JUNE

Lumbee Homecoming: The largest Native American cultural celebration in the Southeast features pageants, a parade, music and other entertainment, and vendors from June 24 to July 6 at 636 Prospect Road in Pembroke. For more information visit: doa.nc.gov/news/events/lumbee-homecoming-2025

Juneteenth Jubilee: This celebration of Black history, culture, liberation and joy will take place on Saturday, June 14, at Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave. in Fayetteville. This year’s theme, Sovereign, focuses on the accomplishments and contributions of Black women. For updates on the event check distinctlyfayettevillenc.com/event/2025-juneteenth-jubilee%3A-sovereign/27325/.

2025 Fayetteville Pride Festival: With features like main stage performances, food and beverage vendors, and educational workshops, Pride Festival 2025 is sure to be a great time! For the first time in its history, the festival will be held at the Crown Expo Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 21. Check for updates on Pride Festival at fayettevillepride.org/#/.

JULY

Fourth of July celebrations

Fayetteville

Independence Day Concert with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra: The city and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert at 7:30 p.m. in Festival Park. Gates open at 6 p.m. Food and drinks are available via a beer tent and other on-site vendors. Visit fayettevillesymphony.org/2024-2025-family-community-concerts/.

Fort Liberty

Fort Bragg’s Red, White, and Boom Fest: Visit the Main Post Parade Field to enjoy food and beverages or take in parachute free-fall demonstrations and a flag ceremony before the fireworks finale. The event also features music from three artists — Ludacris, Parmalee and Neon Trees — and the 82nd Airborne Division Rock Band. The celebration is free and open to the public, but those without a valid DOD ID will need to obtain a pass for installation access. All guests must have a REAL ID to obtain an installation pass. Gates open at 3 p.m. Additional information about traffic flow, tent rental and prohibited items can be found at bragg.armymwr.com/calendar/event/red-white-and-boom-fest/6867516/98875. 

Hope Mills

Independence Day Parade: Begins at 10 a.m. Starting point is Rockfish Elementary School, with the finish at Hope Mills Middle School. nc-hopemills.civicplus.com/349/Independence-Day-Celebration.

SEPTEMBER

Running Water Powwow: The powwow will be held on Sept. 6 at 200 Indian Drive, according to Nina Martinez, Cumberland County Culture Class instructor. To stay up to date with the Cumberland County Culture Class, visit facebook.com/groups/2908067639495353/.

Greek Festival: Experience Greek culture in the form of pastries and other food, dance and more! Sept. 20–21 at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 614 Oakridge Ave. in Fayetteville. More details to come at facebook.com/faygreekfest/. 

Oktoberfest: Fort Liberty’s Iron Mike Conference Center (2658 Rock Merritt Ave., Bldg. 5-5348) hosts Oktoberfest, a free event open to the public, from noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 4. A variety of German food and a beer garden, German dancers, live music and a fall market are among the day’s features. liberty.armymwr.com/calendar/event/86774.

International Folk Festival: Hosted by The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, the 47th edition of the annual festival in downtown Fayetteville will celebrate the area’s diversity on Sept. 27. The event that draws 50,000-plus patrons will feature an international cafe, with food from a variety of countries; live music and dance; a Parade of Nations; an art market and interactive installations; kids area; and more. More details to come at eventeny.com/events/47th-annual-international-folk-festival-17006/?srsltid=AfmBOopGh_qPXhLK7k8xWXqDMwPSeYmM4STuCaBoIJsYFO-KKi-CANzx .

OCTOBER

Dogwood Fall Festival: The fall version of the festival during the third weekend of the month features food, beverage and gift vendors, and live entertainment. Hayrides and “Historic Hauntings” will also show visitors the history of downtown Fayetteville. This year, the Dogwood Fall Festival will be held on Oct. 18 and 19. For more information, visit thedogwoodfestival.com.

Zombie Walk/4th Friday: The undead will take over the October version of the Cool Spring Downtown District’s monthly 4th Friday. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 24, the event that highlights the area’s visual and performing arts and local businesses will be supplemented with a costume contest and procession of the walking dead through the streets. visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/october-4th-friday-zombie-walk-downtown-fayetteville/.

Halloween in Hope Mills: Trunk R Treat details are forthcoming at townofhopemills.com/calendar.aspx.

NOVEMBER

Holly Day Fair: The holiday event, hosted by the Junior League of Fayetteville at the Crown Expo Center from Nov. 6–9, features more than 150 vendors with local food and drink products, toys, decor, gifts, apparel, accessories and more. Look out for updates on the 58th annual event here: facebook.com/hollydayfair. 

A Dickens Holiday: The Christmastime event in downtown Fayetteville in late November celebrates the Victorian era, with character actors in period wardrobe, horse-drawn carriage rides, and musicians and carolers. Also featured are food and product vendors and local stores. Check back for updates at adickensholiday.com.

DECEMBER

Hope Mills festivities: Updates about events featuring Santa and an early December Christmas parade will be published at townofhopemills.com/350/Christmas-in-Hope-Mills.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

MLK Parade: Parade honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in downtown Fayetteville. Details forthcoming at mlkmemorialpark.org.

MARCH

Rumba on the Lumber Festival: In downtown Lumberton on March 6–7, 2026, a chili cookoff, beer garden, craft vendors, food trucks, plastic duck derby, touch a truck, live music, and kids zone complement the 5K, 10K and family fun mile runs. Get updates on the event at rumbaonthelumber.com.

APRIL

Dogwood Festival: Friday through Sunday during the last weekend of the month, carnival rides and a series of concerts at Festival Park in Fayetteville are surrounded by live street performances and local products, and food and beverage vendors elsewhere in downtown. In 2026, the Dogwood Festival will be held April 24–26. Check for updates at thedogwoodfestival.com.

MAY

All-American Week: Hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, the event that is open to the public honors veterans and active-duty service members with a memorial ceremony, a run by members of the 82nd and a division review, and events for patrons such as a family fun run and sports competitions. Check for updates at 82ndairborneassociation.org/aaw.html. 

Did we miss a festival? Email us at vcloes@cityviewnc.com to add one to this list.

Read CityView Magazine‘s e-edition of the 2025-2026 issue of DestinationFAY here.