The Oink & Ale Festival is a great way to spend a Saturday night in Eden. There is something for everyone at this event, so be sure to come out and enjoy it.

A place you can kickstart your day in a historic downtown setting with locally roasted coffee and friendly smiles.

Can I visit Serenity Alpaca Farm, you ask? Yes, and there are fun reasons to do just that, besides all that smiling.

Located in Durham and Oxford, North Carolina. Founded in 2018 and is the first female veteran-owned brewery in NC. Tobacco Wood Brewery is dedicated to creating a unique taproom and beer garden experience that is both educational and enjoyable.

Downtown Pilot Mountain will play host to the Pilot Mountain Outdoor Adventure Festival and Expo April 21-23, 2023.

Come to Statesville and discover our events where we give you room to breathe. We are close enough, yet worlds away.

We were amazed at the different options for our culinary adventure.

Downtown Pilot Mountain will play host to the Pilot Mountain Outdoor Adventure Festival and Expo April 21-23, 2023.

The Artisan Marketplace with over 140 merchants is filled with returning favorites that include an extensive array of vendors offering jewelry, clothing of renaissance and medieval fashion, handmade art and décor, pottery and blown and torched glass demonstrations, and activities for children that include people powered amusement rides and countryside faire games such as the castle climbing wall, archery and tomato tossing at a fool.

Each Festival day is filled with an abundance of attractions. The 25-acre village of Fairhaven has sixteen stages packed with costumed performers offer a unique mix of continuous music, dance, comedy, and circus entertainment.

Celebrating 29 Years of Cheers, the annual Carolina Renaissance Festival returns Saturdays and Sundays for eight consecutive weekends, from October 1st through November 20th

Muddy River Distillery prides itself on using the best ingredients, hand-crafted recipes, and custom-built stills to make all seven of its current rums.

If you’re looking for a unique outdoor adventure, you can’t go wrong with exploring the Catawba River or its South Fork.

This year’s festival will have balloon rides, a car show, a bike show, a 5K race, a kid zone, food trucks and craft vendors, and entertainment every night.

Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is a two-day event… Friday, August 5th, 6pm – 10pm and Saturday, August 6th, 12pm – 6pm at Koka Booth Amphitheater. Enjoy all those pleasures that true Southerners live by – Beer, Bourbon, Barbeque, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts!

Cary’s favorite BBQ Festival is back and better than ever! The 15th Annual Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is a two-day event

Whether you’re an aficionado or just want to try something new, look to the Gaston County ‘Cue Trail. We have unique and historic traditions in barbecue culture, and a wide variety of experiences for you to try. Let the Gaston County Cue Trail be your guide.

We bring the fun! Whether you are an outdoorsy type or prefer to stay inside, here are two great opportunities to create a thrilling weekend, in Gaston County.

The 6th Annual Oink & Ale Festival in Eden, North Carolina. The most fantastic little beer festival on the block.

The Catawba River is widely considered the “Hardest Working River in America,” because there is more electricity generated per mile by the Catawba River than any other river in the United States.

Meet us in Gaston County for these three great events; Adventure Race and opening of the Boathouse in McAdenville, Tuck Fest at US National Whitewater Center and Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships with Bike Fest at George Poston Park.

This outdoor event encourages the public to shop local and support area crafters and artisans. The event will be held at Temple Field behind the Old Rock School and will be a true way to kick off the outdoor event season for Valdese. 

Don’t miss Christmas County, an extravaganza of festivals and events designed to celebrate this special time of year. 

Years ago, it was as if magic was in the air when the holidays rolled around. Each year the whole family would hop in the car to make a special trip into town to scour the street on a hunt for the perfect holiday gift for each of our family and friends. Poinsettias, twinkling lights, silver and gold ornaments, greenery and red bows, would decorate the stores while Nat King Cole filled the room putting you in the holiday spirit. 

Early holiday shoppers can peruse over 140 craft shops in a village market which provides a diverse selection of handmade items such as pottery, jewelry, perfume, glass blown ornaments, ceramics, bath & body products, medieval costumes, hand carved candles, unique musical instruments, children’s toys, a full spectrum of clothing, and much more. Watch artisans make a masterpiece right before your eyes. Enjoy demonstrations of fine skills such as weaving, woodcarving, blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery, and jewelry making – all using ancient skills and low technology.

Belmont, NC The Museum of the Moon will be exhibited in downtown Belmont for three weekends serving as the backdrop for a series of lunar-inspired events. Over the centuries, the moon has been used as a timekeeper, calendar, and source of light to aid nighttime navigation. The evenings and weekends…

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The wildly popular Carolina Renaissance Festival is back to celebrate its 28th year Saturdays and Sundays, October 2nd through November 21st. Located just north of Charlotte, NC, the Festival blends imagination, fantasy, and history all within a 20-acre outdoor storybook village filled with shopping,…

Gaston County, NC Fall is absolutely the best time to get outside as temperatures cool and landscapes come brilliantly alive. Get out and explore!   Check out our brand new Fall Guide 2021, showcasing the best way to experience Gaston County this season. Enjoy the outdoors, locate our most scenic…

Burke County, NC Known as a small town with big celebrations, the Town of Valdese summer concerts will conclude on September 3rd with a special performance by Too Much Sylvia. Sharing a variety of hits from ZZ Top to Motown, TMS is sure to get the crowd to their feet….

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The Festival is a full day of entertainment, adventure, and pageantry! History comes alive with hundreds of costumed characters re-creating a 16th Century European Marketplace in the town of Fairhaven. It’s a 25-acre outdoor open air village nestled in the forest and meadows. At…

Gaston County, NC Summertime just makes people want to get out and explore! If you’ve done the beach, and the mountains, and looking for something new, now is the time to try Gaston County. Gaston County is a recreational wonderland you need to discover, with options from easy to strenuous…

Reevestock Music Festival, slated for August 6 & 7th,2021, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This grassroots festival has grown into a vibrant two-day celebration of music in both Downtown Elkin and Elkin’s Hidden Amphitheater. It’s not only a signature annual event for Elkin, but a much-anticipated gathering for guests from…

Here is how to enjoy a weekend in Mount Holly by getting outside and onto the Catawba River in Gaston County, located just outside of Charlotte, NC. Let the adventure begin! Make your way to Tailrace Marina, where you can rent a variety of personal vessels available for hourly and…

Goldsboro, NC Nestled in the heart of eastern NC between Raleigh and the coast, we are a destination with rich culture and heritage. Our heritage has deep military and agricultural roots. And, let us not forget to mention our legendary BBQ! We sum up ourselves with 3 Ps: pigs, pickles, and…

Driving on a cloudless Carolina blue sky day is always fabulous but the destination anticipation is exhilarating! You see the mountain ahead however there’s so much more to explore. Downtown Pilot Mountain is open for visitors. Along with several events scheduled this summer downtown has many places for you to…

3 Locations | Saturdays & Sundays | May – September Gaston County, NC If you haven’t taken a spin on the open water aboard a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, it’s probably just a matter of time. Participation in paddling has been on the rise over the past few years…

Gaston County, NC The Carolina Thread Trail will bring back its annual National Trails Day celebration on Saturday, June 5, 2021 with an increased focus on safety and social distancing. National Trails Day is a great way to kick off the summer and safely enjoy the outdoors. This free, family-friendly…

Burke County, NC Valdese is excited to celebrate the summer with several events ranging from the annual Craft Market at the Old Rock School to the Summer Concert Series Kickoff Celebration! While 2020 was a quiet year for Valdese, the town is excited to welcome locals and visitors alike to…

Gaston County, NC After navigating the threat of Covid-19 for a year, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden reopened to the public on March 17. The Garden has operated under various scenarios over the past year, but with vaccinations increasing and the spread on the decline, the Garden will now open more…

Gaston County, NC Thinking that our destination’s outdoor brand could enjoy growth through greater consumer diversity, we reached out for BFCT’s help. In spring 2020, the Travel & Tourism team hosted Earl on a site visit so he could see first-hand what our potential guests would experience during a weekend…

The Visit NC Farms Phone app, developed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, connects millions of North Carolina residents and visitors to farmers and local food – one community at a time and Gaston County is now one of those places. Using cell phone technology, residents and…

Gaston County Travel & Tourism has created a free game pass to promote the Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail experience and the eight individual businesses that are part of it in both Gaston and Cleveland counties. The Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail derives its name from the Ridgeline Trail which connects Crowders…

Conventions, Conferences, Culinary Creations, Creative Craft Beverages, & Chill. The city of Gastonia is the perfect urban trail head. In the heart of Gaston county, any direction you venture, you will find something new to discover & enjoy. As diverse as your destinations are in Gastonia, the choices for your…

Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail I  hope you had a chance to read part one of our story on theRidgeline Craft Beverage Trail. This is a two-day journey; and this month we highlight day two. If you missed day one, go to trailpost.craftpassport.app to catch up.  Cavendish Brewing Company On day…

Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail The Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail features six of Gaston and Cleveland County’s breweries, distilleries and wineries. Each has its own unique feel and culture, which was our favorite part of this trail. It’s a great representation of what makes Gaston and Cleveland Counties so special.  Starting…