10 Popular Festivals In Winston-Salem, North Carolina

festivals in winston salem
Mwongeli
Mwongeli  
Updated
| 5 min read

Nestled between the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Winston-Salem is one of the most beautiful cities in North Carolina. Dubbed as “City of the Arts and Innovation” for its hands-on dedication in fine arts and theater, a visit to this place reveals a charming city diverse in culture and rich in heritage. Endowed with a unique blend of captivating attractions and a plethora of stunning city museums like Historic Bethabara Park, which preserves architectural buildings of an indigenous Moravian community, this beautiful city is a melting pot of amazing cultures. And to celebrate this fascinating diversity, festivals and celebrations are organized throughout the year. So, if you are planning a visit to this part of the continent, read on for a curated list of top popular festivals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and take part in any of them.

1. Hispanic League-Fiesta

Posted by Neill McNeill WGHP FOX 8 on Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Towards the end of September each year, the country turns its eyes towards the city of Winston-Salem for the highly anticipated Hispanic League-Fiesta. A fun-filled downtown tradition, this street bash aims to raise scholarship funds for smart underprivileged students in different communities through promoting inclusivity, culture, and heritage of Hispanic and Latino traditions. Arguably one of the biggest fundraisers in the entire country, this fascinating jubilee draws out over 22,000 attendees who throng here to have an exquisite time indulging in uplifting music, rejuvenating dances, and of course, like many other balls, authentic food is aplenty.

Hispanic League-Fiesta

Address: 251 Spruce St N, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States

Website: Hispanic League-Fiesta

Takes place: September

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2. The Nutcracker

Posted by University of North Carolina School of the Arts on Monday, 26 August 2019

If you are someone who enjoys the rhythmic sounds of a live orchestra, or an electrifying choreographed dance, then The Nutcracker performance in Winston-Salem is one you shouldn’t miss. A remarkable feast of the senses held annually every December, this show is nothing short of perfection, as it features some of the most creative talents and minds in both music and dance. Performed at Stevens Center in the lively blare of downtown Winston-Salem, this unforgettable family-oriented event also aims at raising colleague funds through promoting dance, music, visual arts, and design and production.

The Nutcracker

Address: 405 4th St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States

Website: The Nutcracker

Takes place: December

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3. National Black Theatre Festival


Enjoy impeccable theatrical talents at the annual National Black Theatre Festival. A considerably highly anticipated event in the country, this fascinating bash celebrates the astounding talents and genius of directors, performers, producers, designers, and technicians, from within Winston-Salem and around the world. Running for six days, this theatre festival allows you to relish electrifying depths of amazing African American poetry, performances, riveting films, and awe-inspiring workshops that will blow your mind. This colorful gala culminates with a stunning celebrity reception of over 40 films, TV and stage personalities, and an energetic parade of vibrant African drummers and dancers.

National Black Theatre Festival

Address: 610 Coliseum Dr NW Suite 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, United States

Website: National Black Theatre Festival

Takes place: Usually held between July and August

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4. Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair

One of our newest artists in clay, Zan Barnes, was able to leave us some of her gorgeous pieces.

Posted by Piedmont Craftsmen on Friday, 25 November 2016

Every year in December just before Christmas, the quiet city of Winston-Salem comes to life. Huge enthusiastic crowds throng here for one reason only: the exciting Piedmont Craftsmen Festival. Since 1963, this colorful festival brings out some of the best talents in art and enchanting crafts, showcasing the diligent work of more than 100 fine artisans from across the entire southeast and abroad. A unique celebration that livens the fascinating world of art, this eye-catching fair includes surreal exhibits of different artists working in glass, wood, fibers, metal, photography, printmaking, and mixed media resulting in stunning artistic marvels.

Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair

Address: 601 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States

Website: Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair

Takes place: November

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5. International Village Food and Music Festival

Posted by WTOB 980AM & 96.3 FM Radio on Saturday, 9 September 2017

Take fun to new heights at the International Village Food and Music Festival and discover the vibrant culture of Winston-Salem. An event that any certified foodie shouldn’t miss, this colorful festival is held annually every September at Corpening Plaza. It aims to celebrate global cuisine, music, arts, and other creative talents from across the city and the world. This event features cultural entertainment such as traditional songs and dances and engaging education programs about this international community. It also features a naturalization ceremony, where few attendees become US citizens.

International Village Food and Music Festival

Address: Corpening Plaza, 231 1st St W, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101, Winston Salem, United States

Website: International Village Food and Music Festival

Takes place:September

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6. Camel City Craft Fair: Fall Festival


If you love collecting exquisitely handcrafted arts and crafts, then the Camel City Craft Fair is one that you can’t miss. A fantastic day’s celebration of impeccable art talents and creative minds, this ecstatic event held annually every September at Foothills Brewing presents a chance for Winston-Salem’s artists to showcase some of their enchanting artworks in a relaxed setting and allows interested buyers to meet craftspeople directly, and engage them about their captivating work and view intriguing demonstrations of mindblowing craft techniques. With a handful of regional and local vendors selling distinctive handmade arts, crafts, antiques, and vintage goods, it’s wise to come with loosened purse strings, just in case you want to purchase some of the art pieces.

Camel City Craft Fair: Fall Festival

Address: Foothills Brewing, 3800 Kimwell Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103, Clemmons, United States

Website: Camel City Craft Fair: Fall Festival

Takes place: September

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7. Gears and Guitars Fest

festivals in winston salem | gears and guitars fest
Source: instagram

If you are a stalwart music buff looking to get acquainted with Winston-Salem’s inspiring music scene, then the annual Gears and Guitars festival was made for someone like you. Dubbed as ‘the biggest party on two wheels,’ this spectacular event draws out huge crowds from across Winston-Salem who gather at the scenic Bailey Park for three days’ family-friendly entertainment. Come down and indulge in an enthralling dance as you sing along to live music of your favorite tunes from rock to reggae and everything else in between.

Gears and Guitars Fest

Address: 475 Patterson Avenue, 27101 Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Website: Gears and Guitars Fest

Takes place: Usually held in May

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8. RiverRun International Film Festival


A Considerably highly anticipated event in the country, RiverRun International Festival is a fascinating regional event dedicated to showcasing some of the best new international movies from across the globe. Held annually in the spring of April, this inspiring event is an Academy Award-qualifying film festival, which brings out movie buffs and other filmmakers from across the globe, who crowd here to relish spectacular talents behind some of the biggest names in the film industry. Running for 11 days, this captivating cinephile’s affair boasts four different venues of movie screening, featuring over 150 films from across the continent.

RiverRun International Film Festival

Address:305 West Fourth Street Suite 1A Winston-Salem NC 27101 USA

Website: RiverRun International Film Festival

Takes place: Usually held in April

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9. Pride Festival and Parade


Lastly on our list is, by far, the most colorful festival in North Carolina, the Pride Festival and Parade. Held in October, every year, this fair brings together hundreds of professionals from different fields and backgrounds who come together to champion for equal rights of all individuals, especially for members from the LGBTQ+ communities from Winston-Salem and the entire planet at large. Taking place in the Arts District on Trade Street in downtown Winston-Salem, the event’s highlight is without a doubt the majestic parade headlined by celebrity guests and other notable figures.

Pride Festival and Parade

Address: 60 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States

Website: Pride Festival and Parade

Takes place: June

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10. Carolina Classic Fair (Previously known as Dixie Classic Fair]


Feel loved, empowered, and inspired at the annual Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem. A fun-filled, family-oriented festival held annually at Winston-Salem’s Fairgrounds, this ecstatic event aims at promoting fun and inclusion of diverse ethnic communities in North Carolina through remarkable games, live music performances, and delectable cuisine. Featuring a handful of attractions from Butterfly Encounters to Glassblowing to Custom Stock Dogs, you’re bound to find something that captures your interest. To revel in the celebrations, and make the most out of this festival, make sure you visit as many attractions as you can for full insight into what this event has in store for you.

Dixie Classic Fair

Address: 421 27th St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, United States

Website: Dixie Classic Fair

Takes place: Usually held September to October

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Indulge in celebrations in Winston-Salem

2012 NC Wine Festival a
Source: Photo by user Dennis Brown used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you thirst for a first-hand experience that will introduce you rich culture and heritage of Winston-Salem, festivals are the way to go. Whether you are looking for something a bit more conservative, adventurous, or perhaps something impactful and educative, there is always a festival here to appease you.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Equipped with a diploma in tourism, Mwongeli Munuve is passionate about visiting new places to learn, interacting with the locals, trying out some of their specialties and collecting souvenirs. She...Read more

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