The Best Events in Raleigh for May 2024: Your Fun Guide!

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The pollen is over, and the trees are in full bloom. It’s Marvelous May in Raleigh! When environmental conditions are perfect for celebrating outside!

We’re sharing what we think are some of the of the best events in Raleigh for May.

Also tell us in the comments what you are doing this month? It’s helpful for the readers coming after you to discover more cool things to do in Raleigh and surrounds.

Don’t forget to get prepared for beyond May by checking out our annual list of festival and events in Raleigh guide, our Spring events guide, and our guide to what’s happening this weekend in Raleigh.

We also update our email community every Friday 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.

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Table Of Contents
  1. Featured Events for May
  2. National Bike Month
  3. WEEK 1: May 1st – 5th, 2024
  4. WEEK 2: May 6 – 12, 2024
  5. WEEK 3: May 13 – 19, 2024
  6. WEEK 4: May 20 – 26, 2024
  7. Week 5: May 27 – 31, 2024
  8. North Carolina Festivals you May Like
  9. Visiting Raleigh this weekend for an Event?

Featured Events for May

men dancing at festival

Featured: Chatham Rabbits in the Sanctuary

  • Where: Ridge Road Baptist Church Sanctuary at The Ridge
  • When: May 4, 2024; Doors open 5:30pm / Music starts 7:30pm
  • Cost: $25

The Chatham Rabbits have added a special stop on their 2024 Tour to play in the elegant sanctuary venue of Ridge Road Baptist Church.

This musical duo draws inspiration from a tapestry of North Carolina traditions with an uplifting blend of Americana, folk, and bluegrass music.

This performance will mark the launch of The Ridge, an exciting new community endeavor presented by Ridge Road Baptist Church. This new event space welcomes diverse groups to join together as neighbors to enjoy concerts, plays, dance performances, festivals and more!

This promises to be an unforgettable evening of music in an intimate setting.

Learn More
men dancing at festival

Featured: Longleaf Film Festival (10th Anniversary)

Time to celebrate North Carolina through film in Downtown Raleigh as you watch movies, meet filmmakers and enjoy popcorn. This two-day festival includes multiple film screenings, Movies-N-Moonlight, socials, panels, awards and a Wrap Party – all of which is free.

All films screened demonstrate a Tar Heel State connection, through the people involved in making them, their filming location, or through their subject.

  • Where: North Carolina Museum of History
  • When: 
    • Friday, May 10, 2024: 3pm – 10pm
    • Saturday, May 11, 2024: 9am – 11pm
  • Cost: FREE
Learn More

National Bike Month

Lake Lynn Trail, Raleigh, North Carolina
Riding the Lake Lynn Trail

May is national bike month. And with over 100 miles of paved and unpaved trails over 270 miles of protected stream corridors, Raleigh has a bike trail for you! Plus, there are endless lake trails to enjoy on a bike as well.

We plan on using May as motivation for us to peddle and explore this month, so be sure to follow our Instagram to see what we discover.

At the top of our list is the Neuse River, White Oak Creek, and Tobacco Trail. Leave your tips in the comments – including anywhere we can stop along the way for a coffee or something to eat.

We recently joined a brews and burger bike tour on the Neuse River Trail with Triangle Adventures. Be sure to mention ThisIsRaleigh for 10% discount when you book! Click here for more.

Biking trail posts:

A few favorite trails so far on video:

Get inspiration for Bike Month with these trails we captured on video:

WEEK 1: May 1st – 5th, 2024

Raleigh Night Market, May 1, 2024

The Raleigh Night Market is on monthly (first Wednesday) and features over 100 local artisans, bakers, vintage sellers, and more! 10+ food trucks, live entertainment, games, and even a bier garden!

But wait! It’s not just Raleigh that gets the night market, other areas in Wake County do as well.

  • Cary is every third Friday (May 17) in the new Downtown Cary Park

Juniper Level Botanic Gardens Open Days, May 3- 5 & May 10 & 12 2024

woman sitting on bench in juniper garden

It’s spring blossom time at the Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, a 28-acre campus in south Raleigh. The private gardens showcase more than 27,000 different kinds of native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights and unusual specimens of trees and shrubs not found many (or any) other places on earth. This gorgeous garden in Raleigh is only open to the public 8 weekends a year.

We highly recommend you make use of this opportunity to visit this hidden gem in Raleigh. There are even hidden waterfalls. Read our full guide to Juniper Level Botanic Gardens with more photos.

First Friday, May 3, 2024

Looking for events in Raleigh this weekend? First Friday is a great way to get to know the culture of downtown Raleigh. We have a complete guide to First Friday in Raleigh including the new events for the month.

Bands, Bites, & Boats, May 3, 2024

people gathering by lake to listen to music
Bands, Bites & Boats
  • Where: Bond Park, Cary
  • Time: 5:30-7:30pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

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.

  • Band: My Cousin Skinny
  • Bites: Baltic Bites & goldenKdog
  • Brews: Fortnight Brewing

Holly Springs International Food Festival, May 3, 2024

  • Where: Holly Springs Cultural Center
  • Time: 5-9pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Head down to Holly Springs Food Festival for cultural performances, food, and beverages from more than 12 countries. Pick up an event passport as you Wine and Dine, collect stamps along the way from your travels while you encounter seven scenic photo opportunities.

Alice and Wonderland and Balanchine’s Who Cares? presented by Cary Ballet Company, May 4, 2024

Ballet dancer performing on stage.
Photo Credit: West Australian Ballet. Who Cares?
Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
  • Where: AJ Fletcher Opera Theatre, in the Martin Marietta Center
  • When: 1pm and 6pm
  • Cost: $40 – $45
  • Tickets

The prestigious Cary Ballet Company proudly presents their enchanting evening of new, classic and contemporary dance: The Spring Works Production

Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of George Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” and be transported to a whimsical world with Jill Bahr’s captivating interpretation of “Alice in Wonderland.”

The company’s talented dancers will bring these iconic works to life, showcasing the beauty, grace, and storytelling prowess that define the art of ballet.

After the 1pm performance, there will be a special Alice in Wonderland VIP Experience where you can meet characters and have photos with them.  Here is the link to reserve your spot in the VIP Experience for a $25 donation.

Read full article about the Cary Ballet Spring Works Production

Apex Peakfest, May 4, 2024

A view of a city street
Downtown Apex
  • Where: Salem St, Downtown Apex
  • Time: 9am – 5pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website: ApexPeakFest.com

Time to celebrate the Peak of Good Living at the annual Apex Peak-fest festival. It started 42 years ago as a small community day in a school parking lot and has since grown into an event 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 MORE: A Guide to Downtown Apex (eat, play, shop)

Meet in the Street, May 4, 2023

Aerial photo of a rooftop wine bar.
White St, Wake Forest

This premier arts & crafts, music and food festival will include more than 100 artisan booths featuring handmade items for sale, dozens of food trucks, live music throughout the day, a children’s village filled with activities for kids, and more.

I love how they have a Young Entrepreneurs Fair supporting local young entrepreneurs ages 9-14 as they sell their handmade items alongside the professional artisans.

 New this year is our second stage near the Young Entrepreneurs Fair featuring local acoustic bands! 

Here’s our guide to Downtown Wake Forest if you want to do some exploring while there!

Respectfully celebrate Cinco De Mayo, May 5, 2024

Man standing with a glass of Margharita.
Gringo a Go Go

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle was an important symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination.

While Cinco de Mayo is not an official Mexican holiday, it is still celebrated in parts of Mexico as a way to remember the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Puebla. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular celebration of Mexican culture, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

It’s important to choose respectful, culturally sensitive, and festive ideas you can use for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Make the holiday about the history and avoid anything that reinforces racial or cultural stereotypes, including:

  • Wearing any type of “Mexican” costume (sombreros, ponchos, etc.)
  • Wearing a fake mustache
  • Speaking in a fake Mexican accent
  • Using this as an excuse to drink margaritas and do tequila shots

Instead:

  • Learn the history of Cinco De Mayo and share it with your kids
  • Wear the colors of the Mexican flag (red, green and white) and put up colorful decorations
  • Read literature by Mexican authors. I’ve previously enjoyed River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan is a Mexican American, Indigenous poet and novelist from the Southwestern desert.
  • Support Mexican owned businesses and enjoy delicious food from their restaurants. We love Gringo a Go Go, Gonza Tacos y Tequila, and 13 Tacos and Taps in North Raleigh.

Sporting Events & Concerts this Week

WEEK 2: May 6 – 12, 2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all our moms and caregivers. We hope you have a special day with a well-deserved break and much love and attention. Click for ideas on what to do for Mother’s Day in Raleigh

Longleaf Film Festival, May 10 & 11, 2024

people sitting outside history museum at night watching films
  • Where: North Carolina Museum of History
  • Time: Various
  • Cost: Free (and free popcorn!)
  • Website

Support local filmmakers at the free Longleaf Film Festival at the North Carolina Museum of History. See dozens of films that have a Tar Heel State connection either through the people involved in making them, their filming location, or through their subject.

There’ll be multiple screens and filming locations as well as workshops, socials, and the presentation of awards, and a wrap up party!

Sporting Events and Concerts this week

WEEK 3: May 13 – 19, 2024

Disney Presents The Lion King (Touring), May 15- 30, 2024

  • Where: DPAC, Durham
  • Time: Various
  • Cost: $29.50+
  • Tickets

More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, and now you can, too, when the Triangle’s best-loved musical returns to DPAC. We’ve seen this musical on Broadway NYC and it was fantastic.

Raleigh Fashion Fest Spring ’24, May 16, 2024

raleigh fashion fest
Photo courtesy of Raleigh Fashion Fest
  • Where: Smoky Hollow
  • Time: 5-9pm
  • Cost: $0-$40
  • Tickets

Raleigh Fashion Fest is an annual local fashion show with food and shopping! This year will feature a pet fashion show, interactive experiences including VIP exclusives, and live music.

Got to Be NC, May 17 – 19, 2024

  • Where: NC State Fairgrounds
  • Time:
    • Fri: 12-10pm
    • Sat: 9am-10pm
    • Sun: 9am-8pm
  • Cost: Gate admission and parking is free
  • Website: GotToBeNCfestival.com

Three great days of down-home celebration North Carolina-style with Carnival rides, tractor pulls, animal exhibits food and drinks. Some activities have a cost associated with them.

Inter-Tribal Pow Wow 2024, May 18

  • Where: Dorothea Dix Park
  • Time: 11:30am-6:30pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Celebrate the legacy and culture of North Carolina Indigenous communities with a day of competition dancing, music, and vendors showcasing the incredible legacy and culture of Indigenous communities living in North Carolina today.

Blues and Brews Festival, Durham, May 18 2024

  • Where: Durham Central Park
  • When: 5pm – 10pm
  • Website: $20 – 60

If you missed Brewgaloo in Raleigh in April, you have a chance to get in on the UNLIMITED 12 oz. pours from North Carolina’s finest breweries. Be careful now! Also includes beer and wine and awesome live music featuring Johnny Sansone, The Nighthawks and the Otis Kings

Artsplosure (Raleigh Arts Festival), May 18 – 19, 2024

People looking at large colorful balls surrounded by city buildings at an arts festival
Artsplosure

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! Read our guide to Artsplosure.

Video: Artsplosure 2022

Click play on the video to see what the Artsplosure experience is like.

Sporting Events and Concerts this week

WEEK 4: May 20 – 26, 2024

Carolina Fear Fest, May 24 – 26, 2024

  • Where: Jim Graham building, NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC
  • Cost: $40+
  • Website: carolinafearfest.com

Calling all horror fans. Get your thrills and chills at this annual event, which was Raleigh’s first horror convention. The event will feature unique vendors, celebrity guests, panels, entertainment, and photo opps! This year, celebrity guests include David Arquette, Bill Moseley, and Heather Langenkamp.

Animazement, May 24- 26, 2024

  • Where: Raleigh Convention Center
  • Time: various times each day
  • Cost: $65
  • Website: animazement.com

Raleigh truly has a festival and event to suit all interests and hobbies. This anime convention will celebrate Japanese visual culture with concerts, educational panels, limited merchandise, unique artwork, and more! If you’re looking for a hotel near the convention center, our top pick is the Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh.

NC Sugar Rush, May 26, 2024

  • Where: City Plaza Downtown Raleigh
  • Time: 12pm-7pm  
  • Website

Calling all sweet teeth! This is a Raleigh event dedicated to those sugar highs. You’ve got five hours of dessert treats like Italian ice, donuts, beignets, ice cream, cupcakes and more. There’ll be live music and dancing to help balance it out.

Sporting Events and Concerts this week

Week 5: May 27 – 31, 2024

Live After Five, May 29, 2024

  • Where: Fayetteville St
  • Time: 5-8pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Back for Season 2 is Live After 5 is a popular monthly concert series that started over 20 years ago in Downtown and returned last year It’s family-friendly and full of local vendors, food trucks and drinks.

This year’s theme is Celebration of Women in Music with evenings dedicated to women in music, showcasing the diverse talents and empowering voices shaping the industry.

Sporting Events and Concerts this week

North Carolina Festivals you May Like

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t take a quick trip from Raleigh to the following North Carolina festivals happening this month.

RALEIGH VENUE GUIDES:

Visiting Raleigh this weekend for an Event?

overview of a hotel building
Residence Inn, downtown Raleigh

If you’re visit Raleigh from out of town for any weekly 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 itinerary guides to help you plan out your days exploring Raleigh:

There you have it, all the cool things to do in Raleigh this month in May Leave us a comment below if you have any events this weekend in Raleigh we should know about?

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