A Year-Round Guide to Arts & Culture in Winston-Salem

Explore the city's creative calendar in 2026 through live theater, music, film, dance, and more.

Art has been woven into the fabric of Winston-Salem since its founding. Established by the artistically skilled Moravians, the city has long been a beacon for creativity, a legacy strengthened by the creation of America’s first arts council and the founding of UNC School of the Arts, the nation’s first public college for the performing arts.

That spirit thrives today through a dynamic calendar of performances, festivals, and exhibitions that reinforce Winston-Salem’s standing as the City of Arts & Innovation. This guide explores the city’s arts scene, highlighting standout annual events and year-round offerings across live theatre, film, music, dance, visual arts, and more.

2026 AT A GLANCE
Before diving into Winston-Salem’s year-round offerings, here’s a quick guide to 2026's biggest art events. Keep reading for more details and links to these and other events.

Art Crush: Third Fridays (April–Dec.)
A monthly block party in the Downtown Arts District celebrating local artists, music, and more.
Reynolda exhibit: Layered Looking: March 10–July 19
An immersive exhibit inviting visitors to explore art through touch, sound, and movement.
RiverRun Film Festival: April 17–25
One of the Southeast’s leading film festivals, with 150+ films screened over 10 days.
International Black Theatre Festival: July 27–Aug. 1
A globally recognized celebration of Black theater with 100+ shows (and much more).
Bookmarks Festival: Sept. 26
The biggest one-day book festival in the Carolinas, the annual block party features author panels, book signing, family activities, and more.
Out at the Movies Film Festival: Oct. 1–4
One of the Southeast's leading LGBTQ+ film festivals.
Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair: Nov. 21–22
A nationally recognized juried craft fair showcasing dozens of the country's top artisans.

Live Theatre

SIGNATURE EVENT: International Black Theatre Festival

Experience the electrifying energy of Black theater at the International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF), a biennial celebration that transforms Winston-Salem into a global stage. Returning July 27–Aug. 1, 2026, the six-day festival is expected to draw 60,000+ attendees for performances, workshops, film screenings, poetry jams, and a lively vendors market. Founded in 1989, with Dr. Maya Angelou as the inaugural chairperson, IBTF is operated by the NC Black Repertory Company (NC Black Rep). The company ensures Black theater is not just a biennial moment here, but a constant, staging productions year-round on local stages.

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• Live theatre thrives year-round in Winston-Salem thanks to a diverse mix of performing arts groups. In addition to NC Black Rep, the city is home to more than a half-dozen theatre ensembles, including the Theatre Alliance, known for bold, contemporary productions; the Little Theatre, the area’s oldest performing arts company; and Spirit Gum, which specializes in thought-provoking work. Check their sites or our online events calendar for upcoming shows.

• UNCSA’s School of Drama stages dozens of live theatre productions each year, showcasing nationally ranked student talent. Most performances take place at the Performance Place complex, with sets, costumes, and lighting designed by students. For theatre lovers, it’s a chance to see future Broadway and Hollywood stars early. Browse upcoming shows on UNCSA’s Performance Calendar.

Film & Cinema

SIGNATURE EVENT: RiverRun International Film Festival

Springtime means showtime as the RiverRun Film Festival brings the spotlight to Winston-Salem. One of the Southeast’s leading film events, the festival runs April 17–25, 2026, and features 150+ films at venues across the city, from documentaries and dramas to indies and narrative shorts. RiverRun stands out as an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the Animated and Documentary Shorts categories. Attendees can also engage with 100+ filmmakers and industry professionals through Q&As, panels, free outdoor films, and special events that extend the experience beyond the theater.

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• Queer Fear Film Festival (Feb. 21, 2026) is the South’s only queer horror festival, screening everything from campy thrills to boundary-pushing shorts. Held annually at A/perture Cinema, the event features guest filmmakers and the coveted Golden Unicorn award.

• Out at the Movies (Oct. 1–4, 2026) is the second-largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the Carolinas, celebrating its 14th year in 2026. Typically held in the fall, the festival features dozens of screenings, nightly parties, panels, and special events at venues across the city.

• A/perture Cinema, downtown’s independent art-house theater, screens a mix of indie, foreign, and mainstream films year-round. A favorite offering is A/ Mobile, a summertime outdoor movie series hosted at locations across the city, including Bailey Park and Crossnore Children’s Home. Details on the 2026 series will be posted in spring on A/perture’s website.

Music & Dance

SIGNATURE OFFERING: Winston-Salem Symphony

One of Winston-Salem’s most consistent cultural offerings can be enjoyed nearly year-round: the Winston-Salem Symphony. Led by Music Director Michelle Merrill, the symphony presents a wide-ranging season that spans classical masterworks, family-friendly concerts, and pop performances honoring artists like Fleetwood Mac and R.E.M. The season runs September through May, making it easy to catch a concert during most visits. While the symphony's main hub, the Stevens Center, undergoes a major renovation, most shows are held at the historic Reynolds Auditorium. Explore the current season on the symphony’s calendar.

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• UNCSA School of Dance is consistently ranked among the nation’s top programs and presents several major productions each year. Highlights include Fall Dance, Winter Dance, Spring Dance, Emerging Choreographers, and the beloved holiday tradition The Nutcracker, which has temporarily moved to Greensboro’s Tanger Center during renovations. Visit UNCSA’s site for upcoming performances.

• Piedmont Wind Symphony delivers dynamic concerts featuring traditional and contemporary wind band music. Performing roughly a dozen times annually, the ensemble collaborates with local and national artists for a varied and engaging season.

• Piedmont Opera presents two major productions each year, typically one in fall and one in spring. Known for bold staging and strong vocal performances, the company has temporarily shifted venues during the Stevens Center renovation. Visit their website for details.

• Summertime Concert Series: When warmer weather arrives, Winston-Salem’s outdoor music scene comes alive with countless free concerts. From Gears & Guitars to Downtown Jazz and the CoalPit Concert Series, summer is peak season for live music. Updates on 2026 dates should be posted soon.

Visual Arts

SIGNATURE OFFERING: Reynolda House Museum of American Art

Reynolda offers a rare blend of art, history, and architecture. Built in 1917 by R.J. and Katharine Reynolds, the 64-room estate became a museum in 1967 and now houses one of the nation’s most respected collections of American art, with works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Grant Wood, Mary Cassatt, and Andy Warhol. The museum also hosts major rotating exhibitions each spring and fall. While much of the historic house will closed for renovation until August 2026, the Babcock Wing will remain open. From March 10 to July 19, it will host Layered Looking, an immersive exhibition that invites visitors to explore art through touch, sound, and movement.

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• NC Museum of Art (formerly SECCA) spotlights contemporary creativity through rotating exhibitions and artist-driven programming. During a major transformation in 2026, the museum will open a downtown exhibition space at Fourth and Marshall streets, keeping visual art accessible through rotating shows and public programs in a central, walkable setting.

• MESDA (Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) houses the world’s premier collection of Southern decorative arts, with objects dating back to the 1600s. Located in Old Salem, its galleries showcase furniture, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, and more. Pair your visit with an All-In-One ticket for full access to Old Salem for an immersive, unforgetable journey through history.

• Downtown Arts District offers one of the region’s most concentrated collections of galleries, studios, and public art. Just a few blocks wide, the district doubles as an open-air gallery filled with murals, sculptures, and installations. Explore it with our Public Arts Guide.

Literary Arts

SIGNATURE EVENT: Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors

Each September, Winston-Salem becomes a literary block party during Bookmarks (Sept. 26, 2026), the largest weekend-long book festival in the Carolinas. Streets near the Milton Rhodes Center close for author panels, book signings, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and storytimes—welcoming everyone from devoted readers to casual book lovers. Past festivals have brought bestselling authors and cultural icons to downtown, including James Patterson, Maya Angelou, John Grisham, and R.L. Stine, alongside favorite children’s authors and countless NY Times bestsellers.

MORE LITERARY ART

• Bookmarks Bookstore keeps Winston-Salem’s literary scene lively beyond its signature festival. Aside from operating a downtown bookstore year-round, the nonprofit hosts big-name author talks and meet-and-greets regularly, both in its shop at at venues across town. Another annual wintertime highlight is Movable Feast (Jan 24–25), bringing together nearly two dozen authors for an intimate author meetup. Find all upcoming events on Bookmarks calendar here.

• Winston-Salem Writers is a nonprofit literary organization that supports writers of all levels through education, connection, and creative exchange. The group offers year-round workshops and seminars on topics like fiction, poetry, and playwriting that are open to nonmembers. Programs such as public readings and open mic nights are often held at various venues year-round.

Block Parties & Craft Fairs

• Art Crush (above) is the Arts District’s signature monthly block party, held on third Fridays from April through December. From 7–10 p.m., Trade and Sixth Streets come alive with artists, vendors, musicians, live performances, kids activities, and extended gallery hours. Artists keep 100% of sales, and each month features a different theme.

• Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair has been a cornerstone of the local arts scene for more than 60 years. Held each November at the Benton Convention Center, the juried fair features 100+ top artisans and has been named a Top 10 craft fair by American Style Magazine. The 2026 fair takes place Nov. 21–22.

• Ardmore Art Walk transforms the historic Ardmore neighborhood into an open-air gallery each fall. The juried event features 100+ local artists, live music, food trucks, and more. The 2026 Art Walk is scheduled for Nov. 7.

More Arts, More Events

Explore more of Winston-Salem’s arts scene by visiting the Performing Arts section of our website, and stay up to date on concerts, exhibits, and festivals by checking our Events Calendar.