Throughout the year, Downtown Hickory hosts a variety of special events, festivals, and concerts. Below are listings of annual events. For more detailed local event information, visit our EVENTS CALENDAR.
Farmer's Market
UNION SQUARE under the SAILS!
Open all year!
Shop for local produce, meats, cheeses, honey, baked goods, eggs, herbs, pickles, preserves, cut flowers, potted plants, handmade soaps, lotions, crafts, and more at the Downtown Hickory Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April through October. Saturdays only November – March.
It’s a soulful feeling and sense of belonging. We will continue the SNAP/EBT program.
Valentine's from the Heart Of Hickory
Downtown Hickory
When you buy a ticket to the Valentine’s from the Heart of Hickory event you will receive a thoughtfully crafted item from participating businesses.
Simply stroll around Hickory’s beautiful downtown on the event date and stop by the participating businesses to pick up your gift.
Please make sure that you have your ticket receipt with you! It is your passport to receive your items and will need to be presented at the time of pickup.
Hickory Hops
On The Square, Downtown Hickory
Hickory Hops is an annual Craft Beer & Music festival on Union Square during the month of April. Over 50 craft breweries participate in this sampling event. All Tasting Tickets include a tasting glass that will be provided on the day of the event. No one under 21 will be allowed to enter. Cash only event. Tickets are sold at Olde Hickory Station, Olde Hickory Tap Room, Amos Howards Restaurant & Brew Pub or online at hickoryhops.com
Hoppin' Around Downtown Hickory
Downtown Hickory
Community members can purchase event tickets. Ticket holders will pick up their passports and map on the day of the event from the HDDA tent on Union Square.
The ticket holder will then hop around downtown to participating businesses. At each business they will present their passport to be stamped and receive a candy filled egg.
After getting all of their stamps they will return to the HDDA tent on Union Square, where they turn in their passport to be entered into a raffle.
Art Crawl
September
Downtown Hickory
Art Crawl brings a plethora of artwork to Downtown Hickory. The Downtown Hickory Art Crawl boasts the works of more than 60 artists along with music, all with an easily walkable four block area. Remember, the artwork is for sale, so please support these talented, local artists.
Swingin' Under The Stars
Under The Sails, Downtown Hickory
Presented by the Hickory Music Factory and sponsored by the City of Hickory, the annual Swingin’ Under the Stars event brings the big band of the early days of jazz to Union Square in Downtown Hickory. The event is usually held the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
Hickory Choral Society Pops Concert
Spring and Fall
Under The Sails, Downtown Hickory
The Hickory Choral Society, comprised of over 100 singers, enchants audiences with a free Pops Concert performed in Downtown Hickory each year. Sponsored by the City of Hickory.
Side / Show
Downtown Hickory
The Western Piedmont Symphony, Hickory’s very own prize-winning orchestra, fills downtown with music every year with free concerts under The Sails on the Square. Sponsored by the City of Hickory.
The Sails Original Music Series
Union Square, Downtown Hickory
The City of Hickory’s Original Music Series, consisting of bands from diverse and unique backgrounds. Stay tuned for 2023 season updates.
For more information, band line-up, and future updates, visit the Facebook page at Facebook.com/sailsmusic
Family Film Fridays
Downtown Hickory
Sit back, relax and enjoy the show! Family Film Fridays will take place at Union Square in Downtown Hickory on the 2nd & 4th Fridays of June, July & August. The movies are free to the public and are weather permitting. Concessions and games will also be available.
Bring your blankets or lawn chairs! Family Film Fridays are brought to you by Footcandle Film Society, Hickory Downtown Development Association, Hickory Youth Council and the City of Hickory.
City Walk Stroll
Downtown Hickory
The event includes music, vendors, food trucks, and activities for the kids! The event is free to the public, with food and drink available for purchase.
Autolawn
SALT Block, Downtown Hickory
Drive over to the SALT Block North Lawn the first Saturday after Labor Day for the Hickory Museum of Art’s annual Autolawn Party featuring a European classic car show, great food, beverages, and fun.
Oktoberfest
Downtown Hickory
Our annual Oktoberfest is the second weekend of October. Having been co-founded by a German, Adolphus “Dolph” Shuford, Hickory has a long, proud German heritage. Home to the United States headquarters for several German companies, and being a sister city with Altenburg, Germany, our connection to Germany, has never left us.
Footcandle Film Festival
Downtown Hickory
An entire weekend of film and fun! The Footcandle Film Festival is designed to bring unique, challenging,and entertaining films to Hickory every September.
Trick or Treat on your Downtown Streets
Union Square, Downtown Hickory
The Hickory Downtown Development Association will host a Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Participants may pick up a Scavenger Hunt Card at the HDDA tent.
In addition to the Scavenger Hunt, there will be Halloween related arts and crafts for the children. Completed Scavenger Hunt cards should be returned to the HDDA table for Halloween pretzel snacks and apple cider, along with an entry in a grand prize drawing. Scavenger hunt clues can be found in the windows of various local Downtown Businesses.
Shop Small Saturday
Downtown Hickory
Shop Small Saturday is the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Head to Downtown Hickory as we celebrate Shop Small Saturday and kick off our SNOWMAN STROLL! Participating Downtown businesses will be displaying unique snowmen for the whole family to enjoy as Downtown heads into the holiday season!
Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Hickory
The City of Hickory hosts its annual holiday season kick-off event, the Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, on the Friday before Thanksgiving. The festivities begin at 5:45pm with the Fallen Soldiers kicking off the official parade at 6pm. Lowes Foods has been the sponsor of this festive event since the first year.
At the conclusion of the parade, Santa’s float will stop at Union Square so he can light the Christmas tree in Downtown Hickory.
The parade will follow the following route:
Parade starts at the intersection of 4th Street NW and 1st Avenue NW
Continue on 1st Avenue NW towards City Hall
Turn right on North Center Street
Turn right on Main Avenue NW
Continue through Union Square and exit on Main Avenue NW (Santa will be dropped off at Union Square before exiting downtown.)
Cookie Crawl
Downtown Hickory
Purchase a ticket and bring your receipt to the HDDA tent on Union Square to receive your Cookie Crawl Passport! Then follow the crumbs to collect a different holiday inspired cookie from each participating business! It’s the perfect way to enjoy Downtown Hickory, vote on your favorite Holiday window decoration AND leave with a bag of treats!
Downtown Hickory Events
Sponsorship Opportunity- Your donation will help cover the expenses of hosting events organized by the Hickory Downtown Development Association. We appreciate your support! This link will allow you to choose an amount from $100 to $3500.
Hickory's Oktoberfest
Sponsorship Opportunity- Your donation will help with expenses for Hickory’s Annual Oktoberfest! Please visit the Oktoberfest page, then choose the Sponsors link for more information. This link will allow you to choose an amount from $100 to $3500. We appreciate your support!
For more detailed local event information, visit our EVENTS CALENDAR.
Hickory Downtown
Development Association
24 First Avenue NE
P.O. Box 9086
Hickory, NC 28603
828-322-1121
info@downtownhickory.com
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