The heat of summer 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.
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.
- Featured June Events in North Carolina (Partners)
- Things to Do in North Carolina in June (All Month)
- First Weekend of June (June 4-7, 2026)
- Second Weekend of June (June 12-14, 2026)
- Third Weekend of June (June 19-21, 2026)
- Fourth Weekend of June (June 26-28, 2026)
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Featured June Events in NC (Partners)
We love promoting local events in NC and would love to add yours to our featured section here and on our calendar. Check out this page regarding submissions, and let’s talk more!
Trail Days Festival in Elkin
2026 Event Dates: June 4-7, 2026
Event Info
North Carolina Trail Days in Elkin is a multi-day event with a great mix of outdoor activities, including paddling, hiking (including Stone Mountain State Park), mountain biking, running and more. There also have activities for kids, making it a family-friendly event.
While you’re in the Surry County area, one of these Yadkin Valley Wineries will surely be open and ready to help you relax after the excitement! If you’re up for a challenge, many are part of the Surry County Wine Trail.
Read More: Colorful Fall Hikes in North Carolina
NC Gold Festival in Marion
2026 Event Dates: June 5-6, 2026
Event Info
Celebrate our state’s rich history at the NC Gold Festival in Marion. North Carolina’s “first in gold mining” heritage will be on display here with mining equipment and demos. For some interactive fun, festival-goers can even pan for gold themselves.
Read More: How to See Tom’s Creek Falls in Marion (and Why We Love It!)
Month-Long June Events in North Carolina
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 May and September. However, the best time to see and pick these beautiful flowers at these lavender farms is typically in June.
Many of the farms in North Carolina offer more than just lavender picking, from culinary treats to baby farm animals. Grab your scissors and head out to a lavender farm near you!
Blueberry Picking Statewide (June 15-August)
The North Carolina blueberry picking season lasts from mid-June to August. We have some truly great farms for blueberry picking. If you’re looking to plan your blueberry picking visually, our map lists some of the best blueberry farms you’ll find in this state.
Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map
Pride Events in North Carolina
June, officially recognized as “Pride Month,” features many Pride events in North Carolina. Here are a few that we know about.
- Run for Love 5K in Raleigh (June 6)
- Apex Pride Festival (June 13)
- Winston-Salem Pride (June 13)
- Out! Raleigh Pride (June 26-27)
- Boone Pride (June 27)
- Fayetteville Pride (June 27)
Notable Pride Events NOT happening in June include the Blue Ridge Pride Festival in Asheville (September 26-27, 2026). If you know of any other Pride Events in June or any other time, please let us know in the comments or by email.
Read More: The NC Museum of History in Raleigh (+7 Things We Love About It!)
Juneteenth Celebrations in North Carolina
While the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t read to enslaved people in Texas until June 19, 1865. Each year around June 19, Juneteenth celebrations are held throughout the US and North Carolina, too.
In 2026, the Juneteenth Celebrations will take place throughout June, with many hosting events on the weekends before and after June 19.
Here is a breakdown of where to find and celebrate Juneteenth in North Carolina (ABC order by City or Town):
- Charlotte (June 13 and June 18-21)
- Queen City Juneteenth Parade and Cultural Celebration (June 13)
- Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas (June 18-21)
- Marshville (June 13)
- Wilmington (June 13)
- Durham (June 18 and June 19)
- Code The Dream Event at American Underground (June 18)
- Stagville Open House (June 19)
- Marion, Old Fort, and Nebo (June 18-21)
- Juneteenth Pageant in Marion (June 18)
- Family Fun Day At Lake James (June 19)
- Freedom Festival in Marion (June 20)
- Community Worship Service in Marion (June 21)
- Asheville (June 19)
- Brevard (June 19-21)
- Cary (June 20)
- Morganton (June 20)
- Burke County NAACP Vendor Event at CoMMA (City of Morganton Municiple Auditorium)
- Juneteenth Brunch at the First United Methodist Church
- Murfreesboro (June 20)
- Capital City Juneteenth Celebration at Dix Park in Raleigh (June 20)
- Burgaw (June 27)
The North Carolina African-American Heritage Commission offers resources for bringing awareness to Juneteenth in North Carolina. If you know about any other Juneteenth events in North Carolina, please let us know by email.
Things to Do in North Carolina in June (First Weekend)
The first few of these June events started in May, but they’ll be going strong this month!
- Saddlebred Show in Blowing Rock
- Butner Summer Festival
- Cherry Bounce Festival in Forest City
- Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City
- Toe River Arts Studio Tour in Spruce Pine
- Carolina Beach Music Festival
- Beaver Queen Pageant in Durham
- Kayak for the Warriors in Pine Knoll Shores
- The National Black Bear Festival in Plymouth
Saddlebred Show in Blowing Rock
2026 Event Dates: June 4-7, 2026
Event Info
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. It’s a great experience for equestrians and spectators alike.
Read More: 14 Delicious Blowing Rock Restaurants for High Country Travelers
Butner Summer Festival
2026 Event Dates: June 5-6, 2026
Event Info
The famous Chicken Pickin’ is now called the Butner Summer Festival to better represent all of the activities they offer. Don’t worry! They still hold the barbeque cook-off. They also have a car show, local vendors and kiddie rides. And there will be plenty of live entertainment on two stages.
Read More: Falls Lake State Recreational Area (and the Best Things to Do There!)
Cherry Bounce Festival in Forest City
2026 Event Dates: June 5-6, 2026
Event Info
The Cherry Bounce Festival in Forest City brings local and regional art, live music and other acoustic and bluegrass groups, and tons of cherry-inspired food and drink together.
Read More: 20 Spirit-Filled North Carolina Distilleries, Liquor History, and What to Sip!
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City
2026 Event Dates: June 5-14, 2026
Event Info
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 68th year of blue marlin fishing 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.
Read More: 20 of the Best Things to Do in Beaufort NC (Boat Tours, Wild Horses, and More!)
Toe River Art Council’s Studio Tour in Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, and Yancey County
2026 Event Dates: June 5-7, 2026
Event Info
The Toe River Arts Studio Tour in Spruce Pine will give visitors access to participating artists in Mitchell County and Yancey County (home to Burnsville). Known as one of the longest-running studio tours, it lets you see craftspeople and artists up close and personal, exploring where they live and create.
Participating artists will also exhibit their work in the Toe River Arts Gallery in Spruce Pine.
Read More: Toe River Arts (One Truly Amazing North Carolina Arts Supporter)
Carolina Beach Music Festival
2026 Event Dates: June 6, 2026
Event Info
The Carolina Beach Music Festival is the place to be for barefoot dancing on the sand. You’ll find laid-back fun in Carolina Beach, also known as the place where the shag was born.
This event is known as “the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast.“
Read More: Carolina Beach State Park (and 7 Great Things to Do There!)
Beaver Queen Pageant in Durham
2026 Event Dates: June 6, 2026
Event Info
Durham’s annual Beaver Queen Pageant, known this year as “Beaver Rivalry,” returns to Duke Park. Pageant contestants become beavers for the day, and you can come to watch them in action.
There will also be a parade, food trucks, and other activities.
Read More: 50+ Awesome Things to Do in Durham
The National Black Bear Festival in Plymouth
2026 Event Dates: June 6, 2026
Event Info
The award-winning National Black Bear Festival returns to Plymouth this June. Attendees will find over 30 bear-themed activities to celebrate the world’s largest black bears, which happen to live along our coast.
Things to Do in North Carolina in June (Second Weekend)
The middle of June heats up with blueberry picking, a truly unique yard sale, and more!
- Washington Summer Festival
- Heavy Thunder: Artillery and Infantry Event at Bentonville
- Blowing Rock Art in the Park
- Spruce Pine Alien Festival
- Arts by the Sea in Swansboro
Washington Summer Festival
2026 Event Dates: June 12-13, 2026
Event Info
One of the most fun things to do in North Carolina in June is in the eastern part of our state.
The Washington Summer Festival is a wonderful fundraiser for the town. Attendees will be treated to fireworks, music, and more fun in this awesome small town.
Oh, and there’ll be plenty of food there, too.
Read More: Goose Creek State Park near Washington (10 Things that We Really Love About It!)
Heavy Thunder: Artillery and Infantry Event at Bentonville
2026 Event Dates: June 13, 2026
Event Info
Hear the roar of cannon fire! Learn how soldiers loaded and fired weapons during the Civil War. Reenactors will portray Civil War infantry and artillery soldiers.
Firing demonstrations, historical discussions, and family activities will occur throughout the day; food trucks will be on-site.
Read More: Things to Do in Johnston County
Blowing Rock Art in the Park
2026 Event Dates: June 13, 2026
Event Info
The second of six outdoor shows, June’s 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.
Read More: How to See Elk River Falls (Trail and Safety Tips)
Spruce Pine Alien Festival
2026 Event Dates: June 13, 2026
Event Info
What was formerly known as the SPACE Festival is now all things UFOs with the Spruce Pine Alien Festival. This themed event features 125+ vendors selling UFO- and alien-themed merchandise, out-of-this-world food, and the chance to compete in a costume contest. General admission is free.
Don’t miss headline speaker, Mike Bara, from the “Ancient Aliens” TV series. Tickets are required for the speaker panel.
Arts by the Sea in Swansboro
2026 Event Dates: June 13, 2026
Event Info
Head to the amazing coastal town of Swansboro for its annual “Arts By The Sea” festival. The town’s best artists line the streets with their wares. The juried show features exhibitions of photography, home decor, paintings, jewelry, and pottery.
Read More: Bear Island in Hammocks Beach State Park (How to Reach It and 10 Fun Things to Do!)
Things to Do in North Carolina in June (Third Weekend)
The third weekend in June might be the hottest of the month, both temperature-wise and in the abundance of events!
- North Carolina Rhododendron Festival in Bakersville
- Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in Boone
- 301 Endless Yard Sale in Eastern NC
- Taste of Scotland Festival in Franklin
- NC Blueberry Festival in Burgaw
- Summer Solstice Festival in Greensboro
- The Flame Azalea Festival in Robbinsville
- Under the Oaks Art Festival in Corolla
North Carolina Rhododendron Festival in Bakersville
2026 Event Dates: June 19-20, 2026
Event Info
The NC Rhododendron Festival celebrates the beautiful rhododendron flowers blooming in our mountains, specifically Roan Mountain near Bakersville.
If you’re not up for hiking along the rhododendron-lined trails, you can still 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.
Read More: 25+ Awesome Things to Do in Burnsville and Yancey County
Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in Boone
2026 Event Dates: June 19-21, 2026
Event Info
Check out Boone‘s community with this mostly free downtown street festival. We call this June event “mostly free” because there’s a ticketed event on Thursday at the Appalachian Theatre.
The Boonerang Music & Arts Festival features a vendor market, beer gardens with local breweries, and multiple stages for musical performances.
301 Endless Yard Sale in Eastern NC
2026 Event Dates: June 19-20, 2026
Event Info
The Endless Yard Sale stretches for more than 100 miles on US-301. It passes through multiple towns and counties in Eastern NC, including:
- Weldon
- Rocky Mount
- Wilson
- Selma
- Dunn
Along the way, you will find yard sale items like clothes, kitchen gadgets, vintage records, and toys. Of course, it wouldn’t be a yard sale without unique items like old farm equipment, a boat, and more!
Taste of Scotland Festival in Franklin
2026 Event Dates: June 19-21, 2026
Event Info
The annual Taste of Scotland Festival takes over the town of Franklin each mid-June.
The Scottish-inspired festival is a weekend filled with authentic Scottish foods, a clan parade, Cherokee demonstrations, Highland games, vendors, and more! This is one of the most unique and jovial June events in North Carolina!
Read More: Wayah Bald Tower (and the BEST Mountain Views in Franklin)
NC Blueberry Festival in Burgaw
2026 Event Dates: June 20, 2026
Event Info
If you want something sweet this summer, head to Burgaw’s volunteer-led NC Blueberry Festival for the “finest shade of blue.”
Thousands will come to this Pender County town for family entertainment, a street fair, a barbecue cook-off, and blueberries!
Read More: The Best Things to Do on Topsail Island (Outdoor & Indoor Ideas for Your Next Beach Vacation!)
Summer Solstice Festival in Greensboro
2026 Event Dates: June 20, 2026
Event Info
Celebrate the official start of summer with Greensboro’s Summer Solstice Festival. The event is hosted at the Greensboro Arboretum and Lindley Park, both of which will be bustling with talented artists, craftsmen, and vendors.
Headline events 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.
Read More: Fun Museums in Greensboro (Kid-Friendly, Contemporary Art, and More!)
The Flame Azalea Festival in Robbinsville
Event Date: June 20, 2026
Flame Azalea Festival Website
Graham County’s annual Flame Azalea Festival is a family-friendly, fun-filled day of arts and crafts, live music, delicious food, and more. You can shop for native flame azaleas, watch glass blowing, watch Cherokee demonstrations, and more.
Read More: 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways)
Under the Oaks Art Festival in Corolla
2026 Event Dates: June 23-24, 2026
Event Info
Come to scenic Corolla for a conglomeration of the finest art and wildlife in the state at the Under the Oaks Arts Festival. The work of dozens of artists will join food concessions and a silent auction to create a vibrant event for all.
Don’t forget about the awesome Currituck Beach Lighthouse, one of our favorites and another reason to visit this Outer Banks town.
Read More: Sanderling Resort in Duck (+ 7 Things We Love About It!)
Things to Do in North Carolina in June (Fourth Weekend)
The month is almost over, but these June events are the perfect way to round things out.
- State Annual Singing Convention in Benson
- Old Homes Tour & More in Beaufort
- Thunder in the Smokies in Maggie Valley
State Annual Singing Convention in Benson
2026 Event Dates: June 26-27, 2026
Event Info
Thousands of people flock to downtown Benson each year to hear gospel choirs from far and wide singing in a picturesque oak grove. Choirs compete over the three-day Singing Convention. Bring your own chairs or blankets for this free event.
Also plan to check out the Gospel Museum, free and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
Old Homes Tour & More in Beaufort
2026 Event Dates: June 26-27, 2026
Event Info
This annual tour in Beaufort features some of the waterfront town’s beautiful private homes, glorious gardens, multiple local churches, and artists’ studios.
The “& More” part of the event also features the authentically-restored buildings and grounds of the Beaufort Historic Site.
Read More: The Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort (Wild Horses and 4 More Things To Do!)
Thunder in the Smokies in Maggie Valley
2026 Event Date: June 26-28, 2026
Event Info
The summer version of Thunder in the Smokies returns to Maggie Valley, with thousands of bikers expected to roll into the Great Smoky Mountains.
Bikers frequent the Maggie Valley area throughout the year (especially at the Wheels Through Time Museum), but Thunder in the Smokies welcomes many more than usual weekends.
Highlights include an impressive tour ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway and local vendors-galore.
Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley
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!
Don’t forget to share your June and summer adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group.
Read More: Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed)
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New to NC, living in Siler City. Grandkids coming for short weekend. Don’t want to spend four hours driving to Boone, Asheville, etc. What’s in central Piedmont area please?
Hi there,
Here are a couple of links to help you:
https://www.nctripping.com/central-north-carolina/
https://www.nctripping.com/central-north-carolina-map/
Thanks,
Carl