Visit Carrboro NC

10/01/2024

The 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill returns on Friday, Jan. 12.

Rain or shine, Downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill will showcase The Carrboro-Chapel Hill 2nd Friday Art Walk.

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and Carrboro Century Center are open from 6 to 8 p.m.

Participating venues and their exhibitions include the following:
🎨The ArtsCenter at 400 Roberson St., Carrboro, NC 27510
https://artscenterlive.org/gallery/
🎨Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨Carrboro Town Hall at 301 W. Main St. Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨FRANK Gallery at 370 E. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
www.frankisart.com
🎨The Frame & Print Shop at University Place 201 S. Estes Suite 400C, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
https://frameshopchapelhill.com/exhibits/
🎨Krave at 105 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
www.kravekava.com
🎨Lapin Blue at 106-A N. Graham St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
🎨North Carolina Crafts Gallery at 212 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
https://www.nccraftsgallery.com/
🎨Peel Gallery + Photo Lab, 708 W Rosemary St., Carrboro, NC 27510
https://www.peel.gallery/
🎨This & That Gift Gallery at 118 E. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
https://www.facebook.com/thisandthatgiftgallery
🎨The Wallflower Gallery at 102 Merritt Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
[email protected]
🎨WomanCraft at 360 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
https://womancraftgifts.com/

For more information, please visit the galleries and venues listed above. Enjoy!

26/12/2023

Tis the season to give! Make your final donations before the end of the year! Consider giving to El Centro Hispano, EMPOWERment, or the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP.
Support all our BIPOC business & non-profits: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing

19/12/2023

Get your holiday nails at Lee Nails of Carrboro! Don’t forget your hair styling, call Midway Barber Shop or Bobby's Hair Salon & Spa. Visit all of our BIPOC businesses this holiday season! Find our list at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing .

16/12/2023

Holiday shopping is hard work! You owe yourself some well-deserved self care! After shopping at CommunityWorx & My Muses Card Shop, get a boost at Rejuvenation Station NC.

Visit all of our BIPOC businesses this season: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing

12/12/2023

Now is the time to get your holiday party food order in at Cliff’s Meat Market or call Monterrey Mexican Restaurant and 401 Main to host or cater your event. Support all our BIPOC business this holiday season: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing

30/11/2023

Join The Town of Carrboro in celebrating the Holiday season and save the dates for these upcoming festive events.

🎄Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Join us at Carrboro Town Hall as we gather and celebrate the festive season!

We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle Elementary as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree.

This event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.

☃️Chapel Hill – Carrboro Community Holiday Parade
The annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The parade route begins at 140 West Plaza, travels along Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, proceeds to Main Street in Carrboro, and ends at Carrboro Town Hall.

This year’s theme will be “Walkin’ in a winter wonderland” to feature modes of travel like walking, biking, and rollerblading.

🍪Kids, Cookies & Candy Canes
Join our holiday celebration for children of all ages! Bring the family to the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and enjoy some holiday fun! Join us for cookies, crafts, and a children's show.

Learn more: https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2571

25/11/2023

Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) as Small Business Saturday in Carrboro.

There are 386 small businesses in Carrboro, making up over 97% of all business in our town. These small businesses employ 2,550 people and provide over $116 million in payroll. The Town of Carrboro celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community.

“I urge the residents of our community and county to support small and local businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year,” Mayor Seils said.

Read the proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions

13/11/2023

Join The Town of Carrboro in celebrating the Holiday season and save the dates for these upcoming festive events.

🎄Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Join us at Carrboro Town Hall as we gather and celebrate the festive season!

We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle Elementary as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree.

This event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.

☃️Chapel Hill – Carrboro Community Holiday Parade
The annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The parade route begins at 140 West Plaza, travels along Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, proceeds to Main Street in Carrboro, and ends at Carrboro Town Hall.

This year’s theme will be “Walkin’ in a winter wonderland” to feature modes of travel like walking, biking, and rollerblading.

🍪Kids, Cookies & Candy Canes
Join our holiday celebration for children of all ages! Bring the family to the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and enjoy some holiday fun! Join us for cookies, crafts, and a children's show.

Visit the Events Calendar ( https://ecs.page.link/cYSAa ) on our website to learn more about all our upcoming events.

09/11/2023

The 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill returns on Friday, Nov. 10.

The second Friday of every month through November, rain or shine, Downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill will showcase The Carrboro-Chapel Hill 2nd Friday Art Walk.

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours.

Participating venues and their exhibitions include the following:
🎨The ArtsCenter at 400 Roberson St., Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨Carrboro Town Hall at 301 W. Main St. Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨FRANK Gallery at 370 E. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨The Frame & Print Shop at University Place 201 S. Estes Suite 400C, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
🎨Krave at 105 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨Lapin Blue at 106-A N. Graham St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
🎨North Carolina Crafts Gallery at 212 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨Peel Gallery + Photo Lab, 708 W Rosemary St., Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨This & That Gift Gallery at 118 E. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
🎨The Wallflower Gallery at 102 Merritt Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
🎨WomanCraft at 360 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510

Learn more: https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2566

09/11/2023

CARRBORO, N.C. -- The Carrboro Film Fest marks its 18th year this Nov. 17-19 with screenings of 2023’s films at The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St.

55 films. 9 screenings. 3 days. 1 venue. Festival passes and tickets for individual screenings on sale now.

Carrboro Film Fest embraces its identity as a Southern institution and presents exclusively Southern films in a non-competitive setting.

Every year the fest leans into its mission to showcase the best, new Southern Films, and this year will be no different. Filmgoers can expect full-length films, Q&As with directors and actors after the screenings, and short films clustered around various themes which celebrate and interrogate Southern identity and culture.

Carrboro has always been a little different. In Carrboro, Southern hospitality means everyone is welcome, and the folks here are curious about the world, engaged in their community, and lovers of the arts. That’s why our town is a great place for a film festival.

The Carrboro Film Fest has an established history as a dynamic event that brings filmmakers and audiences together for a heartfelt celebration of independent cinema.

Carrboro Film Fest is made possible with support from the Town of Carrboro and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.

NEW! SOUTHERN! FILM!Carrboro has always been a little different. In Carrboro, Southern hospitality means everyone is welcome, and the folks here are curious ...

10/10/2023

The 18th Annual West End Poetry Festival returns, Oct. 19-21, 2023. All events are free and open to the public.

🗓️Thursday, October 19 - Luna (307 E. Main St. Carrboro, NC 27510)
5:45-8:00 p.m. Carrboro Poets Council Feature and Open Mic

🗓️Friday, October 20 - The ArtsCenter (400 Roberson St. Carrboro, NC 27510)
4:30-5:30 p.m. Youth Workshop with Jaki Shelton Green
7:00-8:00 p.m. Carrboro Poet Laureate, Liza Wolff-Francis in poetic conversation with Ina Cariño and Len Lawson
8:00-8:30 p.m. Open Mic
8:30-9:30 p.m. Wine Reception (cash bar)

🗓️Saturday, October 21 - Carrboro Century Center (100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510)
10:00-11:15 a.m. Coffee, biscuits and Poetry in the Round
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Break for lunch. Go explore the many delicious restaurants around downtown Carrboro!
12:45 p.m. Welcome from Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils
1:00 p.m. Poets Laureate Reading
2:45-3:45 p.m. Poetry Writing Generative Workshop with Ross White
3:45-4:30 p.m. Coffee and snacks provided
4:30-5:30 p.m. New Book Poets Reading
5:45 p.m. Light dinner fare provided by Carrburritos
6:45 p.m. Community Poem Reading: We need your words to help create the 2023 Carrboro Community Poem! This year's theme is COMMUNITY. Submit your words for the 2023 Carrboro Community Poem: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2813/2023-Community-Poem-Instructions

🗓️Saturday, October 21 - Steel String Brewery (106A S. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510)
7:00-9:00 p.m. Poetry Slam hosted by Dasan Ahanu

For more information on the events and poets please visit the West End Poetry website: http://westendpoetryfestival.org/

The West End Poetry Festival is sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and is planned by the Carrboro Poets Council (currently comprised of Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis, Gideon Young, Susan Spalt, Jay Bryan, Fred Joiner, Abigail Browning, Chad Knuth and Paul Jones) with the assistance of the staff of Carrboro’s Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department and the support of the Carrboro Arts Committee and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.

01/10/2023

🎶Need more info on which band is playing at your favorite Carrboro Music Festival venue?

💻Visit the Festival website to download a sortable spreadsheet of all performers
ℹ️Stop by one of the information tables around downtown
📲Download the app

🎶 https://www.carrboronc.gov/311/Carrboro-Music-Festival

01/10/2023

Need a ride for the Carrboro Music Festival today?

🚐Hop on the free Chapel Hill Transit shuttle.
🕘Shuttles run noon - 9 pm.
🚗Park and Ride option from the Jones Ferry Park and Ride lot.
🗺️Maps are available online & at info tables around town.

ℹ️ https://www.carrboronc.gov/311/Carrboro-Music-Festival

01/10/2023

Don't forget to download the Carrboro Music Festival App (available in your mobile app store)!

View the full schedule, search the list of performers and more!

More information: https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2524

30/09/2023

Sign up for FREE workshops at this year's Carrboro Music Festival!

These free educational workshops start at 10:00 a.m. at the Century Center, Town Hall, and the Civic Club.

For more information and to register: https://register1.vermontsystems.com/wbwsc/nccarrboro.wsc/splash.html and look under "Special Events"

30/09/2023

Come kick off the 26th annual Carrboro Music Festival TONIGHT at Cat's Cradle (300 E. Main Street)

The FREE show starts at 8PM (doors open at 7PM) featuring Truth Club and NC-based artist Christian James.

More information: https://catscradle.com/event/carrboro-music-festival-kickoff-show/cats-cradle-back-room/carrboro-north-carolina/

29/09/2023

Carrboro Music Festival 2023

🎵Starts at 1PM SUNDAY, Oct 1
🎸FREE live music all day ALL OVER TOWN
📋NEW THIS YEAR: Workshops start at 10AM (registration required)
🎤Hip Hop/R&B Showcase from 2-5PM at Cat's Cradle
🎉KICKOFF SHOW at Cat's Cradle SATURDAY, Sept 30
🚏FREE SHUTTLE available
📲Download the APP to see WHO is playing, WHERE & WHEN

More info: https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2524

15/09/2023

🎶 Carrboro Music Festival is coming!

https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2524

10/08/2023

CARRBORO, N.C. – The Town of Carrboro announces festival lineups and date information for three of the Triangle’s most beloved fall festivals starting this September. Save the dates!

Fall festivals are made possible with support from the Town of Carrboro and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.

Following the successful return of another iconic music festival this past summer – the Freight Train Blues concert series, Carrboro is happy to continue to showcase a diversity of musicians from the Piedmont with FREE concerts at Town Commons, the Cat’s Cradle, and venues across the town with the return of the Carrboro Music Festival (opening night on Saturday, Sept. 30, with a full day of outdoor concerts on Sunday, Oct. 1).

Next this fall comes West End Poetry Festival (Oct. 19-21) featuring Poetry in the Round and a Community Poem Reading, and Carrboro Film Fest (Nov. 17-19) producing numerous independent films that challenge and expand our understanding of Southern culture.

"Carrboro has a proud tradition with these longstanding festivals, which have been offered for 15 to nearly 25 years running,” Mayor Damon Seils said. “Collaboration is key to our success, and we’re grateful to our partners for their commitment to cultural offerings that are shared so widely and are part of Carrboro’s arts legacy.”

More at https://ecs.page.link/4ejaK

08/08/2023

Welcome to ! Birthplace of Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten!

Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten taught herself how to play guitar at the young age of eight, unaware that her unique picking style would be recognizable over a century later. Cotten was born in 1893 on Lloyd Street near the train tracks in what is now Carrboro. Those train tracks helped inspire one of Cotton’s legendary songs called “Freight Train,” which she wrote at age 11.

Throughout Cotten’s life she never strayed too far from music, but it wasn’t until her golden years when she recorded her first album: “Negro Folksongs and Tunes.” The album was released in 1958 on the Folkways label, which the Smithsonian Institution later acquired. Cotten was declared a National Heritage Fellow during her later years, and the Smithsonian Institution recognized her as a “living treasure.” Cotten won her first-ever Grammy at age 90, before passing away in 1987.

Shortly before her death, Cotten was awarded a Grammy for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording in 1985. Elizabeth “Libba” Cotton’s music continues to influence lives today. She is being posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022.

Cotten is memorialized in Carrboro with a mural at 111 North Merritt Mill Road, and a bikeway through town is named in her honor.

06/08/2023

Welcome to !

The Carrboro Century Center is home to the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department, Police Department, and the Cybrary. Originally this building was the Carrboro Baptist Church, built in the 1920s. The mural was installed in January 2021.

29/06/2023

The Town of Carrboro will hold its 10th Annual Community Reading of the Frederick Douglass essay "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

The reading will occur from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro, NC 27510.

Mayor Damon Seils will lead the program. Introductory remarks will be provided by Reginald F. Hildebrand, a retired professor of African American Studies and History at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., and at UNC-Chapel Hill. Professor Hildebrand provided remarks during Carrboro's first annual Frederick Douglass Community Reading.

THIS VIDEO PROMO features readers from the 2020 Community Reading in order of appearance -- James Williams Jr., Victoria Fornville, Mariana Rocha-Goldberg, Robert Campbell, Anna Richardson, Quinton Harper and Valerie Foushee. See this complete video at https://ecs.page.link/Z26hY

Learn more at https://ecs.page.link/sC8N3

13/06/2023

Small Town Pride continues this June!

If you missed the Orgullo Latinx celebration this weekend (6/10/2023) in Carrboro, there's another local festival coming up!

Carrboro's Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Carrboro Town Commons. The event kicks off with the Pride Piper Parade from the Century Center down Weaver Street to Carrboro Town Commons! The samba reggae band Batalá will lead the parade with the rainbow ram.

You're invited to join in all the fun, including a drag show featuring KiKi Diamond, WXYC DJs Live Mixes, food trucks and frolicking on the lawn!

More at https://ecs.page.link/hRDfj

10/05/2023

🎼Come out to hear the music of Thomas Rhyant and David Childers at this Friday’s Freight Train Blues Concert The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street.

🎼The concert series runs every Friday night through June 23 and is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.
Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.
More information: www.freighttrainblues.com

David Childers
Born and raised in Mt. Holly, N.C., David Childers has written hundreds of songs and recorded nearly 20 albums on various record labels. David and his band, The Serpents, have played extensively in N.C., V.A., and T.N. for more than 20 years. They have played numerous festivals such as MerleFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, AmericanaFest, Albino Skunk Fest, McMenamins Great Northwest Music Tour, Avetts at the Beach, Mountain Stage, and more. Childers, who has collaborated with members of The Avett Brothers for years, joined the band on stage at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, to sing his song, “The Prettiest Thing,” which they have covered since 2011.

Thomas Rhyant
After decades of touring in gospel quartets, Thomas Rhyant launched a solo career. His prowess for vocals and nimble acoustic guitar work are clearly felt in his touring tribute to Sam Cooke, whom he claims as his greatest influence. Rhyant uses music to tell the stories of those who came before him, allowing people to not only understand but emotionally connect with history. Rhyant’s 2022 album, Love Lifted Me, brought Rhyant to the Newport Folk Festival.

Read more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2419

03/05/2023

This Friday! Come out to the First Freight Train Blues Concert of the series and enjoy music from Piedmont blueswoman Gail Ceasar and Alabama-based Lil' Jimmy Reed.

Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

The Freight Train Blues concert series is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

About the featured artists:

Gail Ceasar floats somewhere between bluegrass and the blues. Her music has roots that run deep in Virginia soil. Taught the blues by her uncle, Pete Witcher, Gail’s Piedmont style is “reminiscent of Etta Baker and Elizabeth Cotten” (Bluegrass Situation). Losing her home to a fire in 2022 didn’t stop her from releasing her debut album, Guitar Woman Blues. The album, produced by Music Maker, has been called “sweet and captivating” and “gritty and raw as the high lonesome wind” (Americana Highways). She performed with Music Maker at the National Gallery of Art in February 2023.

Lil’ Jimmy Reed began writing his own music the moment he picked up a guitar. Since then he has played across the world, from London to Jerusalem. Though not related to his famous namesake, he was once booked by a promoter as Lil’ Jimmy Reed and kept the moniker, as he is a master of the elder Reed’s style and repertoire on guitar and harmonica. In addition to being a triple threat, he is also a military veteran, who served our country for 20 years. As the last of the early Baton Rouge bluesmen, Lil' Jimmy Reed embodies the down-home Louisiana blues tradition. Recently signed by NOLA Blue Records, the octogenarian has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

17/04/2023

Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Day! Join us at the Carrboro Town Commons to celebrate Earth Day 2023!

With the Chapel Hill Service League, the Town of Carrboro is partnering on an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Carrboro's Earth Day event will feature a variety of information and education tables to learn more about climate and environmental topics in our community and Community Climate Action initiatives such as Carrboro's Green Neighborhood initiative, Solarize Carrboro, weatherization, sustainability, food footprint, composting, recycling and EV vehicles. There will be activities for children including a parade (animal and plant costumes welcome), planet-friendly vegan and vegetarian food for purchase, and climate and environmental Earth Day Free Book giveaways. Celebrate the Earth with Carrboro!

Together, we can create a strong sense of community as we work to better our Earth. Come get inspired. The earth is in our hands!

Check our link in bio if you are an organization/group interested in participating! Apply at: Form Center • Carrboro, NC • CivicEngage https://ecs.page.link/nHEAx

15/04/2023

Dance. Bike. Jump. Play. Experience your streets in a whole new way!
Come join Carrboro Open Streets Sunday, April 16, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m. along Weaver Street in Carrboro. Carrboro will close the street to motor vehicle traffic and open it to all sorts of other traffic and activities at this popular event. Bring your friends, family, bikes, and your comfortable shoes to experience the streets and your community in a whole new way. All of the activities are free!

For more event information visit: https://ecs.page.link/Qre9X

15/03/2023

Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Day!

Join us at the Carrboro Town Commons to celebrate Earth Day 2023!

With the Chapel Hill Service League, the Town of Carrboro is partnering on an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Carrboro's Earth Day event will feature a variety of information and education tables to learn more about climate and environmental topics in our community and Community Climate Action initiatives such as Carrboro's Green Neighborhood initiative, Solarize Carrboro, weatherization, sustainability, food footprint, composting, recycling and EV vehicles. There will be activities for children including a parade (animal and plant costumes welcome), planet-friendly vegan and vegetarian food for purchase, and climate and environmental Earth Day Free Book giveaways. Celebrate the Earth with Carrboro!

Together, we can create a strong sense of community as we work to better our Earth. Come get inspired. The earth is in our hands!