Events in Albemarle, NC

City of Albemarle’s Food Truck Friday brings a lively gathering at City Lake Park with live music at no cost and a wide range of dishes from food trucks. This edition features Dirty Grass Soul on stage. Participating vendors across the season include 4 Sisters, Allen’s BBQ Shack, Big Poppa J’s, Bloom & Brews, Fatback’s Soul Food & BBQ, Funtime Funnel Cake, GGC Smokehouse, Happy Eatz, Higgins & Son BBQ, House Of Odell And Luella, Make Mia Cake, Pride Catering, Snobiz, Spudwings, Tacoverse, Thai Smile, Uwharrie Brewing, and WAB #13. Pack a blanket or lawn chair for comfortable seating. Vendor availability varies.

Enjoy the Albemarle Downtown Farmers Market at Market Station, a lively showcase of fresh, locally sourced goodness. Browse stands filled with in-season produce, locally raised meats, farm-fresh goods, homemade treats, and unique handcrafted items from vendors who help the community flourish. More than a shopping trip, it is a weekly tradition where friends reconnect and shoppers meet the people behind their food. On the second Saturday of the month, look for a 90 minute flavor experience with a live cooking demonstration, guidance on putting a healthy twist on local favorites using ingredients from the market, free samples, and a nutrition Q&A.

The first Life Point Community Market brings neighbors together to browse and support local vendors in a welcoming, family-focused setting. Held at Life Point Church, this community gathering offers a relaxed atmosphere for shopping and connecting with others.

Enjoy a benefit car show featuring music, food, a bounce house, a raffle, and a 50/50 drawing. Trophies will be awarded. All proceeds benefit two local ministries, Live Again Ministries and Hotwheels For Christ. Hotwheels For Christ will give away free Hotwheels bags, and Live Again Ministries will have a booth. A rain date is planned.

A free, family-friendly outdoor screening of Toy Story 5 will take place behind Locust City Hall at the City of Locust. This community movie night is open to all thanks to local sponsors, with Charlotte Black Car Service as the Presenting Sponsor. Pack a blanket or lawn chairs to relax on the grass and enjoy the film under the stars. A drive-in area is available at the rear of the yard, with entry from Kerri Dawn Lane behind the Senior Center and Library. Additional parking can be found in Town Center public parking. Food and drinks will be available from Papa Smoke BBQ, Bayou Sno, Four Sisters Sugar Co., Wilson's Famous Funnel Cakes, and Lief Cafe. Rock Therapy will be on site with a mobile climbing wall. For more information, email jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.

Comfortable Shirt returns to the new Two Buck Saloon in Locust, NC with a live set that blends classic pop, rock, country, and rhythm and blues. The performance features a mix of familiar styles as the band brings their sound back to the stage at this venue.

A Main Street Cruise-In welcomes everyone for a free gathering where you can show off a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or anything on wheels. Explore open shops, enjoy bites from food trucks on site, take in the music, and soak up the lively atmosphere.

At Red Bridge Golf Club, this outing features a division skins format and is hosted by Love. Green fees are 45 dollars. The shirt color for the day is green. After the round, a meal from Mr. Charles Chicken will be served.

This free senior expo at Cabarrus Arena and Events Center brings together local organizations that support older adults and their families. Attendees can explore resources, enjoy refreshments, enter prize drawings, and take advantage of health screenings.

This casual outing brings the Charlotte crew together at Uhwarrie National Forest for a day of wheeling focused on unwinding and having fun. No training will be provided, and there will be no guided rides.

Board game fans and tabletop newcomers can gather at Trilogy Books in Mount Gilead for a monthly game night. Choose from the shop’s large game library or bring a favorite to teach and share. Coffee, tea, wine, and beer are available to enjoy while you play. Admission is free, and anyone wishing to support the expansion of the game collection and event offerings can purchase a Board Game Library Membership.

Fresh ideas are on the menu at the Albemarle Downtown Farmers Market with a free, 90-minute Flavor Experience designed to spark new meal inspiration using ingredients available right at the market. The program begins with a live cooking demonstration that prepares a featured recipe from market-fresh items, highlighting a Med Flip approach that brings Mediterranean-inspired twists to local favorites. Afterward, taste the dish and take part in an open Q&A that shares nutrition insights, handy tips, and practical ways to put these ideas to work at home. Presented in partnership with NC Cooperative Extension - Stanly County, this series delivers reliable nutrition education and community-focused food know-how to the market every second Saturday.

Sprouting Acres Farm Store hosts a festive fall day with free admission and free parking. Expect local vendors and crafters, hands-on fun like pumpkin painting and a Corn Cove pit, and kid favorites including a bouncy house, face painting, glitter tattoos, and fairy hair. Mini Highland cows are part of the attractions, and seasonal snacks such as kettle corn, apple cider donuts, and hot coffee pair with other fall treats. Browse autumn goodies throughout the farm store and enter for a chance to win a $25 Sprouting Acres Farm Store gift certificate. This family-friendly outing blends shopping, food, and activities that capture the spirit of the season.

Registered Scouts can complete every requirement for the Mining in Society merit badge during a focused workshop at Reed Gold Mine. The workshop opens with a slide presentation and classroom time to work through the badge workbook. Afterward, participants take a guided tour of the underground mine to learn about the site’s history and the gold mining process. If weather allows, the experience includes hands-on gold panning in the outdoor panning area. The registration fee is $15 per Scout and covers the workshop, the tour, and one panning ticket, weather permitting. Adult leaders and chaperones may purchase a panning ticket in the gift shop on a first come, first served basis for $4 after tax. They can also buy a tour ticket if they would like to join the guided underground tour, priced at $5 for ages 13 and up. Participation is limited to 60.

Writers and aspiring writers gather at Trilogy Books in Mount Gilead for a supportive meetup focused on writing and discussion. This writing support and discussion group welcomes those who already write, want to start, or have an idea and are unsure how to get it onto the page. Bring a laptop, a notebook and pen, or whatever you like to write with, then connect with others to make progress, exchange ideas, and talk through strategy.

Bring a book of your choice and enjoy a quiet, no-assigned-reading gathering with fellow readers. Settle in, say hello, and grab a drink or snack, then spend time reading in companionable silence before choosing to chat about your book or continue reading. Hosted by Trilogy Books at the bookstore. RSVP is requested for an accurate headcount. This welcoming meetup suits introverts, mood readers who prefer picking their own titles, and anyone who loves talking about books. A Facebook group is available for ongoing discussion.

A weekend gathering at Uwharrie Ohv Trail System-Off Road welcomes Subaru, Honda, and any AWD vehicles for camping, off roading, and time around a bonfire.

People gather in the Locust town center for a relaxed community get together that welcomes all ages. Bring along lawn chairs for comfortable seating beneath the shade trees. The location is behind Pinnacle Bank and across from Ace Hardware.

Trilogy Books hosts a book club focused on literary fiction. An interest meeting is planned for this club.

Enjoy a luminous evening of family-friendly fun in a mine setting. Explore a light-filled experience underground, try glow panning, and take part in games, with more activities available throughout. Tickets are required for every guest, including those 12 months and older, and cost $5 per person. Space is limited and tickets are not sold on site. All sales are final. This event features blinking and flashing lights and may not be suitable for people with light sensitivities. Strollers are not permitted inside the mine.

Steve Hofstetter brings a brand new stand-up set back to Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre. A global favorite whose videos have earned billions of views, he has performed to sold out audiences in hundreds of cities across dozens of countries. This is a no holds barred stand-up show. Ages 14 and up. If the show is canceled for any reason, tickets are automatically refunded.

Take part in a trail ride at Uwharrie that welcomes both beginners and seasoned off-roaders. Participants are grouped by experience level, and each group is led by a guide to keep the outing comfortable and fun. The day starts with a meet up at Eldorado Outpost before heading onto the trails. More information about Uwharrie is available through the referenced resources, and maps can be found on the group page under the Files tab.

Create a custom wood door hanger at this studio paint workshop. The project measures 12 inches, with a fee of 35. A palette of 75 paint colors is available so each piece can be personalized. Registration is available by phone at 704-982-2499.

Families can enjoy a Trunk or Treat at St. Paul United Methodist Church, featuring safe trick-or-treating among creatively decorated vehicle trunks, plus games, candy, costumes, and time to connect with the community. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Discover STEAM themed exhibits and demonstrations set up throughout the grounds. The standout experience takes participants underground to explore 450 feet of restored mine tunnels, 50 feet below the surface, for a look at the work of historic miners. Admission is $4.00 plus tax for ages 5 and up, and children younger than 5 are free. Pay at the Visitor Center with cash or credit card, with American Express not accepted. If the weather cooperates, gold panning is offered for an additional $4.00 per person plus tax. Registration is not available for this day.

Comfortable Shirt returns to Two Buck Saloon in Locust with a live set that mixes classic pop, rock, country, and rhythm and blues.

A scavenger hunt at 4B Farm & Campground supports the Backcountry Horsemen of Uwharrie, a nonprofit that partners with the National Forest Service to keep Uwharrie trails open and accessible for riders. This annual fundraiser turns treasure hunting into trail stewardship, set against the scenery of Uwharrie National Forest. Because the terrain can be rocky, horses benefit from boots or shoes. The 40 Something Cowgirls of Kings Mountain make this trip a yearly favorite. Campsite and stall reservations are handled by 4B Farm at 910-606-1052. Attendee updates are shared through registration on Wild Apricot, with a group Facebook thread planned for participants.

This casual wheeling day with the Charlotte crew at Uhwarrie National Forest centers on relaxing trail time and simple fun. No training sessions or guided rides will be provided.

This event offers training in first aid.

Enjoy a Uwharrie trail ride that welcomes both newcomers and seasoned off-roaders. Participants are grouped by experience level, with a guide leading each group for a supportive and fun outing. The ride begins at Eldorado Outpost, where everyone meets before heading out together. For preparation, trail maps are available on the group page under the Files tab, and additional information about the Uwharrie trail system is available.

Motel Soap appears with the Soap Horn Section for a Thanksgiving Eve set of classic pop and rock at Five Points Public House in Albemarle, NC. Additional details will be announced.

Set in Uwharrie National Forest, this rally-style gathering centers on riding, camaraderie and exploration. The weekend typically begins with arrivals on Friday, a full day of exploring on Saturday, and departures on Sunday. Participants can expect hot meals and time around a warming firepit. Along with the rides, the event focuses on promoting adventure travel on two wheels in the Uwharries, caring for local gravel routes, and aiming to expand opportunities for riders on public lands.

Downtown Liberty celebrates the season with an all‑American themed gathering that honors two hundred fifty years of holiday traditions and the spirit of community, country, and home. Plans are unfolding, with updates to include decorating inspiration, community contests, parade participation guidelines, activities for children and families, opportunities for vendors and local businesses, entertainment, and other special touches. Entry is free for both the contests and the parade. The celebration welcomes involvement from families, businesses, churches, clubs, farmers, and civic groups to help make the festivities shine.

Comfortable Shirt returns to the new Two Buck Saloon in Locust, NC with a genre-spanning performance that blends classic pop, rock, country, and rhythm and blues in a relaxed saloon setting.

Celebrate the final trail ride of the year in Uwharrie, open to beginners and seasoned off-roaders alike. The day begins with a meetup at Eldorado Outpost, then everyone heads to the trails. Participants are placed in groups based on experience, and each group is led by a guide to keep the ride smooth and enjoyable. Additional information about the Uwharrie area is available, and maps can be found on the group page under the Files tab.

The 2nd Annual St. John’s Christmas Market ushers in holiday cheer with an artisan marketplace, live performances, and food trucks, along with tours of the historic sanctuary and the heritage museum.