest, Lexington (June 12)
The Depot District Music Fest in Lexington will touch multiple genres and appeal to all music fans. Gates will open at 2:00 pm and this festival ends at around 9:00 pm.
Grammy-nominated artist Black Violin will headline the festival, making this one of the hottest tickets of the summer.
While you’re in Lexington, check out these fun things to do in June (and beyond) that include barbecue, wine, and more!
Arts by the Sea, Swansboro (June 12)
Head to the amazing coastal town of Swansboro for its annual “Arts By The Sea” festival. Event highlights include a juried exhibition of photography, home decor, paintings, jewelry, and pottery.
Blueberry Picking, Statewide (June 15-August)
The season for blueberries lasts from mid-June to August and we have some amazing farms for blueberry picking. In case you’re trying to find where to start, our guide lists some of the best blueberry farms you’ll find in this state.
North Carolina Rhododendron Festival, Bakersville (June 18-19)
Bakersville’s Rhododendron Festival takes us to the mountains, where you can enjoy a craft fair, music, a car show, and a 10k run. Plus, don’t forget about the event’s long-standing pageant, which provides scholarship opportunities for the area’s young women.
While enjoying this most beautiful of things to do in North Carolina in June, pop over to Burnsville and Yancey County for art, hikes, and more!
Doc Watson Day, Boone (June 18)
To commemorate one of NC’s best musicians, Friday, June 18 is known as Doc Watson Day. At 7:00 pm, a free, live-streamed concert from the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone will kick off.
Hosts Patrick and Kay Crouch will be featured, followed by a video montage with greetings and pre-recorded performances from some of Doc’s friends and protégés, and concerts from The Burnett Sisters Band & Colin Ray and Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road.
Cherry Bounce Festival, Forest City (June 18-19)
The Cherry Bounce Festival in Forest City brings local and regional art, live music (including Acoustic Syndicate), and tons of cherry-inspired food and drink together over a couple of days.
Folks who attend should also be on the lookout, as there will be an appearance from Moonshiners stars Patti Bryan and her dad, David Parker.
Greenville Grooves Music Festival, Greenville (June 18)
The 7th annual Greenville Grooves Music Festival returns with rain-or-shine entertainment for everyone. During this event from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Carroll Dashiell returns to the stage. Food, drink, and more vendors will be waiting for you to stop by, too!
Check out these other exciting things to do in Greenville (including restaurants) while you’re in the area!
Fridays in the Park, West Jefferson (June 18)
For the second time in 2021, the Ashe County Arts Council has teamed up with Ashe County Parks and Rec to provide outdoor entertainment for all! For this edition of Fridays in the Park, you can enjoy a free concert with Steve Lewis and Bluegrass, Inc.
Registration is required before attending.
Celtic Party Extraordinaire, Franklin (June 19)
In lieu of their annual Taste of Scotland Festival, a Celtic Party Extraordinaire will take over the town of Franklin this June. Held on Stewart Street, music and food complement librations at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub to make this one of the most festive June events!
Summer Solstice Festival, Greensboro (June 19)
And if you want to celebrate the season’s official start, check out the Summer Solstice Festival in Greensboro. Headline events at the Greensboro Arboretum and Lindley Park include a drum circle, parade, and “Fire Finale” for this event, which is one of the hottest things to do in North Carolina in June.
Juneteenth Celebrations, Statewide (June 19)
While the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t actually read to enslaved people in Texas until June 19, 1865. Each year on June 19 and on dates throughout June, Juneteenth Celebrations are held throughout the US and North Carolina, too.
Under the Oaks Art Festival, Corolla (June 22-23)
For two days in Corolla, check out fine art and wildlife art in one of the state’s best settings at the Under the Oaks Arts Festival.
The work of over 50 artists will join food concessions and a silent auction that benefits Whalehead, the famous “mansion by the sea” that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
State Annual Singing Convention, Benson (June 25-27)
The State Annual Singing Convention in Downtown Benson began with just two choirs and has grown into one of the largest and oldest gospel sings in the US. Join thousands of people who are expected to attend this outdoor event (bring lawn chairs) in one of the area’s most beautiful settings.
Pots on the Green, Cashiers (June 25-26)
Celebrate Western North Carolina’s pottery heritage at Pots on the Green in Cashiers. Featured artisans will provide demonstrations and lead talks for those who attend this awesome ceramic art show!
Backwoods Beat Music & Art Festival, Sparta (June 26)
The last of our things to do in North Carolina in June takes place Sparta, Alleghany County. The Backwoods Beat Music & Art Festival honors TJ Worthington, a local legend who made quite an impact on the area.
Attendees can enjoy music, a songwriting competition, and a workshop dedicated to Worthington.
Singing on the Mountain, Banner Elk (June 27)
Singing on the Mountain is one of the longest-running things to do in North Carolina in June. This is a free gospel music festival that happens each year in Banner Elk.
Not only is this one of NC’s oldest events, Singing on the Mountain is one the longest-running of its kind in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Got Things to Do in North Carolina in June to Add?
Summer has truly arrived, with all these things to do in North Carolina in June. You might even think this is the hottest month of the year. Let’s see what July holds, though, because based on what we wrote about summer, there’s much more fun left during one of the year’s busiest seasons.
And before we move on, which of these events stands out to you? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments section.
Oh, and is there something we should add to this list? If so, let us know about it here or via email and we’ll gladly take a look!
