'Outlander' creator to highlight NC Freedom Festival in Pender County
If you've ever stood under the tall pines at Moores Creek and felt the air go still, you know history lingers there. And in early 2026, it's going to feel a little closer.
Diana Gabaldon, the mind behind the "Outlander" books, is coming to Pender County for a two-day stop that ties TV fandom to real American history. The visit is part of the North Carolina First in Freedom Festival marking 250 years since the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge - one of the earliest big wins for Patriot forces.
What's happening and when
The festival events tied to Gabaldon run Feb. 27-28, 2026. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 28.
It starts with "An Evening with Diana Gabaldon" at the historic Penderlea Auditorium. Think stories, conversation, and how her work helped millions picture colonial America - especially North Carolina, which becomes a core setting in her series. There's also a backstage meet-and-greet with photo time for fans.
Saturday morning moves to the ground where it happened: a guided tour at Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie. A National Park Service ranger will lead the walk, with Gabaldon joining to explore the terrain and turning points that shaped the 1776 fight.
The weekend wraps with a book signing at Lucas Farm - a quieter, rural setting that fits the mood if you're the type who hears the past in the wind and creek water.
Why this hits different
For TV folks and history beat reporters, this is a crossover moment: a major author with a fan base that actually travels, stepping onto a battlefield that helped cement North Carolina's "First in Freedom" identity. That's not abstract. It means hotel bookings, packed tours, and a lot of people getting their first real feel for the site they've only seen on timelines and in episode recaps.
And yes, it's smart programming. "Outlander" brought the colony's upheaval into living rooms; this brings those viewers to the place itself. You can call it fandom tourism if you want. It's also a chance to connect TV history to the ground under your shoes.
If you plan to cover or attend
- Dates: Feb. 27-28, 2026
- Locations: Penderlea Auditorium (evening program), Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie (guided tour), Lucas Farm (book signing)
- Tickets: On sale Friday, Nov. 28
- Info and schedule: ncfirstinfreedomfestival.com
Quick context you can use on air or in copy
- The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge (Feb. 27, 1776) was a decisive Patriot win over Loyalists and helped cut British plans in the South early on.
- "Outlander" storylines spend significant time in colonial North Carolina, which is why this pairing makes sense for fans and festival organizers.
- Expect higher-than-usual foot traffic at the park that weekend - plan parking, cell service checks, and early arrivals for live hits.
Look, history can feel far away until you're standing where it happened. This festival - with Gabaldon in the mix - is built to close that distance. If you go, bring good shoes and a little time. The place has a way of talking back.
