Backpacking Along the Haw
2025-10-18 14:00 - 2025-10-19 09:30 UTC
Celebrate Great Trails State Day by getting out on the trails and spending the night by the Haw River! This guided trip will begin at The Valley Paddle Access, pass through Glencoe Mill Village, and continue to Sellers Falls Campsites, approx. 5 miles down river. We’ll set up camp, make dinner, and enjoy a night under the stars. The next morning, we will make breakfast, pack up camp, and continue 2 miles down river to Red Slide Park. This is a great opportunity to experience backcountry camping with other people in a safe environment. There will be minimal elevation change so this should provide a good opportunity for hikers of all experience levels. This will also be a great chance to test out new gear before your next big trip!
Our group will stay together at all times. There will be plenty of free time once we arrive at camp to hang out, read, fish, etc.
Previous backpacking experience is not required, but you will be responsible for providing your own gear. Refer to the graphic on the event page of our website for a packing list of items you should/may want to bring.
October 18, 2025
2:00pm – Meet/park at Red Slide Park (103 Elk Street, Haw River, NC 27258)
The gate will be locked when the park is closed at night.
2:15pm – Drive to The Valley Paddle Access
2:30pm – Hike to campsite (5~ miles)
4:30pm – Set up camp, make dinner, enjoy the evening by the fire, etc.
October 19, 2025
7:30am – Make breakfast
8:00am – Pack up camp
8:30am – Hike to Red Slide Park
9:30am – Head home to a hot shower!

Trails & Treats
2025-10-18 15:00 - 17:00
We’re celebrating Great Trails State Day with Trails and Treats! 🎃🍬
On Saturday, October 18th, Pitt County Cultural Arts & Recreation will be hosting a free Halloween-themed event at Alice F. Keene District Park. This family-friendly celebration will be filled with candy, fun activities, and local vendors, all while highlighting the beautiful trails we enjoy here in Pitt County, NC.
Dozens of community vendors will be decorating tables along the trail and handing out candy for children to enjoy. Bring your costumes, your friends, and your sweet tooth, and join us for a fun afternoon on the trail!

The Great Trails State Day ~ Scavenger Hunt
2025-10-18 15:00 - 17:00
ATTENTION: Call your family and friends to join you on the trail!!
White Lake Friends, Inc., along with the newly formed White Lake Recreation Advisory Board, will host the Great Trails State Day ~ Scavenger Hunt
down White Lake Drive
from 3:00- 5:00 on
Saturday, October 18.
Begin at Town Hall, where you will receive your Great Trails State Day booklet.
At each of the ten stations, you will learn interesting facts about our trails here at the lake, about the flora and fauna of our unique Carolina bay, and there will be a chance for you to draw your favorite White Lake scene on the sidewalk!
All ages are invited. Stroller too!! Get outside and enjoy this beautiful place we call home.

The Pisgah Conservancy's 10th Anniversary Celebration
2025-10-18 15:00 - 18:00
Let’s celebrate 10 years of caring for Pisgah’s trails, rivers, native plants, and wildlife! Join us for a party at Oskar Blues on Saturday, October 18th from 3 to 6 p.m. We will draw the winner of the 2025 Pisgah Project Bike Raffle at 4 p.m., followed by a special appearance from Smokey Bear.

Glow in the Park 5K
2025-10-18 16:00 - 21:00
Surry Country Parks and Recreation and Surry County Health and Nutrition Center are excited to partner and host the Third Annual Glow in the Park 5K at Fisher River Park on October 18th. This will be a glow in the dark 5K where the trails at Fisher River Park will be lit up with blacklights, glow paint and glow balloons. Participants will have the opportunity to deck themselves out in glow in the dark paint and glow sticks for the race. This will be an evening of fun so bring the whole family out to run or walk. Prior to the race there will be inflatable games, hayrides, pumpkin carving, and many more fun activities available for everyone.
There will be a FREE concert from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the amphitheater. You must register by October 2nd to ensure that you will receive your glow in the dark t-shirt. If you register after October 2nd, you WILL NOT receive a t-shirt. This will be an officially timed event with chip timing. After the race there will be free snacks, smores, bonfires, and games. We hope to see you out for an evening of fun at the park!

Spooktackular Glow Kayak Paddle
2025-10-18 17:00 - 20:00
Join us for an unforgettable Halloween night on Mayo Lake! Combine the eerie glow of your Halloween decorations with the peaceful beauty of the lake for a one-of-a-kind experience. Bring your Kayak and Decorate it with your most creative Halloween designs. Then, set out on a 1-2 hour guided tour along the shoreline, showcasing your spooky masterpiece to campers in the park. Meet at the boat docks at 5pm ready to start decorating and ready to launch by 5:45pm. Must provide your own decorations. Preregistration is required.
What to bring:
Halloween decorations (waterproof or battery-operated lights recommended)
For added company during your trip, bring your carved jack-o-lantern to accompany you on the water.

"Spirits of Pittsboro's Past" Walking Tour
2025-10-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-10-19 17:30 - 19:30
Don’t miss the chance to see history come alive before your eyes at the Spirits of Pittsboro’s Past Walking Tour, hosted by the Chatham County Historical Association (CCHA), just in time for Halloween! Take a walk through downtown Pittsboro for an evening filled with local folklore and historical reenactments. The tour blends Chatham’s rich heritage with stories and legends, all presented by costumed interpreters portraying figures from the town’s past.
The journey begins at the historic courthouse and winds through old cemeteries, churches, and hidden corners, with each stop offering a window into the lives of the people and moments that shaped Pittsboro. The tour will take place on the following dates:

Sat, Oct 18, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Sun, Oct 19, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Event Details

Check- in is at 5:15pm, with the tour starting promptly at 5:30pm both days.
Age requirement: 12 years and older only (no pets or strollers).
Weather: Rain or shine (rescheduled only in case of severe weather).
This tour takes place indoors and outdoors, lasting between 90 and 120 minutes.
Bring a flashlight. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes.
A liability waiver will be required at check-in.
Limited to 60 participates per evening, split into three small groups for a more personal experience.
Free parking is available behind the new Chatham County Justice Center.
Pets are not allowed; please leave your furry friends at home.
Accessibility: Tour participates will need to be able to navigate stairs, outdoor sidewalks, and grassy areas.

Tickets are $25 for CCHA members and $30 per person for nonmembers. Space is limited. Member-only tickets go on sale Mon, Sep 1, and sales of nonmember tickets will begin Mon, Sep 15 (if there are still tickets available). Tickets are available online only. For tickets and more information, go to www.chathamhistory.org.

Greenway Game Night
2025-10-19 15:00 - 18:00
It’s time to roll the dice, shuffle the cards, and let the games begin! Bring your family and friends out to the Downtown Greenway for an evening of fun for all ages. We’ll have a variety of games to play, including board games, card games, and more.

Register online at https://tinyurl.com/GameNightDG
Drop-ins welcome, space permitting.

Urban Foraging
2025-10-22 17:30 - 18:30
Interested in exploring edible plants in and around Greensboro? Join us on Wednesday, October 22 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm to learn about sustainable foraging techniques! This session will introduce you to the basics of urban foraging, including gathering wild foods, medicinal herbs, fuelwood, and craft materials. It’s a great way to discover how foraging can contribute to both subsistence and income for urban communities. This program will take place at Meeting Place (801 W Smith Street), parking is available at 490 Prescott St.

12th Annual Bear Grass Chicken Mull Festival
2025-10-25 09:00 - 16:00
One of the biggest small town festivals in NC, the Town of Bear Grass population goes from just 89 residents to near 4,000 in a day!
Get there early! Line forms around 9 a.m. and chicken mull will be served WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Enjoy Live Music, Classic Car Cruise-In, Concessions, Freeze Dried Candy, Petting Zoo, Kids Zone and more!
What is Chicken Mull? Mull also called Muddle, is a southern delicacy. The recipe for Chicken Mull is simple: parboiled chicken, broth, crackers, and eggs with as much black and red pepper as you desire. Many also add a splash of hot sauce. Pair a pot of mull with a sleeve of crackers and dinner is ready. In Bear Grass, Chicken Mull has been the lunch of choice for decades, made over a fire in a large wash pot, stirred with a boat paddle. Enjoy your day visiting various vendors and hiking around the Town of Bear Grass, NC.

Author Event: Kamal Bell
2025-10-25 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Chatham Community Library for an Author Event with Kamal Bell on Sat, Oct 25, 2pm-3pm. Meet author Kamal Bell, founder of Sankofa Farms and a food justice, youth education, and sustainable agriculture advocate. He will be reading from his book, “Akeem Keeps Bees”, a children’s book inspiring young readers to explore agriculture and pollinator conservation.
This FREE, family-friendly event is to open to the public. No registration is required. The event will take place indoors in the Chatham Community Library’s Holmes Family Meeting Room. The Chatham Community Library is ADA-compliant, including wheelchair-accessible parking, entrances, seating, common spaces, walkways, and restrooms. The Holmes Family Meeting Room has an automatic door opener. Free parking is available outside the library. Pets are not allowed- please leave your furry friends at home.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Chatham Community Library and supported in part by the North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any Views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of North Carolina Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This event is part of our Chatham Celebrates America 250 initiative.

Downtown Greenway Community Picnic
2025-10-26 16:00 - 18:00
The 3rd Annual Downtown Greenway Community Picnic is set for Sunday, October 26 from 4-6 pm in Woven Works Park.

Join us for a beautiful fall afternoon, as residents and guests are invited to gather together in a scenic outdoor setting along the Downtown Greenway for some good food, good music, and good conversation!

Tickets will go on sale in September, where you can pre-order a meal from one of two local restaurants. (check back for details later this summer)

Bring your friends and family out to enjoy some time outside, delicious food, live entertainment, and community connections.

G5 Fall Trail Weekend
2025-10-31 16:00 - 2025-11-02 12:00
Join the G5 and Camp Grier crews for a weekend of Halloween fun, trail work of all levels, good feels, bike demos & shuttle laps, hiking, running, and giving back to the trails that help sustain and grow our awesome Old Fort community.
Free camping and lodging at Camp Grier for all volunteers. Friday is a time for casual hang out at camp for those who want to arrive Friday night. Saturday morning will start with check-in and welcome at 9am. We’ll divide into different crews and work on the Old Fort trails until 2pm. Bring your own coffee mugs, as we’ll have hot coffee provided by Dynamite Roasting Co at check-in.
Saturday afternoon will be filled with a Vendor Village, free Kitsuma shuttles with Mountain Top Shuttle (bring your own bike), Altra shoe demo and group run with Mountain Running Company, and other activities at Camp Grier. At 5:30pm we’ll have a volunteer appreciation taco dinner provided by Camp Grier’s kitchen team and beverages from Hillman Beer, Sabor Del Sol, and Devil’s Foot Beverage Company. The G5 team will share community and trail updates, honor volunteers and giveaway sweet prizes from our sponsors like: Fox Factory, Industry Nine, Indigo Retreat, onX Maps, National Forest Foundation, and more. The evening will be filled with campfires and time to hang out with the trail community.
We’ll close out the weekend with some Sunday morning trail work. Everyone who joins us for Sunday’s work day will receive exclusive G5 swag as a thank-you for sticking around and helping us increase our volunteer hours!

Forest Bathing at Blackwood Farm Park
2025-11-08 09:00 - 12:00
Forest Bathing at Blackwood Farm Park
More than just a meander through the woods, forest bathing is a
way of immersing yourself in the total atmosphere of the forest.
Forest bathing provides opportunities to experience nature with all
of your senses by taking time to pause, breathe deeply and simply
notice what surrounds you.
Cost: $40. Register here.

Trading Path Program
2025-11-08 10:00 - 11:30
Join an education specialist from NC State Parks for an introduction to Trading Paths in North Carolina during National American Indian Heritage Month. Learn about historical trading paths and Native American culture. Introductory mapping activities include past and current Tribes of North Carolina and routes of Trading Paths. Afterwards, we’ll hike some of the roads and paths around Bynum Mill Access to read the landscape. Closed-toe shoes required. This program is free and open to the general public and educators. All ages are welcome, but parents must accompany children. Our program leader is Brian Bockhahn, Regional Education Specialist with NC State Parks.

Nature Journaling
2025-11-08 10:00 - 12:00
Pick up your preferred writing utensil and grab your journal, we’re taking it slow and reflecting on the beauty of the nature around us in this program. Use your senses to guide you as you remark on what’s around you. This program encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection to the environment reflected onto our pages. Join us at Meeting Place at the Tradition Cornerstone for this program. Parking is located along Prescott Street.

Speed Friending
2025-11-09 17:00 - 19:00
Want to meet new people, but not sure where to start? Join us for Speed Friending on Sunday, November 9th, as a fun and casual way to grow your social circle!

Register to reserve your spot online at https://tinyurl.com/DGfriending

Drop-ins welcome; space permitting.

Choose the age group/time slot that suits you best:

1️⃣ 5:00 pm: ages 50-65+

2️⃣ 5:30 pm: ages 40-55

3️⃣ 6:00 pm: ages 30-45

4️⃣ 6:30 pm: ages 21-35

Thanks to Joymongers Brewing Co. and synerG for their continued support of this initiative!

Where the Stars, Stripes, and Eagles Fly
2025-11-14 09:30 - 10:30
Join CCPRCR’s Where the Stars, Stripes, and Eagles Fly program on Fri, Nov 14, 9:30am-10:15am. As part of Chatham’ American 250 celebration, they will explore some of the symbols associated with our country and the reasons and stories behind them. This class includes story time and a themed craft project. Registration opens Mon, Sep 8, and closes Mon, Nov 3.
This event is held indoors at Chatham Grove Community Center by Chatham County Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (CCPRCR). Registration $7 per person. Ages 3-5 and 6 months are welcome.

Camp Chestnut Ridge Trail Race
2025-11-22 08:45 - 12:00 | 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Rd, Efland, NC 27243, 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Rd, Efland, North Carolina, 27243, United States
The Camp Chestnut Ridge Trail Race will be held on Saturday, November 22, at Camp Chestnut Ridge in Efland. Participants can choose between four-mile and eight-mile races on single-track trails and dirt or gravel roads through hardwood forest. A three-mile virtual race option is also available. The course features rolling hills and water stations—one on the four-mile course and three on the eight-mile course. Headphones are not permitted, but childcare will be provided during the race. Registration closes on November 21. Early registrants receive a race shirt, and proceeds support the camp’s annual fund.

Birds of a Feather Trail Trot
2025-11-27 07:15 - 11:00 | 161 Salt Cedar Ln, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, 161 Salt Cedar Ln, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, United States
The Birds of a Feather Trail Trot at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill takes place on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. Participants can choose between a mellow two-mile course (mostly paved and grassy) or a more challenging 5K course with roots, rocks, and hills. Each distance offers both timed and untimed options. After the run, participants can enjoy a slice of pie, a free kids’ treasure race, and an awards ceremony with games and giveaways. The two-mile course covers 2.04 miles with 134 feet of elevation gain and is rated easy, while the 5K course spans approximately 3.38 miles with 217 feet of elevation gain and is rated moderately challenging.

Leftovers Trail Run
2025-11-29 07:30 - 11:00 | 161 Salt Cedar Ln, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, 161 Salt Cedar Ln, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, United States
The Leftovers Trail Run is an eco-friendly 5K and 10K event held two days after Thanksgiving on Saturday, November 29, at Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill. Participants receive a vintage race shirt and medal upcycled from previous events. The 5K course is 3.48 miles with 217 feet of elevation gain, while the 10K covers 6.23 miles with 380 feet of elevation gain. After the race, there will be a festive post-event party with food, a kids’ race, and prize drawings. Registration is capped to keep the event small and personal, with a well-marked course, professional timing, and age-group awards.

Into the Woods: Winter 2025–26 Trail Training Program
2025-11-30 08:00 - 2026-01-25 17:00 | Carrboro, NC 27510 US, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
The Into the Woods Winter Trail Training Program is an eight-week course designed to prepare runners for the Occoneechee Mountain Challenge. An informational session will be held on November 20, and the program runs from November 30, 2025, through January 25, 2026. Participants meet every Sunday morning at trailheads around Carrboro and Chapel Hill to learn trail-running techniques and build endurance. The program welcomes beginners and includes hiking groups. Registration costs $110.
Program Details:

Information Session & Gear Up Night: November 20th at Fleet Feet Durham Southpoint
Program Starts: November 30th, Carolina North Forest
Program Ends: January 25th, 2026 with the Occoneechee Mountain Challenge
We’ll explore local trails at Carolina North Forest, Eno River State Park, Umstead State Park, Wilson Park, Briar Chapel, and more
Runs are every Sundays at 8 am. These will be held at various trails around the triangle that will help expand your knowledge and comfort level of running in the area
We’ll have options for beginners and more seasoned trail runners, and we have a hiking group. Your training plan can help accommodate any level.
This is a very beginner friendly trail season! For any questions or concerns about your eligibility please email liz.goodman@fleetfeet.com.
Cost: $110 and we will share a discount code to register for the race!

Shakori 40 Running Festival
2025-12-05 08:00 - 2025-12-06 17:00 | Shakori Hills Community Art Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd, Pittsboro, NC, 27312, United States
The Shakori 40 Running Festival will take place on December 5 and 6 at the Shakori Hills Community Art Center in Pittsboro. The two-day celebration includes a 40-mile ultramarathon, a 40K open race, a 40-mile age-graded team relay (for up to 10 runners), and a four-mile open race. The cross-country course winds through the scenic Shakori Hills and combines competition with a festival atmosphere featuring camping, bonfires, craft beer, live music, and camaraderie. Registration closes on December 3, 2025.

Chatham Celebrates America 250: Cumulative Celebration
2026-06-27 10:00 - 14:00
July 4, 2026, marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Join Chatham Celebrates America 250 in recognizing the Semi quincentennial during our Cumulative Celebration on Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10am-2pm. Admission is free. Together, we’ll remember the events that have shaped our history, reflect on the present, and envision a promising future for the next generation.
Festivities will include live music and performances, food trucks, vendors, displays and demonstrations, activities for children, and much more. If you are interested in participating, volunteering or getting involved in other ways, please contact Lindsay Ray at lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov or 919-545-8302.
This free, family-friendly event takes place indoors at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (CCACC). Shuttle services will be provided by Chatham Transit. CCACC is an ADA-compliant space, featuring wheelchair-accessible parking, entrances, shared spaces, and walkways. Since most of the festivities will take place indoors, this event will not be pet friendly. Please leave your furry friends at home. Service animals are welcome.
See more America 250 events. Learn more on the Chatham Celebrates America 250 Microsite. See more events at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center.
