Visit Hillsborough, NC

Songwriters in The Round
2026-01-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Yonder: Southern Cocktails & Brew, 114 W King St, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Kirk Ridge hosts a monthly Songwriters in The Round at Yonder. Each month three singer/songwriters share their stories and songs on Yonder stage.

Thursday Jazz at Yonder
2026-01-22 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-01-29 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-02-05 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-02-12 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

An Evening of Jazz with Dave Prietto With John Simonetti At The Bar(n) At Sonark Farms
2026-01-23 20:00 - 22:00 | sonark Farms, 2592 Sonark Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
We’re thrilled to welcome back Dave Prieto and John Simonetti for a return performance under the rafters that promises an evening of masterful, straight-ahead jazz and inspired musical conversation. Their previous appearance left audiences captivated, and this reunion brings together two artists whose depth of experience and shared love of the tradition create a performance that is both sophisticated and deeply engaging.
Dave Prieto, a professional jazz guitarist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, brings more than five decades of performance experience to the stage. Originally from San Francisco, Prieto has built a distinguished career playing with artists such as Leon Williams, Larry Hancock, Akira Tana, James Levi, and Charles Thomas. A prolific recording artist, he has released four studio albums, featuring standout compositions like “Jeanne’s Waltz” and *“No Love of My Own.” In addition to performing, Prieto is a respected educator and a familiar presence on jazz stages throughout North Carolina.
Joining him is John Simonetti, a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist who recently returned to his native North Carolina after six years freelancing in New York City. Simonetti performs regularly with the North Carolina Theatre, touring Broadway productions, the Gregg Gelb Swing Band, and numerous other acclaimed ensembles. During his time in New York, he recorded with the Lew Picardi Big Band, the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, and the Bootleg Remedy Dixielanders, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and in-demand musician.
Simonetti’s résumé includes performances with an extraordinary list of jazz legends, among them Eddie Henderson, Tom Harrell, Freddie Cole, Curtis Fuller, Marcus Roberts, Marlena Shaw, Terence Blanchard, Jon Faddis, Russell Malone, and Bucky Pizzarelli. Together, Prieto and Simonetti deliver a dynamic blend of lyrical expression, technical mastery, and deep swing. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience two world-class musicians in an intimate setting—an evening of jazz at its finest. Master guitarist David Prieto and upright bassist John Simonetti unite for an unforgettable evening of world-class jazz at the Sonark Bar(n). No cover.
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8–10 PM
Tickets $10/15
https://www.sonarkfarms.com/event-details/an-evening-of-jazz-with-dave-prietto-with-john-simonetti
The Bar(n) at Sonark Farms
5292 Sonark Lane, Hillsborough, NC
Opens 6pm. Closes 11pm
www.SonarkFarms.com

Gathering Community, a group show featuring local artists
2026-01-24 11:00 - 18:00 | Margaret Lane Gallery, 121 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Celebrate community with work from 16 local artists depicting what draws us together and binds us, and the strength that community brings.
Participating artists are Ruth Ananda, Therese Desjardins, Ari Ferro, Deborah Hoch, Beth Hoffman, Jeannette Johnson, David Knox, Kylie Mangal, Jeff McEntire, Jennifer Niemiroski, Michael Pohlman, Jacqueline Rimmler, Leslie Sinn, Ann Spragens, Bernard Thomas, and Darlene Wells.
Show runs November 26 through January 25, with a opening reception during the Last Friday Art Walk November 28 from 6-9 pm.

Churton Street History Stroll
2026-01-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Weaver Street Market, 228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Within 4 blocks, our main street has SIXTEEN historical markers! Come hear the full stories behind every one, showing that this little town’s historical reach goes well beyond Orange County. Some ghosts on the haunted tours may be related!
(2 hrs / 1 mi)

Original Historic Ghost Tour
2026-01-24 19:30 - 22:00 | Weaver Street Market, 228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
The best historical ghost walks and tour guide in the area! Spooky, verified tales told by your deceased guide, Enoch Pugh (b.1735-d.1771). Join Enoch for the best mix of ghosts and history! 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)

Anything Goes Art Meet Up, Drop in Art Session
2026-01-26 10:00 - 13:00 | 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
2026-01-27 19:30 - 23:00, 2026-02-03 19:30 - 23:00, 2026-02-10 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.

Music BINGO at Eno River Brewing
2026-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | eno river brewing, 329 Eno Mountain Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
🎶 Music Bingo at Eno River Brewing
Every Wednesday | 7–9 PM | 21+ Only
📍 Location:
Eno River BrewingLive tunes, craft brews, and bingo with a beat!
🎯 What It Is:
Forget numbers—this is bingo with a musical twist!

Instead of numbers, your bingo card has song titles or artists

Listen to short clips, mark your card when you recognize a tune

🍻 Why You’ll Love It:

Great beer

Good vibes

Zero pressure to perform—just enjoy the music and play along

Bring friends or make new ones at the table!

🔞 Age Restriction:
Must be 21+ to attend—don’t forget your ID!

From the Heart, curated group show featuring work from local artists
2026-01-30 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-06 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-13 11:00 - 20:00 | Margaret Lane Gallery, 121 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
A not-quite-Valentine’s-Day theme. Work from local artists embracing everything from romantic love, to love of others, nature, vocations, places, memories, colors, and justice.
Participating local artists include Lisa Burke, Margery Chandler, Adam Cooley, Gail Corrado, Therese Desjardin, Michi Doan, B Godwin, David Knox, Laurell Murray, Rebecca Neigher, Michael Pohlman, Jacqueline Rimmler, Fran Sitton, Bernard Thomas, Jackie Tiryakian, Gwen Yin, and Cadence Zaccardi.
Opening reception during the Last Friday Art Walk January 30, 6-9 pm

Proximity Opening Reception
2026-01-30 18:00 - 21:00 | Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, 121 N. Churton St., Hillsborough, 27278
Join us for the Opening Reception of Proximity: Invitational Exhibit of 10 NC Artists
Friday, Jan 30, 6-9pm
The participating artists are: Laura Berendsen Hughes, Doug Dotson, Peter Filene, Beau Lyday, Lauren Markley, Annie Nashold, Carol Retsch-Bogart, Erica Stankwytch Bailey, Brad Tucker, and Michele Yellin. This dynamic exhibition will include works in a variety of media: paintings, photography and photographic collages, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, and mixed media.

Valentines' Day Card Making Drop-in Session
2026-01-31 11:00 - 16:00 | Margaret Lane Gallery Annex/ F-Stop 2, 302 W Corbin, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
A drop in open studio session dedicated to Valentine’s Day card making!
Lots of cardmaking supplies, everything you need to make Valentine’s Day cards for all your loved ones.
All skill levels are welcome — while there is no instruction, you will find friendly people, suggestions, examples, & reference materials.
Pay as you please, $20 suggested (we recognize everyone’s usage is different, so please just pay what you think is fair and you can afford). Cash or check (we will have a jar out) or if you prefer to pay by card, we will have a paylink available.
For adults and mature teens, school age youth welcome if accompanied by a supervising adult. No registration required. Payment at the time of the session.
Saturday, January 31
11 am to 4 pm – drop in for some or all of the time
Location: Margaret Lane Gallery ANNEX/F-Stop 2, 302 W Corbin Street, Hillsborough, NC
Pay as you please, $ 20 suggested

Jim Adams ~ Ategenos: Sacred Remains (Art Exhibit)
2026-02-06 11:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-09 11:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-13 11:00 - 19:00 | Thomas Stevens Gallery, 126 West King Street, Hillsborough , NC, 27278, United States
Artist Jim Adams returns to the Thomas Stevens Gallery for a solo exhibit – Ategenos: Sacred Remains – running February 6th through March 7th.
The gallery will host an opening reception and artist talk on Saturday, Feb 7th, 4-6 pm.
The exhibit will also be the gallery feature for the Last Fridays art reception, Feb 27th, 6-9 pm.
Ategenos (pronounced ah-the-gen-awss) is a Celtic word meaning rebirth.
Ategenos can refer to the reincarnation of an ancestor’s spirit or a deity into a family lineage, manifesting as inherited traits or talents or change, as with the transition from winter to spring. Ategenos can reference a powerful return of something lost or manifestation of new ideas and in modern contexts it has been used to describe beginnings, renewal, or bringing ancient wisdom into the present.
Artist Statement
“The work in this exhibit is a continuum of the work created throughout my career. Finding materials that have been discarded or dismissed, breathing new life into them. By repurposing, reshaping and redefining, I present the objects and materials in a different way, acknowledging the hidden beauty that caught my attention. These images and objects reflect the idea of finding new life in what seemed lost or tossed.” ~ Jim Adams

Big Spoon Roasters Holiday Market
2026-02-07 11:00 - 14:00 | NC
Join Big Spoon Roasters at our HQ & Roastery to sample and shop our entire lineup of nut butters and bars, stock up on jars of our ultra-limited Dark Chocolate Hazelnut & Almond Butter, and create custom gift sets (just in time for Valentine’s Day)!
Parking is available on-site, with overflow parking available nearby at Joe Van Gogh (505 Meadowlands Drive).

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, 2026-02-14 07:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-15 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/

La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet At The Bar(n) At Sonark Farms
2026-02-13 20:00 - 22:00 | sonark Farms, 2592 Sonark Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
Get ready to move, clap, and feel the heat! La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet brings a high-energy, interactive night of rhythm, dance, and dazzling musicianship under the rafters at The Bar(n) At Sonark Farms. This vibrant ensemble blends Afro-Cuban and Latin American grooves with jazz improvisation, creating a joyful, immersive experience that gets the whole room involved.
Expect infectious rhythms, call-and-response moments, spontaneous movement, and a grand finale that brings the crowd to its feet. Whether you’re a jazz lover, a dancer, or just looking for an unforgettable night out in the countryside, La Fiesta delivers pure musical celebration.
Tickets: $15/$20 at the door
La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet
Feb 13, 2026 The Bar(n) at Sonark Farms
8-10PM
TICKETS $15 online:
https://www.sonarkfarms.com/event-details/an-evening-with-the-la-fiesta-latin-jazz-quintet

FOR THE LOVE OF ART: Scottish Impressionism Valentine Exhibition at Saltire Gallerie
2026-02-14 11:00 - 16:00 | Saltire Gallerie, 209 Burnside Dr, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Fall in love with Impressionist and Post Impressionist fine art from Scotland this Valentine Weekend!
Saltire Gallerie offers a curated collection of fine oil paintings by Royal Scottish Academy artists. Bring your loved one, or just fall in love with the romantic and atmospheric play of light and color so characteristic of the impressionist period. Delightful florals, fine figurative paintings and of course the heathered hills of Scotland are in this collection. Take a little respite from the world this Valentine’s Day to feel the transforming power of beauty and art, and a bit of Scottish culture, here in Historic Hillsborough.
Open 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday Valentine’s Day Feb 14, Sunday Feb 15 and Monday Feb 16.
Saltire Gallerie specializes in Scottish art from the late 1700s to mid 20th century, also with fine examples by British Royal Academy artists, Dutch, Belgian and French artists. Located in one of Hillsborough’s 18th century homes, ‘Banks of the Eno’ built be a Scottish immigrant in 1781. Come for a visit, then take an easy walk to Downtown Hillsborough with unique small businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, and even our own local chocolatier!
Normally open by appointment, no reservation is required this Valentine, and this exhibition is free.
Parking is available for Saltire Gallerie visitors on the long driveway in front, free Town on street parking, and on weekends the County office parking lot on South Cameron Street is often available. A wheelchair ramp is available, but let us know you are coming. It is a 245 year old house with original thresholds and floors, and the ramp goes through the private residence to access the Gallerie. Happy to assist!

Emily Musolino At The Bar(n) At Sonark Farms
2026-02-14 20:00 - 22:00 | sonark Farms, 2592 Sonark Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
Influenced by the grit and soul of icons like Etta James and Janis Joplin, Musolino’s sound is rooted in deep blues feeling and amplified by a modern edge. Her songs are forged from lived experience, traversing addiction, recovery, discrimination, and the strength found in self-acceptance and survival. The result is music that cuts straight to the bone—fierce, cathartic, and deeply human—infused with strong feminist and queer-positive spirit.
A Berklee College of Music graduate and founder of Blue Moose Studios, Musolino has spent nearly two decades refining her craft on stages across North Carolina and beyond. From intimate rooms to festival crowds, she delivers performances that are electric, emotionally charged, and impossible to forget. Wild Card Valentine invites you to throw out the rulebook, take a chance on something real, and celebrate love that doesn’t play it safe.
Whether your night is solo, with a partner, P-alantines- just bring your fierce love for live music, this is a Valentine’s night for the bold, the brave, and the beautifully untamed!
Emily Musolino – The Heart of The Blues
Feb 14, 2026 The Bar(n) at Sonark Farms
8-10PM
NO COVER/ RSVP
https://www.sonarkfarms.com/event-details/emily-musolino-the-heart-of-the-blues
