From outdoor concerts and festivals to art galleries and theatrical productions, Fayetteville has lots of ways to entertain you. Whether it’s a family outing or an evening with out-of-town guests, the calendar is almost always full.
Downtown Fayetteville is a sure bet for family activities. Catch a Fayetteville Woodpeckers baseball game at Segra Stadium featuring home-game themes and fireworks. Discover more about the area at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum or Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum. The younger set can run around in the displays at Fascinate-U Children’s Museum or decorate a cupcake at Sweet Palette bakery.
At the Crown Complex, concerts and sports are options for the weekends along with annual festivities like the Cumberland County Fair in September.
Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville is home to outdoor concerts, shows and festivals. Bring a beach chair or blanket and pocket money for food trucks to enjoy the vibe of events like the Fayetteville After 5 concert series.
ON STAGE
Cape Fear Regional Theatre
Located at 1209 Hay St., the theater stages a full season of musicals, dramas and comedies along with educational programs throughout the year. Last year featured “Clue,’’ “The Color Purple,’’ “The Wizard of Oz’’ and other shows. The 2022-23 lineup includes “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,’’ “The Odd Couple,’’ “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’’ “Matilda,’’ “Welcome to Arroyo’s’’ and “Jelly’s Last Jam.’’ 910-323-4234 or cfrt.org
The Gilbert Theater
The Gilbert Theater at 116 Green St., located above Fascinate U Children’s Museum, delights audiences in a black-box theater with productions ranging from quirky to serious. All productions showcase local talent.
The 2022-23 season will feature “Fairview,’’ May 27-June 12; “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,’’ Sept. 16-Oct. 2; “The Sound of Music,’’ Nov. 25-28, Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 16-18; “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),’’ Feb. 17-March 5; “All in the Timing,’’ April 21-May 7; and “[title of show],’’ June 23-July 9. 910-678-7186 or gilberttheater.com
Sweet Tea Shakespeare
Sweet Tea Shakespeare brings fun outdoor performances to the Fayetteville, Sanford and Raleigh areas with live music before every show. Guests may bring their own seating or rent from a limited stock of chairs and quilts. Food and beverages are available for purchase, including the signature sweet tea. Performance locations vary and are announced as the show approaches.
This season’s upcoming shows include “Much Ado about Nothing,’’ June 2-26; and “Pericles,’’ July 13-24. 910-420-4383 or sweetteashakespeare.com
CONCERTS
Community Concerts, which completed its 86th season in May, brings a variety of musical guests to the Crown Theatre. Last year’s season featured Rick Springfield, Styx and the Isley Brothers. For information on the 2022-23 season, call 910-323-1991 or go to community-concerts.com.
The Crown Complex — which includes the Crown Coliseum, Crown Theatre and Crown Arena — features sports, comedy shows, national recording artists, conventions and more. Upcoming shows include Jurassic Quest, June 17-19; Rod Wave and Friends, June 25; and Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure, July 5-6. 910-438-4100 or crowncomplexnc.com
Downtown Summer Nights, a concert series, is expected to return this year with a twist: The concerts will be staged at different locations in Cumberland and Robeson counties. The bands and locations had not been announced by early May.
Fayetteville After 5, a summer concert series sponsored by the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, has three concerts planned for Festival Park with music, food trucks and fun. Shows will feature On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band, June 10; RiverMist, July 15; and Zoso, a Led Zepplin tribute band, Aug. 12. 910-323-1934 or thedogwoodfestival.com
Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra fills performance venues from Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University to the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church on Green Street. The lineup includes season concerts, community concerts and student concerts. It also hosts Symphony on Tap, a musical series with free admission at local breweries. The Independence Concert and fireworks show are scheduled for July 4 at Festival Park. 910-433-4690 or fayettevillesymphony.org. The 2022-23 season includes “The Music of John Williams,’’ “Something in the Wind,’’ “Holiday Brass,’’ “Jubilate Deo,’’ “One Song,’’ “Call Me Maybe’’ and “Fayetteville Celebration.’’ There also are four free admission community concerts: “Nosferatu,’’ “Messiah,’’ “The Tramp’’ and the Independence Day concert.
Fayetteville State University brings musical acts, national artists and more to Seabrook Auditorium. The upcoming schedule includes “Circus on Ice,’’ June 4. 910-672-1724 or uncfsu.edu/community/seabrook
Methodist University hosts student concerts throughout the year, featuring its MU All-Choirs concert, Chamber Strings, concert band and more. In December, the music department hosts Yuletide Feaste at Haymount United Methodist Church with dinner and music. 910-630-7100 or methodist.edu/performing-arts
Galleries
The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County
The Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that serves as a link between artists and cultural organizations. The council’s Art Center Gallery hosts free exhibits throughout the year. The Arts Council is at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. 910-323-1776 or theartscouncil.com
The Art Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College
The Art Gallery at FTCC displays exhibitions each semester that feature the artwork of students, faculty and outside artists. Exhibitions are free and open to the public, and they run year-round. The gallery recently moved to the foyer of the Paul H. Thompson Library at 2221 Hull Road. 910-678-0092
Cape Fear Studios
Offering art lessons and hosting a community of artists in residence, Cape Fear Studios Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization in downtown Fayetteville. It includes a retail gallery and a main gallery that exhibit art works in an array of media by local, national and international artists. The exhibits are free and open to the public. The studio is at 148 Maxwell St. 910-433-2986 or CapeFearStudios.com
David McCune International Art Gallery
Located on the campus of Methodist University, David McCune International Art Gallery coordinates exhibitions of art by student, regional, national and international artists. 910-630-7000 or methodist.edu/art/galleries/mccune/
Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery
Emerging and professional artists are featured at Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, at 113 Gillespie St.. Throughout the year, it hosts local, national and international exhibitions. 910-483-1388 or ellington-white.com
Rosenthal Art Gallery
Located in the Rosenthal Building on the campus of Fayetteville State University, Rosenthal Art Gallery is part of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts. It hosts exhibits of works by student, staff and internationally known artists throughout the year. 910-672-1795
MUSEUMS
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
Learn about the past, present and future of the Army’s airborne and special operations forces at this museum owned and operated by the Army. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum has exhibits, special programs and guest speakers. The museum, at 100 Bragg Blvd., is free and open to the public. 910-643-2778 or asomf.org
Fascinate U Children’s Museum
In the heart of downtown Fayetteville at 116 Green St., Fascinate U Children’s Museum is a hands-on interactive museum created to educate as well as provide hours of fun for children of all ages. The museum offers family memberships, art classes and children’s birthday packages. 910-829-9171 or fascinate-u.com
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex
Exhibits bring the region’s diverse history to life at the Museum of the Cape Fear with living-history programs and demonstrations. The museum’s tours, special events, interactive programs and demonstrations connect visitors to the Cape Fear region’s past. The Poe House, a restored 1897 home, and Arsenal Park, the remains of an ordnance factory from the Civil War era, make up the historical complex at 801 Arsenal Ave. 910-500-4240 or museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov
