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- Sports and Recreation
- U.S. Whitewater Center
- Arts and entertainment
- Day tripping to other tourism destinations a short drive from Gaston County.
- Filmmaking in Gaston County
Festivals & Special Events
There are a variety of festivals held year round in Gaston County. Just about every town has its own unique event to celebrate the important history of their area. Festivals which include Garibaldi Fest in Belmont, Spring Fest in Mount Holly, Down Home Day in Bessemer City, and Country Fest in Stanley are only a few of the offerings. There are also events like Cotton Ginning Days, antique car shows, and year round events at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. All these and many more help make Gaston County an interesting place to visit any time of the year.
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| EVENT | LOCATION | PHONE/WEBSITE |
| JANUARY | ||
| FEBRUARY | ||
| MARCH | ||
| APRIL | ||
| MAY | ||
| JUNE | ||
| Bluegrass Jam Session (June 1 from 7-9pm) | Scruggs Opry House in downtown Belmont | scruggsopryhouse@yahoo.com |
| Growing Hardy & Almost Hardy Tropicals (June 2 from Noon - 1pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens | (704) 829-1252 |
| Coffee with the Curator (June 3rd from 10:30am - 11:30am) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 |
| Senior Day (June 4 from 9am - 1pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens | (704) 825-4490 |
| Subaru River Jam with Thom Crumpton Trip (June 4th at 7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 |
| "Cheating Cheaters" (June 4th-6th at 8pm) | Little Theater of Gastonia | (704) 865-0160 |
| Friday Night Live with Rough Draft (June 5th from 6:30 - 9:30pm) | Main Street in Belmont | (704) 829-7711 |
| Kids Concert (June 6th at 2pm) | Gaston County Public Library (Main Branch) | (704) 868-2164 |
| Ranger on the Ridge (June 6th at 2pm) | Crowders Mountain State Park | (704) 853-5375 |
| 5th Annual Family Fun Day (June 7th from 2:00 - 5:00pm) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, ext. 105 |
| Drop-In Day Camp (June 11th from 10:15am - Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, ext. 105 |
| Garden Nights "Tropical Oasis" - (June 11, 18 & 25 from 5-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 829-1252 |
| Blues Out Back with John Dee Holeman (June 12 from 6:30-8pm) | Gaston County Museum in Dallas | (704) 922-7681 |
| Rock the Avenue Summer Concert Series - with the Tams (June 12 at 6pm - 9:30pm) | Historic Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 |
| "Out of the Blue" (June 13 thru Aug. 29th) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-78681 |
| Concerts in the Park (June 13 at 7pm) | Stowe Park in Belmont | (704) 825-8191 |
| Wild About Summer (June 13th from 9am - 3pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Knit-In at the Garden (June 14 from 1pm - 5pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Be Creative @ Your Library (June 15 thru Aug. 15) | Gaston County Regional Libraries | (704) 868-2164, Dial 3 |
| Express Yourself @ Your Library (June 15 thru Aug. 15) | Gaston County Regional Libraries | (704) 868-2164, Dial 3 |
| Drop-In Day Camp (June 18 from 10:15am - Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, Ext. 105 |
| 4th Annual Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic (June 18th) | Pine Island Country Club | (704) 996-1062 |
| Third Thursday Family Fun Night (June 18 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 |
| Subaru River Jam with Truckstop Preachers (June 18 at 7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 |
| "Amadeus" performed by the Abbey Players (June 18, 19 & 20 at 8pm) | Belmont Abbey | (704) 461-6787 |
| The Rainbow Bridge and Other Tales (June 19 at 10:30am) | Stanley Library | (704) 263-4166 |
| The Rainbow Bridge and Other Tales (June 19 at 3pm) | Mount Holly Library | (704) 827-3581 |
| Friday Night Life with Maurice Williams (June 19 from 6:30 - 9:30pm) | Downtown Belmont, Main Street | (704) 829-7711 |
| Movies on Main (June 19 at 8:30pm) | Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 |
| The Rainbow Bridge & Other Tales (June 20 at 10:30am) | Belmont Library | (704) 868-2164 |
| The Rainbow Bridge & Other Tatles (June 20 at 3pm) | Gaston County Library (Main) | (704) 868-2164 |
| Classic Cars Tour the Garden (June 20 from 1pm - 5pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Creek Walk (June 20 at 2pm) | Crowders Mountain State Park | (704) 853-5375 |
| Enchanted Garden - Green Thumbs (June 22-26 from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Flowers & Fairies - My First Camp (June 22-26 from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Garden Pixies - Sprouts (June 22-26 from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Garden Wizards - Explorers (June 22nd-26th from 9am - Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Concert (June 23 at 10:30am) | Gaston County Public Library (Garrison Blvd) | (704) 868-2164, Dial 4 |
| Terrific Toddler Tuesday (June 23 from 10am-Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 |
| Mini-Cartooning Camp (June 23 from 10-Noon or 1pm-3pm) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 |
| Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (June 23 at 2pm) | Gaston County Public Library - Auditorium | (704) 868-2164 / 4 |
| Drop-In Day Camp (June 25 from 10:15am-Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, ext. 105 |
| Subaru River Jam with Orange Crush (June 25 at 7pm) | U.S. National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| Rock the Avenue with Coconut Grove (June 26 from 6pm-9:30pm) | Historic Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 www.downtowngtownevents.com |
| Cramerton "Live on Center" Concert featuring Blind Manifest (June 26 from 5pm-10pm) | Town Center Park in Cramerton | www.montcrossareachamber.com |
| Wiggly, Giggly Wormshop (June 27...3 sessions: 10am-Noon, 12:30-2:30pm or 3-5pm) | The Schiele Museum | (704) 854-6676 (register by June 22nd) www.schielemuseum.org |
| Concert in the Park - The Catalinas (June 27 at 7pm) | Stowe Park in Belmont | (704) 825-8191 www.bemontparksandrec.com |
| Pops In the Park (June 27 at 7pm) | Biggerstaff County Park | (704) 853-2787 |
| Biters, Stingers and Itchers (June 27 at 2pm) | Crowders Mountain State Park | (704) 853-5375 |
| Flower Festival - Sprouts (June 29 thru July 3 from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| Botany Bash - Green Thumbs (June 29 thru July 3 from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| Cultural Carnival Voyages (June 29 thru July 3 from 1pm-4pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| JULY | ||
| 1st.....Coffee with the Curator (from 10:30-11:30am) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 1st - Aug. 29....Out of the Blue | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 1st - 31st....OCEAN Exhibit | The Schiele Museum | (704) 866-6908 www.schielemuseum.org |
| 1st - Aug. 30....Tropical Oasis | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 1st - 3rd...Flower Festival - Sprouts (from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 1st - 3rd....Botany Bash - Green Thumbs (from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 1st - 3rd....Cultural Carnival Voyages (from 1pm-4pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 1st - Aug. 20th....Summer in the Life of Mount Holly -- Photo Contest | Mount Holly Foundation Office | (704) 827-5456 or www.mounthollyfoundation.org |
| 1st - Aug. 22....Come Sit a Spell: Views of the Southern Garden | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 |
| 2nd....Garden Nights (from 5pm-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 2nd....Drop-In Day Camp (from 10:15am-Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, ext. 105 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 2nd....Subaru River Jam with Dub Axxess (at 7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| 3rd....Cherryville's 4th of July Celebration (from 4pm-10pm) | Downtown Mini Park in Cherryville | (704) 435-1730 or (704) 827-7277 |
| 3rd....Movies on Main - "The Express" (at 8:30pm) | The Park in Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 www.downtowngtownevents.com |
| 3rd....Friday Night Live with the Tams (from 6:30pm-10pm) | Downtown Belmont | (704) 829-7711 or (704) 825-8191 www.belmontrocks.com |
| 4th....2nd Annual July 4th Red Rocks, Whitewater, and Bluegrass Festival (at Noon) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| 4th....Fireworks in downtown Gastonia (at 9:30pm) and live music at Freeman's Pub (at 8:30pm) | Downtown Gastonia - across the street from the Police Station | (704) 866-6777 www.cityofgastonia.com |
| 5th...."Roots: From Whence I Came" (from 3pm-4pm) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 6th....Bluegrass Jam Session (from 7pm-9pm) | Scruggs Opry House | e-mail at scruggsopryhouse@yahoo.com |
| 6th...Bright Star Theatre Children's Workshops (at 10:30am) | Cherryville Branch Library | (704) 435-6767 (Registration required) |
| 6th...Bright Star Theatre Children's Workshops (at 2pm) | Belmont Branch Library | (704) 825-5426 (Registration required) |
| 6th - 10th....Bountifiul Bugs - Voyagers (K through 6th graders from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 6th - 10th....Garden Critters - Green Thumbs (for 1st & 2nd graders from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 6th - 10th....Garden Friends - Sprouts (for 4 & 5 year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 6th - 10th....My First Camp - Wiggle Worms (for 3-year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 7th....Attracting Birds to Your Garden (from Noon-1pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 7th....Coffee with the Curator (from 10:30am-11:30am) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 7th....Bright Star Theatre Children's Workshop (at 10:30am) | Gaston County Public Library (Garrison Blvd.) | (704) 868-2164 / Dial 3 to register |
| 9th....Subaru River Jam Concert featuring Heywire (at 7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| 9th....Garden Nights (from 5pm-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 9th....Comix Workshop (at 4pm) | Gaston County Public Library (Garrison Ave.) | (704) 868-2164 / Dial 1 to register |
| 9th....Drop-In Day Camp (from 10:15am-Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, ext. 105 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 10th....Rock the Avenue Summer Concert Series featuring Liquid Pleasure (from 6pm-9:30pm) | Main Avenue in Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 or (704) 865-5044 www.downtowngtownevents.org |
| 10th....Blues Out Back with Big Ron Hunter (from 6:30pm-8pm) | On the Square in Dallas | (704) 922-7681 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 11th....Wild About Summer - Wild Life! (from 9am-3pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 11th....Macro Photography (from 9:30am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 11th....Using Adobe Photoshop Elements (from 1:30pm-4pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 11th....Carolina Wine Fest (from 1pm-7pm) | Copper's Wine Cellar, 134 N. Main Street in Belmont (enter Piccolo Antique Mall) | (704) 825-5656 |
| 13th - 17th....Garden Wizards - Explorers (3rd-6th graders from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 13th - 17th....Enchanted Garden - Green Thumbs (1st & 2nd graders from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 13th - 17th....Garden Pixies - Sprouts (4 & 5 year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 13th - 17th....Flowers & Fairies - My First Camp (3 year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 14th....Cartooning for Kids Children's Workshop (kids entering grades 3rd through 5th at 10:30am) | Auditorium of Gaston County Public Library (Garrison Blvd.) | (704) 868-2164, Dial 4 |
| 16th....Teen Jam (from 6:30pm-9:30pm) | Auditorium of Gaston County Public Library (Garrison Blvd.) | (704) 868-2164, Dial 4 |
| 16th....Drop-In Day Camp (from 10:15am-Noon) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681, ext. 105 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 16th...."Pirate Focused" - Third Thursday Family Fun Night (from 5:30pm-7:30pm) | Gaston County Museum | (704) 922-7681 www.gastoncountymuseum.org |
| 16th....Garden Nights (from 5pm-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 16th....Red Hat Garden Party (from 1pm-5pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 16th....Subaru River Jam Concert featuring Thom Crumpton Trip (at 7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| 17th....Friday Night Live featuring PowerHouse (from 6:30pm-9pm) | Downtown Belmont | (704) 825-8191 www.belmontrocks.com |
| 17th....Movies on Main - "Madagascar 2" (at 8:30pm) | The Park in Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 www.downtowngtownevents.org |
| 18th....Summer Movie Series - "Madagascar 2" (at dusk) | Stowe Park in Belmont | (704) 825-8191 www.belmontparksandrec.com |
| 18th....Garden Critter Creations (from 10am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 18th....Herbs for the Garden (from 10:30am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 18th....Organic & All-Natural Pest Control (from 1:30pm-2:30pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 18th....Wonderful Colors Duet (from 1pm-3pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 18th....Caramount Health Festival (from 10am-2pm) | Catawba Heights Baptist Church | (704) 834-3987 or (704) 827-5456 |
| 19th - 23rd....Moravion Music Festival (Concerts start at 8pm each evening) | The Belmont Abbey Basilica | www.moravianmusicfestival.org |
| 20th - 22nd....Moravion Music Festival (Mid-day Concerts start at 1pm) | The Belmont Abbey Basilica | www.moravianmusicfestival.org |
| 20th - 24th....Woodland Wonders - Explorers (3rd-6th grade from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 20th - 24th....Branching Out Sprouts (4&5 year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 20th - 24th....Tree People - My First Camp (3-year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 23rd....Subaru River Jam featuring The Holdouts (at 7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| 23rd....Garden Nights (from 5pm-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 23rd & 24th (7pm-10pm) and 25th (10am-10pm)....Summer Celebration | Stowe Park in Belmont | (704) 825-8191 www.belmontparksandrec.com |
| 24th....Rock the Avenue Summer Concert Series featuring Black & Blue (6pm-9:30pm) | Main Avenue in Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 or (704) 865-5044 www.downtowngtownevents.org |
| 25th....Moravion Music Festival - Trombone Choir Concert (10:30am) | The Belmont Abbey - The Haig | www.moravianmusicfestival.org |
| 25th....Greening Your Garden (10:30am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 25th....Rain Barrel Workshop (1pm-2:30pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 27th - 31st....Garden Wildlife - Explorers (3rd-6th graders from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 27th - 31st....Garden Friends - Sprouts (4&5 year olds from 9am-Noon) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 27th - 31st....Bountiful Bugs - Voyagers (K-6th graders from 1pm-4m) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 30th....Garden Nights (from 5pm-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 30th....Subaru River Jam featuring Matt & John Acoustic Duo (7pm) | US National Whitewater Center | (704) 391-3900 www.usnwc.org |
| 31st....Friday Night Live featuring Jim Quick & Coastline Band (6:30pm-9pm) | Downtown Belmont | (704) 825-8191 www.belmontrocks.com |
| 31st....Movies on Main - "Tales of Despereaux" (8:30pm) | The Park in Downtown Gastonia | (704) 575-4762 www.downtowngtownevents.org |
| AUGUST | ||
| 1st....FROGS Hike on the Tanawha Trail (Grandfather Mountain from 8:30am-5:30pm) | Depart from Ida Rankin School in Mount Holly at 8:30am | www.mounthollyfoundation.org or email at greenwayguy123@gmail.com |
|
1st....Photography: Basic Digital SLR Photography (9:30am-Noon) |
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
|
1st....Photographic Metering: How to Get the Perfect Exposure
for Your Images (1:30pm-4pm) |
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 1st....Wild About Summer - Wild Wings! (9am-3pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| 4th....
First Tuesday: Fall Vegetable Gardening (Noon-1pm) |
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| Garden Nights - Thursdays (Aug. 6, 13 & 20 from 5-9pm) | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | (704) 825-4490 www.dsbg.org |
| Antique Farm Tractor Show (Aug. 22nd from 10am-3pm) | C. Grier Beam Truck Museum in Cherryville | (704) 435-3072 www.beamtruckmuseum.org |
| SEPTEMBER | ||
| 5th & 6th....Shelby Hamfest (8am-5pm) | Gaston County Park in Dallas | (828) 453-9121 www.shelbyhamfest.org |
| OCTOBER | ||
| 9th - 11th....Cotton Ginning Days | Gaston County Park in Dallas | (704) 922-2160 |
| NOVEMBER | ||
| 22nd....Harvest Day | The Schiele Museum | (704) 866-6908 www.schielemuseum.org |
| DECEMBER | ||
| 1st - 26th....Christmas Town USA (Mon-Fri. from 5:30pm-9:30pm and Sat-Sun. 5:30pm-11pm) | McAdenville | (704) 823-2260 www.mcadenville-christmastown.com |
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