These are some of the more popular annual festivals in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. Some schedules had not been updated for 2022-23 by our deadline.
June
Fayetteville After 5: The summer concert series sponsored by the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has three concerts planned for Festival Park with music, food trucks and fun. On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band, June 10; RiverMist, July 15; and Zoso, a Led Zepplin tribute band, Aug. 12. 910-323-1934 or thedogwoodfestival.com
Juneteenth Jubilee: June 18-19. The inaugural festival will be in downtown Fayetteville and includes a street festival, performances by nationally touring headliners, food trucks, vendors and artisans as well as a ticketed brunch and a praise party in the park. 910-223-1089 or visitdowntownfayetteville.com
Lumbee Homecoming: June 24-July 2. The largest American Indian cultural celebration in the Southeast features pageants, a parade, music and other entertainment, and vendors. 910-521-8602 or lumbee.org
July
Fourth of July
Hope Mills: The town’s celebration will be July 2 and includes a parade at 4 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. The parade will start at Hope Mills Middle School and end at Hope Mills Park, where there will be food trucks and music before the fireworks.
Fort Bragg: The celebration begins at 3 p.m. July 4 on the Main Post Parade Field. Featuring parachute free-fall demonstrations, a flag ceremony, fireworks, food and beverages, and a concert by country artist Walker Hayes. Open to the public; visitor pass required. Bragg.armymwr.com
White Lake: 9 p.m. July 4. Fireworks over White Lake will be launched from Goldston’s Pier. Free. 910-862-4368 or Elizabethtownwhitelake.com
August
Umoja Festival: Traditionally held the fourth Saturday in August at Seabrook Park, 1520 Slater Ave. A celebration of cultural heritage featuring music, storytelling, vendors and a health fair. For updates, follow Umoja Group Inc. on Facebook.
September
Greek Festival: Sept. 17-18. Annual family festival featuring Greek culture, including food and entertainment. The Hellenic Center, 614 Oakridge Ave. Faygreekchurch.com/greekfestival
Cumberland County Fair: Sept. 2-11 at the Crown Complex, 1960 Coliseum Drive. Agricultural exhibits, livestock, midway carnival rides, pageant, live music, food, arts and crafts, beer garden. 910-438-4140 or Crowncomplexnc.com
Lafayette Birthday Celebration: Sept. 8-10. North Carolina’s official Lafayette Birthday Celebration celebrates the Revolutionary War hero and French nobleman, the Marquis de Lafayette, for whom Fayetteville is named. Held annually the weekend after Labor Day. With a concert, a tour of 200-year-old artifacts in the Lafayette Collection at Methodist University, a day of living history at “Camp Lafayette” with recreations of American life at the time of the Revolutionary War, and a walk on the Lafayette Trail Tour with historian Bruce Daws. Lafayettesociety.org
Field of Honor: Sept. 11-Nov. 13. Flags are displayed at the Parade Field of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum to honor active-duty military and former military members and those who died while serving their country. asomf.org
International Folk Festival: Sept. 23-25, Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave. Live music, international cafe, parade, arts and crafts vendors. Presented by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. 910-323-1776 or Theartscouncil.com
All American Week: Sept. 26-29 on Fort Bragg. Usually held in late May, this year’s event was postponed. Hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division, it celebrates veterans and active-duty service members and includes sports competitions, ceremonies and memorial services. Open to the public.
Oktoberfest at Dirtbag Ales: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Dirtbag Ales, 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills. 910-426-2537 or Dirtbagales.com
Cameron Fall Antiques Fair: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Cameron Historic District. Vendors display antiques and collectibles. 910-245-3212
October
Indigo Moon Film Festival: Oct. 7-9, Cameo Art House Theatre, 121 Hay St. Showcasing diverse films by filmmakers from around the world. Indigomoonfilmfestival.com or groundswellpictures.com
Dogwood Fall Festival: Oct. 14-16 in downtown Fayetteville. Activities include hayrides, live entertainment and vendors. thedogwoodfestival.com/fall-festival
Hope Mills Fall Festival: Oct. 28-29. Trunk or treat scheduled for Oct. 28. Fall Festival is scheduled for Oct. 29 and will include rides, games and music. Announcements and updates will be shared at townofhopemills.com.
November
Holly Day Fair: Nov. 3-6 at Crown Expo Center. Presented by the Junior League of Fayetteville, this holiday tradition is the largest gift and crafts show in eastern North Carolina. Jlfay.org or 910-323-5509
Heroes Homecoming: Past events have included a Veterans Day Parade, a wreath-laying ceremony, a Gold Star Family dinner, a parking sign dedication, a motorcycle ride, and other events to honor veterans in the community. For updates, visit heroeshomecoming.com or follow Heroes Homecoming on Facebook.
A Dickens Holiday: Nov. 25. Downtown Fayetteville is transformed into a traditional Victorian village based on Charles Dickens’
“A Christmas Carol.” An afternoon of shopping, music, dancing, horse-drawn carriages and costumed characters ends with a holiday tree and candle lighting after dark. 910-323-1776 or theartscouncil.com
Festival of Lights: Nov. 25-27, Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11 and Dec. 18-23, nightly. Lu Mil Vineyard, Dublin. Drive-thru light show with synchronized music, gift shop, wine tasting and country buffet available. 910-866-5819 or Lumilvineyard.com
December
German Christmas Market: Dec. 9-11, Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills. 910-426-2537 or dirtbagales.com
Kwanzaa celebrations: Dec. 26-Jan. 1. A weeklong celebration of African heritage and culture includes music, dance, food and traditional performances. Local activities are sponsored by Umoja Group Inc. and held at Smith Recreation Center in Seabrook Park, 1520 Slater Ave. Theartscouncil.com
Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade: The date for the 2022 parade had not been set by early May. The route usually begins on Person Street and ends on Hay Street near the railroad station. Rotarychristmasparade.com
Hope Mills Christmas Parade: Early December. Announcements and updates for 2022 will be shared at townofhopemills.com.
January
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade: Jan. 14 in downtown Fayetteville.
March
Rumba on the Lumber: First weekend in March, downtown Lumberton. A weekend of family fun includes a Friday night pasta party and dance; 5k and 10k runs and a family fun mile; chili cook-off; crafts and food vendors; kids zone; and live music. Presented by the Robeson Road Runners, the city of Lumberton and Main Street Lumberton. Rumbaonthelumber.com
April
Fayetteville Dogwood Festival: April 28-30. The springtime tradition features several days of activities including entertainment, carnival rides, downtown street fair, food, arts and crafts vendors, free concerts in Festival Park. thedogwoodfestival.com
