North Carolina Watermelon Festival
For more than four decades, the North Carolina Watermelon Festival has transformed the charming town of Murfreesboro into one of the state’s most exciting summer destinations. Held each year in historic downtown Murfreesboro, this beloved festival celebrates North Carolina’s rich agricultural heritage with four days of family-friendly fun, entertainment, and, of course, plenty of sweet, refreshing watermelon. The festival traces its roots to 1957 and has called Murfreesboro home since 1985.
Visitors can enjoy a lively parade, thrilling carnival rides, live music, delicious food vendors, craft and artisan markets, classic festival games, and crowd-favorite competitions such as watermelon seed-spitting and watermelon-eating contests. Families gather beneath the iconic Watermelon Arch, children enjoy midway attractions, and festival-goers savor free watermelon slices while experiencing the warm hospitality that makes Murfreesboro special.
Schedule:
Wednesday and Thursday 6 pm – 10:30 pm: free admission
Friday 12 pm – 11 pm: Free entry before 4PM, After 4PM: $5 adults (18+), children free
Saturday 7:30 am – 11 pm: Free entry before 4PM, After 4PM: $5 adults (18+), children free
See full schedule here: ncwatermelonfest.com/#schedule