This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond — occasionally including unique coastal or mountain events. While most listed events are free, ticketed or fee-for-entry events may be included.
Events may be rescheduled/delayed or locations changed. Contact an event’s organizer directly.
To suggest an event for a future list, email the editor.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Sweet Tea and Spicy Talk to the Moon
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 @ 11am-noon
The topic on this date is the 1969 Moon landing and its impact on all of us. Enjoy iced tea and cookies during this “lighthearted look at the fictional Downton Abbey based on the actual history of the period.” Held at the Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum, 104 W Anderson Street, Selma, NC. With questions, call 919.333.4899 or email. Museum information via the museum’s Facebook page.
Cultivating Change at Tarboro Brewing Company
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 @ 6-7pm
Monthly community conversation series hosted by Tarboro Brewing Company, 526 N Main Street, Tarboro, NC. This July 24 gathering in a “Fundraiser to create sensory rooms for special needs scholars in Edgecombe County.” See details, updates, and future gatherings scheduled here.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Meet the Author at Corner Coffee Cafe
Thursday, July 25, 2019 @ 10am-noon
Meet local author Skip Carney at this book signing and discussion of his book, The Greatest Church in the World. Copies of the book will be on sale. Proceeds benefit the Foundation for Christian Education. Held at the Corner Coffee Cafe, 201 W Washington Street, Nashville, NC. Follow the author on Facebook for updates and other events. The Cafe is on FB here.
Sprinkler Fun Days
Thursdays, July 25, August 1, 8, and 15 @ 3-4pm
Beat the heat every Thursday at Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, 300 S. Center Street, Goldsboro, NC. Bring the children to cool off in Goldsboro’s giant sprinkler. Event supervised by the City of Goldsboro Fire Department. See all dates here.
Center Street Jam Summer Concert Series
Thursday, July 25, 2019 @ 6-9pm
Come for these free, public, outdoor summer concerts. Bring lawn chairs for comfort. In addition to live music, each date food/drinks will be available for purchase and there will be activities for children. No coolers, no pets. ID needed for adult beverages. Address is 219 N John Street, Goldsboro, NC. See details and performers at www.dgdc.org/dgdc_events_type/center-street-jam. Future dates: August 8 and 22, 2019.
Wilson Tobs Baseball Home Games
July 25, 27, and 30, 2019 @ 7pm*
Enjoy a baseball game at the Wilson Tobs home stadium, Historic Fleming Stadium, at 300 Stadium Street SW, Wilson NC. See full Wilson Tobs baseball game schedule here. (Thursday game, July 25, start time is 7:15pm)
Note: The NC Baseball Museum is located at the stadium.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Franklin County Farmers Market
Friday, July 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Come and pick up locally grown food from local farms, fresh eggs, and more. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather and other factors. (The market is also open Tuesdays and Saturdays.) The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC. Follow their Facebook page for updates, closings, and produce available at this year-round farmers market.
Friday Morning Movie
Friday, July 26, 2019 @ 10am-noon
Join the Wilson County Public Library and Historic Downtown Wilson for this series of free summer movies. Watch a family movie and enjoy free refreshments as available. Movie showing at the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson, NC. No registration required; however, for large groups, email or call 252.237.5355 to arrange group visit. See more here.
Summer Night Lights
Friday, July 26, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Enjoy this event with a DJ, arts and crafts, games and inflatables, and family fun. Free hot dog, chips, and drink for the first 200 guests. Held Fridays at different city parks. On July 26, location is Aycock Park, 1200 Aycock Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Future dates:
- Friday, August 2, 2019 at Lancaster Park (1509 Barnes Street, Rocky Mount, NC)
- Friday, August 9, 2019 at South Rocky Mount Community Center (719 Recreation Drive, Rocky Mount, NC)
See full schedule here.
Teen Pizza and Paint Nights
Friday, July 26, 2019 @ 6-9pm
Teenagers in grades 9-12 are invited to hang out together. Pizza and soda provided. Students may bring an art project to work on while enjoying the company of others. Art materials are not provided. Held at the Arts Council of Wayne County, 102 N John Street, Goldsboro, NC, This event takes place at the same time as the Arts Council’s Community Drum Circle, and teens are welcome to join. Fee is $5 per student, which includes two slices of pizza and a soda. No outside food or drinks are allowed. See “fourth Friday” event info.
Knightdale Friday Concerts
Friday, July 26 and August 23, 2019 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Free outdoor family fun and music at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC. Food/beverages available for purchase from Oak City Brewery, Lassiter Distilling Company, and food trucks. Bring blankets/chairs for comfort. See details here.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Yard and Plate Sale
Saturday, July 27, 2019 @ 7am-4pm
Money raised during this community event will be used for scholarships with the Team Power Foundation Inc. nonprofit. The Yard Sale will run 7am-1pm. Chicken dinners ($8) will be on sale 11am-4pm. Held at The Power Plex MultiSport Athletic Center, 2708 Wooten Boulevard, Wilson, NC. Proceeds from this event will assist with scholarships for deserving students. To donate items, drop them off at The Power Plex a week before the event. Call Coach Darian Cahill at 919.221.3030 with questions.
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturdays, July 27, 2019 @ 8am-noon (Spring/Summer hours)
Weekly offerings from farms, artisans, and crafters at this year-round farmers’ market. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather and other factors. Located at 235 S Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC. The Wake Forest Farmers Market website is www.wakeforestmarket.org.
Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market
Saturdays, July 27, 2019 @ 8am-1pm
Local farm offerings and handmade/homemade goods. Open Saturdays (and Wednesdays 8am-1pm) through October 2019. Held in the Pavilion at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC. See details here. Updates may be posted via the market’s Facebook page.
Farmers Market Rocky Mount
Saturdays, July 27, 2019 @ 8am-1pm
Check out local farm and craft offerings at this weekly market. Held at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Updates may be posted to the market Facebook page. Note that during June, July, and August the market will be open Tuesday afternoons in addition to Saturday mornings.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market
Saturdays, July 27, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Vendors at the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market offer farm produce, baked goods, handmade goods, arts, plants, and more. The market is open Saturdays through October 12, 2019. Zebulon Farm Fresh Market is located at the Zebulon Municipal Complex (town hall), 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Free parking available in the town hall parking lots. Follow the market on Facebook for updates and market theme information. If vendor spaces are available, information and 2019 application may be found on the town’s market web page.
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Saturdays, July 27, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
The market will be open every Saturday for its regular season through the last Saturday in October 2019. The Clayton Farm and Community Market is located at 348 E Main Street, Clayton, NC. Contact information may be found at www.cfcmnc.org/contact. Follow this market’s Facebook page for updates.
ABC Craft and Learn: A Kindergarten Readiness Program
Saturdays, July 27, 2019 @ 11:30am-12:15pm
Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to participate in this pre-reading skills development time. Held at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. East Regional Library information may be found via the Wake County Libraries website.
Note: This program is often held at the Zebulon, NC library and Wendell, NC library on the same/similar dates as Knightdale, though times vary.
Summer Movies @ The Library
Saturday, July 27, 2019 @ 2:30-3:30pm
Enjoy a family movie at the library. Time may be approximate if movie is longer. Held at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. Future date: August 10, 2019. Access library event including movie title via this library page.
Wake Forest Family Movie Nights
Saturday, July 27, 2019 @ 7:15pm (movie 8:3opm)
Enjoy activities and a free, public movie under the stars. Before the movie starts, enjoy an activity or buy goodies from food trucks. Bring blankets/chairs for comfort. Also, it is suggested patrons bring bug spray, a flashlight, and an umbrella. No pets, smoking, or alcoholic beverages are allowed. Movies shown at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC. Future movie night: August 10, 2019. Follow the Town of Wake Forest on Facebook. (Related Article)
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Family Art Sundays
Sunday, July 28, 2019 @ 2-4pm
Held every-other Sunday in the art gallery at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Bring the family for an afternoon of activities. “Drop into the gallery for looking, talking and responding to art through creative activities, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour.” Open to all ages with accompanying adults. See Imperial Centre’s Facebook page for updates, or call 252.972.1632 or email with questions.
Coming Soon
Carolina Mudcats Baseball
Home games July 30 and 31, 2019 @ Various Times
The Mudcats baseball Home games are played at Five County Stadium, 1501 NC-39 Hwy, Zebulon, NC. See the team’s schedule here.
Downtown Live!
Thursdays, August 1, 15, 29, and September 12, 2019 @ 6-9pm
The 2019 Downtown Live! free outdoor music series takes place on the lawn of the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Food and beverage vendors will be available. Bring lawn chairs for comfort. Full schedule is available at imperialcentre.org/events/downtown-live. (Article)
First Fridays on the Lawn
Friday, August 2, 2019 @ 6-9pm
Enjoy a free community concert with a live band, food vendors, and entertainment. Held on the lawn at the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street N, Wilson, NC. Visit the city’s calendar for this event and others.
First Friday Flix
Friday, August 2, 2019 @ 7-9pm
Held the first Friday of each month, this movie showing is free and open to the public. “Feature a variety of film favorites and genres, including comedies, dramas, thrillers and more, often with a seasonal or historical theme.” Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. Future dates: September 6, October 4, and November 1, 2019. See this event and more on the Wake Forest Renaissance Center calendar.
First Friday Films with Food Trucks
Friday, August 2, 2019 @ 7:30-10pm
Enjoy food trucks, a kids art activity, and an outdoor movie. Food Trucks and activities 7:30pm; movie begins at dusk. Bring blanket and chairs for comfort. Organized by Knightdale Parks and Rec. See details here.
Popsicles and Stories in the Park
Tuesdays, August 6 and 20, 2019 @ 10-11:30am
These story time + cool treat events are organized by Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation, working alongside Braswell Memorial Library. Each event is free and held in a different park:
- Tuesday, August. 6, 2019 — Three Sisters Park (751 Morning Star Church Road, Battleboro, NC)
- Tuesday, August 20, 2019 — Sunset Park (1550 River Drive, Rocky Mount, NC)
Events are family-friendly event and open to children of all ages. In addition to the story and free popsicles, there will be games.Bring a blanket or chairs for comfort, no seating. For more information, call 252.467.4925 or see the event discussion on Facebook. (Article)
National Night Out: Bailey Block Party
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Join the Bailey Police Department and Bailey Chamber of Commerce for this National Night Out (NNO) event. Meet neighbors, local business owners, and police officers. Held at the Police Station on Main Street, Bailey, NC. Food and beverages will be on sale, local businesses will have vendor spaces, and school supply donations will be accepted for the local elementary school. Gift cards and book bags will be raffled off (local elementary school students only). Bailey Chamber raffles (2) for a bicycle. Bring a chair for comfort if you like, as this is an outdoor event. See details via the Bailey PD Facebook page.
Friday Night On White Free Concert Series
Fridays, August 9 and September 13, 2019 @ 6-9pm
Come and listen to live music at this outdoor concert on White Street, Wake Forest, NC. Food and beverages will be for sale at area restaurants and food trucks too. See full schedule here. (Article)
Lawn Chair Theatre
Friday, August 9, 2019 @ 8:30pm
Watch a free, family movie at the city of Rocky Mount’s Lawn Chair Theatre series. Bring a lawn chair / blanket and settle in on the lawn of the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Upcoming date: September 6, 2019. For more information on Lawn Chair Theatre, visit www.imperialcentre.org. (Article)
Flix4Kidz
Monday, August 12, 2019 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
Bring the kids for a free, family-friendly movie. Held the second Monday of each month, and open to the public. Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. Call the centre’s Special Events Hotline at 919.435.9428 for movie title. Future dates: September 9, October 14, November 11, and December 9, 2019. For more information, visit the town’s event calendar.
Food Truck Thursday: Lunch & Dinner
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Sit and eat at the park, or pick up food to take back to your desk or home. Live music during dinnertime.
- Lunch (11:30am-1:30pm)
- Dinner (6-8pm)
Food trucks will be parked near the Knightdale Station Park pavilion, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC. See details and updates via the Parks and Rec Facebook page. (Article)
Friday Nights on the Tar
Fridays, August 16 and September 20, 2019 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Free outdoor concert for all ages. Come and hear live music, pick up a meal/snacks from food trucks, and enjoy this monthly community gathering. Concerts are planned for the third Friday of each month May through September. Concerts take place in the downtown Amphitheatre, 116 N Main Street, Louisburg, NC. See more on the town website. (Article)
Summer Outdoor Movie Series
Saturday, August 17, 2019 @ 7pm
Wendell Parks and Recreation and Wendell Falls are co-hosting these free community movie nights. August 17: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Gather at the Lake Pavilion at Wendell Falls, 320 Vintage Point Lane, Wendell NC. Follow Wendell Parks and Rec on Facebook here.
Discover Your World: Family Movies @ The Library
Sunday, August 18, 2019 @ 2-3:30pm
Bring the family for a free movie at the library. Snacks are provided. Designed for students in grades K-5th. Held at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. Registration is not required. This is a monthly event. Date tentatively set as August 18, 2019. See the Wake County public libraries’ East Regional Library web page to access calendar and movie details.
September Onward
Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market
Saturday, September 14, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Browse a variety of local vendors for arts and crafts, handmade items, and more. Live entertainment too. Held at the Uptown Gazebo, 100 block of E Anderson Street, Selma, NC (parking lot behind Town Hall). For information including vendor booth reservations, contact Melissa Dooley at 919.965.9841 x.8003 or via email.
Creekside Music Series
Saturday, September 21, 2019 @ 5-10pm
Bring family and friends for a night of live music, food, and adult beverages for those of age. This free concert — featuring Meredith Davis Johnson and the band Charlie — will be held at Stoney Creek Environmental Park, 455 W Washington Street, Nashville, NC. Event made possible by supported from the NC Arts Council.
International Food and Music Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2019 @ 11am-5pm
This annual day of food, vendors, music, dancing, and more is organized by St Eugene Catholic Church. Activities take place around downtown, the Woman’s Club lot, and the J. Ashley Wall Town Square, 99 W 3rd Street, Wendell, NC. For updates, follow St. Eugene’s annual festival on Facebook here.
Wendell Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2019 @ 8am-10pm
The Wendell Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual Harvest Festival with loads of vendors, fair foods, Fall goodies, and activities for kids and families. A parade and live music too. Activities take place around downtown Wendell, NC. Updates may be posted on Facebook here.
Want to be a vendor? Sponsor/vendor information may be found here.
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To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsors and logos are not included in Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.
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Event information may be gathered from various sources. While attempts are made to verify data, for most events contact details are included. If you’re planning to attend an event, use contact information or event links to confirm, check for updates or changes, or verify space is available. These events are publicized by The Grey Area News, but are not events overseen by this news site or staff. Highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event, knowledge of offerings, or relation to a recent article on this news site.
Why are the day, date, and year included, repetitively, under each dated heading? The better for visitors to cut-and-paste complete event information to share with others… Though sharing of this full list’s link is encouraged, so readers may see all upcoming events.
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