Events in Rocky Mount, NC

An open test and tune session welcomes all cars from any division. Pit access is available, and admission is $20 per person.

The NC Rib Festival brings smoke, sauce, and plenty of Southern hospitality to W.B. Ennis Park for a full day of finger-licking fun. Admission is free. Come hungry to savor standout ribs from across the state and explore a large Food Truck Alley serving classic sides and sweet festival treats. Cheer on pitmasters in a Rib Cook-Off, watch brave competitors in a rib-eating showdown, and help select the champion in the BBQ sauce competition. Live local music sets the mood throughout the day, perfect for settling in with a plate and enjoying the show. Browse a market of local vendors offering handmade goods, art, and unique BBQ gear. Families are welcome, with a dedicated kids area designed to keep little ones entertained.

An action-packed race program brings together the Fast 5 Late Model Challenge with $5,000 to the winner and the Modified Mafia Tour with another $5,000 up for grabs, plus Sport Compact Ucar, Rookie 4, and Kids Juice Box Karts. The day begins with pit access, followed by grandstand opening. After the driver meeting and the close of registration, teams roll onto the track for a slow parade, then move into practice, qualifying, and heat races. An intermission spotlights Kids Juice Box fun before the evening wraps with the feature events. Pit area admission is $45 for ages 11 and up and $10 for ages 10 and under. Grandstand tickets are $25 for ages 16 and older, $5 for ages 11 to 15, and free for children 10 and under.

At The Gilded Dragon, Pokémon League offers a friendly environment where players of all ages and experience levels can enjoy the game. Newcomers can learn the basics, deck builders can fine tune their strategies, and everyone is welcome to play and trade in a casual setting. Prize packs may be awarded in various ways to encourage learning, good sportsmanship, and active participation. Trading and deck guidance are supported. For fairness and safety, any trade that involves a child must be reviewed by store staff before it is completed, so please check with a staff member before finalizing those exchanges. The focus is on fostering a safe, enjoyable community for every Pokémon fan.

Weezer, The Shins, and Silversun Pickups share the bill for a live concert at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC. This show brings all three bands together on one stage for a single performance.

Enjoy a music-filled experience with chances to win prizes.

A free arts and crafts class for seniors in Tarboro and across Edgecombe County takes place at the E.L. Roberson Center on the second Thursday of each month. Advance sign-up is required; reserve a spot by calling 252-641-4263 or by stopping by the Center's front desk.

An episodic Dungeons & Dragons campaign is held upstairs. For details, call 252-442-1951 ext 851.

Nighttime is full of surprises, and this Preschool Science Says session focuses on bats and other creatures that wake up after dark. The program is free and interactive for children ages 3 to 5, blending open ended science activities with children’s books to spark curiosity and support early literacy. Young learners will discover how nocturnal animals live and move through playful exploration and simple investigations. Registration is requested.

Five Finger Death Punch leads a multi-artist concert with Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, NC. The show brings all three performers to one stage for an evening of live music.

Boykin Series 29 features On the Border, an Eagles tribute band known for five-part vocal harmonies, polished guitar work, and a spirited concert feel that mirrors the originals with care and precision. Formed in 2010, the group has earned national recognition and a loyal following by performing the Eagles’ greatest hits as they were meant to be heard, live and full of energy, while engaging the crowd at every show. A previous appearance at the Boykin Center sold out. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for seniors and students.

Enjoy an evening in Wilson with live music, drinks, and a relaxed vibe beneath the stars. Settle in for a casual night out with good sounds and an open-sky setting.

Take part in a sip and sculpt clay experience at Larema Coffee House - Wilson for adults 18 and up. The session is led by professional artist and instructor Preference Evans. All materials are provided, and each ticket includes one signature drink with a choice of non-alcoholic or alcoholic.

Breaking Benjamin performs live at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, NC. Attendees can experience the act on stage in a concert setting.

The ECO Garden Festival welcomes the community to the East Tarboro ECO Community Garden for a celebration of the coming season and this neighborhood green space. Additional details about the festivities will be shared soon. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the garden can watch for updates from the organizers.

Hosted at Nash Community College, the Miss Bailey and Miss Sweetpotato 2026 pageant welcomes contestants to celebrate confidence, community, and tradition. Age divisions include Baby Miss for ages 1 to 2, Mini Miss for ages 3 to 4, Tiny Miss for ages 5 to 6, Little Miss for ages 7 to 9, Junior Miss for ages 10 to 12, Teen Miss for ages 13 to 15, and Miss Bailey or Miss Sweetpotato for ages 16 to 18, with age determined as of the day of the pageant. Two Sweetheart Princess honors, Miss Bailey’s Sweetheart Princess and Miss Sweetpotato Sweetheart Princess, will be selected by community voting. Participation is open to residents of Nash, Wilson, Edgecombe, Johnston, Franklin, or Wake counties.

Mix a bit of powder with a little liquid to spark big, bubbly reactions as preschoolers dive into the fun of fizz and foam. This free, interactive program is created for children ages 3 to 5 and builds early interest and skills in both science and literacy. Open-ended science activities are paired with children’s books so young learners can experiment, read, and explore together. Please register online.

A themed bingo night celebrating Dolly and the women of country music at The Porch at Iconostar. Music is part of the experience, and there will be chances to win prizes.

Beach Fest spotlights The Embers featuring Craig Woolard together with The Tams featuring Lil Redd, delivering a lively showcase from both groups.

Hosted by WomanUp Empowering Women & Girls, Inc., this annual Thanksgiving Feeding at the Darden Alumni Center brings the community together over a hot, freshly prepared holiday meal. Families, elders, and neighbors are welcome to enjoy food served with care in a warm, inclusive setting. Everything is free, and meals will be available until the food is gone. For more information, contact Tonchelle Lucas at 252-218-1970.

Climb aboard the Wide Awake Swaggers Soul Train for a weekend filled with dancing and good vibes. A weekend package is available with tiered pricing based on when it is purchased. The schedule includes a Friday meet and greet, a Saturday workshop, and a Saturday Soul Train party that includes dinner, followed by a Sunday farewell. Individual options are available as well, with the meet and greet priced at $20, the workshop at $20, and the Soul Train party with dinner at $30. Payments can be sent via Cash App at $wideawakeswaggers.

Boykin Series 29 presents country artist Tony Jackson at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center. Recognized for a voice rooted in the golden age of country, he pairs familiar classics with his own songs to create a performance that is both nostalgic and fresh. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia and a frequent presence on the Grand Ole Opry stage, he grew up in a Navy family and later served overseas as a Marine, experiences that strengthened his connection to country music and its themes of home and belonging. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for seniors and students. Individual show tickets are available to Wilson Arts members before the general public.

Boykin Series 29 presents The Raleigh Ringers at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center for a handbell concert that blends sacred, secular, and popular music, including rock favorites that have become a hallmark of their shows, alongside original works created for the ensemble. Founded in 1990 and led by David M. Harris, this Emmy-nominated group has appeared across 39 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in France, England, and Canada, and has released seven albums plus two full-length holiday concert videos. Performing on one of the largest arrays of bells and bell-like instruments used by any handbell choir, they shape vivid contrasts and clear melodic lines for a richly layered sound. Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for seniors and students.

This Preschool Science Says session explores how penguins, polar bears, and other winter animals keep warm, using playful icy experiments to reveal the science behind cold weather adaptations. Designed for ages 3 to 5, the no-cost, hands-on program pairs open-ended exploration with children's books to inspire curiosity and strengthen early science and literacy skills.

A music-filled gathering with chances to win prizes, offering an easygoing way to unwind to lively tunes.