HICKORY — The City of Hickory said Sept. 1, 2026, that September is I heART Hickory month, a lineup of theater, museum, music, literary, symphony, and film events meant to showcase local arts partners.
Hickory Community Theatre is staging A Chorus Line Aug. 28 through Sept. 12. The city described the Pulitzer Prize-winning show as a concept musical about a Broadway audition. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets and details are directed to www.HickoryTheatre.org.
Hickory Museum of Art marks a year-long renovation with a Preview Party at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Designer Charles Harbison and Executive Director Clarissa Starnes are listed to discuss Harbison’s collaboration to “dress the museum,” followed by a first look at renovated galleries. The museum reopens to the public 1–4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. The city said the reopening unveils refreshed galleries, expanded learning spaces, and a reimagined visitor experience. Details and tickets are at www.hickoryart.org.
The Sails Original Music Series returns with free original-music concerts. Friday shows Sept. 4, 11, and 18 start at 7 p.m. on Union Square. On Saturday, Sept. 26, Festival on the Field is listed at 4 p.m. and the Sails concert at 5 p.m. at Samuel William Davis Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park. Band details are at www.HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic.
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Visiting Writers Series opens Thursday, Sept. 10, with Andrew McCarthy at 6:30 p.m. in P.E. Monroe Auditorium. The city said the actor, director, and memoirist will discuss “Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America.” More information is at www.LR.edu/VWS.
Western Piedmont Symphony presents Foothills Pops: Symphony of the Shire at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, with music the city lists from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy. Details are at www.WPSymphony.org.
My Chapter House and Hickory Public Library host a Literary Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Lake Hickory Country Club with author Kristy Woodson Harvey and her novel “Falling for Peachtree Bluff.” The city said the Hickory Literary Festival is the sponsor and that tickets include lunch and a copy of the book, via www.mychapterhouse.com.
Downtown Hickory Art Crawl and the symphony’s Side/Show share Thursday, Sept. 17. The crawl, presented by the Hickory Downtown Development Association, begins at 5 p.m., with Side/Show music 5–8 p.m. downtown.
The Footcandle Film Festival runs Sept. 18–27 with in-person and online screenings of more than 40 films, at www.FootcandleFilmFestival.com. Hickory Music Factory lists a free open mic 6–10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Hickory Premier.
The Sept. 1 notice does not list ticket prices except where events are described as free, and it does not name rain dates.
Official release from City of Hickory, Sept. 1, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/i-heart-hickory
