NC Whirligig Festival 2025

About the event

The annual North Carolina Whirligig Festival will be held on Saturday & Sunday, November 1 & 2, 2025. The event started as a way to celebrate what was unique to Wilson, NC - the innovative and whimsical folk art whirligigs created by Vollis Simpson. At the heart of the festival is a park containing 30 of his original giant metal structures that spin in the wind. The festival is the largest event in Wilson, 8 blocks of fun, that includes home-made arts and crafts, food vendors, non-profit agencies and sponsors. Entertainment is provided on several stages with live music, a free kids zone, a kids performance stage, strolling artists and art demonstrations. The NC Whirligig Festival averages about 70,000+ visitors attend over the 2-day festival weekend in historic downtown Wilson. The festival is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and is held each year the first full weekend in November.

Dates

Nov 01, 2025 · 10:00 AM - Nov 02, 2025 · 5:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Location

North Carolina, United States

301 Goldsboro Street South, Wilson, North Carolina 27893, United States

Directions

Parking instructions

Parking instructions for vendors provided closer to festival weekend.

Health & safety

The NC Whirligig Festival will follow protocols outlines by the Federal Government, NC State Health Department and Wilson Health Department at the time of the festival.

Sponsors

Meet our Sponsors!

Volunteers

Interested in applying:

1 active application

Volunteers 2025

Deadline: Oct 29, 2025

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We are seeking a wide variety of volunteers including high school students, groups, churches, adults and retirees. We keep volunteer shifts short so that you may also go and enjoy the festival before or after your shift. Each volunteer will receive a free Volunteer t-shirt at the start of your shift. And, a Volunteer Certificate at the end documenting your volunteer hours. A Volunteer Orientation will be held on Sunday, October 26th. New volunteers must attend! This is REQUIRED for all new volunteers and recommended for returning volunteers to learn what's new at this year's festival. The training will be held at the Volunteer Center to be announced closer to date. Parking is available on Goldsboro and in the Center Brick parking lot, 211 Tarboro Street. (do not park in spaces marked reserved).

Hosted by North Carolina Whirligig Festival

Joined Eventeny in August 2020

7 events

Wilson, North Carolina, United States