About Haw River Ballroom
The Haw River Ballroom is a beautiful riverside venue set in the former Dye House of Saxapahaw’s Historic Cotton Mill. With three levels, a riverside deck, coffeehouse, full service stage and state of the art sound and lighting system, gorgeous historic detail, vintage furnishings, solar and geothermal power, climate control, and an idyllic rural river setting and lovely pollinator garden just minutes from Chapel Hill there is just no other place quite like it. We have hosted national and international bands, parties, global conferences, dances, soirees and gorgeous, one of a kind, handmade weddings for special couples from around the world.
The Ballroom:
With soaring ceilings, riverside light, beautiful details throughout, three floors, decks and a courtyard, the award winning Haw River Ballroom is a flexible space created to accommodate your needs and wishes. Weddings have taken place on every level, on the main stage, on the mezzanines, on the deck, as well as outside in our neighboring River Amphitheater*. Occasionally the Wedding itself takes place offsite and we host the Dinner and Party. There are a multitude of fabulous options for your Wedding. We can show you numerous scenarios to consider and we enjoy seeing couples creatively make the space their own on their special day!
The Setting:
Saxapahaw is a beautiful historic village that has undergone a transformation into a destination location nestled along the gorgeous Haw River with beautiful nature all around, trails and scenic farms surrounding the village center’s historic mill houses and mill buildings. The Ballroom is located right beside river with numerous locations for unforgettable pictures, experiences and memories.
Rockstar Wedding - Sound and Lights:
Haw River Ballroom is an award winning music venue with some of the best acoustics, sound and light equipment North Carolina has to offer. You will not find sound or lighting at this level at any other wedding venue in the state and it makes for an amazing and unforgettable celebration. We have an epic lighting package for your celebration, ceremony and dance party that meets the standards of international and national touring artists, highly engineered acoustic panels and a beautiful state-of-the-art sound system for your band, DJ or playlist and for those unforgettable family toasts!
Get Local!
Create a wedding featuring all the handmade artistry and goodness unique to this special place. The flexibility of the space allows for simple or extremely intricate design. Hold your ceremony on any floor, in the River Amphitheater*, or on the main stage. Take over the coffeehouse and make it your personal cocktail party hub. Choose from one of four fabulous farm to fork local and award winning caterers and create the dinner party of your dreams. Feature an amazing live band or DJ on the main stage. Have an unforgettable dance party! Take the Wedding Party kayaking the day before the ceremony with Haw River Canoe and Kayak! Have Haw River Farmhouse Ales make a special tailored beer just for you and your guests! Head to Fireside Farm and celebrate as the maids or men of honor make or pick their own boutonnieres, bouquets and flower crowns! Have a local Massage Therapist set up in the Bridal Greenroom before or after the ceremony. Hold your rehearsal dinner at one of the delicious restaurants in Saxapahaw. Stay in one of the local inns or choose from the numerous and creative AirBnBs across the village. We can help guide you through all the options to make your celebration match your dreams.
Climate Control:
As the weather gets more unpredictable, the Ballroom can offer a safety zone all year round. Don’t worry about weather on your big day. And our systems are running on geothermal and solar power - an investment that was important to us.
Other Information:
We are a LGBTQ+ friendly venue and our preferred vendors are as well. We are also a ADA compliant venue and will do what we can to make our venue as accommodating as possible for you and your guests. We have spacious parking in various lots around Saxapahaw.
River Amphitheater is an independent space right outside the Ballroom and is an easily arranged separate rental.
The Haw River Ballroom is located at 1711 Saxapahaw Bethlehem Church Rd. Saxapahaw, NC 27340.
Photos on our website are by Mark Maya, Brett + Jessica, Carolyn Scott Photography, Anagram Photo, AJ Dunlap Photography, Samantha Canal Photography, Robyn Van Dyke, Adam Chapin Photography, Warren McCormack Photography, Mina Von Feilitzsch Photography, & G. Lin Photography, Curious Notions Photography, Carly Romeo & Co., Tom Waldenberg Photography, Aly Sprecher Creative, Timmester Photography, Corine Olarte, and Rose Trail Images.