Great annual events to look forward to in Gaston County in 2024

2024 promises to be a great year in Gaston County as our annual events create great reasons to plan a visit. Use this list of events to "Save The Date" and make your plans now to visit Gaston County.

WINTER

Fossil Fare

February 24, 2024 | Schiele Museum

Travel back in time during this year’s Fossil Fair! Explore fossil displays and enjoy exciting activities based on prehistoric life. Search for North Carolina fossils, meet live animals, go gemstone mining, visit the Dino Safari, find or buy your own fossils to take home, and so much more! Learn More

Frigid Trail Race and Plunge

February 3, 2024 | Whitewater Center

Brave the cold this winter at the Frigid Trail Race a 5k and 10k race followed by an icy cold plunge into the Deep Water Solo pool at the Whitewater Center. Learn More

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SPRING

Green River Revival

March 16, 2024 | Whitewater Center

Kick off spring this year at the Green River Revival celebrated each year as a part of the St. Patrick's Day celebration. The resident leprechaun transforms the river green then the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run takes place followed by rafting down the river while listening to live music. Learn More

Gaston Max

March 23, 2024 | Gastonia

The City of Gastonia, Gaston County Public Library, Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, and Gaston County Government partner to celebrate the wide variety of cultures living in Gaston County and to showcase artists, authors, and entertainers. Learn More

Monster Truckz

March 29-31, 2024 | Carolina Speedway

The City of Gastonia, Gaston County Public Library, Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, and Gaston County Government partner to celebrate the wide variety of cultures living in Gaston County and to showcase artists, authors, and entertainers. Learn More

Gaston County Public Library Book Sale

April 1-6 2024 | Gaston County Library Main Branch

Mark your calendars for the week long, Gaston Coiunty Public Library Annual Book Sale put on by Friends of the Gaston County Public Library. Learn More

Earth Day Celebration

April 20, 2024 | Kings Mountain Gateway Trail

Celebrate Earth Day at Gateway Trail with a magical butterfly release! Enjoy a day filled with family fun, featuring a petting zoo, lifelike dinosaurs, vibrant face painting, upcycle artisans showcasing creative eco-friendly art, gem mining adventures, balloon art, delicious concessions, hands-on crafts, and mesmerizing woodwork. Join us for a joyful and sustainable Earth Day celebration! Learn More

Cherry Blossom Festival

April 19-20, 2024 | Gazebo Mini-Park, Cherryville

The 2024 Cherry Blossom Festival attendees will enjoy the Miss Cherry Blossom Pageant, food vendors, rides, and entertainment by Dirty Grass Soul. Saturday features an Antique Car Show, eating contests, bounce houses, as well as art & crafts vendors, and an array of food and beverage options. Learn More

Tuck Fest

April 19-21, 2024 | Whitewater Center

This multi-day festival celebrates outdoor lifestyle with exhibitions, demos, live music, and a variety of outdoor competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, obstacle, and adventure racing. Learn More

Garibaldi Festival

April 2024 | Stowe Park

Mark your calendars to save the date for this fun day long festival at Stowe park in Belmont, NC. It will be a full day of live music from a variety of genres, art exhibits, unique artisan vendors, and amazing food. Learn More 

Springfest

May 4, 2024 | Mount Holly Main Street Events

Save the Date for Springfest a festival to celebrate spring in downtown Mount Holly in May 2024.  Learn More 

Goat Island Games

May 2024 | Goat Island in Cramerton

Lace up your running shoes, take out your discs, grab a kayak and ping pong paddles, and bring your best back-yard cornhole game! The annual Goat Island Games is a full day of fun with events for the whole family in Cramerton. Learn More

RiverFest

May 18, 2024 | Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

RiverFest is a family-friendly festival held on the banks of the Catawba River. The day is action-packed with, local vendors, opportunities to paddle, food trucks, music and fun for the whole family! Learn More

Paddling Season Officially Begins

May | The Boathouse

Let the paddling season begin with the opening of the Boathouse in McAdenville. Paddling along the Catawba River and its South Fork is quickly becoming one the most popular things to do in Gaston County during the summer. There are several outfitters prepared to get you out on the water for a day of fun. You can kayak, canoe, standup paddleboard, and more! Learn More

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SUMMER

Summer Concerts

May-Sept | Various Downtowns in Gaston County

Live music concerts takes place in several of our downtowns throughout the summer months. Keep an eye on our calendar of events as summer draws near for the list of locations and dates. Learn More

Comic Con

June 2024 | Gaston County Public Library

The Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con is back! After four long years, the wait is over! Enjoy comic book and pop culture vendors, costume contests, scavenger hunts, face-painting, food trucks, and tons of other fun. Learn More

Hippie Daze Festival

June 1-2, 2024 | Dallas Lavender Lane

The Hippie Daze Festival at Dallas Lavender Lane Farm in Dallas, NC will be two days of fun. Come out and hear Noah Back Music both days.  There will also be a DJ, jugglers, stilt walkers, VW show, over 100 vendors, bubble show, petting zoo including highland cow, drum show, huge playground, kids 12 and under get in free. Learn More

Juneteenth

June 2024 | Stowe Park

The annual Juneteeth Celebration is set to take place at Stowe Park in Belmont again in 2024 with plans to foster cultural awareness, acceptance, and preservation by educating, enriching, and empowering communities through artistic cultural programs, presentations and events. Learn More 

Food & Brews Street Festival

June 29, 2024 | Rotary Pavilion

We are excited to announce that the Gastonia Food + Brews Street Festival will fill the streets with a fun for everyone this June. Learn More 

Independence Day Celebrations

July 2024 | Multiple Locations

Keep an eye on our annual event calendar for a comprehensive list of Independence Day festivities, including spectacular fireworks displays. Don't miss out on the excitement – plan your celebrations with us!

ForkFest

August 2024 | South Fork River

ForkFest is a music festival to celebrate the South Fork River while benefitting the health of the South Fork River! Kick off your weekend with our not-to-be-missed Floating Concert and then stick around for a roster of awesome musicians across the bluegrass, country, and Americana genres while enjoying the beauty of downtown Cramerton, on the banks of the South Fork River. Learn More

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FALL

Countryfest

October 2024 | Stanley

Keep your eye out for the annual Countryfest festival and carnival which is set to take place again this year in Stanley.

Lantern Parade

October 2024 | Mount Holly

Hundreds of local students, and community members create lanterns and join together to light the sky in a night time parade in Mount Holly. Learn More

Cotton Ginning Days

October 2024 | Dallas Park

This three-day festival typically takes place the second weekend in October and consists of antique engine and farm equipment, vendors and exhibitors from all over the southeast, two days of live bluegrass and folk music, and various food vendors. Learn More

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WINTER

Christmas Town USA

December 2024 | McAdenville

The historic mill town of McAdenville transforms each Christmas with an impressive light display including holiday music. Vehicles drive through town and people walk the streets to enjoy the show. Learn More

Holiday Lights at the Garden

Decemberc 2024 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Over half a million lights illuminate the gardens beginning late November through the end of December at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden during Holiday at the Garden. Learn More

New Years Shooters

January 1, 2025 | Cherryville

Musket shooting on New Year's Day is one of the oldest traditions around the world. In Cherryville NC they continue this tradition complete with a new year’s chant and musket blasts. Learn More

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As the seasons unfold in Gaston County, each event promises to be a chapter in a year filled with joy, adventure, and community spirit. We invite you to save the dates, plan your visits, and immerse yourselves in the diverse array of experiences that make our county special. Whether it's the thrill of the Frigid Trail Race or the enchantment of the Lantern Parade, the warmth of Holiday Lights at the Garden or the tradition of New Years Shooters, Gaston County welcomes you to create cherished moments throughout 2024. Join us in celebrating the unique culture, vibrant community, and exciting events that make our county a destination worth exploring. See you at the festivities!