Visit Hillsborough, NC

The Witch's Haunted Barn & Pumpkin Patch
2025-10-04 12:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-11 12:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-18 12:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-25 12:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Firefly Farm, 4911 Hunt Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Step into the Witch’s Haunted Barn for a whimsical Halloween adventure – just spooky enough to thrill, but not too scary for little ones. Stroll through vibrant flower gardens, wander scenic trails, and meet friendly farm animals. Shop from local vendors and pick the perfect pumpkin from our patch. A festive, memory-making day awaits the whole family. Open all Saturdays in October, noon till 7 pm, rain or shine. Tickets available online at https://fire-fly-farm-nc.square.site/ or at the farm the day of the event.

Merchant Trick or Treat
2025-10-24 15:00 - 18:00 | NC
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!

Meet Santa at Spring Haven Farm
2025-12-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel HIll, NC, 27516, United States
🎅🏼 Santa Claus is coming to Spring Haven Farm! 🎅🏼

📅 December 14, 1:00-2:30 PM | 📍 Chapel Hill, NC

Santa Tickets​

Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us on December 14th for photo ops with Santa Claus, delicious hot cocoa, and friendly baby goats. This ticket includes both farm admission and a meeting with Santa!​
This event runs from 1-2:30 PM. Coming closer to 1:00 PM is advised.

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.

S'mores With Goats
2025-12-26 10:00 | Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel HIll, NC, 27516, United States
Gather ‘Round the Fire for S’mores & Snuggles!
The first day of winter has passed us by, and the time to cuddle up in front of a cozy fire is now. Join us at Spring Haven Farm for our winter event,l S’mores with Goats—an unforgettable farm experience for all ages. December 26th – February 1st 10:00am- 5:00pm Wednesday – Sunday
The Sweetest Upgrade Yet!
This year, we’re leveling up your campfire game. Every ticket now includes a premium S’more kit, and for the first time ever, you get to choose your chocolate! Whether you’re a classic milk chocolate lover or looking for something different like GHIRARDELLI caramel or peppermint bark, we’ve got the perfect melt waiting for you.
Meet Our Animals
While the baby goats are the stars of the show, they aren’t the only ones waiting for a snack! Your ticket gives you the chance to feed and pet our entire farm family:
The Big Favorites: Fluffy Highland Cows, Alpacas, and Horses.
The Quirky Crew: Emus, Sheep, and Pigs.
The Tiny Friends: Baby Goats, Bunnies, Chickens, and Ducks.
A Full Day of Farm Fun
Once you’ve had your fill of marshmallowy goodness, explore everything else Spring Haven has to offer:
The Tractor Train: Take a scenic ride around the farm.
Mini Golf: Challenge the family to a round of putt putt on our farm course.
Gem Mining: Sift for hidden treasures.
Shooting Gallery: Test your aim at our paintball shooting range.
Craft Station: Paint ornaments and birdhouses alike.
Plan Your Visit
Where: Spring Haven Farm, Chapel Hill.
Tickets: Includes farm entry and your custom S’more kit!
How: Purchase tickets online or walk in and purchase on location; they’re both the same price!
Don’t wait—these spots disappear faster than a toasted marshmallow! Come experience why Spring Haven Farm is the happiest place in the Triangle.

The Great Backyard Bird Count - Come count at Firefly Farm
2026-02-13 07:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-14 07:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-15 07:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-16 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/

Open Farm Day at Firefly Farm
2026-04-04 08:00 - 18:00 | Firefly Farm, 4911 Hunt Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
You are invited to the Open Farm Day at Firefly Farm . Saturday, April 4, 2026, 8 am till 6 pm. This free event is the perfect opportunity to see what we are growing. We are a U-pick flower farm growing many varieties of flowers. Come out and wander the farm and pet the animals.
Schedule of Events for Open Farm Day at Firefly Farm
No ticket needed – free event, open to the public
8 am – Gates open. Farmer Cindy and staff will be available to answer any questions you may have. Wander the farm – be our guest! While the wildflowers are not ready for the U-pick season yet, this is a great time to see what the farm has to offer. Select flowers will be available for purchase and we may have a special opportunity for U-pick tulips. Park at the barn or in the overflow lot (follow the yellow signs). Check in at the barn to begin your adventure (map available). Walk the labyrinth. Say hello to the farm animals and the unicorn. Swing on the farm swing. Touch a tractor. Find a hammock and take a nap while the kids make a craft. Enjoy the fresh air and run around outside. Make it your day.
Special activity: Farm tours will occur at 10 am, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm. Meet Farmer Cindy at the barn and she will lead you around some of the flower gardens and discuss what is happening on the farm. Feel free to ask questions. During the 10 am and 4 pm tours, we will feed the animals!
Vendors will be on site. Plan on buying some delicious food and sweets, finding your favorite spot on the farm, and having a picnic on a beautiful Spring day!
6 pm – Gates close. Thank you for joining us! www.fireflyfarmnc.com

Revolutionary War Living History Day 2026
2026-04-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough as we invite you to immerse yourself in the captivating history of the American Revolution through a day of FREE, family-friendly events! Featuring reenactors, dancers, captivating historic tours, interactive activities, and collaborative events throughout the town, this is a day of enriching experiences for all to enjoy.
>>> REGISTRATION is recommended, not required <<<
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Hillsborough Visitor Center – 150 E KING

-23rd Regiment Royal Welch Fusiliers of Foot

-Live colonial fiddle music by Shane Watson

-Guilford Courthouse living history interpreters

-Colonial surgeon Mike Williams medical demonstrations

-Author Suzanne Adair book signing and meet and greet

-Colonialfoodways, crafts demos, Hills Academy talks,and -SugarSpun lemonade refreshments

-Revolutionary-Era and Outlander History Walking Tours Available for Purchase

The Burwell School Historic Site – 319 N CHURTON

– Sun Assembly County Dancers perform

-High Point Museum pop up exhibit

-Quill and ink writing station

-Self guided historic site tours

-Historic schoolhouse open house

-A250 children’s comic display

Orange County Historical Museum – 201 N CHURTON

-Special display on Colonial currency

-New exhibit: United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Occaneechi Replica Village – 140 E MARGARET LANE

-Foodways reenactment

-Colonial era trading demonstrations

-Historic structure living history tours

-History table featuring Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation Scholar Lawrence Dunmore III

Open House at Camp Chestnut Ridge
2026-04-19 13:00 - 17:00 | Camp Chestnut Ridge, 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Rd, Efland, NC, 27243, United States
Join us for a FREE afternoon of fun for the whole family!
Activities include:​​

Canoes

Zipline

Pony Rides

Campfire and S’mores

Self guided tour of camp

Archery

Meet the Director

Hayride to the Farm

​Come get a small taste of what camp is all about!

PORCH Hillsborough Food Rescue: An Amazing Adventure
2026-05-02 14:00 - 16:30 | Downtown Historic Hillsborough, 101 S Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278
Oh No! Disaster has struck in Hillsborough…
The food meant for our next PORCH Hillsborough distribution was accidentally scattered all across Historic Downtown Hillsborough!
To help PORCH Hillsborough feed our neighbors facing hunger, we need a team of clever explorers, puzzle-solvers, and community heroes to help us gather it all up.
Welcome to PORCH Hillsborough Food Rescue: An Amazing Adventure, a scavenger hunt meets Amazing Race-style challenge through beautiful downtown Hillsborough.
Teams will complete fun challenges at locations around town, racing to recover the “lost food items” needed for our monthly distribution.
Along the way you’ll:
🏃 Race to locations around downtown
🧩 Complete challenges
🥫 Recover “food” items
❤️ Help fight hunger in Orange County
All proceeds support PORCH Hillsborough, which provides food to over 650 local families each month. That’s over 2,600 people experiencing food insecurity right here in Orange County.
The families we serve are counting on us. And now we’re counting on you.
Gather your friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors and join us for an afternoon of adventure, teamwork, and community impact.
Together, we can rescue the food and help feed our neighbors.
What to Expect:
The scavenger hunt route is approximately 1.5 miles along sidewalk, making it a fun and manageable adventure for most participants.
📍 Starting Location:
Visitor’s Center: 150 E. King Street, Hillsborough
⏰ Time:
Check-in: 2pm
Race Start: 2:30pm
Celebration + Awards: 4:30pm
👥 Team Size:
2–6 participants per team
👧 Recommended Age:
10+ for full participation

Opening Day of U-pick Flower Season at Firefly Farm
2026-05-09 08:00 - 18:00 | Firefly Farm, 4911 Hunt Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Let’s celebrate! Flowers, flowers and flowers – opening day of Firefly Farm’s U-pick flower season occurs the Saturday before Mother’s day. Bring your family and pick flowers for (and with) Mom. Timed tickets for flower harvesting are available online here or at the farm the day of the event. We recommend that you reserve your spot as sessions are limited based on harvesting supplies. Before or after you pick flowers, wander the farm, pet the animals (donkeys, horses, goats and chickens), swing from the big oak trees and spend the day relaxing. Bring a picnic or buy lunch from vendors on site. Celebrate Mom with flowers, family and friends on Firefly Farm.

Fireflies on the Farm
2026-06-05 18:00 - 22:00 | Firefly Farm, 4911 Hunt Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Our Friday series returns each Friday in June as we gather to watch the magical lights of the fireflies. Buy one ticket for your carload of friends and family, pick flowers and then settle in with a picnic or snacks that you bring to watch the fireworks provided by the lightning bugs as they emerge.

Together We Are America: Hillsborough's July 4th Celebration!
2026-07-04 10:00 - 21:00 | River Park, 140 East Margaret Lane , Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Together We Are America

Celebrating Hillsborough’s community, history, and culture. Presented by the Town of Hillsborough in partnership with Orange County.
More details coming soon!

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
Outlandish Hillsborough is returning September 26, 2026! To stay up-to-date on ticket sales, event details and more, click the link below!
Learn more about the event on our website: https://historichillsborough.org/outlandish-hillsborough/
Embrace the spirit of fun and festivity at this unique event—there’s something for everyone!
