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.
This years date is Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 2-4pm! Tickets go on sale Jan. 26th on Facebook or see link in our calendar of events.
St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Hickory
The Hickory Downtown Development Association hosts a special St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt on March 17, 2026 from Noon-1pm in Downtown Hickory.
Find the Lucky Leprechaun Downtown!
Walking Downtown Hickory (Union Square, City Walk, businesses)
How to Enter
- Take a photo with the HDDA Leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day (12–1 PM)
- Post the photo on Facebook
- Tag @Downtown Hickory
Prize
One winner receives a $50 Visa gift card to use while shopping downtown
𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Winner chosen at random from tagged posts.
Winner announced on HDDA social media within 48 hours.
Hopping Into Spring
Downtown Hickory
The Hickory Downtown Development Association invites families to Hopping Into Spring on April 4, 2026, from 10:00–11:00 AM on Union Square in Downtown Hickory.
Stop by to get your photo taken with the HDDA Bunny and celebrate the start of spring in downtown!
This is a fun, free opportunity for kids and families to enjoy a spring-themed photo moment and spend time exploring Downtown Hickory businesses and shops.
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.
2026 Hickory Hops will be April 11, 2026 from 1pm-6pm.
Tickets are sold online at hickoryhops.com
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 peforms Under The Sails on Union Square on Fridays in May, June and September.
For more information, band line-up, and future updates, visit the Facebook page at Facebook.com/sailsmusic or www.hickorync.gov/SailsMusic
Saturday Screenings
Downtown Hickory
Sit back, relax, and enjoy free movies this summer!
This year’s dates are July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22, 2026.
Stay tuned for more detailed information closer to event dates!
Hickory Choral Society's Singing On The Square
Under The Sails, Downtown Hickory
The Hickory Choral Society, comprised of over 100 singers, enchants audiences with a free concert performed in Downtown Hickory each year. Sponsored by the City of Hickory.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 6pm!
Hickory Swings
Under The Sails, Downtown Hickory
Presented by the Hickory Music Factory and sponsored by the City of Hickory, the annual Hickory Swings event brings the big band of the early days of jazz to Union Square in Downtown Hickory.
Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 6:30pm
Fall Art Crawl
Downtown Hickory
The Fall 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. The Children’s Entrepreneur Market will also be returning this year!
Western Piedmont Symphony’s Side Show and Hickory Ballet & Performing Arts will also be performing at various locations.
This year’s date is September 17, 2026 from 5pm-8pm. Stay tuned for more details closer to the event.
Western Piedmont Symphony
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. Check our Event Calendar for dates.
WPS’s Side Show will also be at various locations during the Fall Art Crawl in Downtown Hickory on Septmeber 17, 2026 from 5pm-8pm. Stay tuned for more details closer to the event.
Footcandle Film Festival
Downtown Hickory
The Footcandle Film Festival is designed to bring unique, challenging,and entertaining films to Hickory every September. An entire week of film and fun! This dates this year are September 18-27, 2026!
Autolawn
SALT Block, Downtown Hickory
Hickory Museum of Art’s (HMA) 13th Annual Autolawn Euro Classic Car Show, returning to the SALT Block North Lawn on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 AM–3 PM. Presented by Hickory Museum of Art and Paramount Automotive Group, Autolawn is a free, family-friendly celebration of one of the road’s greatest travelers, the automobile.
Oktoberfest
Downtown Hickory
Our annual Oktoberfest is the second weekend of October. This years dates are October 9, 10, and 11, 2026.
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.
For more information about Oktoberfest, please click here.
Downtown Monster Mash
Union Square, Downtown Hickory
The Hickory Downtown Development Association will host a Monster Mash on Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 4pm-7pm.
The event will include Candy Crawl at Downtown Businesses and Costume Contest.
Stay tuned for more details closer to the date!
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. This year’s date is Friday, November 20, 2026.
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
Join us for our Annual Cookie Crawl Event on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 2pm-4pm!
This event always sells out fast! Purchase a ticket and bring your receipt to the HDDA tent on Union Square to receive your Cookie Crawl Passport & Map! Then follow the crumbs to collect a different holiday inspired cookie from each participating business! It’s the perfect way to enjoy Downtown Hickory AND leave with a bag of treats!
Stay tuned for more details closer to event date!
Holidaypalooza
Union Square, Downtown Hickory
The City of Hickory and HDDA present HOLIDAYPALOOZA on Union Square in Downtown Hickory on Saturday, November 21, 2026!
Stay tuned for more details closer to event date!
Shop Small Saturday
Downtown Hickory
Shop Small Saturday is the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Head to Downtown Hickory as we celebrate Shop Small Saturday!
Downtown Hickory Events
Sponsorship Opportunity- Your donation will help cover the expenses of hosting events organized by the Hickory Downtown Development Association. This link will allow you to choose an amount to donate. We appreciate your support!
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 to donate. We appreciate your support!
For more detailed local event information, visit our EVENTS CALENDAR.
The City of Hickory is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. Hickory Downtown Development Association is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, the City of Hickory is a recognized leading program among the national network of neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.
Hickory Downtown Development Association (HDDA)
is a private, non-profit 501 (c)6 organization with a thirteen member volunteer Board of Directors. Funding for the organization is comprised of membership dues, grants, donations, and event sponsorships.
MISSION STATEMENT
“ To physically and culturally improve downtown Hickory as a place of commerce, recreation, and culture for the people of Hickory and the greater metro area.”
HICKORY DOWNTOWN VISION
Supporting your life well crafted, Downtown Hickory serves as the gathering center for varied recreation and entertainment. Downtown is the hub of owner-operated local businesses, corporate headquarters, and urban living.
HISTORY
Hickory began as a small piedmont city whose growth and development moved it from a late nineteenth-century trading center on the Western North Carolina Railroad to a thriving twentieth-century manufacturing center for furniture, hosiery and textiles.
The history and development of Hickory has been divided into five stages of growth. The earliest phase began at the end of the eighteenth century and ended with the outbreak of the Civil War (1769-1860).
The second phase began when the Civil War ended, as the city's population and economy expanded as well as increased development in cultural and educational facilities (1861-1900). This second phase lasted until around 1901, when the establishment of the first large-scale furniture plant made permanent changes in the manufacturing business. From 1901 until the onset of World War I in 1917, many furniture factories as well as hosiery and textile mills were built in the city's realm resulting in a rise in population, service industries and building activity.
During World War I, construction in the city declined only to be followed by a large increase in population and housing needs, growth of businesses and manufacturing companies, and the extension of public services rendered by local government (1918-1940).
Growth since 1940- After World War II Hickory continued growing and by 1961 the city boasted forty-six furniture plants, eight-nine hosiery mills, twenty-seven other manufactories, and a population of 37,000 people. A vast urban renewal project as well as continual redevelopment also accompanied this period of growth. Much of the historic fabric of Hickory's downtown was removed or drastically altered in the 1960s and 1970s, leaving gaping holes in the urban landscape. Yet, this period also saw the emergence of historic preservation efforts in Hickory, a trend that has grown in scope by instilling pride in the city's past by encouraging the appreciation, preservation, and continued use of Hickory's historic resources.
HICKORY IS A MAIN STREET COMMUNITY
North Carolina Main Street Rural Planning Center
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program. Main Street America™ is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As one of the first Main Street America™ Coordinating Programs designated in 1980, NC Main Street inspires placemaking through building asset-based economic development strategies. The NC Main Street staff is charged by the NC Department of Commerce to facilitate downtown economic development using the Main Street America Four-Point Approach. The Main Street Approach™ focuses on economic development strategies to transform downtown. These strategies articulate a focused path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown economy. Designated NC Main Street community's work is organized around the Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
Learn more about the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center.
The National Main Street Program | Main Street America™
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts since 1980. Today it is a network of neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, that share both commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Main Street America™ is a movement. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street America network help to breathe new life into the places people call home.
Learn more about Main Street America.
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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