ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

From college basketball rivalries and professional sports to music festivals, theater, and outdoor adventures, North Carolina has no shortage of entertainment. Whether you’re a sports fan, arts lover, or nature explorer, the state offers endless ways to enjoy life.

Arts & Culture

Asheville is famous for its live music, artsy vibe, and Blue Ridge Mountain scenery.
Raleigh and Durham host theaters, museums, and symphonies, including the North Carolina Museum of Art and Durham Performing Arts Center.
The state is home to film festivals (Full Frame Documentary Film Festival) and thriving craft beer, food, and cultural scenes.

Festivals & Events

NC State Fair (Raleigh): One of the largest in the Southeast, drawing over 1 million visitors.
MerleFest (Wilkesboro): Major bluegrass and folk music festival.
Azalea Festival (Wilmington): Celebrates spring with parades, concerts, and community events.

Professional Sports

NFL – Carolina Panthers (Charlotte)
NBA – Charlotte Hornets
NHL – Carolina Hurricanes (Raleigh), 2006 Stanley Cup winners
MLS – Charlotte FC, launched in 2022 and already attracting huge crowds
Baseball fans enjoy Durham Bulls (Triple-A team) and other minor league clubs.

College Sports

Basketball is central to NC culture: UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and NC State form the famous “Triangle Rivalry.”
College football, baseball, and women’s soccer also draw big crowds.

Outdoor Recreation

Beaches: Outer Banks, Wilmington, Emerald Isle for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
Mountains: Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains for hiking, camping, and leaf-viewing.
State Parks: Over 40 state parks with trails, lakes, and waterfalls.

Drive-In Movies

North Carolina used to rank among the top ten U.S. states by number of drive-in theaters.
Badin Road Drive-In (Albemarle) — Built in 1948, revived in 1994 after a closure in the 1980s.
Belmont Drive-In (Belmont) — Reopened in 2023 after upgrading to digital projection; operates April through November with a $25 per-carload admission.
Eden Drive-In Theater (Eden) — In continuous operation since 1949; single-screen, about 200-car capacity.
Raleigh Road Outdoor Theater (Henderson) — Opened in 1949 (originally as “The Moon-Glo Drive-In”); the oldest operating drive-in in the state.
StateLine Movie Time Drive-In Theatre (Tabor City) — A newer addition, opened in May 2019; single-screen.