Visit Hillsborough, North Carolina. The perfect weekend getaway. The Perfect day trip. Visit Hillsborough, a Unique southern town. Founded more than 250 years ago. Explore over 100 historic homes and structures. Take in the beautiful, historic architecture. Stroll on the scenic Riverwalk greenway. Hike to the top of Occoneechee Mountain. (Hillsborough is) A haven for artists and writers. Unique shops and restaurants you can’t find anywhere else. Great food, great beer, great people. The perfect weekend getaway (or) escape. Explore for the day, or extend your stay. Delicious (and/or) award winning, locally owned pubs and restaurants. America’s little literary town. America’s coolest small town. No ordinary small southern town. The (or) A Small town with BIG History. Variations: It’s just a stone’s throw; A charming southern getaway. It’s just a stone’s throw to a charming, southern getaway on the banks of the Eno River.
🎄✨ Jingle & Joy Holiday Weekend | December 6–7, 2025 ✨🎄
Hillsborough invites you to unwrap the magic of the season during our Jingle & Joy Holiday Weekend! This festive two-day celebration is packed with cheer for all ages.
🎅 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Kick off the holiday fun at the Hillsborough Visitor Center with Photos with Santa, Reading with Mrs. Claus (3:00 PM), Photos with Santa (3:15 - 4:45 PM), a Multicultural Holidays Fair, free yard games, and delicious treats for sale! 🎅🏼
At 5:00 PM, join the music with the Color and Light Community Choir in a group procession to the Historic Orange County Courthouse for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, where we’ll light up downtown with holiday spirit! 🎄
The Tinsel & Traditions Home will take place 3–8 PM. With the purchase of a ticket, you can step inside Hillsborough’s history with this reimagined take on the beloved Candlelight Home Tours. 🕯️
🎄 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
End the weekend with one of Hillsborough’s favorite traditions: the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, filled with floats, music, and merry surprises for the whole family!
Kick off with the afternoon with the Running of the Elves at 4:00 PM and watch the floats go by starting at 4:20 PM.
For more info, see the link in our bio!
🎟️ Tickets are required only for the Tinsel & Traditions Home Tour.
All other events are free and open to the public.
Tree lighting and parade photos by @copperkeyphotonc
Nov 7
Does anybody remember Holiday Home Tours from years past in Hillsborough? Well @historichillsborough is offering a fresh new take with Tinsel and Traditions Holiday Home tours! 🎄
❄️ With the purchase of a ticket, you will be able to explore six of Hillsborough’s historic private residences and learn about holiday celebrations from years past!
⭐️ For more information and a link to purchase tickets, check out the link in @historichillsborough ‘s bio
Nov 4
We went to Thomas Stevens Gallery to find every Hillsborough landmark painted during Paint it Orange this year! I think we got them all, but you can see for yourself at the gallery until November 8! You can also vote for your favorite. Every label without a red dot is still for sale too 👀
Paint it Orange is an awesome event by @ocncarts where artists paint at sites of their choosing around Orange County. There’s also a youth art display over at the Orange County Main Library. Go check it out!
Oct 29
EDIT: Sold Out!! Thank you all! For anyone who missed out, we are hoping to bring this event back in the Spring!
The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough is having a field trip crawl on November 8th! What is a field trip crawl you ask? For the price of a ticket ($10), you get:
✨ The chance to learn about cool history from three speakers…
🪩 …in three beloved locations around Hillsborough (the Alexander Dickson House, Old North Brewery, and Yonder)…
🍸… and one free cocktail at the end of the crawl! (21+ only)
The field trip crawl is a part of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough’s HILLS Academy project, designed to make continuing historical education accessible and fun!
Tickets are available by clicking the link in @historichillsborough ‘s bio 👈🏼
Oct 28
We are approaching another spooky October weekend! Just a reminder of some spooky things going on tomorrow in Hillsborough 🎃
🍬Merchant’s Association Trick or Treat, October 24th, 3-6pm
Free trick or treating fun at participating businesses in town! @hillsborough.chamber
🎃Halloween at the Burwell School, October 24th, 6-8pm @burwellschoolhistoricsite
The Burwell School historic site is celebrating Halloween with two free events - trick or treating from 6-7 and haunted tours from 7-8!
🍭Hillsborough Police Department Trunk or Treat October 24th, 4-6pm
The Hillsborough Police Department will be offering a trunk or treat event at the lot behind the police department!
Oct 23
The weather is cooling down… that means it’s time for a coffee crawl! Here are some spots where we have been grabbing coffee lately ☕️
🫖 Matthew’s Chocolates - 104 N Churton Street
Try the small batch chocolates along with your coffee. They also have some unique tea flavors! @matthewschocolates
🍵 Sip at Steve’s, Steve’s Garden Market - 610 N Churton Street
Steve’s has a ton of great choices, but they have a wonderful strawberry white chocolate latte and a great pumpkin spice latte for fall! @sipatsteves
☕️ Kim’s Bake Shop - 111 N Churton Street
Kim’s Bake Shop has some great coffee, and some of the best dessert in town to go with it! Definitely try the whookies. @kims_bakeshop_wnp
🧋Hillsborough Cup-a-Joe - 122 W King Street
A town classic! Our staff loves the cereal milk latte and the mint mocha latte! @hborocupajoe
What is your favorite place to get coffee in town?
Oct 21
Anne & Arthur is the sweetest local art shop! If you’re looking to shop small, they’re a great choice. They focus on high quality goods and gifts… spending time in here is always a treat! They also offer print services and a Drink N Draw event at Eno River Brewing! 🎨👩🎨
🖼️ Anne & Arthur is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm
📍They are located at 220 S Churton Street here in Hillsborough!
Anne & Arthur also extends their hours and offers fun demonstrations and crafts during Last Fridays & the Art Walk! 👨🎨
Oct 19
Have you made plans for Halloween in Hillsborough yet? Here are a few things going on in town… for the full event calendar, click the link in our bio!
👻The Haunting Hour - October 18th, 2-9pm
A refresh of Spirits Tours, the Haunting Hour brings haunting histories to life before your eyes with an immersive evening of storytelling. This is a ticketed event, but there will also be a FREE fall fair on the lawn of the Visitor’s Center! @historichillsborough
🍬Merchant’s Association Trick or Treat, October 24th, 3-6pm
Free trick or treating fun at participating businesses in town! @hillsborough.chamber
🎃Halloween at the Burwell School, October 24th, 6-8pm @burwellschoolhistoricsite
The Burwell School historic site is celebrating Halloween with two free events - trick or treating from 6-7 and haunted tours from 7-8!
🍭Hillsborough Police Department Trunk or Treat October 24th, 4-6pm
The Hillsborough Police Department will be offering a trunk or treat event at the lot behind the police department!
🦇Halloween Last Fridays & the Art Walk, October 31st starting at 5:30pm @hillsborougharts
Halloween falls on a last Friday this year! All the fun of the Hillsborough Arts Council’s Last Friday event with a Halloween twist!
For info on all of these events and a full event calendar of Hillsborough happenings in October and year round, click the link in our bio!
Oct 12
⭐️ 108 Churton is in the perfect location - right in downtown Hillsborough! You can meet your friends for lunch upstairs at Saratoga Grill, shop at 108 Churton, then check out the other boutiques, coffee shops, and more just down the street ✨
💎 At 108 Churton, you can find clothes, accessories, jewelry, unique home decor, and so much more!
♥️ 108 Churton is open Monday-Saturday 11:00am-4:30pm, and closed on Sundays.
📍You can find them at 108 South Churton Street in downtown Hillsborough!
Oct 10
