events
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MONTHLY RECURRING EVENTS
REC
FIRST FRIDAY RALEIGH
[MONTHLY]
A monthly celebration of Raleigh's arts and culture scene across Downtown Raleigh. First Friday Raleigh occurs on the First Friday of each month.
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
POP UP MARKETS
[MONTHLY]
Support local Artisans and shop various Pop Up Markets held monthly throughout Downtown Raleigh.
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
STATE FARMERS MARKET
[DAILY]
More than fresh vegetables, it’s a family adventure. Considered one of the nation’s best and most modern markets, visitors enjoy 75 acres of indoor/outdoor specialty shops, restaurants and garden center, with fruits, vegetables, meats, and gift products from across the state. The market also plays hosts to a variety of Craft Fairs, Food Festivals, and more.
Mon-Sat: 5am-6pm
Sun: 8am-6pm
1201 AGRICULTURE ST
RALEIGH FIRE MUSEUM
[SECOND SATURDAYS]
Every second Saturday, the Raleigh Fire Museum is open for a FREE Family Day. Enjoy these family activities and tours:
🚒 Experience Fire History
🚒 Touch a Fire Truck
🚒 Spray a Fire Hose
🚒 Watch Firefighters in Training
105 KEETER CENTER DRIVE
ANNUAL EVENTS
JAN
FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH
Ring in the New Year with a fun-filled day and night of performances, music, activities, food, and Raleigh's famous acorn drop (twice).
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
ANIMATE RALEIGH
Raleigh’s biggest Animation Celebration by GalaxyCon Raleigh. 3 Days of anime, animation, games, music, and cosplay! Featuring entertainment, Q&As, gaming, panels, costume contests, and more fandom.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER
KRISPY KREME CHALLENGE
12 Doughnuts. 5 Miles. 1 Hour. — Over $2M raised for UNC Children's Hospital. The Annual Krispy Kreme Challenge takes runners through NC State, Downtown Raleigh, stopping at Krispy Kreme to consume one dozen original glazed doughnuts before running back.
NC STATE + DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION
The Annual African American Cultural Celebration celebrates African American history with through music, art, dance, food, and more!
NC MUSEUM OF HISTORY
FEB
ASTRONOMY DAYS
The annual FREE Astronomy Days is a great opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe through technology, telescopes, engaging talks by scientists, and plenty of hands-on crafts and activities for all ages. Space enthusiasts of all ages will delight in this celestial adventure.
NC MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
CAROLINA HURRICANES FAN FEST
Come out and support your Carolina Hurricanes NHL Hockey team. Meet Hurricanes alum, photo with the Stanley Cup, play street hockey, ride the Ferris wheel, live music, food trucks, beer garden, entertainment, drone light show, fireworks finale!
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH HOME SHOW
Shop, compare, and save with more than 200 experts in kitchens and baths, flooring, windows, décor, and more.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH
Watch the acorn drop. Fireworks, food trucks, and more. Bring all your lawn chairs and eat at Food Trucks
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
EVENT DETAILS
SPOTLIGHT
MAR
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL
The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival celebrates Wearin' 'O the Green.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH
Watch the acorn drop. Fireworks, food trucks, and more. Bring all your lawn chairs and eat at Food Trucks
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
EVENT DETAILS
SPOTLIGHT
FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH
Watch the acorn drop. Fireworks, food trucks, and more. Bring all your lawn chairs and eat at Food Trucks
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
EVENT DETAILS
SPOTLIGHT
FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH
Watch the acorn drop. Fireworks, food trucks, and more. Bring all your lawn chairs and eat at Food Trucks
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
EVENT DETAILS
SPOTLIGHT
APR
DREAMVILLE FESTIVAL
Dreamville Festival is an outdoor weekend music celebration curated by internationally-acclaimed hip-hop superstar J. Cole alongside his Dreamville team.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
RALEIGH EARTH DAY
A free community event to explore earth-conscious vendors and organizations while enjoying live music, games, and activities for all ages. Includes showing of a family friendly movie to conclude the event.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
EASTER EGG HUNTS
Raleigh Parks & Recreation hosts several free Easter Egg Hunts located at various parks Inside the Beltline.
INSIDE THE BELTLINE
BREWGALOO
Brewgaloo is North Carolina's largest craft beer festival. This 2 day festival features over 110 craft breweries. Enjoy NC Craft Beer, Food Trucks, Live Music, Local Vendors, and more
FAYETTEVILLE STREET
APR
CUEGRASS FESTIVAL
The Cuegrass Festival celebrates two of North Carolina’s cultural assets: Barbecue and Bluegrass. Enjoy live bluegrass music, delicious authentic NC BBQ, local beer and vendor market.
FAYETTEVILLE STREET
RALEIGH EARTH DAY
A free community event to explore earth-conscious vendors and organizations while enjoying live music, games, and activities for all ages. Includes showing of a family friendly movie to conclude the event.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
EASTER EGG HUNTS
Raleigh Parks & Recreation hosts several free Easter Egg Hunts located at various parks Inside the Beltline.
INSIDE THE BELTLINE
BREWGALOO
Brewgaloo is North Carolina's largest craft beer festival. This 2 day festival features over 110 craft breweries. Enjoy NC Craft Beer, Food Trucks, Live Music, Local Vendors, and more
FAYETTEVILLE ST
MAY
ARTSPLOSURE
Artsplosure is Raleigh's original and longest running arts festival. This two-day event features an Art Market of juried artists across the US showcasing ceramics, glass, fiber art, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, wood and more. Other festivities include live music, Kidsplosure, and one-of-a-kind art installations.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
ANIMAZEMENT
Animazement is Raleigh's premier Japanese animation and culture convention! Enjoy concerts, educational panels, limited merchandise, unique artwork, and more.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL
The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival celebrates Wearin' 'O the Green.
FAYETTEVILLE ST / CITY PLAZA
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL
The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival celebrates Wearin' 'O the Green.
FAYETTEVILLE ST / CITY PLAZA
JUN
RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL
EAT Everything, Everywhere, All at Once! Celebrate Raleigh's diversity, art, culture, traditions and history with food, dessert, beer, and wine from around the world.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
CAPITAL CITY JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
The family-friendly event showcases the significance of Juneteenth through live music, youth dance performances, exhibitors, food, children’s activities, and more.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
OUT! RALEIGH PRIDE
Out! Raleigh Pride celebrates Raleigh’s culture, promoting diversity, awareness, and inclusiveness for the LGBTQIA+ community. Festivities include entertainment, local vendors, food, a KidsZone, beer garden, and more.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
NC BRIDAL & WEDDING EXPO
Getting Married or Know Someone who is? Visit the North Carolina Bridal & Wedding Expo.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER
JUN
BUBBLES & BRISKET
Bubbles and Brisket features BBQ pit-master chefs preparing various styles of brisket and side dishes by the best talent in North Carolina, along with enjoying sparkling wine from around the world. Brought to you by the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast.
SMOKY HOLLOW
CAPITAL CITY JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
The family-friendly event showcases the significance of Juneteenth through live music, youth dance performances, exhibitors, food, children’s activities, and more.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
OUT! RALEIGH PRIDE
Out! Raleigh Pride celebrates Raleigh’s culture, promoting diversity, awareness, and inclusiveness for the LGBTQIA+ community. Festivities include entertainment, local vendors, food, a KidsZone, beer garden, and more.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
NC BRIDAL & WEDDING EXPO
Getting Married or Know Someone who is? Visit the North Carolina Bridal & Wedding Expo.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER
JUL
DIX PARK SUNFLOWERS
Sunflowers at Dorothea Dix Park typically bloom in mid-July. The Sunflower Field is free to visit 7 days-a-week, from dawn until dusk and located along Hunt Drive between Western Blvd and Umstead Dr.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
FOURTH OF JULY AT STATE CAPITOL
A Raleigh tradition that includes celebrations, musical performances, activities, and self-guided tours of The Capitol.
NC STATE CAPITOL
FOURTH OF JULY AT JOEL LANE MUSEUM HOUSE
An Idependence Day Celebration at Joel Lane Museum House. See re-enactors, hear Live Folk music from Triangle Folk Ensemble, and enjoy crafts and activities for kids of all ages.
JOEL LANE MUSEUM HOUSE
GALAXYCON RALEIGH
GalaxyCon Raleigh is more than a comic-con. It’s a 4-Day festival of fandom with celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, fan groups, panelists, and much more.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER
AUG
CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
A celebration of Caribbean culture and cuisine with vibrant carnival masqueraders marching through Fayetteville St. The CaribMask Festival Village houses Caribbean food vendors, arts and crafts markets, live performers, and Kid's Corner.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
INTER-TRIBAL POW WOW
Family Friendly event that celebrates the legacy and culture of North Carolina Indigenous communities. Festivities include dance competitions, crafts, music, vendors, and more.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
PACKAPALOOZA
Packapalooza is an all-day block party and street festival capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week at the start of the academic year including great music, activities and fun entertainment for the whole family.
HILLSBOROUGH ST
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL
The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival celebrates Wearin' 'O the Green.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
SEP
HOPSCOTCH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Hop into Hopscotch Music Festival, the largest annual three-day music festival in downtown Raleigh. Most Day Parties are FREE. Tickets needed for select performances and various Downtown Venues.
DOWNTOWN VENUES + FAYETTEVILLE ST
IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS
This festival is widely recognized as the one of the premiere showcases for what’s happening in and around bluegrass music with hundreds of performers from around the world. There are multiple stages for music, an arts market, food trucks, beverages, family activities and a whole lot of banjos.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER + REDHAT AMPHITHEATER
RALEIGHWRLD FESTIVAL
The RaleighWrld Festival celebrates North Carolina collaboration, culture, and diversity across art, music, and entrepreneurialship.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
LA FIESTA DEL PUEBLO
The Triangle’s largest and most diverse festival of Latin American culture, featuring live music and dance performances, visual and folk art exhibits, educational booths, activities for the whole family, and of course food.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + CITY PLAZA
SEP
FESTA ITALIANA RALEIGH
It's an Italian Festival! Celebrate Italian culture and heritage with music, a children's area, a culinary stage, food, wine, and much more!
FAYETTEVILLE ST
BUGFEST
The biggest, buggiest event of the year in the entire country! Interact with entomologists and other scientists, artists, and bug enthusiasts. Sample bug-filled dishes prepared by local chefs.
NC MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
The premiere celebration of African American culture as expressed through art, music, food & community.
FAYETTEVILLE ST
IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS
This festival is widely recognized as the one of the premiere showcases for what’s happening in and around bluegrass music with hundreds of performers from around the world. There are multiple stages for music, an arts market, food trucks, beverages, family activities and a whole lot of banjos.
FAYETTEVILLE ST + RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER + REDHAT AMPHITHEATER
OCT
RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Drink wine around the world at the Raleigh International Wine Festival. Learn about wine pairing, taste international food, and enjoy live, non-stop performances.
CITY PLAZA
RALEIGH ZOMBIE WALK
A family friendly mile-ish trek in Downtown Raleigh as Zombies drag, limp or shamble through the city in character as the undead while terrifying the living!
MOORE SQUARE TO FAYETTEVILLE ST
FALLING FOR LOCAL
Enjoy live music from local talent and demos from local businesses all day long as well as loads of Fall Fun including hay rides, inflatables, lawn games, kids activities, photo ops, and a pumpkin patch all free of charge.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION
Day of the Dead remembers deceased friends and family with the creation of an Offering with the participation of Cultural Groups, Folkloric Dances, Music, Art, Food, Workshops for children and Mexican Crafts.
CITY PLAZA
NOV
MOONLIGHT IN THE GARDEN
Only chance in the year to see JC Raulston Arboretum at night transformed into a Magical Adventure filled with lights to showcase this internationally acclaimed garden. Stroll through the garden, listen to live music, dine from food trucks, roast marshmallows at the fire pits, and sip hot apple cider.
JC RAULSTON ARBORETUM
AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION
A free festival with multiple demonstrations, presentations, performances, kids activities and more highlighting traditional and contemporary artistic, scientific, historic, and cultural contributions of American Indians in North Carolina. Held inside and outside the Museum.
NC MUSEUM OF HISTORY
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH TREE LIGHTING
The Holidays officially kicks off with the Downtown Tree Lighting. Festivities include Santa meet-and-greet, food trucks and beer, live music and performances, and local vendors.
MARTIN MARIETTA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
WPU HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
Kickoff the Holidays with PEACE at the annual WPU Holiday Tree Lighting. Watch as the 40 feet tree is filled with lights while enjoying carol singing. Free treats, hot chocolate, and photos available.
WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY
NOV
THE DESSERTERY
Come indulge yourself in a family friendly holiday themed dessert café. THE DESSERTERY features elaborate holiday decor, all you can eat sweets, a hot cocoa bar with 100+ decadent toppings, plus Santa and live entertainment on select nights!
MARTIN MARIETTA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE
The largest Christmas parade between Atlanta and D.C. and it takes place *before* Thanksgiving!
HILLSBOROUGH ST + FAYETTEVILLE ST + OTHERS
THE RINK
Enjoy the thrill of outdoor ice skating in a winter wonderland created in the heart of downtown Raleigh! THE RINK features a natural winter wonderland themed ice skating rink with stunning views of the Raleigh skyline. Enjoy private Igloo lounges, cozy stations, fire pits, a 20ft decorated Holiday Tree, snack bar with hot cocoa, beer, wine, sweet treats, and more. Activities include giant Jenga and cornhole games with special community and themed nights.
REDHAT AMPHITHEATER
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH TREE LIGHTING
The Holidays officially kicks off with the Downtown Tree Lighting. Festivities include Santa meet-and-greet, food trucks and beer, live music and performances, and local vendors.
MARTIN MARIETTA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
DEC
PULLEN PARK HOLIDAY EXPRESS
During Holiday Express, Pullen Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, allowing guests the opportunity to experience sledding, a light filled train ride, unlimited carousel rides, a visit with Santa and more.
PULLEN PARK
ILLUMINATE ART WALK
Downtown Raleigh is officially LIT with the free self-guided Illuminate Art Walk showcasing many interactive light-based art installations from North Carolina artists.
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
NC CAPITOL TREE LIGHTING
Every year the Governor, accompanied by children, lights the State Christmas Tree on Union Square. This event is also carried live on television across the state.
NC STATE CAPITOL
NC EXECUTIVE MANSION HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
North Carolina’s Executive Mansion opens its historic doors for the beloved annual Holiday Open House. Tour the home, take in the decorations, and enjoy seasonal musical entertainment by local performing groups.
NC EXECUTIVE MANSION
DEC
RALEIGH DOWNTOWN MENORAH LIGHTING
There is no better time to shine the light and love of Chanukah than at Raleigh's Downtown Menorah Lighting. Join Chabad Young Professionals Raleigh in celebrating the festival of lights with a beautiful Menorah lighting ceremony.
MOORE SQUARE
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT MORDECAI HISTORIC PARK
See how the Mordecai House would have been decorated over the past 238 years. Walk through the beautifully decorated house, learn about different holiday traditions and enjoy music, games, crafts, and more.
MORDECAI HISTORIC PARK
NC CAPITOL TREE LIGHTING
Every year the Governor, accompanied by children, lights the State Christmas Tree on Union Square. This event is also carried live on television across the state.
NC STATE CAPITOL
NC EXECUTIVE MANSION HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
North Carolina’s Executive Mansion opens its historic doors for the beloved annual Holiday Open House. Tour the home, take in the decorations, and enjoy seasonal musical entertainment by local performing groups.
NC EXECUTIVE MANSION
