save the date

Summer

JUNETEENTH

June 17, 2023

Hosted in downtown Winston-Salem at Bailey Park and Biotech Place, this celebration of African American traditions and freedom features jazz, R&B, and blues music; African dance; food trucks; healthcare discussions; a children’s area; as well as arts and crafts. triadculturalarts.org/index.php/juneteenth-2/

PRIDE WINSTON-SALEM FESTIVAL AND PARADE

June 24, 2023

A destination where all are welcome, Winston-Salem proudly celebrates the local LGBT community with a downtown parade and festival with live music, entertainment, street vendors, and hands-on activities. pridews.org

GEARS & GUITARS

August 4-6, 2023

Downtown's Innovation Quarter hosts the 10th annual Gears & Guitars festival, an outdoor concert series featuring national bands in conjunction with Friday night’s Streets of Fire street sprinting and Saturday’s Winston-Salem Cycling Classic. gearsandguitarsfest.com

THE WINSTON-SALEM OPEN

August 19-26, 2023

The last stop of the ATP tour before the U.S. Open, the WinstonSalem Open brings in some of the world’s top tennis players to compete for a championship title. winstonsalemopen.com

Fall Fiesta

September 9, 2023

The Hispanic League’s annual multicultural festival, with live music, authentic Latin cuisine, margaritas, and more, moves to Truist Stadium for its 31st year. hispanicleague.org

BOOKMARKS FESTIVAL OF BOOKS & AUTHORS

September 23, 2003

The largest book and author festival in the Carolinas hosts more than 50 authors, a Southern Lit Lunch, and family activities. bookmarksnc.org

Out At The Movies International Film Festival

September 28-October 1, 2023

OUT at the Movies International Film Fest, a primarily LGBTQ event on the campus of UNC School of the Arts and at downtown venues, includes more than 30 screenings and events, like discussions with national directors, nightly parties, and a closing night awards ceremony. outatthemovies.org

Carolina Classic Fair

September 29-October 8, 2023

Celebrating 141 years, the 10-day Carolina Classic Fair is the second-largest agricultural fair in North Carolina. Enjoy carnival rides, food vendors, and live performances. carolinaclassicfair.com

Nc Beer Month

October 2023

Drink in beer-related events and limited-edition craft beer releases. Create your own Craft Draft Crawl in Winston-Salem with nine walkable breweries. visitwinstonsalem.com/tours/craft-draft-crawl

PIEDMONT CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR

November 18-19, 2023

Some of the finest artisans from the Southeast present handcrafted textiles, jewelry, furniture, and decorative items. piedmontcraftsmen.org/fair

Winter

Historic

HOLIDAY TOURS

November-December 2023

Tour Old Salem Museums & Gardens decked in greenery and Moravian stars, step into 1917 at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, and, just 15 minutes away, Körner’s Folly, experience a Victorian Christmas. visitwinstonsalem.com/seasons/winter

Tanglewood Park Festival Of Lights

November 17-January 1, 2024

Drive on a winding route through Tanglewood Park, transformed into a winter wonderland created with more than a million twinkling lights. After enjoying more than 80 displays, visit the holiday village with crafts, handmade gifts, and specialty foods. forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol/

National Black Theatre Festival

By: Lynn Felder

Around the city, drumbeats and cries of “Black theater, holy ground!” rise and fill the air. African dancers twirl and leap. Famous theater celebrities dine among the locals in your favorite restaurants.

You’ll hear the word “marvatastic,” coined by the founder of the National Black Theatre Festival, Mr. Marvtastic himself, the late Larry Leon Hamlin.

Produced by the North Carolina Black Repertory Co., the 18th annual festival will convene July 29-Aug. 3, 2024, in downtown and fan out to venues throughout city.

This is Winston-Salem’s largest arts event, and with 60,000 in total attendance over the weeklong festival, the biennial National Black Theatre Festival is a feast for the senses — a nonstop celebration from morning till after midnight.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February 2024

Celebrate Winston-Salem’s African American history and heritage with interactive tours, performances, artist exhibitions, and much more. Contact Visit Winston-Salem to request their African American Arts & Culture Guide for more information. visitwinstonsalem.com/our-story/african-american-heritage

Spring

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

March 31, 2024

The 252nd Moravian Easter Sunrise Service at God’s Acre in Old Salem is one of the nation’s largest and longest-running Easter morning services. moraviansunrise.org

RIVER RUN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

April 18-27, 2024

This Academy Award-qualifying film festival screens more than 150 films from dozens of countries and genres from animated to documentary. riverrunfilm.com

PIEDMONT EARTH DAY FAIR

April 20, 2024

Held at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, this admission-free event is the biggest Earth Day celebration in the state. Enjoy food, music, kids activities, and dozens of eco-friendly exhibitors. peanc.org

Programming includes 130 theatrical performances, a lively international vendors’ market, films, spoken word poetry, and networking events.

Hamlin founded the N.C. Black Repertory Co. in 1979, and ten years later, that organization produced the first Festival. Dr. Maya Angelou, who served as the first honorary chairperson, brought in Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, playwright August Wilson, Lou Gossett Jr., Esther Rolle, and others.

As the stars stream in, so do the fans. Many of the festivalgoers are repeat visitors, coming year after year to share and celebrate Black culture.

RV campground is available for use throughout the year with exception of mid-September through mid-October due to the annual Carolina Classic Fair. Reservations are not required. Water,