MumFest 2026 in New Bern: Your Complete Guide to Dates, Parking, Food & Fun

Mark your calendars, y’all — MumFest is coming back to historic downtown New Bern on October 10–11, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest weekends on the Eastern North Carolina calendar. Whether you’re a MumFest regular or you’re planning your first trip downtown, this guide covers everything you actually need to know: when to show up, where to park, what to eat, and how to make the most of the weekend without getting stuck in a crowd bottleneck on Middle Street.

What Is MumFest, Exactly?

MumFest is brought to you by Swiss Bear, Inc. in partnership with the City of New Bern, and it’s one of the finest award-winning festivals in the state of North Carolina. It’s recognized statewide as a major Eastern North Carolina family festival and has racked up honors including Best NC Main Street Downtown Event, a spot on the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 October events list, and repeated wins as the Sun Journal Reader’s Choice Best Festival.

The combination of family fun, entertainment, attractions, exhibitors, and savory food set against the beautifully restored downtown and waterfront draws more than 90,000 festival-goers every fall. That makes it one of the largest annual gatherings in Craven County, so a little planning goes a long way.

MumFest 2026: Dates and Hours

• Saturday, October 11 (Day 1): General festival hours run 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, October 12 (Day 2): General festival hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mumosa Fun Run & 5K: The Fun Run kicks off at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K starting at 8:00 a.m.

The festival takes over historic downtown New Bern and stretches along the scenic Neuse River waterfront, so give yourself extra time to walk the full footprint — there’s a lot of ground to cover between Union Point Park and the vendor rows on Middle and Pollock Streets.

Where to Park (and How the Free Shuttle Works)

Parking is easily the #1 question first-timers ask, and honestly, it’s the difference between a smooth day and a stressful one. Here’s the breakdown:

• Free shuttle parking: Lawson Creek Park, near the Pembroke Road/Country Club Road exit off Highway 70, is the main free parking option. Complimentary shuttles run roughly every 15–20 minutes between Lawson Creek Park and downtown throughout the day.
• Additional lots: The Temple Baptist Church lot (Saturday only) and the State Employee Credit Union lot offer extra overflow parking close to downtown.
• Street parking: Limited street parking is available just outside the festival footprint, but it fills up fast — plan to arrive before 10 a.m. if you’re hoping to snag a spot within walking distance.
• Paid lots: For a guaranteed spot, the Riverfront Convention Center offers paid parking in the $5–$10 range.

Pro tip: if you’re coming from out of town, park at Lawson Creek Park and ride the shuttle in. You’ll skip the downtown traffic squeeze entirely.

Entertainment: Three Stages, Two Days

MumFest 2026 features live entertainment across multiple stages, including the North Carolina Education Lottery Music Stage, the Chick-fil-A Community Stage, and the Howard and Friends Stage. Expect a mix of national and regional touring acts, returning fan favorites, and new additions to the lineup — organizers typically release the full schedule closer to the event, so check mumfest.com for the latest entertainment announcements before you go.

Food, Vendors, and Shopping

MumFest isn’t just a concert — it’s a full-blown arts, crafts, and food festival:

• Artists and makers: Juried craft and artisan vendors line the festival footprint with pottery, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, and original artwork you won’t find in a big-box store.
• Food trucks and vendors: From Eastern NC barbecue to festival classics, there’s no shortage of options — though it’s worth noting that outside food and beverages are discouraged (water is the exception), and coolers aren’t permitted inside the festival footprint.
• Beer garden: A beer garden is set up for the 21-and-up crowd, but no outside alcohol is allowed.

Family Fun: KidsZone and Attractions

Families are a huge part of the MumFest crowd, and the festival delivers with a dedicated KidsZone, street performers, interactive attractions, and amusement rides. Just keep in mind that rides, games, and some attractions carry their own separate cost even though general admission to MumFest itself is free.

Know Before You Go: Rules and Accessibility

A few practical details that’ll save you a headache on festival day:

• It’s free to attend: General admission has no cost — you only pay for food, rides, games, and vendor purchases.
• Pets aren’t allowed: For crowd safety, no dogs, cats, or other animals are permitted within the festival footprint.
• No wheels: No bikes, skateboards, or scooters inside the main festival area — same goes for e-bikes and other similar vehicles.
• No smoking or vaping: Prohibited within the festival footprint.
• Rain or shine: MumFest is a rain-or-shine event, so pack accordingly and check the forecast the morning of.
• Facilities: First aid and ATMs are available on-site, with a first aid station located on Broad Street.
• Photography notice: By entering the festival footprint, attendees consent to being photographed or filmed for promotional use by Swiss Bear, Inc., MumFest, and Visit New Bern.

Vendor Applications: Watch for Scams

If you’re a maker or business owner hoping to set up a booth, vendor applications for MumFest 2026 are handled exclusively through the official MumFest Eventeny application system. MumFest and Swiss Bear will never ask a vendor to pay through a Facebook comment or direct message — any account doing that is running a scam, and it should be reported immediately.

MumFest FAQ

Do I need tickets to attend MumFest?

No. MumFest is a free, family-friendly event. Certain add-ons like amusement rides, games, and food purchases have their own separate costs, but there’s no admission fee to walk the festival.

Is MumFest dog-friendly?

Unfortunately, no. Due to crowd size and safety concerns, pets of all kinds are not allowed within the festival footprint.

What happens if it rains?

MumFest is a rain-or-shine event, so plan on the festival happening regardless of weather unless there’s a severe safety concern like lightning.

How long has MumFest been around?

The festival has been a downtown New Bern staple for decades, evolving into one of the region’s biggest economic and cultural draws each fall.

Is there a race or fun run associated with MumFest?

Yes — the Mumosa Fun Run starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:00 a.m., typically on the Saturday of festival weekend.

Make a Whole Weekend of It

MumFest weekend is the perfect excuse to explore more of what New Bern has to offer beyond the festival footprint. Check out our complete guide to things to do in New Bern this weekend for restaurant picks and nightlife options once the festival wraps up for the day, or browse local New Bern business listings to find a place to grab dinner, book a hotel, or plan your whole weekend downtown.

For the latest schedule updates, entertainment announcements, and vendor information, visit the official MumFest website and follow @mumfestnewbern on social media.

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