Uproar Festival of Public Art
2025-08-11 - 2025-08-12, 2025-08-13 - 2025-08-14, 2025-08-15 - 2025-08-16, 2025-08-18 - 2025-08-19, 2025-08-20 - 2025-08-21, 2025-08-22 - 2025-08-23, 2025-08-25 - 2025-08-26 | Downtown Historic Hillsborough, 101 S Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278
Uproar Festival of Public Art is coming to Orange County, North Carolina, Aug. 1-23, 2025. Sixty bold, high-impact, outdoor works of art will be showcased throughout the downtown communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, and cash prizes will be awarded based on public voting and a jury panel of experts. Be sure to vote to help select the $10,000 People’s Choice Winner! Uproar artists represent six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Think of Uproar as a big, artsy scavenger hunt. Uproar will provide a free and accessible arts experience for visitors of all abilities.
Join for a free kickoff party at Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough on Aug. 1 at 6 pm, featuring a performance from Liquid Pleasure.
Get more details about the artists and the art locations at uproarfestnc.com.

Color and Light Choir Street Performance
2025-08-16 09:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Radius Pizza, 112 North Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278
The Color and Light Community Choir will be doing a little street performance on the morning of Saturday August 16 around 9:30am. Artist Eryn Donnalley sings with us and has a work in the Uproar art exhibition that is taking place all around Orange County. Her piece is in a shipping container parked behind the old Radius Pizza on Churton St downtown (112 N Churton St, Hillsborough, NC 27278). We’ll be singing in the outdoor seating area between that building and Churton St Realty next door. There will be a little bit of seating there, but you might want to bring a stool to be safe if you need to sit. We’ll be singing about 7 songs, so it won’t last that long. Probably a half hour. Hopefully no rain this time!

So come hear us, then go see Eryn’s work! It’s a Tibetan mandala done with colored sand, and it’s beautiful. In the Buddhist spirit, it will be sent back into the ether at the close of the exhibition, so come see it while it exists!

(Also, the Radius Pizza site is about to become Serratore’s, with Hillsborough chef Josh DeCarolis, who also has Mother’s and Son’s trattoria in Durham. He’s nice enough to let us squat on his space and use the patio furniture, so I want to give them a shout-out! I think they’ll be opening in a couple weeks, so it’ll be great to have another restaurant there!)

Last Fridays and the Art Walk!
2025-08-29 17:30 - 21:00, 2025-09-26 17:30 - 21:00, 2025-10-31 17:30 - 21:00, 2025-11-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Historic Hillsborough, 101 S Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278
FREE monthly events celebrating ART, CULTURE, and COMMUNITY in Hillsborough, NC, featuring:
⭐ The Art Walk (Year-Round) – 28+ participating venues offer monthly artist receptions, demonstrations, mini markets, live music, and more.
⭐ Living Arts in River Park (April – October) – Community drumming, dance, and interactive opportunities with the Living Arts Collective in Hillsborough’s River Park. No matter your experience or comfort level with drumming or dance, these gatherings are an opportunity to expand. All are welcome.
⭐ Last Fridays Makers Markets & *NEW* Live on the Lawn Performance Series (May – October) – Local artists, community groups, community arts & crafts, and live performances at the Old Orange County Courthouse Lawn.
Applications to become an Approved Vendor for 2025 Last Fridays Makers Markets are NOW OPEN. Local artists and organizations/community groups 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.
This program was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Additional support is provided by the Tourism Board of the Town of Hillsborough.

The Little Market presents "Visions," a watercolor show
2025-08-29 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Historic Hillsborough, 101 S Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278
The Little Market is pleased to present Visions, a new two-person show featuring the expressive watercolor work of Beth Bale and William Schaefer.
Beth Bale brings her deep love of nature to life in expressive watercolor. A self-taught artist and teacher, Beth captures animals, florals, and landscapes with fluidity and experimentation. Her work reflects a playful and curious approach to the medium of watercolor, rooted in the rhythms of her life on a 12-acre farm.
William Schaefer paints visual stories shaped by memory, emotion, and quiet reflection. Working in watercolor and mixed media, his luminous compositions blend strong value contrast and rich color to evoke connection. Each painting invites the viewer to slow down and rediscover the emotional undertones of the everyday.
Together, Schaefer and Bale explore the spaces where feeling, nature, and narrative meet.
The Little Market is an exciting new collaboration between the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts and the Hillsborough Real Estate Group, providing exhibit space for local and emerging artists and handmade giftable items by NC crafters. Admission is free and all works are available for purchase.

Saturday Slowdown at RambleRill Farm: Market and Open Farm Day
2025-09-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Ramble Rill Farm, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC, 27516, United States
Slow Down with us this Saturday at the farm. Shop local makers and growers, bring a picnic, meet the goats and Houdini the black snake, visit the Flower Bar and the Cookie Bar, make some crafts with the kids, check out the forest classroom, enjoy the music.10am-2pm, Saturday, 9.6.25, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC

Spotlight Book & Film Club: "Popi"
2025-09-13 10:45 - 12:30 | Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Ln, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Spotlight Books & Film Club at Main Library in Hillsborough alternates book discussions and film viewings with light discussion. The theme of each book or film we read/watch & discuss will often mirror heritage month books and films that Main Library’s Adult Services is highlighting that month. Bring a light snack for yourself, and join us!
Here’s the upcoming line up:
Sat, September 13th at 10:45am – Popi [1969 film for Latin & Hispanic Heritage Month]
Wed, October 1 at 6:30pm – The Complete Persepolis (or Persepolis 1 & 2) by Marjane Satrapi [Book in Graphic Form for Global Diversity Awareness Month]
Sat, November 8 at at 2pm – The Only Good Indian [2009 Film For Native American Heritage Month]
“That’s it for the year. We’ll be back in Feb of 2026.

Studio 71's Bizarre Bazaar
2025-09-27 09:00 - 18:00 | Studio 71, 243 South Churton St, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Its that time of year again where the weather gets cool and things get weird. So, come get odd with us Saturday, September 27th from 9am to 6pm for our second annual Bizarre Bazaar. Join us to shop our carefully selected vendors that offer all kinds of wares from vintage to very strange. Come feast upon the food trucks, or decorate your body in art by Inkognito who will be doing on-site tattoos. This bizarre fair will have something for everyone who walks the line of peculiar to enjoy.

Hillsborough Elite Networking
2025-10-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-17 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-21 18:00 - 20:00 | The Rookery, 115 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Hillsborough Elite Networking — powered by Rockstar Connect
Join us for a dynamic, free business networking event in Hillsborough where community leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals gather to forge real connections. Bring your business cards and an open mind.
This event is our gift to the community — a space designed to spark collaboration, share knowledge, and help everyone leave with something new: a contact, a resource, or an opportunity.
Whether you’re a local business owner, nonprofit leader, creative professional, or just curious to expand your network — come be part of a growing movement in the Triangle that prioritizes real, grounded connections.
When: Wednesday, October 22 · 6 – 8pm EDT
Where: The Rookery
115 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Reserve your spot and get ready to meet your next collaborator, client, or peer.

Merchant Trick or Treat
2025-10-24 15:00 - 18:00
Dress up your little ghouls and goblins and visit shops throughout downtown Hillsborough that will be handing out treats. View a map of participating businesses: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1_3uH_QmwzUV18w3zbUIcy7Ema8H3hEY&usp=sharing

FeST
2025-12-06 10:00 - 14:00 | St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 210 St. Mary's Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Each year St. Matthews Episcopal Church celebrates the many talents of our parishioners at our holiday craft fair, bake sale, and BBQ lunch known as the Festival of the Society Tree (FeST). FeST 2026 will be on Saturday, December 6th from 10am- 2p at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. This event is named in honor of the efforts of the ladies sewing society who in 1867 used what was then a novelty, the Christmas tree, as a way to sell their wonderful handiwork in the community. The Society raised funds for much of the architectural additions and furnishing that still grace our historic church building. Today all proceeds from FeST go to help people in need in Orange and Durham counties through donations to local non-profit organizations. Please come shop for holiday gifts, fill your table with delicious baked goods, sit down at the table with us to enjoy a BBQ lunch, and tour our historic church sanctuary. All are welcome!

FeST- Festival of the Society Tree
2025-12-06 10:00 - 14:00 | St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 210 St. Mary's Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Each year St. Matthews Episcopal Church celebrates the many talents of our parishioners at our holiday craft fair, bake sale, and BBQ lunch known as the Festival of the Society Tree (FeST). FeST 2026 will be on Saturday, December 6th from 10am- 2p at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. This event is named in honor of the efforts of the ladies sewing society who in 1867 used what was then a novelty, the Christmas tree, as a way to sell their wonderful handiwork in the community. The Society raised funds for much of the architectural additions and furnishing that still grace our historic church building. Today all proceeds from FeST go to help people in need in Orange and Durham counties through donations to local non-profit organizations. Please come shop for holiday gifts, fill your table with delicious baked goods, sit down at the table with us to enjoy a BBQ lunch, and tour our historic church sanctuary.

Saturday Slowdown at RambleRill Farm: Holiday Market and Open Farm Day
2025-12-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Ramble Rill Farm, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC, 27516, United States
Show your love for local this holiday season. Find gifts galore, farm-fresh food, live music, and fun for kids and families at this weekend’s Holiday Market and Open Farm Day at RambleRill Farm. Shop local makers, bakers, and growers; enjoy live music; visit the goats; bring a picnic; walk in the woods. Kids and families: don’t miss the Open House and Play Date from 10am-noon with the Longleaf Forest School that we host on the farm (bird feeder making and field games). Slowdown with us! 10am-2pm, Saturday, 11.6.25, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC. Free admission.

Jingle & Joy Weekend
2025-12-06 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Jingle & Joy Holiday Weekend | December 6–7, 2025 Hillsborough invites you to unwrap the magic of the season during our Jingle & Joy Holiday Weekend! This festive two-day celebration is packed with cheer for all ages.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6Kick off the holiday fun at the Hillsborough Visitor Center with Photos with Santa, Reading with Mrs. Claus (3:00 PM), Photos with Santa (3:15 – 4:45 PM), a Multicultural Holidays Fair, and Games at the North Pole! Enjoy free yard games and crafts, plus delicious treats for sale — including cocoa, baked goods, and gluten-free options.
Learn about the variety of holidays celebrated in Hillsborough with Kol Haskala and Diamante Arts and Cultural Center while you sip and snack on treats from PORCH and Oat & Co.

Photos with Santa begin around 3:15 PM. Please note that the line for Santa photos will close at 4:45 PM.
At 5:00 PM, join the music with the Color and Light Community Choir in a group procession to the Historic Orange County Courthouse for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, where we’ll light up downtown with holiday spirit!

Tinsel & Traditions Home Tour | 3–8 PMStep inside Hillsborough’s history with this reimagined take on the beloved Candlelight Home Tours. Visit six homes, each representing a different time period, all within the town’s historic district.

Please note: All tour stops are private residences with limited accessibility. Most feature only the first floor and may require walking up a few front steps.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7End the weekend with one of Hillsborough’s favorite traditions — the Holiday Parade, filled with floats, music, and merry surprises for the whole family!Kick off with the afternoon with the Running of the Elves at 4:00 PM and watch the floats go by starting at 4:20 PM.
Tickets are required only for the Tinsel & Traditions Home Tour.All other events are free and open to the public.

Love Feast at the Chestnut Ridge Community Farm
2025-12-14 16:30 - 18:00 | Chestnut Ridge Community Farm, 2902 Mt Willing Rd, Efland, NC, 27243, United States
Sunday, December 14, 4:30pm: Love Feast
A Moravian tradition with rolls, coffee, and community. Join us as we experience the season of Advent together with a warm fire, carols, and candlelight.

Braswell Family Farms New Year’s Eve Egg Drop December 31, 2025
2025-12-31 16:00 - 20:00
Join us for the 3rd Annual Braswell Family Farms NYE Egg Drop – a fun-filled, family-friendly event to ring in the New Year with an Eastern NC vibe! Get ready for an egg-citing evening with our Egg Drop eggs-travaganza. Bring your family and friends for a night of entertainment, music, delicious food vendors, and of course, a spectacular egg drop with fireworks to ring in the new year. Don’t miss out on the festivities!
Event attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win swag, gifts, and gift cards from several Nash County area businesses. All raffle proceeds will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse in support of relief efforts in Western North Carolina.

Puppy Bowl Watch Pawty!
2026-02-08 13:00 - 17:00 | eno river brewing, 329 Eno Mountain Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join Hope Animal Rescue at Eno River Brewing for the official PUPPY BOWL WATCH PAWTY!
When: Sunday, 2/8
Time: 1 – 5 PM
Where: Eno River Brewing, Hillsborough
You can expect…

Adoptable pups
Eno River is donating 10% of sales during the event to HAR
Raffle goodies
…and more!

This event is extra special this year because we have TWO HOPE ALUM pups that are IN THE PUPPY BOWL! Both of them will be at the party ready to give their pawtographs. Bring your friends and your pup and come watch the puppy bowl with us!

The Great Backyard Bird Count - Come count at Firefly Farm
2026-02-13 07:00 - 19:00 | Firefly Farm, 4911 Hunt Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Firefly Farm will be open for the Great Backyard Bird Count from Friday February 13 to Monday February 16. Come and count birds and wander the farm. Free event. For more information about the GBBC 2026, go to https://www.birdcount.org/participate/
