10 Reasons to Fall in Love with Chapel Hill and Carrboro All Over Again

by Elana Etten

With Valentine's Day landing this Saturday, it felt like the perfect moment to get a little sappy about the place we call home. Whether you're planning a date night, a solo adventure, or need a reminder of why you love it here, this one's for you.

Here are 10 reasons to fall head over heels for Chapel Hill and Carrboro all over again.

FIND OUT WHAT’S TO LOVE—→

Chapel Hill Insider is thrilled to welcome our newest contributor — and our first Anchor Sponsor — Meri Lynch with Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston.

If you've been house hunting, house curious, or just wondering what that "Sold" sign down the street means for your own home's value, this new monthly column is for you. Meri will be keeping us all informed on what's actually happening in our local real estate market — no jargon, no pressure, just honest insight from someone who knows these neighborhoods as well as you do.

A little about Meri: She's been helping families buy and sell homes across Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Chatham County for years, and she specializes in making the process feel less overwhelming — especially for senior buyers and sellers or their families navigating today's market.

Fri, Feb 13 — The Connells at Cat's Cradle, 8 pm — Tickets

Fri, Feb 13 — Margo Price at Haw River Ballroom, 8 pm — Tickets

🌟 Carolina Skies: Valentine Edition — Morehead Planetarium
Explore legends of love about constellations and other objects visible in the night sky.

Sat, Feb 14 — 26th Annual Bob Marley Bash at Cat's Cradle, 8:30 pm — Tickets

🐕 Meet Spot the Robot Dog — Saturday Science Sparks — Morehead Planetarium
Puppy love with a twist! UNC's Experimental Engineering Lab brings Spot, the robot dog.

🐐 Valentine with Goats — Spring Haven Farm (through Feb 15)
Baby goat snuggles, photo ops, and activities for couples, families, or anyone who needs goat therapy. They're also offering a farm "faux wedding" experience.
Link: https://www.springhavenfarm.com/farm-events

🍷 Wine & Chocolate Pairings — Rocks & Acid (through Feb 15)
Flight of four wines paired with locally-crafted chocolates by Durham's Dulce Cafe. $45/person.
Link: https://www.rocksandacid.com

🌿 Sunshine Lavender Farm Valentine's Gathering — Friday, Feb 14, 10am-1pm
For the first time in 25 years, Sunshine Lavender Farm opens for a special winter gathering. Lavender Love Shop, plant care workshop, coffee, sweets, handcrafted chocolate covered cherries. RSVP required.
Link: https://sunshinelavenderfarm.yapsody.com

💜 Lavender Social's Queer Cabaret & Dance Party — Speakeasy Carrboro, Saturday Feb 14
Trivia at 7pm, cabaret, and dancing until 2am.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2074357003339637/

🎻 Palentines Day Barn Dance — Sunrise Community Farm, Friday Feb 13, 6pm
Live music by The Unsustainables in a heated timber frame barn. Family friendly. Ticket includes access to farm animal rooms.
Link: https://www.sunrisecommunityfarmcenter.com

🎨 Wine & Design: Sea Glass Workshops — Feb 13-14
DIY sea glass Valentine's workshops. Also offering Date Night Lovebird painting.
Link: https://www.wineanddesign.com/calendar/chapelhill-nc

🍽️ Bin 54 Valentine's Dinner — Saturday, Feb 14, 4-9pm
Three courses for $95/person, wine pairings available.
Link: https://www.bin54.com

🏡 Botanist and Barrel Igloo & Greenhouse — Valentine's Weekend
Cozy 90-minute reservations for 2-6 people with cider/wine flights, charcuterie, and sweets. Booking fast!
Link: https://botanistbarrel.setmore.com/services

🎭 Primary Trust — PlayMakers Repertory Company (through Feb 15)
The 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Eboni Booth. When Kenneth's life of quiet routine is suddenly upended, he's confronted by an unfamiliar world of possibility.
Link: https://playmakersrep.org

🌍 Science for All Summit — Morehead Planetarium, Feb 19-20
Two-day summit with conversations, workshops, and sessions focused on access and opportunity in STEM.
Link: https://moreheadplanetarium.org/calendar/

🎤 Teen Science Cafe: AI Applications — Morehead Planetarium, Feb 18, 6-7pm
Discussing AI applications with teens.
Link: https://moreheadplanetarium.org/calendar/

🔭 Free Skywatching Session — Morehead Planetarium
Focus on the waxing crescent moon and Jupiter.
Link: https://moreheadplanetarium.org/calendar/

🎭 The TEAM: Reconstructing — Memorial Hall, Saturday Feb 21, 8pm
Performance at UNC's Memorial Hall.
Link: https://carolinaperformingarts.org

💃 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — Memorial Hall, Feb 24 & 25, 7:30pm
One of the world's most acclaimed dance companies returns to Chapel Hill under new artistic director Alicia Graf Mack. Expect classics like Revelations plus new works. Tickets from $39. $11 student tickets available.
Link: https://carolinaperformingarts.org/events/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-2/

🎻 Danish String Quartet — Memorial Hall, Thursday Feb 26, 7:30pm
Link: https://carolinaperformingarts.org

🎬 20th Annual Carrboro Film Festival — Drakeford Library Complex, Feb 27 - March 1
(Postponed from January due to weather)
A celebration of Southern independent cinema featuring dozens of films from across the region. New location at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St, Carrboro.
Link: https://www.carrborofilm.org

🎷 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival — Hill Hall, Saturday Feb 28, 9am-6pm
Part of the 2026 Carolina Jazz Festival.
Link: https://calendar.unc.edu

🎭 The Secret Garden — Center Theater Company, Carrboro (Feb 27 - March 15)
A lush and moving musical about loss, resilience, and renewal. Winner of three Tony Awards.
Link: Center Theater Company, 300 E Main St, Carrboro

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Rose & Roses Soiree: The Power of Five | Graduate by Hilton, 311 W. Franklin St. | 5–8 PM | $50/one, $85/two | Cocktail attire | Benefiting Monet Richardson Community Foundation | secure.qgiv.com/event/mrcfa

even months after Tropical Storm Chantal flooded the Camelot Village condominium complex, dozens of units remain empty and residents are still waiting for answers. Of the 76 units impacted by the storm, only about six owners have started their own repairs — some spending $20,000 out of pocket while waiting on insurance claims. Property managers blame red tape with federal emergency management and the insurance company for delays. For those who've been watching Chapel Hill's flood recovery efforts, this is a story worth following — and a reminder that some of our neighbors are still dealing with the aftermath.

Mark your calendars: Monday, February 16 marks the start of a full closure of West Rosemary Street from North Merritt Mill Road to North Roberson Street. This is Phase 1 of OWASA's 18-month project to replace an 80-year-old water main. The closure is expected to last two to three months before crews move east toward Columbia Street. Use West Franklin Street as your east-west detour. Businesses along Rosemary are still open — they're just a little harder to reach. Chapel Hill Transit has set up temporary stops on Lindsay Street and Church Street.

UNC-Chapel Hill's new policy governing the recording of classes went into effect this week — and it's stirring concern among faculty. The policy allows administrators to secretly record professors in certain situations. Discussion began nearly two years ago after the business school recorded professor Larry Chavis without his knowledge to review his classroom conduct. Faculty groups have raised questions about academic freedom, especially given the current climate around DEI policies. The American Association of University Professors chapter chair called the administration "the enemy" when it comes to protecting faculty rights.

UNC men's basketball star freshman Caleb Wilson suffered a sprained left wrist during Tuesday night's 75-66 loss at Miami. Wilson — a projected top-5 NBA Draft pick who leads the team in scoring (19.8 ppg) and rebounds (9.4 rpg) — left the game in the second half, spent time in the locker room, and returned with his hand heavily wrapped. He finished with a season-low 12 points. UNC (19-5, 7-4 ACC) hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday. The ACC will release an injury report Friday night.

Chapel Hill gathered on Saturday, February 7 to honor the 2025 WCHL Hometown Heroes at a special luncheon. These are the folks who quietly make our community better — volunteers, mentors, and neighbors who show up when it matters. Congratulations to all the honorees. Check it on out Chapelboro.

Chapel Hill Insider is your weekly guide to the people, places, and stories that make our community special. Know someone we should feature? Have a story tip? Reply to this email.

Big news: Ed King's beloved hand-drawn Chapel Hill Cartoon Map is now available digitally! In partnership with the original artist, we've brought this charming map—capturing every quirky corner and beloved business in our town—into the digital age.

Until next time,

Be in the know!