The National Black Bear Festival celebrates the large population of American black bears found in northeastern North Carolina and the surrounding coastal plain. Rather than centering on captive animals, the festival uses wildlife education, regional nature programs and guided excursions to connect visitors with the area’s bear habitat.
Downtown Plymouth and the Roanoke River waterfront host family activities, music, races, river adventures, wildlife programming and other attractions. The 12th annual festival took place June 5 and 6, 2026, and general festival programming was free. A 2027 date had not yet been announced.