JAN. 14-15

Chesnee, S.C.

Redcoats return to Cowpens

To mark the 231st anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens - a turning point in the American Revolution - an array of activities will be held at the National Park Service site the weekend of Jan. 14-15. The battle will not be restaged, but nearly 100 re-enactors (portraying Colonial and British soldiers) will offer a slice of the 18th century at encampments, firing and cavalry demonstrations. There will be fife-and-drum concerts, author talks and book-signings, ranger-led battlefield walks and a guided lantern-lit walk. All events are free. Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 15. Details: 864-461-2828; www.nps.gov/cowp.

JAN. 21-22 Kure Beach

Civil War action on coast

The 174th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher - the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War - will be marked at Fort Fisher, on the coast 20 miles south of Wilmington. The capture of the fort by federal soldiers forced the fall of the Confederacy's last major port in January 1865. Re-enactors in period costume will bring history to life throughout the day with Confederate artillery demonstrations, cannon and small arms firings. (Bring ear plugs.) Hours for the free program: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan 22. Details: 910-458-5538; www.fortfisher.nchistoricsites.org.

JAN. 29 Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Annual oyster fest at Boone Hall

The 29th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival will be Jan. 29 at Boone Hall Plantation, just outside Charleston. The main events - oyster-shucking and oyster-eating competitions - usually draw 10,000 visitors. There's live music and activities for kids, too. Boone Hall is at 1235 Long Point Road. Admission: $12/advance, $15/gate. Details/tickets: 843-577-4030; www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

JAN. 28 Raleigh

African American Cultural Celebration

On Jan. 28, the African American Cultural Celebration returns to the N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., in Raleigh, with a full day of free events.

Headliners this year include Shana Tucker (award-winning jazz cellist, singer and songwriter), Ironing Board Sam (piano playing blues and R&B singer), jazz pianist Elmer Gibson, Winston-Salem State University Burke Singers (female a cappella) and Leviticus, a Raleigh hip-hop group that has performed to sold-out audiences at Harlem's famous Apollo Theater.

There will be performances by theater groups, storytellers and playwrights, plus cooking, craft and beauty demonstrations and activities for children.

Special recognition will be made of North Carolina's 11 historically black colleges and universities. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Details/schedule: 919-807-7900; www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.