Last Fridays & the Art Walk
2026-04-24 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.

Bridges! A Curated Group Show Featuring Work by Local Artists
2026-04-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Margaret Lane Gallery, 121 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Bridges of all kinds, literal and figurative; local bridges, bridges in far-away lands, bridges from the realm of the imagination; bridges spanning rivers, bridges spanning relationships, bridges spanning the spiritual and the worldly.
Participating local artists include Ashley Armstrong, Margery Chandler, Anne Gardner, Eileen Hammond, Deborah Hoch, David Knox, Ray LaMantia, Jacqueline Rimmler, Leslye Sinn, Bonnie Thibadeau, Bernard Thomas, Ron Weisenfeld.
Show runs April 22 through May 24. Opening reception during the Last Friday Art Walk, April 24, from 6-9 pm.

Flights of Fancy
2026-04-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, 121 N. Churton St., Hillsborough, 27278
The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts presents Flights of Fancy, work by Garry Childs, Sally Terrell and Pat Merriman, in the gallery April 21st through May 24th.
“When I looked up the definition and synonyms for flights of fancy”, says scratchboard artist Sally Terrell, “I found several expressions that fit in my wheelhouse – daydreams, fantasies, whimsical notions, ideas that are not terribly realistic but show imagination.” Going with the literal version of flights, Terrell’s work in the show includes birds and other creatures that fly, though she represents some of her flying creatures in quirky, whimsical situations – like a hummingbird blowing bubbles. She’s even wandered into the land of faeries and fireflies. The variety, imagination and creativity of Terrell’s work is inspiring.
All of Garry Child’s work is formed on a potter’s wheel from terra-cotta clay. He encourages people to touch and handle his work. “Pots are made with hands and they should be ‘looked at’ with hands,” says Childs. “Texture, particularly the contrast between the smooth glazed areas and the rougher, hard edges of the carved surface is very important.”
Childs finds something magical about the process of making pottery “When I am working at the wheel there is a moment when a shape almost flows out of the wet clay in my hands. Sometimes that moment is all I need to be satisfied with a particular piece. Hopefully it will look good after it comes out of the kiln, and other people will like it and maybe see and feel a little of that same Magic.”
Pat Merriman’s part in the show is a retrospective of her work over a number of years. Merriman, one of the founders of this gallery, died in February before she had readied her work, so representative pieces of her art were chosen for the show. Merriman traveled widely and some of her paintings speak to the places she visited, some to her home state of North Carolina and some to her interest in history and culture. She loved to experiment with new techniques and the diversity of work in this show expresses that variety. In one of her final artist statements she declared “Experimentation helps encourage my creativity, freedom to try new things, and broadens my perspective as an artist and creator. I believe it breathes life and intrigue into my artwork.”
An opening reception for Flights of Fancy will be held during Hillsborough’s Last Friday Artwalk, on April 24th from 6-9pm. Local singer/songwriter Rory Dale will play music on the patio during the reception.
An Artist Talk by Garry Childs and Sally Terrell will be held in the Gallery on Saturday, May 16th at 4 p.m.
About the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts:
The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 20 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery’s offerings include oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, glass, scratchboard, turned wood, and handcrafted furniture. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 732-5001. The gallery is open 10am-6pm Monday – Saturday, and 12pm-4pm on Sunday. More information can be found on the HGA website: http://www.HillsboroughGallery.com

Hillsborough Garden Club Plant Sale
2026-04-25 09:00 - 14:00 | Hillsborough Exchange Club, 331 Exchange Park Lane, Hillsborough , 27278
Let’s Grow! The HGC Plant Sale on April 25th will offer over 2000 plants including native and pollinator plants, vegetable and herb starts, annuals and cut flowers. There will also be local vendors selling cut flowers, peonies, worm castings and more. As well as free seed giveaways, bake sale and more.

Historic Hillsborough Guided Tours 2026
2026-04-25 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-05-02 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-05-09 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-05-16 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, 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

History Within Reach: A Seated Tour of Historic Hillsborough
2026-04-25 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!

Indigenous Wire Wrapping Jewelry Class
2026-04-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a meaningful, hands-on experience in this intimate wire wrapping class led by Indigenous Memories. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will create a beautiful Ponytail Palm pendant using black obsidian and copper, while learning basic wire shaping techniques.
Along the way, the class will include a brief introduction to local Indigenous history, adding deeper context and connection to the materials and craft. Inspired by the resilient Ponytail Palm, a plant known for storing water in its trunk, this piece serves as a reminder to care for ourselves and prepare for the future.
All materials are provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own eye protection, hand moisturizer, and an optional headlamp for additional lighting. This adult-only class is limited to five participants to ensure a relaxed, personalized experience.
Cost: $55 per person
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/indigenous-wiring-wrapping-class

2026 Piedmont Farm Tour
2026-04-25 14:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-26 14:00 - 18:00 | NC
Mark your calendar and buy your tour pass today: the 2026 Piedmont Farm Tour is happening Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th!
Event Website: https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/piedmont-farm-tour/
Hosted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Weaver Street Market for 29 years and counting, the Piedmont Farm Tour is a self-designed, family-friendly tour event inviting the public to experience and enjoy local, sustainable agriculture firsthand. This year, 30 small-scale farms, scattered across the beautiful landscape of Alamance, Chatham, Orange, Durham, and Person counties, will open their farm gates to visitors on April 25th & 26th for this beloved celebration of local food and farming.

Show some local love and get a little mud on the tires: fruit orchards, native plant gardens, milking parlors, u-pick berries, greenhouses, pasture-raised livestock, flower fields, beehives, and so much more are waiting to be discovered, just off the beaten path. The Piedmont Farm Tour is the perfect springtime outing for families, foodies, home gardeners, and locavores alike – just $35 buys a carload pass for the entire tour! Tour Details:

Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th; 2-6pm (select farms open at 12pm!); rain or shine!
$35/carload pass to visit as many farms as you like on both Saturday and Sunday! Discounts available for CFSA members and Weaver Street Market co-op owners.
Your Piedmont Farm Tour attendance directly supports CFSA’s capacity to provide education, technical assistance, and advocacy work for small-scale farms across the Carolinas.

Local Food. Local Farms. Local Fun. Something for everyone!
Buy your tour pass: https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/piedmont-farm-tour/

Anything Goes Art Meet Up, Drop in Art Session
2026-04-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Margaret Lane Gallery Annex/ F-Stop 2, 302 W Corbin, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
An informal creative session – a time for artists, dabblers, and anyone seeking a creative outlet to share inspiration and camaraderie while creating their own art in their medium(s) of choice.
You are welcome to bring work in progress or start something new. You can use your own supplies or supplies we have here, or a combination – we have on hand materials ranging from substrates to paints, tools, and mixed media and art journalling materials, as well as reference materials.
All skill levels are welcome — while there is no instruction, you will find friendly people, suggestions, and reference materials.
Pay as you please, $15 suggested (we recognize everyone’s usage is different, so please pay what you think is fair and you can afford).
For adults and mature teens, all skill levels welcome; school age youth welcome if accompanied by a supervising adult. No registration required. Payment at time of the session, cash or check preferred.
Location: Margaret Lane Gallery ANNEX/F-Stop 2, 302 W Corbin Street, Hillsborough, NC

Open Mic at Yonder
2026-04-28 19:30 - 23:00, 2026-05-05 19:30 - 23:00, 2026-05-12 19:30 - 23:00 | Yonder: Southern Cocktails & Brew, 114 W King St, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Orange County’s BEST ACOUSTIC Open Mic!

🎤 Yonder Open Mic NightEvery Tuesday, Hillsborough’s coziest living room turns into a showcase of local talent—and you’re invited! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just ready to belt out a tune after a beer, Yonder’s Open Mic is the place to be.
🕢 Starts at 7:30 PM with poetry & spoken word, followed by live music from 8–11ish, and maybe a late-night jam if the vibe is right.
🎶 Got something to share?

Sign-ups open at 7 PM (in person)
Musicians: 3 songs or 15 mins
Poets: 3 poems or 5 mins
No drums, no amps, no mimes (seriously)
First come, first-ish served

Grab a cocktail, cheer on your neighbors, and maybe even surprise yourself. This isn’t just open mic—it’s open heart, open ears, and open tabs.
📍 Yonder: Southern Cocktails & Brew
Check them out on Facebook.
Let’s make your Tuesday night anything but typical.

Rafting Down the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, Original Oil Paintings by Ari Ferro
2026-04-29 11:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-01 11:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-06 11:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-08 11:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-13 11:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-15 11:00 - 18:00 | Margaret Lane Gallery, 121 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Oil on canvas paintings of views of the Grand Canyon by local artist Ari Ferro. The walls of the canyon are painted from original photos taken from a raft being navigated down the river, or from campsites along the banks of the river. Opening reception during the Last Friday Art Walk April 24, 6-9 pm.

Thursday Jazz at Yonder
2026-04-30 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-07 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-14 20:00 - 22:00 | Yonder: Southern Cocktails & Brew, 114 W King St, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Each Thursday from 8-10 Yonder presents live jazz with some amazing local, and traveling jazz musicians.
Les Trois Chats
Katharine Whalen’s JazzSquad
Crystal Bright and Griffanzo
Taz Halloween with Griffanzo
New Morning Jazz

KÜF KNOTZ & CHRISTINE ELISE

Pollinator Week: Odie St. Riparian Stream Clean Up | Semana de los polinizadores: Odie St. Limpieza del arroyo ribereño
2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | NC
🌸🌿Join us in Fairview for workshops and community service days as we celebrate Creek Week, the Climate Challenge, and Pollinator Week, all aimed at improving Fairview’s environment! Families and children are welcome!
📍Odie St, Hillsborough, NC 27278

🌸🌿¡Únase a nosotros para mejorar el medio ambiente de Fairview! Participe en talleres y actividades de servicio comunitario dirigidas a la Semana del Arroyo, el Desafío Climático y la Semana de los Polinizadores. ¡Las familias y los niños son bienvenidos!
📍Odie St, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Saturday Slowdown at RambleRill Farm: Market and Open Farm Day
2026-05-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Ramble Rill Farm, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC, 27516, United States
Celebrate spring with us this Saturday at the first Saturday Slowdown of 2026! PLANT SALE!! (herbs, flowers and veggie starts). And visit other local makers, bakers, and growers; enjoy live music; visit the goats and the Long Leaf Forest School. Bring a picnic; walk in the woods. Kids and families: did we say goats? Relax and Slowdown with us! 10am-2pm, Saturday, 5.2.26, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC. Free admission.

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

Haunted Hillsborough Original Ghost Tour
2026-05-02 19:00 - 21:30 | Hillsborough Riverwalk, 115 Nash and Kollock St, Hillsborough, NC, United States
Join our deceased guide, Enoch Pugh (1735-1771) for the best mix of ghosts and history in the Triangle!
On this walk, you’ll see three haunted houses, and learn about local legends and history while visiting two cemeteries, and the execution site.

(2.5 hrs / 1.5 mi)

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.
