The Best Events in Raleigh in April 2026: Your guide to a Fun month!

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The weather is getting warmer and the festivals have begun, and if you’re looking for fun things to do in Raleigh in April, read on down below as we’ve got you covered.

Girl taking photos of roses in a garden
The return of Spring – Raleigh Rose Garden

We always love the energy of April: filled with good hope and the enthusiasm for embracing the vibrant Raleigh lifestyle we all love. After making it through the long dark days of winter, it is time to get outside and party and embrace the fact that all the Raleigh events and festivals are back on.

For this post, let’s dive into what’s happening in Raleigh in this month of April. We can’t include everything and some events we don’t know about so please leave your ideas in the comments below for those reading this post. And get prepared for beyond April with our annual festival and events in Raleigh guide, our Raleigh Spring Bucket List our weekly events in Raleigh.

We also update our email community with more Raleigh events, news, cool finds and happenings, so be sure to join us. It’s FREE and the best way to keep connected. And you’ll get free printable checklists to help you plan a great year in Raleigh.

men dancing at festival

Featured: Reach, Rally & Run at Wake Tech 

Move Your Body, Support Raleigh Students

  • When: April 18, 2026
  • Where: Scott Northern Campus
  • Time: Check in opens: 7am | Race 9an – 10am

Looking for a fun spring race in Raleigh? Reach, Rally & Run combines community energy with a meaningful cause — supporting Wake Tech students through emergency aid. Walk, jog, or race and celebrate at the Runner’s Village. Choose the THIS IS RALEIGH team when registering to run/walk with us!

Learn More
Table Of Contents
  1. Featured: Reach, Rally & Run at Wake Tech 
  2. Week 1: April 1 – 5, 2026
  3. Go Green Match: NC Courage vs Portland Thorns (April 4, 2026)
  4. Week 2: April 6-12, 2026
  5. Featured: America250: Prelude to Revolution – Halifax Resolves Days
  6. WEEK 3: APRIL 13 – 19, 2026
  7. Week 4: April 21-30, 2026
  8. Ongoing events in Raleigh for April 2026
  9. Raleigh Event & Venue Guides

Week 1: April 1 – 5, 2026

Easter Weekend April 3 – 5, 2026

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it! There aren’t a lot of events happening for Easter – at least no major ones. You can have a look at our roundup of Easter Egg hunts and Easter events here (most happen at the end of March).

First Friday (April 3, 2026)

Two women standing in front of artwork on a wall.
CAM Raleigh
  • Where: Downtown Raleigh (various locations)

Looking for events in Raleigh this weekend? First Friday is a great way to get to know the culture of downtown Raleigh with lots of gallery openings, events, and ways to connect to community. This month will probably have a few extra Dreamville themed experiences. We have a complete guide to First Friday in Raleigh including the new events for the month.

Bands, Bites, & Boats (April 3, 2026)

people gathering by lake to listen to music
Bands, Bites & Boats

On the first Friday of every month, Bond Park Boathouse hosts musicians, food trucks, and after-hours boat rentals. What a great sunset experience to kick off the weekend.

  • The Band: Brian & Cheyenne
  • The Bites: Mr. Puebla Tacos | Hot Chix Chicken and Pancakes
  • The Brews: Fortnight Brewing Company

Go Green Match: NC Courage vs Portland Thorns (April 4, 2026)

Soccer game.
  • Where: WakeMed Soccer Park
  • When: 6:30 PM
  • Cost: $25+
  • Tickets: We have secured discounted rates for our readers on single tickets and season passes. Just click this link when purchasing to get the discount.

Celebrate Earth Month and sustainability at the NC Courage women’s soccer Go Green Match. Learn how the Courage and First Horizon Stadium are making a positive impact through sustainability efforts focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling. Plus, cheer on the Courage as they take on a rival in a can’t-miss matchup—all while supporting a greener future. The first 1,000 fans will take home a recyclable tote bag.

Concerts & Sporting Events this week in April

Week 2: April 6-12, 2026

men dancing at festival

Featured: America250: Prelude to Revolution – Halifax Resolves Days

Where the pathway to Independence began

  • When: Fri April 10 – Sun April 12, 2026
  • Where: Halifax Historic
  • Time: 10am – 5pm

Immerse yourself in the Revolutionary era as interpreters and historians bring 1776 Halifax to life in North Carolina’s biggest America250 celebration. In 1776, leaders meeting at the Fourth Provincial Congress in Halifax adopted the Halifax Resolves, making North Carolina the first colony to officially authorize its delegates to vote for independence from Great Britain, which helped pave the way for the Declaration of Independence later that year. 

Learn More

Friday Night on White (April 10, 2026)

Local residents dancing at a street festival.
Fun at Friday Night on White
  • Where: White St, Downtown Wake Forest
  • When: 6-9pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Not to be ignored are our neighboring friends in Wake Forest. Their outdoor monthly event Friday Night on White returns with free concerts, food trucks, and festivities. This month will be the band Bounce! Party Band. It’s a great opportunity to shop the local stores in their cute downtown! We’ve attended before and were impressed with the community feel, and how much fun everyone was having. What a fun place to live! Here’s our Wake Forest neighborhood guide if you’re thinking of moving here and a guide to downtown Wake Forest.

Peak City Pig Fest (April 10 & 11, 2026)

  • Where: Downtown Apex
  • Time: Fri, 5pm-10pm; Sat 11am – 9pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

The 11th Annual Bone Suckin’ Sauce Peak City Pig Fest is an April event in Apex filled with pig pickin, a beer garden, live music and plenty of BBQ. The NC family-owned Bone Suckin Sauce is the title sponsor of the event so you can be sure you’ll be enjoying their rubs and sauces on your mouth-watering BBQ. See our guide to Downtown Apex.

Historic Oakwood 35th Annual Garden Tour (April 11 & 12, 2026)

woman standing in back garden looking at house
Home in Historic Oakwood
  • Where: Historic Oakwood
  • Cost: $25
  • Tickets: HistoricOakwood.org (must be purchased in advance)

On our Spring event calendar every year is the Historic Oakwood Garden Club tour. It’s the perfect way to embrace the floral joy of season in one of our favorite neighborhoods!

On this tour you visit six hand-selected private gardens on a self-guided 1.5-2-mile walking tour. And guests will be treated to a curated tea selection to complement the beauty of springtime yards in bloom. The gardens change every year, so don’t worry if you’ve been in previos years, it will be different! This year, check-in will be at 401 E Jones St, due to renovations at the Tucker House.

See more photos and tips in our guide to the Historic Oakwood Garden Tour. We also love their Christmas Candlelight Tour – a regular holiday season event for us! We typically combine it with food or a drink in North Person St before or after!

2026 Pimento Cheese Festival (April 11, 2026)

pimento cheese festival
fries loaded with bacon and pimento cheese

Enjoy the nation’s only festival dedicated specifically to pimento cheese! Join more than 35 food vendors at Downtown Cary Park to savor the flavor of incredibly unique pimento cheese infused dishes – including pimento ice cream. There’ll also be performances, activities, food trucks, and beer gardens!

We loved this unique spring festival last year, although be warned it’s hugely popular. That’s the busiest I have seen the park! This was where we discovered the food truck, Not Just a Fry Guy and their delicious, loaded fries. (of course, load them with pimento cheese) They’ve quickly become some of our favorite fries in Raleigh AND they are 100% gluten free!

Concerts & Sporting Events this week in April

WEEK 3: APRIL 13 – 19, 2026

Midtown Beach Music Series, April 16, 2026

People sitting on camp chairs listening to a band on stage
Midtown Beach Music Festival
  • Where: Midtown Park
  • Time: 6-9pm
  • Cost: $7.50
  • Tickets

North Hill’s Midtown Beach Music Series kicks off for the spring for its 17th season with the North Tower Band (they bring the energy). The live music series is on every Thursday until June. Great news – this year they are extending the season with three additional shows. This is a fun community event to enjoy live outdoor music with friends, neighbors, and co-workers. You may hear beach music and might think it’s for the older gen! Not at all. This event is for all ages. We attended last year and couldn’t believe how many young adults there were having an absolute blast tearing up the dance floor. This is such a fun Spring event in Raleigh.

  • April 16th North Tower Band
  • April 23rd The ToneZ
  • April 30th Jim Quick & Coastline

Cary Taco ’N Taps Festival (April 18, 2026)

Time to slip into South of the Border fiesta spirit at the 6th annual Taco ‘N Taps Festival. It’s an all you care to test event with the Triangle’s Best Tacos and Mexican Food, the best dancing music from Triangle Area DJs, margaritas, piñata punching, contests and many other surprises. Read our guide to the Koka Booth Amphitheater!

The Pit’s ‘Cuegrass Festival (April 18, 2026)

people listening to live music at raleigh cuegrass festival
The Cuegrass!
  • Where: Fayetteville St and Hargett St
  • When: 12pm-6pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website: CueGrass.com

The annual ‘Cuegrass festival (16th year) hosted by The Pit Authentic BBQ in Downtown Raleigh is a celebration BBQ and Bluegrass (and beer!) Marbles Kids Museum will host a Kids Zone with extra games, inflatables, and activities. 100% of the funds raised at ‘Cuegrass will go directly to our beneficiaries: SAFEchild and the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Freedom Ride Rescue, and Western North Carolina Hurricane Relief.

Children’s Day Festival (April 18, 2026)

  • Where: Downtown Cary Park
  • Time: 1pm – 7pm
  • Cost: FREE
  • Website

The Children’s Day Festival of Cary is organized by the American Turkish Association of NC in order to help develop an appreciation for the colorful mosaic of cultures in our area.  The event will be for families, and it will include stage performances by children, entertainment, face painting, and hands-on crafts activities, and food trucks.

Concerts & Sporting Events this week in April

Week 4: April 21-30, 2026

Adult Recess, April 23- 26, 2026

  • Where: Fred Fletcher Park
  • Time: 2-8pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

No more hard adulting! The fourth Annual Adult Recess Festival provides you the opportunity to make new friends, welcome newcomers to Raleigh, and supporting local, small Black-owned businesses! The adult ONLY playground comes with an adult size sandbox, “Lego-Land,” Chess game, co-ed sports, sidewalk chalk art, swings, yard games, arts & crafts, cards, board, and trivia games, and so much MORE

Y’all Means All NC Beer Festival, April 25, 2026

rbc brewing raleigh edited
Man drinking a beer at a brewery in front of a painting
Raleigh Brewing
  • Where: Raleigh Brewing Company (93707 Neil St, Raleigh)
  • Time: 12pm – 5pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Event page

Y’all Means All NC Beer Festival was created with a simple goal: to celebrate craft beer in a way that actually reflects the full community behind it. Enjoy NC craft beers, shopping with local vendors, food trucks and live music at our festival where everyone is welcome. The 16 local breweries attending include Trophy Brewing, Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing and Raleigh Brewing Co.

Brewgaloo (April 24 & 25, 2026)

brewgaloo raleigh beer festival 6 1
  • Where: Fayetteville St;
  • When: Fri: 6-10pm, Sat 2-10pm
  • Website

Brewgaloo’s Friday Night Block Party features all-you-can-sample 3 oz pours. Tickets are $45. Many of the beers featured Friday evening will not be available during Saturday’s event. You can attend the event for free – the sampling is what costs money! 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.

Raleigh Earth Day (April 24, 2026)

  • Where: Flower Field, Dorothea Dix Park
  • Time: 4:00 pm – 800 pm
  • Cost: FREE
  • Website

Let’s work and create a more sustainable Raleigh. Head to Dorothea Dix this Earth Day to discover environmentally conscious vendors and organizations, alongside live music, games, and activities suitable for everyone. The event will culminate with a family-friendly movie screening and include Environmental Awards & Trashion Show.

Town of Apex Earthfest, April 25, 2026

Apex EarthFest is an engaging, interactive festival for our local community, offering ways to learn about, participate in, and celebrate our planet. This year’s celebration includes:

  • Clothing exchange
  • Sustainable Fashion Show
  • Scrap Exchange Accessory Making Booth
  • Recycled crafts with fashion designers 
  •  Workshops and Book Talks
  • Screening of the documentary, Refabricate

Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival (April 25, 2026)

People exploring an arts festival under tents within the forest
Spring Daze

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. The Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival is one of our favorite festivals in the Triangle.

READ MORE: Guide to Bond Park and Lake in Cary and read our full guide on how to enjoy the Spring Daze Arts and Craft Festival in Cary.

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day (April 25, 2026)

  • Where: Downtown Cary Park (Frantz Square Lawn)
  • Time: 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
  • Cost: FREE
  • Website

Enjoy a special series of Tai Chi classes showcasing a variety of traditional styles. From flowing, meditative movements to dynamic, martial-inspired forms, each session offers a unique way to cultivate balance, strength, and inner calm. What a unique and peaceful way to spend your day exploringe the richness and diversity of this ancient art in a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.

CaryLive! (TBD)

nicotine dolls on stage at downtown cary park
Nicotine Dolls at CaryLive!

Why not head straight from Springfest to Downtown Cary Park for one of my favorite outdoor live music venues in Wake County? We’re so lucky to have this amphitheater with fantastic lighting and sound, plenty of space to sit on blankest or lawn chairs (with picnics) and enjoy free live music from up-and-coming acts.

I loved these experiences last year and still listen to the music I heard from two artists that performed. CaryLive! is a monthly concert series from April to Oct (I wish it were more than once a month! The acts have not yet been announced, but I’m sure they’ll be great. Here is our guide to Downtown Cary Park.

SpringsFest (April 25, 2026)

  • Where: Holly Springs Towne Center
  • Time: 10am – 4pm
  • Cost: Free

Gather together with the Holly Springs community. Springsfest is an annual outdoor festival featuring food trucks, live music, a beer garden, kid’s activities and a car show! Last year over 12,000 people attended.

Raulston Blooms and Plant sale (April 25, 2026)

Pink colored plant
Looks like a piece of art
  • Where: JC Raulston Arboretum
  • When: 10am-3pm
  • Cost: Free for members and students with University ID, $5 for nonmembers, $10 per family
  • Website

If you have not yet visited one of Raleigh’s best gardens, the JC Raulston Arboretum in West Raleigh, take this as your sign to go. This day is packed with garden and nature activities, shopping, and outdoor fun. Includes education displays, gardening talks, a maker’s market, demonstrations, food trucks and NC Howling Cow ice cream (one of our favorite ice creams in Raleigh). Press play to watch the video of the gardens.

Concerts & Sporting Events this week

Ongoing events in Raleigh for April 2026

Now Spring has sprung, there are many events happening throughout the month on a regular schedule.

  • Live at Lake Raleigh is a free, family-friendly concert series from local NC artists that is held on the picturesque shore of Lake Raleigh. Food trucks will begin serving at 5pm. Bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and non-perishable foods that will be donated to Feed the Pack’s food pantry. Check out how beautiful Lake Raleigh is!!
    • April 9: Duck
    • April 23: Kaira Ba with Jennifer Curtis
  • Historic Yates Mill County Park will have corn grinding demonstrations and costumed tours every Sunday and Saturday until November. Register here. They also have a lot of wonderful programs in April the kids will love. See our guide on this wonderful Raleigh Park and a pretty trail to do after your tour.
  • Midtown Makers Market every Third Tuesday curated evening market in the North Hills Innovation District that showcases local makers, artisan, and small businesses alongside neighbors and live music 5pm – 7:30pm
  • Pay what you want farmstand and Wine & Weeds every Wednesday at Raleigh City Farm. This is a great way to connect to Mother Earth and community!
  • The free Live in the District Music Series is on every Thursday evening (6:30 -9pm) at Park West Village in Morrisville. Enjoy live performances from the best beach music artists in the state, along with local food trucks and your favorite craft breweries!
  • Wellness Wednesdays at North Hills offers fitness opportunities for local community during the spring. Midtown Park 6-7pm.
  • Pop up music in North Hill will be on every Friday evening Pop-Up Music is intended to provide background ambiance in common areas across North Hills. The series will offer a total of twelve acoustic music events, showcasing a variety of genres from artists local to the area. The spring series will run from April 3 to May 31, 2026. On Fridays, it’s in the Commons 6pm – 9pm and Sundays in Midtown Park 2pm – 5pm See artist schedule.
  • New to 2026 is the Spring version of North Hills Kids! Usually only in the summer, this free multi season series offers playful learning, movement, and outdoor fun for families. Held in the Commons every Tuesday April 7 – May 12, 2026; 9:30am – 11am See schedule of events
  • Live at Lunch Spend every second Thursday enjoying lunch at Downtown Cary Park with live local musical performances as the melodious backdrop for the break in your day. 11:30am – 1:30pm

Interested in attending a festival or event outside of the Triangle? Check out this list of top festivals in North Carolina.

Raleigh Event & Venue Guides

If visiting a venue or special event in Raleigh, these guides may help with your planning.

Hotels in Downtown Raleigh

Exterior view of a hotel.
CASSO Hotel

If you’re visiting Raleigh from out of town for any April events, here are our recommendations for accommodation in Downtown Raleigh.

If you are visiting from out of town and have a few extra days, here are some guides to help you plan out your days exploring Raleigh:

There you have it. Please share in the comments any other Raleigh events and festivals you are aware of for the month of April?

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