About the event

The North Carolina Fossil Festival celebrates the Aurora Fossil Museum and the state's rich fossil record. Join us for a family-friendly event steeped in tradition and Southern charm. Activities include digging for fossils, fossil displays, fossil auction, educational displays by partner nonprofit organizations, mining & engineering zone, live entertainment, food, craft, & fossil vendors, dinosaur shows, kid zone, teen activities, and much, much more!

Dates

May 23, 2026 · 10:00 AM - May 24, 2026 · 6:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Location

North Carolina, United States

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

Directions

Parking instructions

Please follow the 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 refer to the festival rules ( and the FAQ section ( on the website.

Schedule

VIP Tickets

Price: $125.00-225.00 + Applicable Fees and Taxes

VIP-SATURDAY

Sold out

$255.58

Includes Base Price: $225.00, Tax: $15.19, Processing fees: $15.39

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 23, 2026 11:00 am - May 23, 2026 5:00 pm EDT

May 09th, 2026 at 4:00 pm EDT

2026 NCFF Tee

Use this to receive your 2026 NCFF Tee. Please visit the Info Booth, located next to the VIP Zone, or ask a Festival Crew Member for assistance. Valid for redemption only during your VIP Ticket time.

Gift Shop Discount

Use this to receive a 10% discount on purchases in our Gift Shop. Valid for redemption only during your VIP Ticket time.

**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 for purchasing tickets to access the VIP Zone on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (6 hours). Check-in will begin at 10:45 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 (4) tickets per user. The name on the ticket MUST match the name on the purchased ticket. Resold/transferred tickets will not be honored. Each individual, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the VIP Zone. **Ticket purchase is final. If the event is canceled or postponed for reasons beyond our control, no refunds, exchanges, rain checks, or similar accommodations will be provided. Per person ticket price is $225 per ticket (plus tax & fees) and includes: -2026 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.

VIP-SATURDAY-TWILIGHT

Sold out

$142.14

Includes Base Price: $125.00, Tax: $8.44, Processing fees: $8.70

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 23, 2026 5:00 pm - May 23, 2026 9:00 pm EDT

May 09th, 2026 at 4:00 pm EDT

Gift Shop Discount

Gift Shop Discount Use this to receive a 10% discount on purchases in our Gift Shop. Valid for redemption only on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

2026 NCFF Tee

Use this to receive your 2026 NCFF Tee. Please visit the Info Booth, located next to the VIP Zone, or ask a Festival Crew Member for assistance. Valid for redemption only on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

**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 for purchasing tickets to access the VIP Zone on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (4 hours). Check-in will begin at 4:45 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 two tickets per user. The name on the ticket MUST match the name on the purchased ticket. Resold/transferred tickets will not be honored. Each individual, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the VIP Zone. **Ticket purchase is final. If the event is canceled or postponed for reasons beyond our control, no refunds, exchanges, rain checks, or similar accommodations will be provided. Per person ticket price is $125 per ticket (plus tax & fees) and includes: -2026 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.

VIP-SUNDAY

Sale Ended

$204.53

Includes Base Price: $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 24, 2026 10:00 am - May 24, 2026 4:00 pm EDT

May 16th, 2026 at 4:00 pm EDT

2026 NCFF Tee

Use this to receive your 2026 NCFF Tee. Please visit the Info Booth, located next to the VIP Zone, or ask a Festival Crew Member for assistance. Valid for redemption only during your VIP Ticket time.

Gift Shop Discount

Use this to receive a 10% discount on purchases in our Gift Shop. Valid for redemption only during your VIP Ticket time.

**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 for purchasing tickets to access the VIP Zone on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (6 hours). Check-in will begin at 9:45 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 (4) tickets per user. The name on the ticket MUST match the name on the purchased ticket. Resold/transferred tickets will not be honored. Each individual, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the VIP Zone. **Ticket purchase is final. If the event is canceled or postponed for reasons beyond our control, no refunds, exchanges, rain checks, or similar accommodations will be provided. Per person ticket price is $180 per ticket (plus tax & fees) and includes: -2026 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.

Friends