Top 25 Things to do in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen area

Planning your 2025 adventures? From world-class golf and charming villages to vibrant festivals and outdoor escapes, we've rounded up the Top 25 Things to Do in 2025 in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen area!

What will be first on your 2025 bucket list?

Hounds on the Grounds

On February 15, 2025, the Moore County Hounds presents their annual traditional mounted hunt beginning at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities! Dine after the dash! Stay at Weymouth Center for a traditional hunt breakfast featuring a buffet-style brunch and an open bar featuring beer, wine, mimosas, and Bloody Marys. Enjoy stepping back in time for a traditional hunt breakfast like the Boyds would have hosted. There will be two seatings: one starting at 9:30am, and the second starting at 1:00pm. At the later seating, expect to hear stories from that morning’s hunt and rub elbows with members of the Moore County Hounds! This will be an indoor/outdoor event with a tent on the grounds of Weymouth. All proceeds will benefit Weymouth Equestrians, the afterschool program that aims to bring the power of horses to all youth. Breakfast: $50 for Weymouth Members, $60 for General Admission, $20 for kids. For full details and online ticket purchases, CLICK HERE.

Foodie Tours

Whether you’re a local in search of a delectable escape from your daily routine or a tourist eager to uncover the hidden gems of the Sandhills’ charming towns, Foodie Tours NC promise an unparalleled gastronomic journey. All food and drinks are included once you book a classic tour, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Painted Ponies Art Walk

The Painted Ponies Art Walk will be displayed along Broad Street from February 1 – April 2. Walking the Walk is free and a great way to enjoy Southern Pines with family and friends. Complimentary maps are available at the Southern Pines Visitors Center in the Train Station. Take a photo with your favorite pony and use hashtag #CHPaintedPonies so we can share your pics on our social media. Thank you for supporting the Painted Ponies Art Walk!

Mark your calendars now for the Saturday, April 5, LIVE Online Auction!

Cars & Coffee

Sandhills Motoring is proud to present Cars & Coffee, the first Sunday of every month – rain or shine – from 9am to 11am in the Village of Pinehurst outside the Roast Office, at 95 Cherokee Rd, Pinehurst. Come see some classics and other cool cars. Parking is available in front of the Roast Office and throughout the Village in designated parking areas. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow automotive enthusiasts!

Hop on the Sandhills Trolley

The Sandhills Trolley Co. is the only entertainment venue on wheels in the Sandhills of North Carolina. Cruises change monthly – from karaoke, trivia, brewery hopping, family-friendly and history focused, we have a cruise just for you.

Get ready for the best scavenger hunt in North Carolina!

The Pinecone Pathways Program returns to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area March 20 – April 22, 2025. The CVB is once again teaming up with the talented glassmakers at Starworks in Star, NC, to create 100 colorful glass pinecones that will be hidden along Moore County trails for five weeks, starting on the first day of spring (March 20) and ending on Earth Day (April 22).

Caption: Pinecone Pathways

Spring Matinee Races

Come out for the annual Spring Matinee Races, hosted by The Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department and the Pinehurst Driving and Training Club. The family-friendly day of races takes place at the Pinehurst Harness Track on Saturday, April 5th. Food and beverages will be available, and picnic baskets are welcome. General admission does allow for bleacher seating. You may bring a chair for your own personal comfort. The gates open at 11am with the races beginning at 1pm. Tickets are $5 per person. Ages 12 and under enter for free. For additional information, contact Connie Hochstetler with the Driving and Training Club at 708-921-1719.

Firefest at Starworks

Firefest is a two-day celebration of the incredible art made at Starworks! Starting Friday, April 4 at 1pm, the public is invited to attend live demonstrations, artist talks, and hands-on workshops with featured and internationally recognized artists in ceramics, metal, and glass.

Sandhills Dog Fair

Bring your furry friend to the annual Sandhills Dog Fair. Start the day off with the Linden Lodge “Doggie Dash” followed by pet contests, vendors, food, raffles, games, contests, photo opportunities, music and more! Leashed pets are welcome as long as they are good with other dogs and humans! All raffle and donation money will go to support local shelters and rescues.

Springfest

Springfest will be held on April 26th, 2025 from 10am to 4pm in historic downtown Southern Pines. Free to attend, both sides of Broad Street are blocked off for 2 blocks. Join for arts, crafts, games, rides, food, entertainment, and more! The event hosts over 160 vendors from all around North Carolina and the country. Enjoy beautiful artwork and crafts including paintings, jewelry, metal art, photography, woodwork, designs from nature, and other amazing creations.

Kids ages 3-12 are invited to participate in Bicycle, Tricycle, and Electric Car races in the street in front of Sunrise Theater at 11am. Sign-ups begin at 10am.

Polocrosse in the Pines

The Carolina Polocrosse Club is proud to be the host site and club for the Eastern Zone Regional Championships. Join us at the Pinehurst Harness Track for action-packed Polocrosse weekends featuring amazing equine and human athletes from all over the East Coast. Spectating is FREE and tailgating is encouraged.

Moore County Trails

North Carolina is the Great Trails State and in Moore County, there are dozens of trails inviting you to get outside and explore Moore. Paths and trails throughout the Sandhills are places of relaxation and recreation, connecting us all to the great outdoors. Download our trails checklist and get out there with family and friends.

Sandhills Motoring Expo

The Sandhills Motoring Expo celebrates automotive culture and craftsmanship every Memorial Day Weekend in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Held in and around the Sandhills region of North Carolina, the Expo features a variety of activities and attractions tailored to automotive enthusiasts of all ages and interests, including social events and dinners, a Road Rally through the countryside, Cars and Coffee, an Artisan Tour featuring local sculptors, painters, and other craftsmen, and a Soiree at the Moore County Airport. The Expo’s signature event is the Sunday Concours in the Village which showcases a diverse array of vehicles, ranging from classic and vintage to modern and exotics.

Shakespeare in the Pines

Each year in June, Uprising Theatre Company presents high-quality Shakespeare productions amidst the Pines and under the stars in the magical and intimate environment of Tufts Park in the Village of Pinehurst. General admission is free so everyone can enjoy it. Families are encouraged to attend and to bring blankets or chairs for the free lawn seating. VIP seating is available, which seats up to 6 people and provides two bottles of wine with an assortment of gourmet snacks and fine cheeses.

Golf Legendary Links

Nestled in the rolling Sandhills of central North Carolina, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area boasts nearly 40 golf courses within a 15-mile radius. The area is home to many Donald Ross masterpieces and some of golf’s most memorable moments. So whether you’re playing the legendary courses, enjoying the timeless southern charm or taking part in the region’s storied traditions, there’s no other place in the world quite like the Home of American Golf®.

Peach Week

Mark your calendars for July 19-27 and come celebrate Peach Week with us, an expansion of the annual N. C. Peach Festival. Experience a restaurant competition, a 5K run, specialty drinks, a car show, kids’ activities, and so much more. We’ll announce the full lineup as we get closer to the dates, so stay tuned to our social media!

U.S. Kids Golf World Parade of Nations

Each year, the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships welcomes golfers ages 5-12 to championship courses in the Pinehurst area. These courses, this event, and the community of Pinehurst come together to produce the world’s largest junior golf tournament, which provides a stage for golf’s next generation of stars to shine. The schedule consists of a Parade of Nations through downtown Pinehurst, a Parent-Child Tournament, Trackman Demo Days, three rounds of championship play, and the Closing Ceremony. Following the three-day championship, the Van Horn Cup — a one-day best ball tournament featuring the top 12-year-old boys and girls — is contested on Pinehurst No. 4.

Come Sunday Jazz Series

Coined for Duke Ellington’s classic “Come Sunday,” each jazz event at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities features internationally renowned jazz artists who will perform their own rendition of Ellington’s masterpiece. Join us outdoors on Weymouth Center’s beautiful grounds for live music on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Bring your own blanket, chairs, and a picnic, and enjoy our cash bar with mimosas, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages available.

Pinehurst Barbecue Festival

The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival is a celebration of taste and tradition, featuring award-winning Pitmaster Christopher Prieto, along with many of North Carolina’s celebrated pitmasters in one of the most picturesque settings in the state. Presented by US Foods, Carolina Co-Packing, Our State Magazine and Pinehurst Resort, the three-day festival – headlined by Prieto – is staged in the Village of Pinehurst, offers a unique culinary experience of various mouthwatering barbecue meats and traditional sides. Join us August 29-31, 2025.

Festival d'Avion

The Festival d’Avion is a celebration of freedom and flight at the Moore County Airport in Carthage, N.C., located just outside Pinehurst. Marking its seventh year in 2025, the Festival d’Avion features classic and military aircraft displays, flyovers, precision jump teams, sightseeing tours, classic car displays, a “Junior Pilot” KidsZone, local vendors, food trucks, and fun for the entire family! Join us October 25, 2025.

Holly Arts & Craft Festival

Join the Pinehurst Business Partners in October for their annual Holly Arts & Crafts Festival throughout downtown Pinehurst. he festival combines the talents of over 200 hand-crafters in a variety of genres – from woodworking to glass, stitched art to lawn ornaments, hand-crafted jewelry to metal sculpture. Downtown shops and restaurants offer sales and specials.

Kids Zone returns and will be located in Tufts Memorial Park. Food trucks will also be available near the park.

Oktoberfest in Pinehurst

The Village of Pinehurst presents the annual Oktoberfest celebration at Tufts Memorial Park each October. The evening kicks off with Kinderfest 4:00pm-6:00pm, a fun festival for children and families to enjoy. There will be music, crafts, a bubble artist and Halloween fun. New this year at Kinderfest, downtown businesses will be participating in Trick or Treating! Halloween costumes are highly encouraged to add to the fun.

Following Kinderfest, traditional Oktoberfest activities will take place 6:00pm-9:00pm. Enjoy German music, food and beverages. Picnic baskets are allowed; however, outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Blessing of the Hounds

The Moore County Hounds invite the public to attend their opening meet for the annual Blessing of the Hounds. This ritual, dating back to the Middle Ages, marks the formal launch of the foxhunting season and gathers hounds, riders, and over 1,000 spectators in a celebration of heritage, sport, and community. A beloved event and cherished tradition of over 100 years in Southern Pines and the surrounding area, The Blessing of the Hounds takes place each Thanksgiving morning. The Blessing will promptly commence at 10:00am, so plan to allocate at least an hour for parking and walking from Lyell’s Meadow to Buchan Field.