The annual N.C. Peach Festival, filled with peach products, music, a car show, and more is taking place on July 17 to 19 in Candor, NC (with Peach Week events from July 18 to 27).
For more help planning your trip, check out all of our travel posts.
Peaches are having a moment, thanks to the Super Mario Brothers movie. But Candor, North Carolina has had peaches on its radar for decades. In fact, 2025 marks the 27th anniversary of the N.C. Peach Festival.
The main portion of the North Carolina Peach Festival is held annually on the third Saturday of July, which is July 19th this year.
But, don’t head to downtown Candor just that day. In fact, there’s a whole week of peach events happening around the festival this year. There are various events going on in the neighboring area (many in Southern Pines and Carthage) to expand the festival from a day to a week.
This year, there are events like peach ice cream at the ball park to peach slushies at a winery.
Get your calendar out and get ready. Or, just print this blog post. We have the full details for peach week listed.
While you’re in town, you’re gonna eat a lot of peaches. And you’re going to want some when you get home too. So, when you’re shopping for them, keep our Tips For Picking The Perfect Peach in mind.
N.C. Peach Festival History
The Peach-Growing history of Montgomery County (the county where the Candor is) dates back to over a century ago when a few prominent residents formed the Candor Fruit Company. Acreage in Candor was purchased and 30,000 peach trees were planted. That started the peach industry in the Candor and Sandhills region of North Carolina.
And, it’s how the small town of Candor gained the moniker “The Peach Capital of North Carolina.”
The first N.C. Peach Festival was held in Candor in 1996. Coincidentally, this is the same year that The Presidents of the United States of America released its song Peaches.
N.C. Peach Festival: Frequently Asked Questions
Before we get to the schedule, let’s answer some questions about the festival.
The main dates for the N.C. Peach Festival are July 17 to 19, however, Peach Week is July 18 to 27.
The N.C. Peach Festival is held in Candor, NC.
Peach season lasts in North Carolina from June until September with the peak coming in July (coinciding with the NC Peach Festival in Candor).
July is actually National Peach Month, proclaimed by then-President Ronald Reagan in July 1982.
N.C. Peach Festival Schedule Of Events
All week long, over a dozen local restaurants and breweries will be participating in a restaurant competition. They’ll all be serving delicious foods and drinks with a peach theme, like Pizzeria Grazia’s Just Peachy pizza.
Quick note: Drugstore Divas has no affiliation with the festival or the events. This is the most current information we have, but it is subject to change without notice.
Thursday, July 17
Farmers Market: The farmers market on Southern Pines Armory (Morganton Road) will feature peach products from 9 am to 1 pm. The market in Voss (Sandy Ramey Keith Memorial Park) from 3 pm to 6:30 pm will as well.
Flamin’ Hot Wing Competition: Teams can enter for a chance to win prizes. Teams must register and make a $25 donation in advance of the competition.
Visitors can purchase all you can eat tickets for $25 here for a chance to vote for their favorites. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
G. Money’s Beach Music & Oldies: The band will be playing from 4 pm to 4:45 pm at/during the Peachy Pit Stop Cruise-In. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Peachy Pit Stop Cruise-In: There will be a car show and food trucks set up along Depot St. in Candor from 4 pm to 9 pm. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Tracy Bates & the Circuit Riders: The band will be playing from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at/during the Peachy Pit Stop Cruise-In. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
The Coconut Groove Band: The band will be playing from 7 pm to 9 pm at/during the Peachy Pit Stop Cruise-In. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Third Thursday Concert: Terminally Chill will be playing a free concert at the greenspace in Aberdeen (120 S. Sycamore S) from 5 pm to 8 pm. Blankets and lawn chairs are permitted. Outside alcohol is not.
Friday, July 18
A Journey In Time Dinner Train: The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is hosting a two and a half hour train ride through the Sandhills with a three-course meal. Tickets are $125. It’s ages 18+; alcohol is available for purchase if you’re 21+. This starts at 6 pm and boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.
Concert In The Park: There will be vendors, food, and live music. Notorious P.I.P.S will play from 5 to 6:30 and Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot will play from 7 pm to 9 pm. Admission is free. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Saturday, July 19
A Journey In Time Dinner Train: The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is hosting a two and a half hour train ride through the Sandhills with a three-course meal. Tickets are $125. It’s ages 18+; alcohol is available for purchase if you’re 21+. This starts at 6 pm and boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.
Farmers Market: The farmers market in downtown Southern Pines (at the corner of Broad St. and New York Ave) will feature peach products from 8 am to noon.
Peach Cooking Contest: This will be held at the Candor Town Hall at 8 am. If you’re looking for ideas, we have a lot of peach recipes that I think could win. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Peach Festival: The official festival takes place at Fitzgerald Park (145 N Depot St.), with helicopter rides, kids activities, food vendors, craft vendors, homemade peach ice cream, peaches, beer if you’re 21+, and more. From 10 am to 4 pm. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Peach Festival Parade: The parade kicks off at 10 am. The Peach Festival queen will be introduced. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Talk Peachy To Me Sips Cruise: The Sandhills Trolley Company will drive riders around to bars and breweries featuring peach-themed drinks from 4 pm to 6:30 pm. Tickets are required and drinks are not included in the ticket price. It’s 18+ to attend but 21+ to drink.
Peach Pitch Cornhole Tournament: At 5 pm at the Candor Fire Department. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Peach Week Foodie Tour: Foodie Tours NC will host a walking tour through Aberdeen to local eateries in the area for peach-themed drink and food tastings. The tour starts at 2 pm. Tickets are required.
Pitches and Peaches at the Sandhills Bogeys: The baseball game starts at 6 pm at Sandhills Community College (3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst). The first 100 people get free scoop of peach ice cream from Stellar Scoops. There will be free popcorn for the first 100 people as well. Tickets are required.
Power Cars & Peaches: A car show will be held at Bogeys Field, Sandhills Community College (3395 Airport Road; Pinehurst) at 5 pm prior to the season finale of the Sandhills Bogeys baseball season.
The Catalinas: The band will play at the Peach Festival from 2 pm to 4 pm. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
The Sand Band: The band will play at the Peach Festival from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. *This is an official Peach Festival event.
Sunday, July 20
A Journey In Time Dinner Train: The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is hosting a two and a half hour train ride through the Sandhills with a three-course meal. Tickets are $125. It’s ages 18+; alcohol is available for purchase if you’re 21+. This starts at 1 pm and boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.
Peach A’Palooza: There will be fresh peaches, peach cider slushies, tours, music, and more at James Creek Cider House (172 US 1 Highway BR; Cameron) from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Peach Week Food Truck Battle: Each food truck at Red’s Corner (a food truck park and beer garden) will have a peach offering and guests will get to vote on their favorite from 5 pm to 7 pm.
Wednesday, July 23
Peach Pathways: A scavenger hunt for glass peaches throughout parks in Moore County. They’ll be hidden in different locations every day.
Peach Wine Tastings: A tasting at Watering Can Wines (105 McReynolds St; Carthage) will be held from 11 am to 5 pm. You must be 21+.
Thursday, July 24
Farmers Market: The farmers market on Southern Pines Armory (Morganton Road) will feature peach products from 9 am to 1 pm. The market in Voss (Sandy Ramey Keith Memorial Park) from 3 pm to 6:30 pm will as well.
Peach Pathways: A scavenger hunt for glass peaches throughout parks in Moore County. They’ll be hidden in different locations every day.
Peach Week 5k Fun Run: The 5k starts at 6 pm at FirstHealth Pinehurst Fitness Center (170 Memorial Dr, Pinehurst). The race is $25. For entrants, there will be free ice cream from Stellar Scoops, healthy snacks, a water bottle, a sticker, and additional giveaways.
Peach Wine Tastings: A tasting at Watering Can Wines (105 McReynolds St; Carthage) will be held from 11 am to 5 pm. You must be 21+.
Friday, July 25
Farmers Market: The farmers market in Carthage (110 S. Ray St.) will feature peach products from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Peach Pathways: A scavenger hunt for glass peaches throughout parks in Moore County. They’ll be hidden in different locations every day.
Putt N’ Peaches: Play mini golf at Wee Pine Mini Golf. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for kids under 12. Everyone gets a free scoop of peach ice cream from Big Dipper Ice Cream.
Saturday, July 26
A Peach Of A Murder: The Sandhills Trolley Company will drive riders around to three locations featuring peach-themed drinks and characters so you can solve a murder. This is happening from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Tickets are required and drinks are not included in the ticket price. It’s 18+ to attend but 21+ to drink.
Farmers Market: The farmers market in downtown Southern Pines (at the corner of Broad St. and New York Ave) will feature peach products from 8 am to noon.
Peach Pathways: A scavenger hunt for glass peaches throughout parks in Moore County. They’ll be hidden in different locations every day.
Peach Week Foodie Tour: Foodie Tours NC will host a walking tour through Aberdeen to local eateries in the area for peach-themed drink and food tastings. The tour starts at 2 pm. Tickets are required.
Peachgrass Festival: Three bluegrass bands — Ice Cream for Breakfast, Pocket Change, and Low Tide String Band — will be playing at Weymouth Center (555 E Connecticut Ave Box 939, Southern Pines). Food trucks, beer, wine, and special peach desserts will be available. Tickets are $10 (kids under 12 are free).
Peach Wine Tastings: A tasting at Watering Can Wines (105 McReynolds St; Carthage) will be held from 11 am to 5 pm. You must be 21+.
Sunday, July 27
Peach Pathways: A scavenger hunt for glass peaches throughout parks in Moore County. They’ll be hidden in different locations every day.
More Peach Festivals In North Carolina
The Candor Peach Festival isn’t the only peach festival in the state. There’s also the Knotts Island Peach Festival, held in Knotts Island, North Carolina on July 26.
The festival will have carnival rides. There will also be delicious peaches for sale, along with peach pie, peach ice cream, peach beer, and more.
And, not a peach festival, but nearby Pinehurst hosts the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival every Labor Day Weekend.
Peach Recipes
If you head to the peach festival to pick up a peck (or a part of a peck) to bring home, and you’re looking for something to do with those delicious peaches besides just eating them, our Peach Hand Pies recipe is incredible. And our Tennessee Peach Pudding, which is a cake not actual pudding, is the hit of all our summer barbeques.
We made both recipes with local peaches from a farm in South Carolina (which, fun fact, produces more peaches than Georgia, the peach state).
We also have a bunch of other fresh peach recipes, so be sure to try them all.
Have you been to the N.C. Peach Festival? Let us know about it in the comments.