Seasonal Events

PILGRIMAGE TOUR OF HISTORIC HOMES
Held on odd years every other spring
Presented by the Edenton Woman’s Club, this enchanting self-guided tour explores the heart of Historic Edenton and surrounding countryside, highlighting prime examples of beautiful homes with architecture spanning across two centuries.

ROCKY HOCK OPRY SPRING SHOW
April
Rocky Hock Playhouse is a musical theater specializing in lunch/dinner shows. Every year, the local musicians of Edenton band together to sing for spring!

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOLF TOURNAMENT
May @ Links at Mulberry Hill
Come join us for food, fun, and some of the best golf in Northeastern North Carolina as the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual fundraising golf tournament.

ALBEMARLE ROCK FISH FESTIVAL
Held annually in May
Clear Living Waters created the Albemarle Rock Fish Festival to raise awareness for the health of the Albemarle Sound through enjoying music, seeing loved ones, and promoting good stewardship of our waters.

EASELS IN THE GARDEN
Held on even years every other spring
The two-day affair offers an exceptional pairing of special gardens with talented plein-air artists, each creating unique works of art in beautiful outdoor settings. Sponsored by the Cupola House Association, funds raised at the biennial event are used to help maintain the 1758 Cupola House and its gardens.

The Art in Bloom exhibit brings the combination of nature and art inside of the Chowan Arts Council, where local floral designers showcase their creativity by interpreting individual works of art as floral arrangements.

HERITAGE FARM FEST
Held annually in June
Step back in time to celebrate the roots of northeastern North Carolina. Every summer, the heritage village comes to life with blacksmithing, shingle making, moonshiners, heritage foods, antique tractors, and draft horses.

EDENTON STEAMERS
Celebrate the start of summer baseball with the Edenton Steamers Fan Fest! Our collegiate summer league welcomes top-notch college players from across the nation to play at Edenton’s Historic Hicks Field, home of the oldest remaining wooden grandstand of its kind in North Carolina. Edenton alumni include MLB stars Joe Smith, Ryan Sadowski, and Greg Holland.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Edenton is well-known for its patriotic July 4th festival! The day begins with the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on the lawn of the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. Spend the afternoon at the waterfront with food trucks, music, and local vendors while you wait for the night’s fireworks show over the Edenton Bay.

SOUNDS OF SUMMER
July 22, 2023
The annual Music & Water Festival returns as the Sounds of Summer, presented by Visit Edenton. From boats in the harbor to picnics on the lawn, music will fill the air at this waterfront celebration of Chowan County’s anniversary! This year, the legendary Band of Oz takes center stage!

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY
Held annually on August 7th
Every August, Historic Edenton State Historic Site hosts an open house at the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse with family-friendly activities.

77TH ANNUAL CHOWAN COUNTY REGIONAL FAIR
Held in late September
The award-winning Chowan County Regional Fair highlights Chowan’s heritage through exhibits, activities, amusement rides and entertainment with great food on the American Legion Fairgrounds. Enjoy farm and train displays, pig races, a beauty pageant, a baking competition, fair games and amusement rides!

SHRIMP BY THE BAY
Held annually in October
Join us for the 22nd annual Shrimp by the Bay fundraiser hosted by the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce! This waterfront feast has become a tradition for the community and provides great fun with live music, a silent auction, adult ring toss, corn hole and more.

KICKOFF TO CHRISTMAS & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Held annually in early December
On the first Saturday of December, we ring in the holiday season with a celebration in Edenton’s historic downtown. Festive music fills the streets while children visit with Santa and the community gathers for an annual Tree Lighting ceremony. The night concludes with a Flotilla of boats illuminating the Edenton Bay.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOUR
Held annually the second Friday-Saturday of December,
A local Christmas tradition! For four decades, the Edenton Historical Commission has hosted a self-guided walking tour of beautifully decorated private homes and many holiday activities under the glow of candlelight.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Held annually the second Saturday of December
The Edenton Chowan Christmas Parade brings out the whole community to enjoy floats, boats, horses, and holiday cheer!