THE TAR HEEL STATE / FESTIVAL FIELD GUIDE
North Carolina beer
festivals.
Make a weekend.
Ten North Carolina beer festival destinations, from Raleigh’s state-fair pours and Brewgaloo to Wilmington’s riverfront tasting and the Outer Banks’ flying-keg spectacle. Explore mountain gatherings in Asheville, Boone, and Tryon, then compare Cary and Charlotte’s celebrations before making a Tar Heel State weekend.
NORTH CAROLINABEER FESTIVALS
Mountain gatherings.
Coastal festival pours.FOLLOW A FESTIVAL. EXPLORE A LITTLE.
CURRENT & UPCOMING EDITIONS
The Public House runs October 15–25, 2026. Lighthouse and OBX Brewtag announce October 24, and Tryon November 7. Brewgaloo returns April 23–24, 2027; Cary’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ announces July 30–31. Completed editions stay on the board for next-date watching.
Pick a place. Find your next favorite.
01 / PICK YOUR PART OF THE STATE
Start close.
Keep exploring.
Choose a regional starting point, then compare the format. A brewery tasting, a beer garden, and a food-first celebration make different kinds of weekends.
4 FESTIVAL PICKS
Raleigh / Cary / Triangle
Raleigh’s October 2026 state-fair Public House and April 2027 Brewgaloo, plus Cary’s completed Triangle Oktoberfest and announced July 2027 Beer, Bourbon & BBQ.
Explore this region ↗2 FESTIVAL PICKS
Asheville / Tryon / Western Mountains
Tryon’s November 7, 2026 tasting at Depot Plaza and Asheville’s completed October 2026 Oktoberfest on Coxe Avenue in the South Slope.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Boone / High Country
High Country Beer Fest’s completed August 2026 edition in Boone, with a new date still to be announced.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Charlotte / Ballantyne
OMB Ballantyne’s completed October 9–11, 2026 Mecktoberfest weekend. The brewery’s LoSo celebrations used different September dates.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Wilmington / Cape Fear Coast
Lighthouse’s October 24, 2026 beer and wine festival at Wilmington’s Live Oak Pavilion, with a separate Friday rare-beer event.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Nags Head / Outer Banks
OBX Brewtag’s October 24, 2026 flying-keg competition, local beverages, food, and family activities at Nags Head’s Soundside Event Site.
Explore this region ↗This is a destination guide with the last verified edition shown when a new date is unannounced. Some picks are broader craft-beverage or heritage celebrations with beer at their center. Pair the shortlist with our North Carolina brewery guide and North Carolina beer roundup.
02 / DATES WITH THE YEAR ATTACHED
What is on
the calendar?
Announced future editions and completed editions to watch. Every date belongs to the stated year; old ticket links do not become new festival dates.