Spring is in full bloom in Fayetteville, and there’s no better way to celebrate than a weekend in the Greater Fayetteville area, especially when that weekend also happens to be the weekend of Fayetteville’s Dogwood Festival! With festival fun, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities throughout Cumberland County, planning a fun-packed weekend getaway for the whole family is easy peasy.
Whether you’re coming for the midway and carnival rides, the free kids' activities including inflatables, or the live music, we’ve put together an itinerary that will ensure your family enjoys all the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has to offer—plus a few extra highlights around the Greater Fayetteville area that will make your trip unforgettable.
Ready to plan your weekend? Here’s a family-friendly itinerary packed with entertainment, great food, and just the right mix of excitement and relaxation.
Festival Park transforms into a family fun zone during the Dogwood Festival!
(For those who want to get started early, arrive Friday evening and get this weekend started!)
Dinner & Relaxed Family Activities
If you’re arriving in Fayetteville Friday night, take some time to unwind and explore before the festival kicks off. Here are a few great ways to start the weekend:
- Dinner at Pizza Palace (For the pizza Lover in your family) OR Fred Chason’s Grandsons (All-you-can-eat Southern BBQ buffet)
- Cape Fear Botanical Garden – Stroll through spring blooms before sunset OR
Putt-Putt Fun Center – Play a round of mini-golf, laser tag or arcade games before bedtime to get the kids ready for a great night’s sleep
A fun start to your Dogwood Festival weekend!
A full day of festival fun, exciting local events, and family-friendly attractions!
Morning: Start at the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
- Pre-K & Children's Area – Free inflatables, bubbles and books with princesses, and much more!
- Midway & Carnival Rides – Ride all the classics while the lines are short.
Midday: Watch Thrill-Seekers Go 'Over the Edge'
- United Way’s Over the Edge Event (10 AM – 3 PM)
Watch participants rappel down the Cape Fear Valley Medical Arts Building (101 Robeson St., Fayetteville, NC 28301) for charity!
- Grab a bite downtown & snap photos of the action for DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s Photo Contest (#dogwoodfestival2025) (link to UGC contest post or page)
Afternoon: Explore Fayetteville Beyond the Festival
Choose your own adventure!
- U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum – Interactive military exhibits & Iron Mike statue
- JP’s Jumpmasters – Indoor trampoline park to burn off energy
- Fascinate-U Children’s Museum – Hands on displays where children can explore their world.
- Epic Fun Park – Indoor amusement park with inflatables, a human slingshot, wall climbing, arcade, and so much more for the kids to have fun with
Evening: Festival Food & Fun
Return to Festival Park for Live Music & More Midway Fun
- Enjoy the festival’s concert lineup featuring Nicholas Vernon, The Guy Unger Band, Josh Ross, and Drew Baldridge
- End the night with a treat from one of the festival’s food truck or midway vendors
Nothing beats a night at the Dogwood Festival!
A laid-back morning before heading home!
Morning: Brunch & Outdoor Adventure
- Brunch at Rainbow Restaurant (Local favorite for pancakes & omelets!)
- Cape Fear River Trail – Walk off some of those brunch calories with a scenic walk before heading to the car show
Midday: Dogwood Festival Car Show (12 PM – 4 PM)
- Check out a lineup of classic cars & vintage models
- Grab a last-minute festival snack before heading home!
End your weekend with Fayetteville’s best car show!
📅 Friday Evening (Optional Arrival):
- Dinner at Pizza Palace OR Fred Chason’s Grandsons
- Stroll through Cape Fear Botanical Garden OR Putt-Putt Fun Center
📅 Saturday – Full Festival Day & Family Fun:
- Morning: Dogwood Festival’s Children’s area + Midway Rides
- Midday: United Way’s Over the Edge Event + Lunch Downtown
- Afternoon: Airborne Museum, Jumpmasters, Fascinate-U Museum, or Epic Fun Park
- Evening: Festival Live Music + Carnival Fun
📅 Sunday – Relax & Car Show:
- Morning: Brunch + Cape Fear River Trail Walk
- 12:00 - 4:00 PM: Dogwood Festival Car Show
- Last-minute festival stop for souvenirs before heading home
Plan Your Visit & Book Your Stay!
Fayetteville has plenty of family-friendly hotels & vacation rentals to make your Dogwood Festival weekend stress-free. Check out these options:
🏨 Book a Fayetteville Hotel
Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Cumberland County & Fayetteville, NC
🚗 Plan Your Trip with DistiNCtly Fayetteville
Explore Cumberland County & Fayetteville, NC | DistiNCtly Fayetteville
We can’t wait to welcome you to Fayetteville this spring!