Your version of Internet Explorer is not longer supported. Please upgrade your browser.

Best events in
Kinston

A renewed sense of energy means there's a great variety of events and things to do in Kinston, NC. The city's revitalized downtown serves as the main stage, particularly within the walkable social district on Queen, Herritage, and Gordon Streets. A strong creative community also fuels gallery openings and workshops in the adjacent Arts and Cultural District.

A typical night out downtown often flows between the area's farm-to-table restaurants and craft beverage spots like Mother Earth Brewing before catching a show at a venue like The Red Room.
The Community Council for the Arts acts as a hub for gallery shows and workshops, anchoring the city's creative scene just west of downtown.
Outdoor community life centers on Pearson Park, which hosts popular gatherings like the Sand in the Streets summer concert series and seasonal Movies in the Park.

autocomplete

autocomplete

Popular in Kinston

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC primary image

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC

Friday • 7:00 PM

Kinston Community Center

Check ticket price on event

Cranksgiving primary image

Cranksgiving

Thu, Nov 26 • 9:00 PM

Hampton Inn Kinston

Check ticket price on event

Kingston, North Carolina; Empower Your Finances primary image

Kingston, North Carolina; Empower Your Finances

Thu, Nov 26 • 1:30 PM + 2 more

Kinston

Check ticket price on event

All Black Affair primary image

All Black Affair

Fri, Nov 27 • 8:00 PM

1005 E Highland Ave

Check ticket price on event

WIDOWS & More Meeting primary image

WIDOWS & More Meeting

Sat, Dec 5 • 10:30 AM

1205 Lynn Dr

Check ticket price on event

Christmas Party primary image

Christmas Party

Sat, Dec 5 • 5:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Check ticket price on event

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER primary image

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER

Sat, Jan 16 • 5:00 PM

Community Council for the Arts

Check ticket price on event

ADULT PROM 2027: A Night of Elegance & Grown Vibes ✨ primary image

ADULT PROM 2027: A Night of Elegance & Grown Vibes ✨

Sat, Jan 16 • 11:00 PM

1005 E Highland Ave

Check ticket price on event

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC primary image

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC

Friday • 7:00 PM

Kinston Community Center

Check ticket price on event

Cranksgiving primary image

Cranksgiving

Thu, Nov 26 • 9:00 PM

Hampton Inn Kinston

Check ticket price on event

Kingston, North Carolina; Empower Your Finances primary image

Kingston, North Carolina; Empower Your Finances

Thu, Nov 26 • 1:30 PM + 2 more

Kinston

Check ticket price on event

All Black Affair primary image

All Black Affair

Fri, Nov 27 • 8:00 PM

1005 E Highland Ave

Check ticket price on event

WIDOWS & More Meeting primary image

WIDOWS & More Meeting

Sat, Dec 5 • 10:30 AM

1205 Lynn Dr

Check ticket price on event

Christmas Party primary image

Christmas Party

Sat, Dec 5 • 5:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Check ticket price on event

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER primary image

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER

Sat, Jan 16 • 5:00 PM

Community Council for the Arts

Check ticket price on event

ADULT PROM 2027: A Night of Elegance & Grown Vibes ✨ primary image

ADULT PROM 2027: A Night of Elegance & Grown Vibes ✨

Sat, Jan 16 • 11:00 PM

1005 E Highland Ave

Check ticket price on event

Online Events

Explore more events

HBR Book Webinar: Unspeakable primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Unspeakable

Mon, Nov 23 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast primary image

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Thu, Dec 3 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

JOHN LEVIN MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ON ALZHEIMER'S: BRAIN HEALTH REIMAGINED primary image

JOHN LEVIN MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ON ALZHEIMER'S: BRAIN HEALTH REIMAGINED

Fri, Dec 4 • 10:00 AM EST

Check ticket price on event

Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas primary image

Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas

Sat, Dec 5 • 12:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Press Webinar: The Scientific Mindset primary image

HBR Press Webinar: The Scientific Mindset

Tue, Dec 8 • 8:00 AM EST

Check ticket price on event

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome primary image

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome

Check ticket price on event

The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in NY - Film History Livestream primary image

The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in NY - Film History Livestream

Sat, Mar 13 • 3:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Unspeakable primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Unspeakable

Mon, Nov 23 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast primary image

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Thu, Dec 3 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

JOHN LEVIN MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ON ALZHEIMER'S: BRAIN HEALTH REIMAGINED primary image

JOHN LEVIN MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ON ALZHEIMER'S: BRAIN HEALTH REIMAGINED

Fri, Dec 4 • 10:00 AM EST

Check ticket price on event

Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas primary image

Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas

Sat, Dec 5 • 12:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Press Webinar: The Scientific Mindset primary image

HBR Press Webinar: The Scientific Mindset

Tue, Dec 8 • 8:00 AM EST

Check ticket price on event

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome primary image

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome

Check ticket price on event

The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in NY - Film History Livestream primary image

The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in NY - Film History Livestream

Sat, Mar 13 • 3:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

From nearby cities

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC primary image

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC

Friday • 7:00 PM

Kinston Community Center

Check ticket price on event

Carcass to Canning primary image

Carcass to Canning

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Jones County Civic Center

Check ticket price on event

Cranksgiving primary image

Cranksgiving

Thu, Nov 26 • 9:00 PM

Hampton Inn Kinston

Check ticket price on event

Night of Class primary image

Night of Class

Fri, Nov 27 • 8:00 AM

Lenoir County Fair

Check ticket price on event

All Black Affair primary image

All Black Affair

Fri, Nov 27 • 8:00 PM

1005 E Highland Ave

Check ticket price on event

Kinston's Drive-In Movie Night! | The Santa Clause primary image

Kinston's Drive-In Movie Night! | The Santa Clause

Fairgrounds Road

Check ticket price on event

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER primary image

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER

Sat, Jan 16 • 5:00 PM

Community Council for the Arts

Check ticket price on event

PlanetTyrus Tour August 21, 2027 Greenville, NC primary image

PlanetTyrus Tour August 21, 2027 Greenville, NC

Sat, Aug 21 • 7:30 PM

Greenville Convention Center

Check ticket price on event

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC primary image

Sidewalk Prophets - Great Big Family Christmas 26-Kinston, NC

Friday • 7:00 PM

Kinston Community Center

Check ticket price on event

Carcass to Canning primary image

Carcass to Canning

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Jones County Civic Center

Check ticket price on event

Cranksgiving primary image

Cranksgiving

Thu, Nov 26 • 9:00 PM

Hampton Inn Kinston

Check ticket price on event

Night of Class primary image

Night of Class

Fri, Nov 27 • 8:00 AM

Lenoir County Fair

Check ticket price on event

All Black Affair primary image

All Black Affair

Fri, Nov 27 • 8:00 PM

1005 E Highland Ave

Check ticket price on event

Kinston's Drive-In Movie Night! | The Santa Clause primary image

Kinston's Drive-In Movie Night! | The Santa Clause

Fairgrounds Road

Check ticket price on event

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER primary image

HER RISE WOMENS EMPOWERMENT DINNER

Sat, Jan 16 • 5:00 PM

Community Council for the Arts

Check ticket price on event

PlanetTyrus Tour August 21, 2027 Greenville, NC primary image

PlanetTyrus Tour August 21, 2027 Greenville, NC

Sat, Aug 21 • 7:30 PM

Greenville Convention Center

Check ticket price on event

Points of Interest near Kinston

Frequently asked questions about Kinston

Where are the best places for live music events in Kinston?

Downtown Kinston is the center for live music events. The Red Room hosts bands in an intimate lounge setting, while Mother Earth Brewing offers a more relaxed atmosphere for shows. Pearson Park also hosts the popular Sand in the Streets concert series during the summer.

What are some family-friendly events and activities in Kinston?

Kinston provides several great family-friendly event options. Galaxy Sports offers bowling and skating for an evening of fun, while Pearson Park hosts outdoor Movies in the Park. The community also holds annual traditions like the Easter Egg Hunt.

Are there good date night ideas in Kinston?

A classic Kinston date night involves dinner downtown and a walk through the social district. Many couples enjoy the area's farm-to-table restaurants, followed by craft beer at Mother Earth Brewing or a show at The Red Room for a lively evening.

How can I experience Kinston's art scene?

The Arts and Cultural District is the heart of the city's creative community. Start at the Community Council for the Arts for gallery events and workshops, then explore the public art installations in the surrounding 12-block residential area just west of downtown.

Where can I find outdoor events in Kinston?

Pearson Park is the primary spot for outdoor community events. Its amphitheater hosts the Sand in the Streets summer concerts and the seasonal Movies in the Park series. Grainger Stadium also occasionally hosts larger outdoor concerts and community gatherings.

What kind of local markets are in Kinston?

The weekly Lenoir County Farmers Market is the main destination for local goods. Held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, the market features local produce and artisanal products. Downtown venues like The Exchange at Hometowne also host special pop-up markets.

What is the nightlife scene like in downtown Kinston?

Kinston's nightlife is concentrated in its walkable downtown social district. The scene includes the energetic atmosphere at The Red Room, the brewery vibe at Mother Earth Brewing, and various other bars and restaurants along Queen, Herritage, and Gordon Streets.

What are some free events in Kinston?

Many of Kinston's community events are free to attend. Exploring the galleries at the Community Council for the Arts is often free, as are popular outdoor events like the Sand in the Streets concert series and Movies in the Park at Pearson Park.