Winston-Salem, N.C., and the Piedmont Triad area offer an array of events throughout the year, celebrating arts, culture, community, and the changing seasons. Here’s a curated list of the best annual events each month!
January
Winston-Salem goes all out for the holidays in December, so January is a slower month. Since everyone is starting New Year’s resolutions and ‘Dry January,’ there are better times for a wine or food truck festival.
- First Day Hikes (Pilot Mountain): North Carolina, via the N.C. Division of Parks & Rec, joins an annual nationwide tradition of offering free guided hikes at select state parks.
February
February in Winston-Salem, NC, is a time of cozy charm, with a blend of cultural events and local traditions. The city’s vibrant arts scene thrives, while local breweries and eateries often offer special events and menus to warm up the chilly winter days.
- Foothills Sexual Chocolate Release (Winston-Salem): Foothills Brewing attracts hundreds every Valentine’s Day for its “very limited” release of the cocoa-infused Russian Imperial Stout, Sexual Chocolate.
March
March marks the beginning of spring in Winston-Salem, which brings fresh energy to the city. The community enjoys outdoor festivals, garden tours, and the return of farmers’ markets, which showcase the region’s blooming beauty and local produce.
- Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden Spectacular Tulip Bloom (Kernersville): Beginning in late March, the Spectacular Tulip Bloom celebrates the start of spring with early blooming varieties.
- St. Patrick’s Day festivities (Winston-Salem): From family-friendly events to bar crawls, there’s a party for everyone (dressed in green).
April
April in Winston-Salem is colorful, with spring blossoms in full bloom. The city celebrates with lively events like the annual RiverRun International Film Festival and outdoor concerts, making it a perfect time for residents and visitors to enjoy the arts and nature.
- RiverRun International Film Festival (Winston-Salem): RiverRun is one of the fastest-growing regional film festivals in the U.S. and a premier film festival in the Southeast. This Academy Award-qualifying film festival showcases a variety of narrative, documentary, student, animated, and short films from all genres.
- Winston-Salem Dash Opening Night (Winston-Salem): The home baseball team starts each season with an exciting Opening Night at Truist Stadium.
- Spring High Point Furniture Market (High Point): A world-renowned event for the furniture industry.
May
Winston-Salem comes alive in May with blooming flowers, delicious early summer crops, and lively festivals.
- Yadkin Valley Wine Festival (Elkin): Local vintners showcase their award-winning wines in a region known for its stunning vineyards. Food, art, and music complement the wine.
- Gears & Guitars (Winston-Salem): One of the nation’s most prestigious cycling events combines cycling with free live music from big-name bands.
- Winston-Salem Food Truck Festival (Winston-Salem): Food trucks from all over the state line the streets, providing the opportunity to indulge in a diverse selection of quality food choices.
- Summerlark (Winston-Salem): Guests gather for a live music event featuring big-name artists to benefit the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Cancer Patient Support Program.
- Carolina Blues Festival (Greensboro): The Piedmont Blues Preservation Society sponsors one of the longest-running blues festivals in the Southeast.
June
June in Winston-Salem brings warm weather and a bustling calendar of events.
- Rock Out the Quarry (Winston-Salem): Celebrating the start of summer at The Quarry at Grant Park with live music, food trucks, and a fireworks show.
- Summer Solstice Festival (Greensboro): Celebrating the year’s longest day with live music, arts, and crafts.
- Eastern Music Festival (Greensboro): For over 60 years, young musicians from all over the country have been summoned to Guilford College to rehearse and prepare for this nationally recognized classical music festival.
July
In July, Winston-Salem celebrates summer with festive events and outdoor activities. The city’s Independence Day festivities feature fireworks, parades, and live music, while local parks and venues offer concerts and family-friendly events throughout the month.
- International Black Theater Festival (Winston-Salem): This historic event illuminates the powerful theatrical spirit and extraordinary talent of performers, designers, directors, producers, and technicians across the country and abroad.
- Summer Music Series (Winston-Salem) – Free outdoor concerts featuring local and regional artists.
August
August in Winston-Salem, NC, brings warm, late-summer days filled with outdoor events and activities.
- Winston-Salem Open (Winston-Salem) – A professional tennis tournament featuring top players.
September
In September, Winston-Salem enjoys cooler temperatures and a vibrant array of events.
- Bookmarks Festival of Authors (Winston-Salem): This is the most extensive book and author festival in the Carolinas.
- Winston-Salem Fashion Week (Winston-Salem): This event merges Winston-Salem’s growing fashion and apparel industry with the arts community.
- N.C. Folk Festival (Greensboro): This major event features folk music, dance, and craft traditions.
October
October in Winston-Salem brings fall festivities and cooler weather, which can only mean one thing – the fair is coming to town!
- Carolina Classic Fair (Winston-Salem): The Carolina Classic Fair (formerly the Dixie Classic Fair) is the second largest agricultural fair in North Carolina. The 10-day annual fair features a world-class carnival with numerous rides and games, musical entertainment, traditional fair food, animals, and art exhibits.
- Lexington Barbecue Festival (Lexington): Celebrate the region’s famous barbecue with food, music, and crafts.
- Carolina BalloonFest (Statesville): This festival features hot-air balloon flights in the early morning and late afternoon, live music, and family activities.
- Fall High Point Furniture Market (High Point): Another installment of this globally recognized event.
November
In November, Winston-Salem embraces the fall season, but everyone gears up for the holidays by the end of the month!
- Spectacular Holiday Blooms (Kernersville): The Spectacular Holiday Blooms at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden complements the Spectacular Tulip Bloom in spring. During the holiday season, the garden turns bottles into works of art for a light display.
- Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair (Winston-Salem): This fair showcases handmade jewelry, pottery, textiles, and more.
December
December in Winston-Salem is a time of festive cheer and holiday celebrations. The city lights up with events like the downtown Holiday Parade and various Christmas markets, offering opportunities to enjoy seasonal decorations, local crafts, and warm holiday traditions.
- Christmas at Old Salem (Winston-Salem): The historic town of Old Salem comes to life and provides a look into the unique Moravian Christmas rituals. From the Candle Tea to strolling the cobblestone streets and admiring the holiday decorations,
- University of North Carolina School of the Art (UNCSA), “The Nutcracker” (Winston-Salem): Performed annually since 1966, the ballet features hundreds of UNCSA students as the dancers, musicians, theater designers, and technicians who bring this beloved holiday tradition to life.
- Holidays at Reynolda (Winston-Salem): The 170-acre setting that comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village offers several holiday experiences, including Christmas-themed historic house tours, caroling, festive art-making activities, and authentic early 20th-century antique decor for viewing.
- Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights (Clemmons) – Every holiday season, Tanglewood Park transforms into a spectacular drive-through display with over a million twinkling lights.
