41 Events Not to Miss in Chapel Hill in 2016

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If you want to know the latest in Chapel Hill, find these and even more great events in the Chapel Hill Relocation Guide  –> Click Here.

Chapel Hill Bell Tower

FEBRUARY

NC Comedy Arts Festival
Laughs are guaranteed during this event that is one of the largest of its kind in the country and known all over the state as a cultural institution. You’ll see both recognized and up- and-coming acts perform stand-up, improv and sketch comedy at venues including Local 506 and DSI Comedy Theater. Various locations; 919-338-8150; nccomedyarts.com

Carolina Jazz Festival
Now in its 39th year, this event brings together students and faculty from the UNC Jazz Studies program and guest musicians for a number of performances, forums and rehearsals. UNC Campus, 919-962-1039; music.unc.edu/jazzfest

MARCH

Community Egg Hunt
The Easter Bunny has been busy hiding 25,000 eggs throughout River Park in Hillsborough, so it’s up to kids ages 2 to 10 to bring a basket and find every last one. The whole family will enjoy live entertainment, games, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself. River Park, 140 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough; 919-968-2743; townofchapelhill.org/egghunt

APRIL

Storybook Gala Under the Sea
Mingle with guests during The Little Mermaid- themed soiree to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. The annual black-tie optional event features a three- course dinner and dancing. Sheraton Chapel Hill, 1 Europa Dr., Chapel Hill; 919-913-2040; rmh-chapelhill.org

Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn
There’s no place like the lawn of the historic inn on a Friday to kick o your weekend. No cover charge, ticket fees or reservations required – just stop by anytime after 5pm on Fridays through October for live music from some of the best bands around. Drinks and seasonal picnic boxes are available for purchase. The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill; 919-933-2001; carolinainnevents.com

Not So Normal Run + Fun (5K, Half and Marathon)
Two towns, two days, three races. Run a 5K, half or full marathon to cap o the third annual weeklong celebration of community and giving. Proceeds bene t the Not So Normal Fund, which supports local nonprofit projects and initiatives. Registration prices vary. notsonormalrun.org

Tar Heels for SECU Family House BBQ & Golf Tournament
Mingle with Tar Heel coaches, student athletes and other supporters and enjoy barbecue, music and a silent auction. Practice your swing for the golf tournament the morning after. The Blue Zone at Kenan Memorial Stadium, 104 Stadium Dr., Chapel Hill; 919-932-8001; secufamilyhouse.org/bbq-golf

UNC Science Expo
The signature event of the annual North Carolina Science Festival, this street fair features more than 100 activities including hands-on interactive experiments, riveting demonstrations, behind-the-scenes lab tours, stage entertainment and more. Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill; 919-843-7952; ncsciencefestival.org

Tar Heel 10 Miler & 4 Mile Run
Designed to showcase downtown and its surrounding historic neighborhoods, the race begins at the Bell Tower and ends at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Registration prices vary. UNC Campus; tarheel10miler.com

Piedmont Farm Tour
Learn about local and organic farming on a self-guided tour of dozens of working farms in Orange, Chatham, Alamance and Person counties. Various locations; 919-542-2402; carolinafarmstewards.org/pft

Home Roam
Tour beautiful homes and enjoy food and beverage samples from local restaurants during the annual event hosted by the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties. Neighborhood TBD; 919-682-0449; Spring Shakori Hills

GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
Bring the whole family to celebrate music, dance, art and education and enjoy more than 60 performances. Ticket prices vary. Shakori Hills, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd., Pittsboro; 919-542-8142; shakorihillsgrassroots.org

If you want to know the latest in Chapel Hill, find these and even more great events in the Chapel Hill Relocation Guide  –> Click Here.

MAY

Moorefields on the Lawn
Built in 1785 as a summer home by Alfred Moore – a Revolutionary War military leader, U.S. Supreme Court Justice and a founder of UNC – the home and its sprawling lawn and gardens provide an elegant backdrop for yard games, house tours, live music and a buffet brunch. Moorfields, 2201 Moore elds Rd., Hillsborough; 919-732-4941; moorefields.org

Carrboro Day
Join your neighbors and friends for poetry readings, music and dancing, interactive field games, crafts, food, family activities and more on the first Sunday in May. Carrboro Town Hall grounds, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro; 919-918-7364; townofcarrboro.org

The Lumina Theatre’s Outdoor Movies on the Green
This theater shows films year-round, but during the warmer months, moviegoers can bring their own chairs and blankets and catch family-friendly flicks outdoors on the Village Green. Southern Village Green, 600 Market St., Chapel Hill; 919-969-8049; thelumina.com

Bynum Front Porch Friday Night Music Series

It might be down the road from Chapel Hill, but it’s worth the drive to Bynum to hear live folk, blues or bluegrass music on Friday nights through August. Tickets aren’t needed but a $5 to $8 donation is requested. Bynum General Store, 950 Bynum Rd., Bynum; bynumfrontporch.org

ClydeFEST
The outdoor children’s art festival at the Bynum Ball Field encourages creativity with hands-on arts activities, old-world carnival games, live music and food trucks. Bynum Ball Field, 173 Bynum Hill Rd., Bynum; 919-542-0394, chathamarts.org

JUNE

Carolina Kids Classic
Since the event was launched in 1988, the annual golf tournament has raised more than $3.5 million for families in need at the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. Finley Golf Course, 500 Finley Golf Course Rd., Chapel Hill; 919-913-2040; rmh-chapelhill.org

North Carolina Symphony at Southern Village
Concertgoers can stake out a spot on the Village Green, bring friends and family and pack a picnic for this free(!), once-a-summer performance at Southern Village. Southern Village Green, 600 Market St., Chapel Hill; 919-933-4422; southernvillage.com

JULY

10 by 10 in the Triangle
If you enjoy the theater but have a hard time making it through a three-hour show, this international festival is a perfect – and timely – alternative. In its 15th year, the event showcases 10 brand-new, 10-minute plays. The ArtsCenter, 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro; 919-929-2787; artscenterlive.org

PlayMakers’ Summer Youth Conservatory
The area’s best and brightest high school talent from 14 Triangle-area schools will perform a show after weeks of training, both on the stage and behind the scenes. Center for Dramatic Art, 150 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill; 919-962-7529; playmakersrep.org/outreach/syc

July 4th Celebration and Fireworks
Join thousands of Chapel Hillians in Kenan Memorial Stadium to celebrate our nation’s rich history of freedom and independence with a dazzling reworks display. Arrive early and enjoy live music, games, face painting and other fun family activities. Kenan Memorial Stadium, 104 Stadium Dr., Chapel Hill; 919-968-2743; townofchapelhill.org

AUGUST

Paperhand Puppet Intervention Summer Show
Don’t miss this larger-than-life puppet show (that’s not just for kids) from the Saxapahaw-based group at the Forest Theatre. The show premieres in August and runs weekends through Labor Day. Forest Theatre, 123 South Boundary St., Chapel Hill; 919-923-1857; paperhand.org

Be Loud! ‘16
Jam out to bands during the third annual event benefitting the Be Loud! Sophie Foundation. Proceeds will support adolescent and young adult cancer patients and their families at UNC Hospitals. Cat’s Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro; 919-967-9053; beloudsophie.org

SEPTEMBER

Carrboro Music Festival
Take in as much music as you can at this fun festival featuring more than 150 performances on 25 different stages throughout Carrboro. Various Carrboro locations; 919-942-8541; carrboromusicfestival.com

OCTOBER

Fall Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
Bring the whole family to celebrate music, dance, art and education and enjoy more than 60 performances. Shakori Hills, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd., Pittsboro; 919-542-8142; shakorihillsgrassroots.org

Roy Williams’ Fast Break Against Cancer
Join Coach Roy Williams, his assistant coaches and Tar Heel announcer Jones Angell as they tip-off the men’s basketball season at this seated breakfast and one-of-a-kind live auction event. All proceeds benefit critical cancer research, prevention and treatment programs in our community. Dean E. Smith Center, 300 Skipper Bowles Dr., Chapel Hill; 919-966-5905; unclineberger.org/development/fastbreak

Festifall
Join thousands of Chapel Hillians and visitors downtown for the free annual outdoor festival. Watch performances by local bands and dance groups and peruse the market of handmade works for sale. West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill; 919-968-2784; chapelhillfestifall.com

A Tasteful Affair
Join guests from across the Triangle to enjoy delicious samples from over two-dozen of the area’s nest restaurants, catering companies, beverage purveyors and food trucks. The Blue Zone at Kenan Memorial Stadium, 104 Stadium Dr., Chapel Hill; 919-913-2040; rmh-chapelhill.org

Annual Walk for Education
Walk with thousands of students, teachers and families to support school clubs, sports teams and organizations with exercise, food and games in this district-wide fundraiser. The walk starts at McCorkle Place on UNC’s campus and ends with a giant carnival at Lincoln Center. McCorkle Place, UNC Campus, E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill; 919-968-8819; publicschoolfoundation.org

The Carolina Ball
This classy evening at the Carolina Club raises money for families who stay at the SECU Family House during treatment at UNC Hospitals. Participate in silent and live auctions, try your hand at casino games, enjoy dinner and dance the night away. The Carolina Club, 550 Stadium Dr., Chapel Hill; 919-932-8000; secufamilyhouse.org/gala/the-carolina-ball

Hillsborough Handmade Parade
Every two years, this colorful procession rolls into town – revelers proudly parade down the streets of Hillsborough with larger-than- life creative and kooky puppets of their own making. Various Hillsborough locations; 919-643-2500; hillsboroughartscouncil.org

Homegrown Halloween
In an effort to keep Halloween smaller, safer and closer to its local roots, Franklin Street closes down from 9pm to midnight to make room for thousands of costumed attendees. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill; 919-968-2743; townofchapelhill.org

NOVEMBER

Jupiter Ball
The black-tie gala bene ts the Jupiter Ball Fund, a scholarship program that enables in-need students across the state to visit the Morehead Planetarium on field trips or to receive a visit from Morehead’s outreach programs. Morehead Planetarium, 250 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill; 919-843-3474; moreheadplanetarium.org

Carrboro Film Festival
This two-day celebration features world-class lms of every length and genre from around the region and the world, as well as parties and workshops. The ArtsCenter, 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro; 919-929-2787; carrborofilmfestival.com

Southern Village 5K and Family Fun Run
Get together with friends or bring the whole family to run or walk to support the Chapel Hill Service League’s primary fundraiser for Christmas House. Southern Village, Chapel Hill; 919-933-1141; chapelhillserviceleague.org

Orange County Artists Guild Annual Open Studio Tour
Meet more than 70 artists in their own studios and see their many media and styles of art from metal sculpture and woodworks to painting and ceramics. The studio tour is free and open to the public; visit the website to download a brochure and map where participants can view the artists’ work to plan their route. Various locations in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough; orangecountyartistsguild.com

DECEMBER

Gingerbread Village Display
Relish the festive display of gingerbread houses at The Carolina Inn made by Chapel Hillians showcasing their creativity and imagination. The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill; 919-933-2001; carolinainnevents.com

The Nutcracker
You’ll have visions of sugarplums in your head after a performance of this classic tale. Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron St., Chapel Hill; 919-719-0900; carolinaballet.com

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade
Bundle up and claim a seat for the annual parade that starts in Chapel Hill and ends in Carrboro and features marching bands, oats and of course, Santa Claus. Franklin Street; chapelhillholidayparade.com

Town Hall Tree Lighting
The town of Carrboro will sparkle as the tree is lit at Town Hall with carolers and holiday cheer. Carrboro Town Hall grounds, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro; 919-918-7364; townofcarrboro.org

 

 

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