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2026 NC POTATO FESTIVAL
FRIDAY • MAY 15, 5pm - 11pm
SATURDAY • MAY 16, 10am - 11pm
SUNDAY • MAY 17, 10am - 6pm
May 15 - 17, 2026
2026 NC Potato Festival located in downtown Elizabeth City!
Friday - 5 pm to 11 pm • Saturday - 10 am to 11 pm • Sunday - 10 am to 6 pm
🎉 Bring the whole family!
There's something for EVERYONE!
Come and stay all day!
Northeastern North Carolina's
largest festival will return
on Friday, May 15, 2026. 🎉
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The North Carolina Potato Festival is a fun-filled, family festival that celebrates one of Northeast North Carolina's largest crops, the Potato.
The festival is FREE to the public of all ages.
Enjoy a midway with spudtacular rides and games,
a street fair with a variety of vendors and delicious food, live music on the main stage,
potato-oriented activities, a farm and tractor show,
a cornhole tournament, an auto and bike show, a Jeep invasion, free french fries (while they last),
and bushels of FUN for the whole family!
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Friday • May 15, 2026
Festival opens at 5:00 pm.
Join us for the NC Potato Festival Opening Ceremony
on Friday evening at 5:30 pm in Mariners' Wharf Park.
Enjoy live music on the Main Stage,
grab something to eat, do a little shopping with our vendors,
and take a spin on a ride in the Midway!
The Beer & Wine Garden will be open from 5 pm - 11 pm. (Bring ID)
Saturday • May 16, 2026 & Sunday • May 17, 2026
Return on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the Street Fair lining our downtown streets,
along with many other activities and events!
See our 2026 Schedule of Events Page!
*event times subject to change*
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​​​For the safety of your pet NO ANIMALS are allowed within the festival area
with the exception of service animals as identified by the ADA.
NO DRONES are allowed over Festival area.
Smile for the camera! 📸
We are thrilled to announce Kayre Meher as The Official Photographer for the 2025 NC Potato Festival! With her exceptional talent and keen eye for capturing moments, Kayre and her dedicated team will be roaming the festival all weekend to snap top-notch photographs that encapsulate the spirit of our event.
To view the 2025 NC Potato Festival Official Photos, click the icon below. Additionally, we’ll be sharing some of these memorable shots on our social media platforms, so be sure to follow us and keep an eye out - you might just spot yourself in one of them!
A picture’s worth a thousand potatoes!
Click here to see the 2025 festival! 🥔📸
 2026 Sponsors |  Auto & Bike ShowSaturday - May 16, 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Main Street |  Concessions/Food VendorsEnjoy Ribbon Fries, Loaded Baked Potatoes, Turkey Legs, Italian Sausage, BBQ, Wings Lemonade and Ices, Fried Candy Bars, and Kettle Corn to name a few! |
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 Cornhole TournamentSaturday & Sunday in Mariners' Wharf Park |  Free Fries!Enjoy free French Fries on Saturday from 11:00 am until they're ALL GONE. |  Jeep InvasionSunday - May 17, 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Main Street |
 Little Miss Tater TotFarmer style or potato pickin' attire at it's best! |  National Potato Peeling Contest |  Main Stage at Mariners' Wharf ParkLive Music All Weekend! |
 Midway Rides & GamesThe midway is fun for all ages - both daytime and nighttime! |  Street FairYou can find Jewelry, Purses, Woodworks, Soy Candles, Goat Milk Soap, Tumblers, and much more! |  Tater Trot5K Run & 1 Mile Walk Saturday - 8:00 AM |
 Volunteer!Spud-tacular Volunteers Wanted! Join the NC Potato Festival Volunteer Team! |