The 71st Clayton Harvest Festival will take place from October 26-29, 2023, at Horne Square, Town Square and other locations in Downtown Clayton.
The four-day festival includes a midway full of carnival rides, car, motorcycle, and tractor shows, Latin American Festival, Squealin’ on the Square BBQ competition, and other community-focused events, vendors, food, music, and fun.
Fall is looking great around the Triangle, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, as well as our list of pumpkin patches, haunted trails and corn mazes! We have also put together a big list of Halloween events and Trick or Treat events!
Following is the schedule, but be sure to double check with the Clayton Harvest Festival website in case there have been changes.
Festival hours:
- Thursday, October 26: 5 pm. to 10 p.m.
- Friday, October 27: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, October 28: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, October 29: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The festival features:
- Midway, with a carnival, food and games, at Horne Square
- Latin American Festival
- Movie Night
- Pig Calling Contest
- Pony rides
- Car show and tractor show
- Trunk or Treat
- Hot dog eating contest
- Food trucks
- Latin American Festival Vendor Fair
- More
Check on the festival’s website for updates and the complete schedule.
Festival Highlights by Day
Thursday
Horne Square:
- 5 p.m.: Festival ribbon cutting ceremony
- 5 to 10 p.m.: Midway Carnival Rides & Games
Town Square:
- Family night
- 5 to 8 p.m.: Food trucks
- 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Kids’ Trunk or Treat
- 6:30 p.m.: Movie night: Coco
Friday
Horne Square:
- 5 to 11 p.m: Midway Carnival Rides & Games
Downtown Clayton
- 5 to 11 p.m.: Last Friday in Clayton
Saturday
Horne Square:
- 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Midway Carnival Rides & Games
Community Bank Parking Lot:
- Squealin’ On the Square
- 9 a.m.: BBQ Contest NC Pork Council Judging
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: BBQ Plates for Sale
- 11 a.m.: People’s choice BBQ contest voting
- 12 p.m.: BBQ Awards Presentation (on the stage at Town Square)
Main Street:
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Clayton’s Largest Vendor Fair
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Clayton Harvest Festival Car Show
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.International Harvesters Tractor Show
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Harvest Festival Motorcycle Show
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Pony Rides
N. Lombard Street:
- 20 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids’ Village
- Selfie photo station
- Infant care area
- Buttterfly & Ladybug Experiece
Town Square: Hometown Showcase
- 10 a.m.to 11 a.m.: WERQ Dance Fitness
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Wiliam Ashley Band
- 12 p.m.: Squealin’ on the Square Cook Off Awards
- 12:30: Dance Ascensions Performance
- 1 p.m.: The Amy Jae Band
- 2:30 pm.: Jen Van Meter
- 4 to 5 pm.: Students to Entrepreneurs Program Awards
Sunday
Horne Square:
- 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.Midway Carnival Rides & Games
Town Square: Latin American Festival 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- 12 to 5 p.m.: Vendor Fair
- 12:15 pm.: Band: Ivan El Cantante
- 1:20 p.m.: Dance Group: Danza, Color, & Cultura (Mexico)
- 1:50 p.m.: Band: Valery (Regional Mexican)
- 3:10 p.m.: Dance Group: Takiri Foclor Latino (Colombia)
- 3:35 p.m.: Dance Group: Danza Azteca de Santa Ann
- 4 to 5 pm.: Band: Sonido Tropical (Puerto Rico)
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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- Subscribing to Triangle on the Cheap's email list
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More Halloween Events in the Triangle
Check out our big list of Halloween events and ideas in the Triangle, or see a quick list here: