2022 Major events in North Carolina

North Carolina's Alyssa Ustby, left, and Wake Forest's Christina Morra vie for the opening tip-off during an NCAA college basketball game in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Thursday, March 4, 2021, at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. (Walt Unks/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP)

When the calendar flips to 2022, there will be a lot happening across the state from festivals to sporting events and more. 

 

Blowing Rock Winterfest 

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January 27–30, 2022 

Blowing Rock 

The winter festival has been a tradition for over 20 years and features a polar bear plunge, chili cook off, ice carving, and more. 

 

Mike Krzyzewski’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium 

March 5, 2022 

Durham 

Coach K’s final game has drawn unprecedented ticket prices for those who want to be in the building for the legendary leader’s last time as head coach after 42 seasons at the helm of the Blue Devils. 

 

ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament 

March 2–6, 2022 

Greensboro 

The Greensboro Coliseum plays host to the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament for the 22nd time in the past 23 years. 

 

North Carolina Azaelea Festival  

April 6–10, 2022 

Wilmington 

Spring in Wilmington means the return of the annual celebration of the Azaelea. Each year, colorful parades, home tours, and nationally known music build to the crowning the Azaelea Queen. 

 

MerleFest 

April 30–May 1, 2022 

Wilkesboro 

Founded in 1988 as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, MerleFest celebrates “roots” music — traditional Appalachian music and, as Doc Watson says, “whatever we feel like playing that day.” 

 

Coca-Cola 600 

May 29, 2022 

Concord 

The stars of NASCAR make their Memorial Day return to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in the series’ longest race of the season. 

 

NC Black Bear Festival 

June 4-5, 2022 

Plymouth 

The largest black bears on the planet are found in eastern North Carolina and they’ll be celebrated at the 7th Annual state Black Bear Festival. The Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula is also home to the highest concentration of black bears in the world. 

 

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament 

June 10–19, 2022 

Morehead City 

Last year, over 750 boats entered Big Rock to compete, the most since 1999. Interest in the tournament has grown and even brought Michael Jordan out for a few days on the water. 

 

Winston-Salem Open 

Aug. 20-27, 2022 

Winston-Salem 

The Wake Forest University Tennis Complex plays host to the only major professional tennis tournament in the state in August. The yearly event is the last ATP World Tour 250 event prior to the US Open in September and more than 40 of the world’s top 80 players compete for the trophy. 

 

Carolina Renaissance Festival 

October 1–November 20, 2022 

Huntersville 

History meets the present during the annual Renaissance Festival, bringing crowds to stroll through a 16th century European village with an artisan market, jousting knights on horseback and more. 

 

NC State Fair 

October 13–23, 2022 

Raleigh 

The State Fair returns after a successful 2021, in which crowds came back for the food, livestock, shows, and celebration of all things North Carolina. 

 

Lexington Barbecue Festival  

October 22, 2022  

Lexington 

After a two-year hiatus, the Lexington Barbecue Festival is anticipated across the state and region, celebrating one of our state’s gems: pulled pork barbecue.