Last Fridays & the Art Walk
2026-08-28 17:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-25 17:30 - 21:00, 2026-10-30 17:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Historic County Courthouse Lawn, 104 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
FREE monthly events celebrating ART, CULTURE, and COMMUNITY in Hillsborough, NC, featuring:
⭐ The Art Walk (Year-Round) – 19 participating venues offer monthly artist receptions, demonstrations, free crafts, live music, and more.
⭐ Last Fridays Makers Markets (May – October) – Local artists, community groups, and family-friendly activities at the Old Orange County Courthouse North Lawn.
⭐ Live on the Lawn Performance Series (April-October) – Live performances ranging from dance to drums, fashion, puppets, singer-songwriters, local bands, and more on the Old Orange County Courthouse South Lawn.

Applications to become an Approved Vendor for 2026 Last Fridays Makers Markets are NOW OPEN. Local artists are encouraged to apply.
Learn about each monthly lineup, download the itinerary, and CHOOSE YOUR LAST FRIDAYS ADVENTURE at www.lastfridays.org*!
*Details on this page are generally finalized the week before each Last Friday event.

Operating support provided by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the Orange County Arts Commission. Additional support provided by the Tourism Board and the Town of Hillsborough.

Historic Hillsborough Guided Tours 2026
2026-08-29 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-09-05 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-09-12 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-09-19 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-09-26 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-10-03 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-10-10 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-10-17 10:30 - 12:30 and 4 more dates | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns, with a guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and signs of its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen everywhere.
The tour begins at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, located in the eighteenth century Alexander Dickson Farm House, and guides visitors to a variety of historic places from the site of a 1790s African American-owned distillery to the 1840s Orange County Courthouse and the grave of one of North Carolina’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.
This is an in-person walking tour that sometimes crosses uneven terrain. Please plan to be walking or standing for the duration of the event, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle (plus your curiosity)!
For groups that are concerned about the length, duration, or terrain of the tour. Please, contact The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for other options, including bus tours.
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/3277bebb-5a4c-48ec-9a1e-0c4e287138b5

Outlandish Hillsborough - Friday Night Ceilidh
2026-09-25 17:30 - 20:30 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Description:

Join us for a FREE Friday Night Ceilidh! Hosted by The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough in conjunction with the Hillsborough Arts Council Last Fridays & the Art Walk.
Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for a delightful evening of Scottish tradition and celebration at our Friday Night Ceilidh on September 25th from 5:00 to 8:30 PM in the heart of Downtown Hillsborough! This free event promises an enchanting night filled with cultural immersion and lively entertainment, a perfect kick off to our Outlandish Weekend!
Highlights of the Evening:

Live Music: Enjoy the enchanting sounds of traditional bagpipes as played by Andrew Prioli.
Ceilidh Dance Lessons: From 7:30 to 8:30 PM on the Historic Courthouse lawn, step into the rhythm of Scotland with our engaging ceilidh dance lessons with Kendra Monroe of the Monroe School of Highland Dance. No experience is needed—just come ready to dance and have fun!
Vendors, Corn Husk Dolls, and Irn Bru Tastings: From 5:30 to 7:30 PM, shop Scottish wares, create your own corn husk dolls, and sample Scotland’s favorite soda! All located on the Visitor Center Grounds
Scottish Art Gallery: Explore the artistry of Scotland’s landscapes presented by Saltire Gallerie. Admire the beauty of Scottish art in the Enlightenment and find inspiration in its rich heritage.

Bring your family and friends for an evening full of fun, music, and cultural discovery. We look forward to celebrating Scottish heritage with you at this memorable event! Check out our local restaurants and be sure to make a reservation as space fills up fast!
The Friday Night Ceilidh kicks off our Outlandish Hillsborough weekend. For details and tickets for our Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival click HERE:

Ticket Cost: FREE!

Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival 2026
2026-09-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Ayr Mount Historic Site, 376 St. Mary's Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Attention Outlander fans, Scottish fanatics, and Hillsborough lovers! The wait is over and tickets are on sale now for the September 2026 Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival. We’re excited to welcome you back for another full day of Scottish culture with live music, bagpipes, traditional dancing, and interactive activities for all ages. One major update, ALL activities will be on the grounds of Ayr Mount including Hillsborough’s own Craigh Na Dun, fairy dancers, broadsword lessons, and (of course) of whiskey tasting table.
We have a lot of returning fan favorites as well as new vendors, activites, and musicians who we know will make this year’s festival unforgettable. Be sure to check out our website for additional details about the festival, weekend events, and important logistics like parking and places to stay in town!

Purchase tickets here: zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/outlandish-hillsborough-scottish-festival

Learn more about the event on our website: historichillsborough.org/outlandish-hillsborough

Embrace the spirit of fun and festivity at this unique event—there’s something for everyone!

History Within Reach: A Seated Tour of Historic Hillsborough
2026-10-10 10:30 - 12:30 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns through this visual based, seated tour. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and signs of its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen everywhere.
History Within Reach takes place at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, located in the eighteenth century Alexander Dickson House. This program offers an alternative to our guided walking tour: covering the same topics at the same time with a knowledgeable guide! Visitors are welcome to split their parties between the two tours and meet up for lunch in town after!
Purchase tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/history-within-reach-a-seated-tour-of-historic-hillsborough
