Sandhills Celebrates America 250

September 25–26, 2026

Two Nights. Two Country Stars. One Unforgettable Weekend.

Phil Vassar Tickets

Dustin Lynch Tickets

Make it a Weekend

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a weekend of live music, entertainment, and patriotic pride in the Sandhills.

Sandhills Celebrates America 250 brings two nights of country music to two unique Moore County venues, with Phil Vassar kicking off the celebration Friday night in downtown Southern Pines and Dustin Lynch taking the party to Carthage on Saturday.

Whether you join us for one night or make a weekend of it, get ready to celebrate this milestone in true Sandhills style.

Friday, September 25: Phil Vassar at the Sunrise Theater

Sunrise Theater | Southern Pines | 7:00pm

Tickets: $53.50 Reserved | $79 Premium

Country music star Phil Vassar kicks off Sandhills Celebrates America Weekend with an intimate performance at the historic Sunrise Theater in downtown Southern Pines.

A two-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and ACM Top Male Vocalist, Vassar brings his 25 Years of Paradise Tour to the Sandhills as he celebrates the 25th anniversary of his breakout hit, “Just Another Day in Paradise.” With ten No. 1 hits and 27 Top 40 tracks to his name, fans can look forward to favorites like “Carlene,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “American Child,” and more.

Make a night of it by arriving early to explore the shops, restaurants, and nightlife of downtown Southern Pines before the show.

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen is proud to be the presenting sponsor for this concert.

Purchase Phil Vassar Tickets

Saturday, September 26: Dustin Lynch DJ CLUB SET

Gilliam-McConnell Airfield | Carthage | 6:00pm

Tickets: $65 Adults | $35 Ages 5–12

On Saturday, the celebration gets even bigger as country superstar Dustin Lynch headlines an unforgettable night at Gilliam-McConnell Airfield in Carthage, presented by Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen and Cooper Ford.

With more than five billion global streams, 10 No. 1 country radio singles, and 10 RIAA-certified multi-platinum singles, Lynch will bring his high-energy DJ CLUB SET to the Sandhills. The one-of-a-kind show combines live performances of his country hits with dance remixes, unexpected mashups, and festival-level DJ production for a nonstop party.

And the celebration doesn't end when the music stops. Following the concert, look to the skies for a spectacular 300-drone patriotic light show set to music, presented by Sky Elements. Food and beverage trucks will also be on-site, and attendees are welcome to bring blankets and chairs.

A portion of the proceeds from Saturday's event will support Adult & Teen Challenge of the Sandhills.

Purchase Dustin Lynch tickets

Make It a Weekend in the Sandhills

Two incredible concerts are just the beginning. Turn Sandhills Celebrates America into a weekend getaway and discover everything that makes Moore County worth exploring.

Spend Saturday strolling the shops and restaurants of Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, and Carthage. Play a round in the Home of American Golf, explore miles of scenic trails, visit the World Golf Hall of Fame and USGA Experience, or discover local breweries, a cidery, and distillery before heading to Saturday night's celebration.

Come for the music, stay for the weekend!

Lodging Options