One thing Raleigh knows how to do, is a festival. There are so many Raleigh events and festivals happening throughout the years, and 2024 promises to be an exceptional year for entertainment.
Whether it’s live music, the arts, music, food, beer, lifestyle choices, and diverse cultures, there are plenty of amazing events in Raleigh to entertain you through Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, simply a curation of what we think are the most unmissable festivals and events in Raleigh NC and the greater Triangle region for the upcoming year!
Each month we create a list of top events and things to do including many of the smaller events, concerts, sporting matches, and fun things to do in Raleigh. You can view our monthly events calendar here.
Plus, we have a weekly Raleigh events calendar and weekly email newsletter with our curated events list.
Be sure to join our free email community for those updates, and you’ll get our free PDF downloadable checklist of all events mentioned in this post. Pop your name and email below:
January
MLK Dreamfest (Jan 12 -15, 2024)
- Where: Cary Arts Center
- Time: 4:30-8:30pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/events/holiday-events/dreamfest
In celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Town of Cary puts on a series of events and programs to honor his legacy, triumph, and courage, as well as focus on the issue of civil rights, and provide an opportunity for community service.
The main event is the Dreamfest with Rev. Paul Anderson, Sen. Pastor of the Fountain of Raleigh Fellowship as the featured speaker as well as dance and theater performances.
Read our guide to things to do in Downtown Cary for helpful planning while in town!
23rd Annual African American Cultural Celebration (Jan 27, 2024)
- Where: North Carolina Museum of History
- Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Website: https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/
The annual African American Cultural Celebration serves as the statewide kickoff to Black History Month in North Carolina.
The 2024 theme is “African Americans and the Arts” spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.
There’s be a procession, performances dances, drama, cultural exhibitions, classes, hands-on activities and a lot more!
Don’t miss these other events in January in Raleigh.
February
Krispy Kreme Challenge (February 3, 2024)
- Where: Hillsborough St (NC State Bell Tower) to Krispy Kreme on N. Person St
- Time: 8.00am
- Cost: free to enter
- Website: KrispyKremeChallenge.com
The Krispy Kreme Challenge is one of the most unique things to do in Raleigh. It’s a student led- charity race serving to support the mission of the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.
All you have to do is run 5-miles in total (or walk) from the NC State University Belltower to the Krispy Kreme on N. Person Street. Take a quick pit stop there to eat a dozen doughnuts (or as many as you can), then run back!
During the old, fun days, the race would see about 8,000 people participate, many in costumes. Suitable for all ages and walking is also encouraged. Of course, devouring doughnuts is optional.
Watch Our Krispy Kreme video from previous years
See more Fun February Events in Raleigh and Black History and Cultural Experiences in Raleigh
March
Art in Bloom (March 13–17, 2024)
- Where: North Carolina Museum of Art, West Building
- Time: Various
- Cost: $30 for members, $33 for nonmembers
- Website: NCArtMuseum.org
Who loves art and flowers? Get ready for five days of floral arrangements from world-class designers and florists. Features 43 installations, and some more than 10 feet tall.
I wasn’t expecting the Art in Bloom festival to be so great. We went in 2024 and absolutely loved it.
The NC Art Museum’s beauty is elevated to the next level with these stunning floral arrangements.
Read more: A guide to the Art in Bloom Festival in Raleigh (and see the video below as well) and Don’t miss the NC Museum of Art, Raleigh’s Best Foot Forward.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 16, 2024)
- Where: City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 10.00am
- Cost: Free
- Website: Raleighstpats.org
Grab your favorite green sweater and your spirit for having a good craic and head to downtown Raleigh to celebrate the St Patrick’s Day parade, also known as The Wearin’ ‘O The Green Festival!
The parade route starts at Lane Street and Wilmington Street and finishes at the corner of S Salisbury and Lenoir. The fun continues after in City Plaza with live music and performances!
If you’re looking for an Irish pub, Hibernian in Glenwood Ave (and North Raleigh), and Doherty’s Irish Pub in Cary are great!
See more fun March Events in Raleigh and 20 more ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Raleigh and these lovely gardens in Raleigh for spring colors and things to do in Raleigh in the Spring.
April
Dreamville Festival (April 6 – 7, 2024)
- Where: The Big Field at Dorothea Dix Park
- Time: doors at 12.00pm
- Website: DreamvilleFest.com
- Cost: Ticket prices vary, with limited VIP tickets available
One of the premier festivals in North Carolina and live music events in Raleigh is Dreamville, created by J. Cole, North Carolina’s own Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum hip-hop artist. It’s one of the most popular and largest artist-curated music festivals in the country.
Expect a day of fun listening to some of the best hip hop artists hand-picked by Cole in the beauty of Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh’s signature city park with over 300 acres of public greenspace.
We attended in 2023 and were very impressed. It’s a very well-run festival with a celebratory, inclusive atmosphere.
I don’t usually listen to rap, but I loved listening to many of the rap, hip hop and R & B artists, and headliner Usher was incredible.
Peak City Pigfest (April 12 & 13, 2024)
- Where: Downtown Apex
- Time: 5.00pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: PeakCityPigFest.com
This Downtown Apex festival is one of the most delicious events in Raleigh! It was a magical evening of music, crowded streets, beer garden and Pig Pickins.
There is also a huge competition where cooks can win a cash price for their BBQ chicken, ribs, beef brisket, and pork.
All the fun starts Friday at 5pm in the beer garden, where live music, and of course BBQ, can be found.
It’s a time for family, friends, and neighbors to get out and enjoy each other and the atmosphere.
You’ll also be able to stroll around the competition area as cook teams get ready for an all-nighter of cooking their best BBQ.
The Pit’s ‘Cuegrass Festival (April 24, 2024)
- Where: Fayetteville St and Hargett St
- Time: 12.00pm-6.00pm
- Cost: Free, but donations welcome
- Website: CueGrass.com
When you hear the words North Carolina, what do you think of? Barbecue and Bluegrass of course!
The annual ‘Cuegrass festival hosted by The Pit Authentic BBQ (Warehouse District) is a celebration of those two things with two stages of bluegrass music and Eastern Carolina style BBQ.
And beer! We can’t forget North Carolina’s great brews. You can get that too.
They are also partnering with Marbles Kids Museum to bring a Kids Zone with extra games, inflatables, and kids activities.
READ MORE: Where to eat the best BBQ in Raleigh
Brewgaloo (April 26-27, 2024)
- Where: Fayetteville St
- Time: Friday 6.00-10.00pm, Saturday 12.00-8.00pm
- Cost: ticket prices vary
- Website: ShopRaleigh.org/brewgaloo
Brewgaloo is back in its usual April position as a fun two-day event. Time to kick-off the season with a frothy head from one of the many breweries in Raleigh, plus taste beer from around North Carolina at the 2nd biggest beer fest in the USA and one of the best downtown Raleigh events!
The Friday Night Block Party features all-you-can-sample 3 oz pours. Tickets are $45 online in advance or $55 on the day of the event. You can come to the event for free, but you need tickets to participate in the sampling.
The Saturday Street Festival is FREE to enter, and drinks are available for purchase in 3 oz samples (2 tickets) or by the pint (5 tickets). Drink tickets will be sold in bundles of 15 or 25.
READ MORE: Get a taste of Raleigh at Brewgaloo (what to expect and how to have fun!)
Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival (April 27, 2024)
- Where: Bond Park, Cary
- Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: TownOfCary.org
The annual Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival returns in 2024 at the beautiful Bond Park. It’s a festival that celebrates an active lifestyle, community connectedness, and the artistry and creativity of our region.
Grab a local brew and wander around browsing the stalls of more than 170 local artists from across North Carolina. You’ll find art-paintings, jewelry, sculptures and more.
There are plenty of food vendors, activities for the kids and a stage with local music all day. We love Spring Daze, mostly for its stunnign forest location beside the lake!
READ MORE: Guide to Bond Park and Lake in Cary and our guide to the Spring Daze Arts and Craft Festival in Cary.
VIDEO: Spring Daze
Watch the video to see how awesome the Spring Daze festival – and beautiful Bond Park in Cary.
May
Star Wars Return Of The Jedi, Live Concert (May 2-4, 2024)
- Where: Meymandi Concert Hall
- Time: 7.30pm 2nd, 8.00pm 3rd and 4th
- Cost: from $85
- Website: https://www.ncsymphony.org/
We all know that May 4th is Star Wars day, so why not celebrate it in style by attending an evening watching Return of the Jedi on the big screen with the soundtrack backed by North Carolina Symphony and conducted by Conner Gray Covington.
There’s something about listening to the symphony of John Williams score live, with a violin concerto and brass band in the house, while watching Luke face Darth Vader for the final time.
You can also arrive early to meet the members of the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion!
This is a licensed Disney Concerts, 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd., and Warner/Chappell Music event.
43rd Apex Peakfest (May 4, 2024)
- Where: Salem St, Downtown Apex
- Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: ApexPeakFest.com
Time to celebrate the Peak of Good Living at the annual Apex Peak-Fest Festival.
It started 43 years ago as a small community day in a school parking lot and has since grown into the largest event in Apex that draws hundreds of vendors and over 22,000 people to Salem St in downtown Apex.
There is live music all day, artisan stores, entertainment for the kids, food and much more. Read our full guide to downtown Apex.
The Red Clay Ramblers 50th Anniversary (May 3rd, 2024)
- Where: Fletcher Opera Theatre
- Time: 7.30pm
- Cost: from $95.00
- Website: martinmariettacenter.com/
To celebrate 50 years of one of the longest running string bands in the USA, The Red Clay Ramblers will be performing the Fletcher Opera Theatre this May!
The band, hailing from Piedmont of North Carolina are a Tony Award winning band who are known for their nostalgic bluegrass, New Orleans Jazz, and Appalachian music.
This special anniversary show will be bringing their special sound and wide-ranging repertoire to the 600-seater venue in Raleigh and will be an unforgettable concert experience.
Animazement (May 24 – 26, 2024)
- Where: Raleigh Convention Center
- Time: various times each day
- Cost: $70
- Website: animazement.com
Raleigh truly has a festival and event to suit all interests and hobbies. This convention draws in 15,000 people wanting to celebrate Japanese visual culture of anime, with concerts, educational panels, limited merchandise, unique artwork, and more!
Artsplosure / Raleigh Arts Festival (May 18 – 19 2024)
- Where: Downtown Raleigh
- Time: Sat: 11.00am – 7.00pm; Sun: 10.00am – 6.00pm
- Website: RaleighArtsFestival.com
Artsplosure is another of the annual Raleigh events and features over 175 visual artists showcasing their original works in ceramics, glass, fiber art, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, wood and more.
There are also live music performances on the main stage, free arts and crafts for kids in the Kidsplosure section, and art installations throughout Fayetteville St.
It’s an easy and fun festival for supporting local art. Wander. Wonder. Buy some art and dance the jig a little!
Video: Raleigh Arts Festival
Read more events in May in Raleigh
June
International Food Festival (June 1st 2024)
- Where: Fayetteville St, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 11.00am – 9.00pm
- Cost: Free
Time to celebrate the vibrant cultures that make up Raleigh at the International Food Festival which takes place every year in June!
Discover over 30 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe showcasing their dynamic cuisines, as well as catch live performances, and an outdoor international dance party!
Out! Raleigh Pride (June 22, 2024)
- Where: Fayetteville Street
- Cost: Free
- Time: 11.00am – 7.00pm
- Website: OutRaleighPride.org
Join more than 66,000 people pouring into Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street to celebrate the LGBT community, our friends, and families.
The free event features live entertainment, local vendors and artists, great food, a Kids Zone, and a beer garden!
Out! Raleigh Pride is an important way to raise the necessary funds to support the LGBT Center of Raleigh and all of its 20+ amazing community programs.
Let’s get out and celebrate and support all people in our community.
Discover more Raleigh events in June and our Summer bucket list for Raleigh.
July
Festival for the Eno (July 4th and 6th, 2024)
- Where: West Point on the Eno River City Park
- Cost: starting at $10
- Time: 10.00am – 6.00pm
- Website: EnoFest.org
This may be in nearby Durham, but anyone living in Raleigh will definitely want to experience the legendary annual Eno Fest, held on the banks of the beautiful Eno River on Independence Day!
Held annually since 1980, this Festival is considered to be one of the premier folk and arts festivals in North Carolina and the Southeast.
It is enveloped in good juju and an important mission: to conserve and protect the natural environment, culture, and history of the Eno River basin. Proceeds support the association’s work in the upkeep of the river and the purchase of land within its watershed.
You can listen to about 40 artists from gospel to roots rock across four stages as well as browse the stalls of arts and craft vendors and food trucks and beer tents.
July 4th Celebrations, 2024
If you don’t want to dance beside the Eno, there are plenty of other Independence Day Celebrations across the Triangle. The City of Raleigh’s annual July Fourth fireworks will be held around the PNC Arena and Stadium Complex (PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium area).
In Cary, the pines at Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts the Town of Cary’s family-friendly July 4th Celebration with rides and games, watermelon-eating contests, a 50-foot Ferris wheel, live music and fireworks.
See more Independence Day events in Raleigh and the Triangle. We also like to go to a Durham Bulls game on July 4th (or close to it).
Galaxy Con (July 25 – 28, 2024)
- Where: Raleigh Convention Center
- Time: 2.00pm – 12.00am Thursday, 10.00am – 2.00am Friday and Saturday, 10.00am – 8.00pm Sunday
- Cost: From $40 for adults $20 for children
- Website: GalaxyCon.com
Where are the fandoms from across the galaxies? Do you love pop culture, gaming, fantasy, comic books and more?
You will want to devote four days this year at GalaxyCon Raleigh to celebrate your other-Universe adventures.
At one of the biggest events in Raleigh, you’ll be joined by celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, fan groups, panelists, and other fans dressed in their best costumes.
Discover more July Events in Raleigh.
August
Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival (Aug 2-3, 2023)
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
- Time: Fri 6.00pm-10.00pm; Sat 12.00pm-6.00pm (VIP), 2.00pm-6.00pm (general)
- Cost: $39 – $129
- Website: CaryBeerAndBourbon.com
Unbuckle those belts for two days of Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts!
Your admission buys you a souvenir sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon.
Apart from the overindulging you can shop for merch, play giant Jenga and cornhole, and dance to rock, blues, and bluegrass music. All held within one of our favorite venues in Wake County, Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
Related Post – 35 cool things for your Raleigh summer bucket list
CaribMask, Caribbean Carnival (August 17 2024)
- Where: City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 12pm – 8.00pm
- Website: caribmaskcarnival.com/
Caribmask is a day to celebrate the Afro-Caribbean culture in Raleigh. It began after COVID19 when social distancing measures enforced the use of masks.
The RDACA (Raleigh-Durham AfroCaribbean Association) saw an opportunity to promote diversity, equality and appreciation for Afro-Caribbean communities whilst still sticking to measures – and even though the pandemic is over, the tradition continues!
CaribMask is known for the carnival, which features samba dancers in elaborate and highly decorative costumes, as well as troupes/bands who drum to the tunes of their native lands.
The festival celebrates communities from 15 countries, and there are also food vendors on hand to cook up cultural delicacies.
After the parade, head to the main stage to see performances from great artists and DJs.
Kirby Derby (Aug 17 2024)
- Where: Dorothea Dix Park
- Cost: Free
- Time: 3.00pm – 9.00pm
- Website: https://kdd.gamil.com/
The Kirby Derby is one of our favorite quirky local events in Raleigh. To me, this event is what Raleigh community is all about – neighbors coming together to have fun as friends.
We will never forget this experience we had back in 2009 when a friend told us we had to come experience the Kirby Derby party in a small neighborhood near Pullen Park. It was wild.
It’s now grown so big it will be held in Dorothea Dix Park. The theme of 2024 is “Games People Play”, and will feature board games, field games, role playing games, olympic games and more which everyone is encouraged to take part in.
See our video from 2022! The theme was the Roaring Twenties – and they brought it to life!
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival (Aug 24 & 25, 2024)
- Where: Cary Town Hall Campus, Downtown Cary
- Time: 9.00am -5.00pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: TownOfCary.org
I like the Town of Cary’s annual Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival.
Now in its 40th year, this Cary festival is held across two days and features more than 300 artists from 16 states.
There are also multiple stages of live local music, a beer garden and food trucks.
Read more events in August in Raleigh
September
African American Cultural Festival (Aug 31 – Sept 1 2024)
- Where: Fayetteville St, Downtown Raleigh
- Cost: Free
- Website: http://www.aacfestival.org/
Held on Labor Day weekend, this Raleigh festival is held to celebrate African American culture through art, music, food, and dance.
An Art Gallery Wall will display works of local and national artists.
The festival has become Raleigh’s premiere destination for teaching, sharing and celebrating the distinctive folk and cultural traditions of African Americans in N.C. and from around the world.
Hopscotch Music Festival (Sept 5-7, 2024)
- Where: Various venues Downtown Raleigh
- Costs: From $129 for three days
- Website: HopScotchMusicFest.com
Earning notoriety as one of the country’s top music festivals is the Hopscotch Music festival, known for its eclectic music representation covering almost every genre —rock, hip-hop, metal, folk, electronic, experimental, and more.
It’s three days of music celebration with a spirit and atmosphere that has been likened to Mardi Gras.
The full line up for 2024 has yet to be released.
Asia Fest With Dragon Boat Racing (Sept 28 2024)
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater
- Time: 10.00am-5.00pm
- Cost: from $10
- Website: https://www.asianfocusnc.org/asiafest
The Greater Triangle Dragon Boat Festival, or Asia Fest, is a chance to celebrate Asian culture, diversity, and history.
What better way to do it than with dragon boat races on Symphony Lake, games, stage performances and unique ethnic street food?
IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival (Sept 24 – 28, 2024)
- Where: Red Hat Amphitheater and Downtown Raleigh
- Time: Various
- Cost: Free
- Website: http://WorldOfBlueGrass.org
We’re so sad that 2024 will be the last year IBMA World of Blugrass will be held in Raleigh. So grab your banjos and your free spirit and head to downtown Raleigh for some jamming!
One of the most popular free events in Raleigh, IBMA World of Bluegrass is an urban bluegrass music festival that closes out the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass Week in Raleigh. NC.
During the two-day festival, Fayetteville Street is closed down and features five blocks and six stages of music stretching from Martin Street to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
The festival features the best performers and musicians in the national and international bluegrass scene each year, including some new up and coming artists.
2024’s Bluegrass lineup includes: Sierra Ferrell, Steep Canyon Rangers with special guests Chatham County Line, Sierra Hull, Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Danny Paisley, Amythyst Kiah, and Crying Uncle.
The event also includes an amazing street festival complete with delicious food, a dance tent, a BBQ cook-off, an arts & crafts market and many other activities for all ages.
Read our full post sharing the World of Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh experience. See our Reel of the experience here.
You can also read more events in Raleigh in September, top festivals in the Fall in Raleigh, a Fall bucket list, where to see the Fall colors in Raleigh and best places for a Fall getaway from Raleigh.
October
Triangle Oktoberfest, Oct 2024
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary
- Website: TriangleOktoberfest.org
The largest Oktoberfest in Central North Carolina will celebrate its 10th year in 2024 – though dates and scheduled times have yet to be announced so stay tunes.
Oktoberfest is an authentic German festival focused on family fun, traditional Bavarian food and fare; and plenty of local and authentic German beers from Munich.
Of course, rest assured there will be Polka music to ramp up that Oompah vibe.
And I can tell you from my Oktoberfest experience in the beer halls of Munich that it is a fun event you’ll never forget. Raise your stein and get prosting!
Read more: 13 Places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Raleigh
Falling for Local (Oct 5, 2024)
- Where: Dorothea Dix Park
- Time: 11.00am – 6.00pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: ShopLocalRaleigh.org
We enjoy this festival filled with local makers and creators stalls, beer tents, live music from local artists, and activities for the kids, such as hayrides and pumpkin patches. It’s a great way to welcome in Fall while still soaking up the last warm rays of summer.
Buy your drink tickets in advance as the lines can get long. And note, last year the food truck lineup was ridiculous!
People were waiting for a long time, and many trucks had run out of certain foods, so it may be a good idea to bring your own picnic lunch!
Cary Diwali Festival (Oct 12, 2024)
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
- Time: 10.00am – 10.00pm
- Website: carysistercities.org/
The Cary Diwali festival includes music, dance, theater performances, a handicraft bazaar, Indian food vendors, sponsor booths, an exhibition of Indian art and culture, and activities for children.
It’s a celebration that marks the victory of good over evil, light over dark and the beginning of the New Year. It is one of the most widely celebrated religious and cultural events in Raleigh.
SAS Golf Championship (Oct 7 – 13, 2024)
- Where: Prestonwood Country Club
- Time: TBC
- Cost: $25 Daily Grounds Passes. FREE public parking at Bond Park with shuttle to the tournament main entrance
- Website: www.saschampionship.com
One of the biggest golf events in Wake County is the long-running annual PGA Tour Champions event held in Prestonwood Cary.
Some of golf’s best attend the SAS Championship. This golf event includes:
- Pro-Am event
- Food Truck Friday: some of the area’s best Food Trucks, plus live music, and youth entertainment
- 5K Saturday race: Enjoy the unique experience of running, jogging or walking along the official tournament course prior to the second round of play.
N.C. State Fair (Oct 17- 27, 2024)
- Where: NC. State Fairgrounds
- Time: Various, usually noon – midnight
- Cost: from $10 for general admission
- Website: NCStateFair.org
Are you ready for a HUGE North Carolina event held right in the heart of Raleigh at the State Fairgrounds? It is the largest annual event in North Carolina and last year, I felt every one of those million visitors that attended the 11-day fair.
Our tip is to arrive right on opening time. We arrived before even the rides had started which gave us a great opportunity to roam freely and then be first in line for the rides.
We had very little waiting time until around 1pm when all of Raleigh walked through the gates, and we walked right out! (and it meant we found parking in the side streets that was FREE!)
Bring plenty of cash as well. The NC State Fair will BLOW a hole out of your wallet. We’ll have a post coming soon with all our tips for making it work.
As the biggest of the annual Raleigh events, it is a lot of fun with high-flying rides, deep-fried foods, live music, stunt shows and other entertainment (including nightly fireworks). It’s definitely worth experiencing once.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to the North Carolina State Fair
Video: NC State Fair in Previous Years
NC Wine Festival (Oct 19, 2024)
- Where: Koka Booth, Cary
- Cost: $50-$75
- Website: ncwinefestival.com/home
Did somebody say wine tasting? You may be surprised at the state of wine in North Carolina.
For over 20 years, the NC Wine festival has been sharing NC wineries goodness with us all. Paired with your chardonnay will be music, food and live entertainment.
Discover more events in Raleigh for October.
November
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, Cary (Nov 22, 2024 through Jan 12, 2025)
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
- Time: 6.00pm – 10.00pm
- Cost: from $16
- Website: BoothAmpitheartre.com
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival has exploded in popularity over recent years. So plan well and buy your tickets in advance.
The festival has hundreds of larger-than-life lanterns on display creating an incredible, colorful adventure for you to walk through during the holiday season.
More than 15,000 LED lights make up 20 distinct displays, including a 200-foot-long, 21-foot-tall mythical creature that sits on Symphony Lake. We have a guide to the NC Chinese Lantern Festival in Wake County.
Raleigh Christmas Parade (Nov 23, 2024)
- Where: Hillsborough to Fayetteville St Downtown
- Time: 9.30am
- Cost: Free
- Website: GRMA.org
We love the Raleigh Christmas Parade. It’s incredible to see the extent people go to present their businesses or creative ideas on dozens of floats that include marching bands, twirlers, elaborately costumed Mexican dancers, cowboys and cowgirls riding through, hotted up cars, vintage cars, and of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
It is the largest Christmas Parade between Washington DC and Atlanta and has been a much-loved community event since it began in 1939.
The parade covers 1.4 miles beginning at Hillsborough Street at the intersection of St. Mary’s Street and ending at the bottom of Fayetteville St.
If you live in one of the smaller Wake County communities, check to see what your municipality is offering by way of Christmas parades. We know Cary and Apex both have a fun filled Christmas parade event.
If you don’t want to deal with the cold and crowds (60,000+), you can watch from home starting at 9:30 AM by tuning in to channel 11, or online at ABC11.com. Read our guide here.
Video: Raleigh Christmas Parade in Previous Years
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration (TBC 2024)
- Where: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
- Cost: Free
A great way to kick-off the holiday season is the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Raleigh at the Duke Energy Center.
The tree will be surrounded by the Triangle Pop-Up holiday market and a stage with live performances. You can do some Christmas shopping, have photos with Santa, and dance to a few Christmas tunes.
Check your local municipality for their annual tree lighting celebration as well. North Hills and Cary have popular ones. (you can of course visit them all!)
Read more events in Raleigh for November and the top Christmas experiences in North Carolina.
December 2024
Holiday Express at Pullen Park, (Nov 29 – Dec 19, 2024)
- Where: Pullen Park
- Time: From 5.00pm – 9.30pm
- Cost: From $16
- Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks/services/holiday-express
May the Holiday Express Ticket Gods be with you! Tickets go on sale mid-July and you want to be ready, they sell out faster than Taylor Swift (well, almost).
Pullen Park dresses up for the holiday season, festively decorated with thousands of lights and transformed into a holiday wonderland. There’s typically s’mores, hot chocolates, photos with Santa, a miniature train ride through the park and a fun carousel ride.
The past two years were canceled so keep an eye out for this year’s event and fingers crossed it’s the year for its return. Mostly suited to families with younger kids.
READ MORE: Guide to Pullen Park
Boylan Heights Art Walk, (Dec 3, 2024)
- Where: Boylan Heights neighborhood
- Time: Noon – 5.00pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: https://www.boylanheights.org/art-walk
We really love this small, local event in the neighborhood streets of Boylan Heights – one of the neighborhoods we’d most love to live in Raleigh.
Many of the home’s front porches and lawns are given to local artists to showcase and sell their work. It’s where I found my favorite local artist, Amy Friend, and her red thread drawings
It’s a wonderful way to support local artists and feel the community vibe of Raleigh. It’s also the prefect opportunity to grab a local coffee, meal, or drink from this area. We took my sister visiting from Australia, and friends visiting from Wisconsin, and they all loved it.
Our Tips:
- Coffee: Rebus Works (also have great art gallery and light snacks)
- Lunch: Wye Hill (also great for a drink)
- Drink: Vault Craft Beer
- Read our Neighborhood guide to Boylan Heights
Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour® (Dec 14 & 15, 2024)
- Where: Historic Oakwood District
- Time: 1.00pm – 7.00pm
- Cost: Tickets coming in Fall
- Website: HistoricOakwood.org
Get your tickets early for this classic Raleigh event held annually in December. Join the very popular walking tour of the Historic Oakwood Neighborhood for their annual Candlelight Tour. In fact, last time in 2023, it was a sold-out event most days, so keep your eyes on the events calendar in fall to get your tickets early.
We absolutely love it. It was created in 1972 in an effort to save the neighborhood from being torn down for new development.
Dozens of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman architectural style properties open their doors to guests to see their stunning interior designs filled with elegance and elaborate Christmas decorations, as well as learning more about the history behind each house.
This is one way to feel more connected to the Raleigh community and why it’s so great!
You need at least 4-hours to visit every home. Start (or end) with a drink at Pelagic Beer and Wine on North Person St, one of the coolest neighborhood watering holes in Raleigh. Read our guide to North Person Street for more ideas.
READ MORE: Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour and you can see our IG Reel for 2021’s event here.
Illuminate Art Walk, Raleigh (TBC 2024)
- Where: Downtown Raleigh
- When: After dark
- Cost: Free
- Website: https://downtownraleigh.org/illuminate
Born out of the pandemic and now a regular Holiday event in Raleigh is the highly enjoyable Illuminate Art Walk.
Parts of the Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South districts transform with large-scale, interactive and light-based art pieces that are unique and family friendly.
Grab yourself a coffee or hot chocolate, or thanks to Sip and Stroll maybe something a little stronger and enjoy the art displays on the streets and in storefront windows.
First Night Raleigh (Dec 31, 2024)
- Where: Fayetteville St
- Time: 2.00pm – midnight
- Cost: From $16
- Website: FirstNightRaleigh.com
First Night Raleigh, in downtown Raleigh, is North Carolina’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration and the main New Year’s Eve in Raleigh event.
Festivities begin with the outdoor musical performances and the Children’s Celebration at 2pm. We usually leave after the 7pm fireworks as it gets too cold for us to wait until midnight.
The night is capped off with music on the outdoor Main Stage, the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop, and spectacular fireworks show.
Read More: 13 top events for New Year’s Eve in Raleigh and more December events in Raleigh, top things to do for Christmas in Raleigh, and where to see the Christmas lights.
Final Thoughts on The Best Events in Raleigh
If you visit Raleigh for any of these festivals and events and need accommodation, the following reviews may help you decide on where to stay:
- Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh (perfect downtown location)
- The State View Hotel (a slice of serenity in Raleigh)
- More downtown Raleigh hotel options
You may also find our 48-hour itinerary guide on the best things to do in Raleigh handy for your trip to Raleigh.
There are plenty of parking garages in the city, and parking is free on the streets on weekends!
Be sure to share some of your favorite Raleigh events and festivals not to miss in the comments section below! Have an event you want to submit? Check our submission guidelines and options here.
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