Whether you are looking to laugh, dance or be entertained, Fayetteville has great seasons ahead and even comedy nights on stage with local to national performers. Between our theatres, dance studios and musical venues, there is much to look forward to this year.
Performances are subject to change — please check before attending.
ON STAGE
The Cape Fear Regional Theatre stages musicals, dramas and comedies, and has educational programs for children and adults throughout the year. The 2025-26 season: 9 to 5 in September; Little Shop of Horrors in October/November; The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in December (for the 34th year!); Disney’s High School Musical in January/February; Driving Miss Daisy in March/April; Crowns in May. There are also special events during productions, military appreciation nights and teacher appreciation nights.
For more information, visit the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s website at cfrt.org or call the box office at 910-323-4234. The theatre is temporarily located at the ballroom in the GoodHomes Bordeaux at 1707 Owen Drive (the former Holiday Inn Bordeaux).
The Gilbert Theater at 116 Green St., above Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, entertains audiences in a black-box theater with productions ranging from quirky to serious. The 2025-26 season’s shows: Cabaret, Sept. 12–28; a reprise of A Christmas Story, Nov. 21–Dec. 7; The Revolutionists, Jan. 30–Feb. 15; On Golden Pond, March 20–April 5; and Rent, May 15–31. All productions showcase local talent. 910-678-7186 or gilberttheater.com.
“We chose shows that we thought audiences would like to come and see,” said Matt Lamb, artistic director of the Gilbert Theater. “We want the community to take a look and know that there is something for everyone at the Gilbert Theater.”
Sweet Tea Shakespeare traditionally intertwines live music into their stage productions. Performance locations vary and are announced as the show approaches. This season’s upcoming shows include Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Sept. 18–21 and 25–28; The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Nov. 6–9, 13–16 and 20–23; Behold, Dec. 4–6; Sense and Sensibility based on the book by Jane Austen, Jan. 22–25 and 29, Feb. 1; Romeo and JuliLIT, Feb. 12–14 (for adult audiences only); Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, Apr. 16–19 and 23–26; Three Musketeers based on the book by Alexandre Dumas, June 11–14, 18–21 and 25–28. 910-420-4383 or sweetteashakespeare.com.
CONCERTS
Celebrating their 90th season this year, Community Concerts brings artists you love to the Crown Theatre. Last year, the season featured Billy Ocean, Kansas and ZZ Top. For information on the 2025-26 season, call 910-323-1991 or go to community-concerts.com.
The Crown Complex hosts musical acts and stage shows, as well as sports, trade shows and more. Venues include the Crown Coliseum, a theatre, an arena, an expo hall and a ballroom. Upcoming shows include Paw Patrol, Sept. 20–21; World Ballet Company: Cinderella, Sept. 27; Nurse John, Oct. 11; Grace & Glory Tour: Crowder, Oct. 12; Clint Black: Back on the Blacktop Tour, Oct. 16; Katt Williams, Nov. 14; the Fayetteville Fishing Expo from Jan. 30–Feb. 1, and many more. For more shows, call 910-438-4100 or visit crowncomplexnc.com
Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra brings the best performers from across the state to performance venues from Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University to the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church on Green Street. The lineup includes season concerts, community concerts and student concerts. It also presents Symphony on Tap, a musical series with free admission at local breweries.
The Independence Concert, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, and fireworks show are scheduled for July 4 at Festival Park. The 2025-26 season includes “Total Eclipse of the Chart: Music of the ‘80s” a musical tour of the 80s, including Lionel Ritchie, Tina Turner, Eurythmics and more on Sept. 20; Jubilate Deo, Oct. 11; Coffee Cantata, a comedic piece for voice and strings that tells the story of a girl and her father arguing over love, life and caffeine Nov. 22; The Road to America 250 concert by American composers in St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jan. 17; A Night on the Town featuring Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Feb. 28; and John Williams and His Influences concert, April 18 in Huff Concert Hall.
Single tickets range from $7 for children to $36 for adult general admission. Discount ticket pricing is available for seniors, Cumberland County Schools employees, military and college students. There are also Symphony on Tap events which bring different ensembles to various areas of town like Dirtbag Ales, James Creek Cider House, Haymount Truck Stop and District House of Taps. For more information or future performance times, call 910-433-4690 or visit fayettevillesymphony.org.
Fayetteville State University brings musical acts, national artists and more to Seabrook Auditorium. 910-672-1724 or uncfsu.edu/about-fsu/community/seabrook
STAND-UP COMEDY
Paddy’s Irish Pub, 2606 Raeford Road, Suite B, has comedy shows on Thursdays. paddysirishpub.com
The Locals Comedy holds shows at various locations in and around Fayetteville. Shows are announced on Facebook. facebook.com/TheLocalsComedy
DANCE
There are two options for The Nutcracker this Christmas season with the Charlotte Blume School of Dance and the Dance Theatre of Fayetteville.
The 56th annual performance of The Nutcracker by the Charlotte Blume School of Dance, home of the North Carolina State Ballet, will take place on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Crown Auditorium. Performances for Cumberland County Schools will take place Dec. 5 and 8 and area private schools and homeschool groups will be on Dec. 12. More information can be found on their social media page at facebook.com/charlotteblumeschoolofdance.
The Nutcracker will also be performed by the Dance Theatre of Fayetteville on Dec. 5–7 at Methodist University. For more information on the Dance Theatre of Fayetteville, which has united dancers for more than two decades, visit dancetheatreoffayetteville.org.
GALLERIES
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is a nonprofit organization that serves as a link between artists and cultural organizations and provides grants to local artists. The organization’s Art Center Gallery hosts free exhibits throughout the year. The Arts Council is at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. 910-323-1776 or theartscouncil.com
The Art Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College displays exhibitions each semester that feature the artwork of students, faculty and outside artists. Exhibitions are free and open to the public, and they run year-round. The gallery is in the foyer of the Paul H. Thompson Library at 2221 Hull Road. 910-678-0092
Cape Fear Studios offers art lessons and hosts a community of artists in residence. The nonprofit organization is in downtown Fayetteville. It includes a retail gallery and a main gallery that exhibit artworks in an array of media by local, national, and international artists. The exhibits are free and open to the public. The studio is at 148 Maxwell St., 910-433-2986 or capefearstudios.com
Rosenthal Art Gallery, in the Rosenthal Building on the campus of Fayetteville State University, is part of the university’s Department of Performing and Fine Arts. It hosts exhibits of works by students, staff and internationally known artists throughout the year. 910-672-1057
MUSEUMS
U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum has exhibits on the past, present and future of the Army’s airborne and special operations forces. It is owned and operated by the Army. The museum, which also hosts special programs and guest speakers thanks to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, is located at 100 Bragg Blvd. Admission is free and open to the public. 910-643-2778 or asomf.org
Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, in the heart of downtown Fayetteville at 116 Green St., is a hands-on interactive museum created to educate as well as provide hours of fun for children up to 12. The museum offers family memberships, art classes, and children’s birthday packages. 910-829-9171 or fascinate-u.com
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex features exhibits bringing the Cape Fear region’s diverse history to life with living-history programs, tours, special events, interactive programs, and demonstrations. The Poe House, a restored 1897 home, and Arsenal Park, the remains of an ordnance factory from the Civil War era, make up the historical complex at 801 Arsenal Ave. 910-500-4240 or museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov
Read CityView Magazine‘s e-edition of the 2025-2026 issue of DestinationFAY here.
