The skyline of the NC state fair at night with vibrant and colorful LED lights and dozens of fair rides in Wake County

Events & Festivals

Good Times with Family and Friends

In the South, we love a good gathering and great year-round weather makes for plenty of events and festivals. Whether you’re in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or in-between, any given weekend you’ll find a festival, local farmers’ market, or cultural event. Raleigh is also home of the NC State Fair, which is the largest event in the state and draws in one million guests each October. There are always plenty of ways to get together with family and friends and have a great time.

A smiling female employee leaning out the window of a Dough on the Go Foodtruck in Wake County
Many families and individuals gathered at an outdoor fair with tens of stands and games in Wake County
Large crowd gathered outside an outdoor ampitheatre with a group on stage in front of a painted backdrop of forest animals in Wake County
A young man dressed in blue and white traditional Native American clothing participates in a festival in Wake County
Lit up holiday tree in the distance of a lit street with winter holiday decorations on light poles and a well lit dome building in Wake County
  • Food & Drink
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Music Festivals
  • Cultural Festivals
  • Family-Friendly
Food & Drink
A smiling female employee leaning out the window of a Dough on the Go Foodtruck in Wake County
Food & Drink

Treat Your Taste Buds

From farmers’ markets to food truck rodeos to food festivals, it’s clear the Triangle is serious about its food and drink!

Brewgaloo: Craft Beer Festival: The largest NC craft beer festival, this two-day event in Downtown Raleigh features over 110 breweries from across the state plus local food and vendors.

Krispy Kreme Challenge: While not a food festival per se, this event requires participants to run five miles and eat a dozen donuts at the midpoint, all in under an hour. Don’t worry, it’s not just for the love of glazed donuts. Proceeds support UNC Children’s Hospital.

Thrive NC: Located in Downtown Raleigh, this annual event offers up unlimited samples from 65+ top local restaurants, chef demos, and live music. Proceeds benefit local non-profits committed to improving food security in North Carolina.

Triangle Restaurant Week: Select restaurants in the Triangle offer up special three-course prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. This is a great opportunity to try a new restaurant or show existing favorites support. (There’s also a Chapel Hill and a Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week.)

Arts & Crafts
Many families and individuals gathered at an outdoor fair with tens of stands and games in Wake County
Arts & Crafts

Get Crafty

Lazy Daze: Stroll along Cary’s Town Hall campus at Academy Street and explore the art of over 300 artists. The two-day festival also features children’s activities, live music, and food.

Artsplosure: Raleigh’s longest running art festival, this two-day event features work from 175 juried visual artists from across the country. In addition to live music, it also features Kidsplosure, free arts and crafts for children.

Festifall Arts Festival: This annual arts festival in Chapel Hill ushers in fall with 50+ artists, artisans, and crafters, plus kid-friendly activities.

CenterFest: Durham’s longest running art festival, presented by Durham Arts Council, showcases juried visual artists from around the nation, as well as local performers. There is also a dedicated Creative Kids Zone.

Music Festivals
Large crowd gathered outside an outdoor ampitheatre with a group on stage in front of a painted backdrop of forest animals in Wake County
Music Festivals

Catch a Live Show

Art of Cool: Perhaps the music festival that embodies the true essence of Durham, AOC celebrates neo-soul, r&b, jazz, and hip hop. The three-day event features 20+ performers across two outdoor stages and local venues.

Hopscotch Music Festival: Spanning across three days, various genres, 130 bands, and 12 walkable venues, this music festival is definitely a community affair. 25% of the acts are from North Carolina, so there is plenty of local love.

J Cole’s Dreamville: You can’t talk Triangle music festivals without mentioning Dreamville. NC native J. Cole presents this one-of-a-kind celebration at Dorothea Dix Park, featuring local culture, food, art, and of course…music.

Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival: Held in May and October in Pittsboro (a stone’s throw outside the Triangle), this four-day music and dance festival features a broad range of genres and has a decidedly hippie (or crunchy, if you will) vibe. It also features dance workshops, kids activities, and local vendors.

Cultural Festivals
A young man dressed in blue and white traditional Native American clothing participates in a festival in Wake County
Cultural Festivals

Get Involved in the Local Culture

African-American Cultural Festival: This joyful two-day event, held on Labor Day weekend, is jam-packed with teaching, sharing, and celebrating Black culture with artists, musicians, performers, food vendors, and local Black-owned businesses.

East Meets West Festival: Morrisville, Wake County’s most diverse locale (35.6% of its population was born outside of the U.S.), hosts this festival celebrating diversity through food, culture, and music.

Raleigh International Food Festival: While food is the centerpiece, this festival celebrating the Triangle’s diverse community also features live dance, music performances, and vendors from across the globe.

Family-Friendly
Lit up holiday tree in the distance of a lit street with winter holiday decorations on light poles and a well lit dome building in Wake County
Family-Friendly

Fun for Kids of all Ages

While most of our local festivals are family-friendly, there are some standout events. Kids will love the annual sunflowers at Dorothea Dix Park (perfect family photo opp!) The Midtown Beach Music Series, as well as events at the very kid-friendly Coastal Credit Midtown Park, both within North Hills, give kids ample opportunity to burn off energy. For those who stay up past dark, Moonlight in the Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum illuminates the nationally-acclaimed garden with colorful lights. Music, activities and food make for a magical evening. Speaking of lights, Holiday Express at Pullen Park is another not-to-be-missed event. Tickets go on sale in mid-July and typically sell out quickly.