About the event

The North Carolina Fossil Festival celebrates the Aurora Fossil Museum and the rich fossil record of North Carolina. Join us for a family-friendly event steeped in tradition and good old-fashioned southern charm. Activities include digging for fossils, fossil displays, fossil auction, educational displays by partner nonprofit organizations, mining & engineering zone, parade, live entertainment, food, craft, & fossil vendors, dinosaur shows, foam party, and much, much more!

Dates

May 24, 2025 · 11:00 AM - May 25, 2025 · 6:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

The event has ended

Location

North Carolina, United States

400 Main Street, Aurora, North Carolina 27806, United States

Directions

Parking instructions

Please follow signs posted on Hwy 33 for parking. Parking will be in the large field between Pearl and Chapin Streets

Health & safety

The NC Fossil Festival takes the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, and festival participants seriously. Please see the festival rules ( and the FAQ ( sections on the ncfossilfest.com website.

Tickets

Price: $100.00-210.00

VIP-SATURDAY

Sold out

$210.00

+ Tax: $14.18, Processing fees: $14.39

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

VIP Zone

May 24, 2025 11:30 am - May 24, 2025 5:30 pm EDT

May 17th, 2025 at 4:00 pm EDT

**PLEASE keep in mind that there will be many FREE digging areas throughout the NC Fossil Festival, and the VIP Experience is a fundraiser to support the mission of the Aurora Fossil Museum.** This information is to purchase tickets for access to the VIP Zone on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (6 hours). Check-in will begin at 11:00 a.m. A limited number of tickets will be available ONLINE ONLY on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. There is a limit of four tickets per user. The name on the ticket MUST match the name on the purchased ticket. Resold/transferred tickets will not be honored. **Ticket purchase is final. If the event is canceled or postponed due to reasons beyond our control, no refunds, exchanges, rain checks, etc. will be given. Per person ticket price is $210 per ticket (plus tax & fees) and includes: -2025 NC Fossil Festival Swag -30-minute early access to fossil hunting -Reserved, shaded fossil digging area -Reserved picnic area with WiFi, electricity, cooling fans, and tables & chairs -Access to indoor restrooms -Refreshments & Snacks -VIP discount on Aurora Fossil Museum Gift Shop purchases. All NC Fossil Fest VIP Fundraiser proceeds support the Aurora Fossil Museum.

VIP-TWILIGHT-SATURDAY

Sold out

$100.00

+ Tax: $6.75, Processing fees: $7.02

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

VIP Zone

May 24, 2025 6:00 pm - May 24, 2025 9:00 pm EDT

May 17th, 2025 at 4:00 pm EDT

**PLEASE keep in mind that there will be many FREE digging areas throughout the NC Fossil Festival, and the VIP Experience is a fundraiser to support the mission of the Aurora Fossil Museum.** This information is to purchase tickets for access to the VIP Zone on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (3 hours). Check-in will begin at 5:45 p.m. A limited number of tickets will be available ONLINE ONLY on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. There is a limit of four tickets per user. The name on the ticket MUST match the name on the purchased ticket. Resold/transferred tickets will not be honored. **Ticket purchase is final. If the event is canceled or postponed due to reasons beyond our control, no refunds, exchanges, rain checks, etc. will be given. Per person ticket price is $100 per ticket (plus tax & fees) and includes: -Reserved fossil digging area -Reserved picnic area with WiFi, electricity, cooling fans, and tables & chairs -Access to indoor restrooms -Refreshments & Snacks -VIP discount on Aurora Fossil Museum Gift Shop purchases. All NC Fossil Fest VIP Fundraiser proceeds support the Aurora Fossil Museum.

VIP-SUNDAY

Sale Ended

$180.00

+ Tax: $12.15, Processing fees: $12.38

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

VIP Zone

May 25, 2025 11:00 am - May 25, 2025 5:00 pm EDT

May 19th, 2025 at 5:00 pm EDT

**PLEASE keep in mind that there will be many FREE digging areas throughout the NC Fossil Festival, and the VIP Experience is a fundraiser to support the mission of the Aurora Fossil Museum.** This information is to purchase tickets for access to the VIP Zone on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (6 hours). Check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m. A limited number of tickets will be available ONLINE ONLY on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. There is a limit of four tickets per user. The name on the ticket MUST match the name on the purchased ticket. Resold/transferred tickets will not be honored. **Ticket purchase is final. If the event is canceled or postponed due to reasons beyond our control, no refunds, exchanges, rain checks, etc. will be given. Per person ticket price is $180 per ticket (plus tax & fees) and includes: -2025 NC Fossil Festival Swag -Reserved, shaded fossil digging area -Reserved picnic area with WiFi, electricity, cooling fans, and tables & chairs -Access to indoor restrooms -Refreshments & Snacks -VIP discount on Aurora Fossil Museum Gift Shop purchases. All NC Fossil Fest VIP Fundraiser proceeds support the Aurora Fossil Museum.

Schedule

List Day