You know we’ve now arrived at the time when Raleigh experiences only three temperatures: hot, hotter, and hottest. Yep, summer in Raleigh can be intense, but we personally love it.
You might be trading in the hiking boots and bike helmets for ice cold ales in an air-conditioned Raleigh brewery. I kinda get it, but I’m still a crazy person that goes hiking looking like I just walked through a sprinkler and feel pretty darn good about myself!
There are still plenty of things to do in Raleigh, so don’t hide away! We have a Raleigh Summer Bucket List with lots of ideas to enjoy the rest of summer. (Leave a comment with your recommendations!) And we have this guide on the best places to paddleboard in Raleigh.
Don’t forget evenings are the perfect time to get out. The intense heat disappears (kinda) a nice breeze could be blowing, and the summer skies are just beautiful. We recommend the Durham Bulls baseball or an outdoor concert at any one of our incredible outdoor venues.
It’s back to school month so good luck to all our families and a big Braveheart rallying “freeeeedom” cry to our parents. You can read more about navigating Wake County schools, or listen to this podcast with useful information about Wake County Schools and here are all our tips from years of homeschooling.
For this post, let’s dive into what’s happening in Raleigh in this month of August. 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! We also have weekly Raleigh events post where we share more of the smaller local events as well as the top festivals and events you see here.
- Have an event you want to submit? Check our submission guidelines and options here.
- Get prepared for beyond August with our festival and events in Raleigh guide
- 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.
We sometimes share personal things happening for our family during the month. Simply because our community loves following what we are doing (live on Instagram). Our lives are dedicated to exploring, discovering cool things to do in Raleigh and just living large.
Concerts in Raleigh, August 2023
To make it easy for you to find the cool music events happening each month, I’m creating a separate section to list them out. Leave a comment to tell me what’s missing from the list and what you’re most looking forward to:
- Sam Smith: Gloria the Tour, August 1, PNC Arena 8pm
- Eric Church: The Outsiders Revival Tour, Aug 4, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- Jason Mraz: The Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, Aug 4, Red Hat Amphitheater
- The Rocket Man Show: Tribute to Elton John, Aug 4, DPAC, 8pm
- Slightly Stoopid and Sublime with Rome wsg Atmosphere, The Movement, Aug 5, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Too $hort & More, Aug 6, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- Disturbed: Take Back Your Life Tour, Aug 7, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- Foreigner – The Historic Farewell Tour, Aug 8, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- Lindsey Stirling, Aug 8, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Tyler Childers: Send in the Hounds Tour with S.G. Goodman, Aug 13 , Red Hat Amphitheater
- The All-American Rejects – Wet Hot All-American Summer Tour, Aug 14, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Queens of the Stone Age – The End is Nero, Aug 15, Red Hat Amphitheater
- 50 Cent: The Final Lap Tour, Aug 15, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- Pentatonix – The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina, Aug 19, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
- 3 Doors Down – Away From The Sun Anniversary Tour Aug 26, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Pepe Aguilar Presenta Jaripeo Sin Fonteras Aug 27, PNC Arena, 8pm
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper: Freaks on Parade 2023 Tour Aug 29, Coastal Credit Union Music Park
NCFC & NC Courage SOCCER, 2023 August
- Where: Wake Med Soccer Park, Cary
- Website: www.nccourage.com and www.northcarolinafc.com
Time to support our local soccer teams (men and women). We are still yet to check this off our summer bucket list. It’s always a great evening out. Here are a list of games for the month of August:
- Aug 12: North Carolina FC vs. Greenville Triumph SC, 7pm
- Aug 26: North Carolina FC vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 7pm
- Aug 27: North Carolina Courage vs Chicago Red Stars, 2pm
Carolina Mudcats Baseball
- Where: Five County Stadium, Zebulon
- Website: www.milb.com/carolina-mudcats
Y’all know we love a baseball game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Those living closer to East Raleigh will love the option of supporting the Carolina Mudcats who play in Zebulon.
- Aug 8 – 13, Vs Selmarva
- Aug 22 – 27 vs Columbia
- Aug 29- Sept 3, vs DownEast
Week 1: Aug 1 – 6, 2023
Tessellate: Light & Shadow Installation at Dix Park July 24 – August 28
- Where: Dorothea Dix Park
- Time: Early Evening
- Cost: Free
Interact with Tessellate, an immersive installation with light and shadow by artist Oliver Lewis. Animate the shadows by spinning dials on sculptures and bringing to life a 1000-square-foot artwork.
Raleigh Night Market, Aug 2, 2023
- Where: Moore Square
- Time: 5-9pm
- Website: www.raleighnightmarket.com
Sliding into our Summer Bucket List this year is the Raleigh Night Market. Now is your chance to check it off. You’ll find more than 80 local artisans, food vendors, beer, wine and cocktails, and live music.
But wait, there’s more. The Raleigh Night Market spreads itself around Wake County.
Check these locations and dates for a neighborhood near you.
Jazz in the Square, Every Thursday in August
- Where: Moore Square
- Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Cost: Free
Jazz in the Square is a free concert series featuring live jazz performances by local musicians. There will be food trucks on-site and wine & beer for sale,
Bands, Bites, & Boats, Aug 4, 2023
- Where: Bond Park, Cary
- Time: 6-8pm
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: Carson Mac
Bites: Buff-O-Lina & Crispy Gyoza
Brews: Southern Peak
First Friday, Aug 4, 2023
- Where: Downtown Raleigh (various locations)
- Website:
Looking for events in Raleigh this weekend? First Friday is a great way to get to know the culture of downtown Raleigh.
It is celebrated on the first Friday of each month at locations throughout downtown. Art galleries and studios are open late with rotating exhibits and artist talks. First Friday is FREE and open to all.
Here are a few events for this August. 2023
- Clyde Cooper’s has Music Bingo and BBQ.
- Crude Bitters has free berry shrub tasting.
- Designed for Joy has tours and shipping.
- Moore Square has markets, food trucks, and The Princess and the Frog movie showing.
- The Hightide Salon has a charity show for the Carolina Abortion Fund.
Beer, Bourbon And BBQ Festival, Aug 4-5, 2023
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
- Time: Fri 6pm-10pm; Sat 12pm-6pm (VIP), 2pm-6pm (general)
- Cost: $39 – $129
- Tickets
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.
Outdoor Summer Movie, Aug 5, 2023
- Where: Flowers Field
- Time: 7-11pm
- Cost: Free
- Website
Enter Raleigh’s own Enchanted Forest for an open air showing of Dreamworks’ Shrek! Come dressed as your favorite character or maybe just bring some gumdrop buttons.
Week 2: Aug 7- 13, 2023
Atlantic Tire Championships (Tennis) August 7-13, 2023
- Where: Cary Tennis Park
- Time: Various
- Cost: $10+
- Website
If you love tennis, you may want to check out this annual tennis tournament in Cary. I can’t tell you much about it as the website is terrible and gives no information. I’ve heard through the grapevine it’s fun though!
Friday Night on White, Aug 11, 2023
- Where: White Street, Wake Forest, 6-9pm
- Website: wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events
This summer monthly event is back with Stone Age Romeos performing live. Bring your chairs and blankets, grab some food from the food trucks, and a beer form the tent. You can even dine at one of the restaurants or wander through the downtown stores.
50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, Sneaker Party, Aug 12, 2023
- Where: Raleigh Union Station
- Time: 6pm
- Cost: $50+
- Tickets
Celebrate the history of Hip Hop Music with the City of Raleigh Museum at Raleigh Union Station! Come out in your best hip hop fashion and dance the night away with legendary hip hop artists and DJs!
Made Market, Aug 12, 2023
- Where: Historic Market Hall, City Market
- Time: 10am-5pm
- Cost: Free
Made Market is Raleigh’s finest curated handmade market, showcasing the best makers from Raleigh and the surrounding region.
Skywatching: Perseid Meteor Shower, Aug 12, 2023
- Where: The Big Field, Dorothea Dix,
- Time: 9-11pm
- Cost: Free
- Registerhttps://dorotheadixpark.org/event/skywatching-perseid-meteor-shower-0
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center staff and volunteers from the Raleigh Astronomy Club will set up telescopes so guests can view the Perseid Meteor Shower.
Week 3: Aug 14 – 20, 2022
FEATURED LISTING: MIXTAPE presents “That’s My Jam!”, August 18, 2023
- Where: AJ Fletcher Theater (Martin Marietta Performing Arts Center)
- Time: 8pm
- Cost: $30- $50
- Purchase Tickets
There was no decade like the ‘80s & ‘90s and no party like THAT’S MY JAM! with MIXTAPE. Throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray on that hair – because it’s time to party like its 1989!
Expect a highly energetic show with fun costumes, light, video content to match renditions of 80s and 90s favorites from Billy Idol, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Michaeal Jackson, The Cure, Madonna and more! Reserve your tickets here!
Paid Listing
CaribMask, Caribbean Carnival, August 19, 2023
- Where: Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 12pm – late
- Website: www.caribmask.com/home
No 2023 details announced yet, but last year it was six events held over four days to help celebrate the Afro-Caribbean culture in Raleigh. Expect a parade, masquerade dress, live music, dancing and Caribbean food and drinks.
Kirby Derby, Aug 19, 2023
- Where: Dorothea Dix Park
- Time: 3:30pm
- Cost: Free
- 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. Come along to see all manner of hand built, gravity-powered cars disguised as everything from sharks to cake slices barrel downhill to the tune of cheering neighbors, all racing for the Kirby Cup.
This year’s theme is Holidayzed and Confused. Celebrate YOUR favorite holidays, known or obscure though they might be.
See our video from 2022! The theme was the Roaring Twenties – and they brought it to life!
Week 4: Aug 21-31, 2023
Free Friday at Mordecai Historic Park, Aug 25, 2023
- Where: Mordecai Historic Park
- Time: 10am – 3pm
Mordecai Historic Park will offer free tours throughout the day on this special Friday! Tours include the Mordecai House, Andrew Johnson’s birthplace, St. Mark’s Chapel, & the Allen Kitchen. Tours begin on the hour & half hour and are limited to 20 people per tour. Tours are only offered twice a year, so don’t miss it!
The Secret Garden Soiree, Aug 26, 2023
- Where: Fred Fletcher Park,
- Time: 12pm – 8pm
- Cost: $25 – $100
- Tickets:
Experience some of Raleigh’s favorite food trucks, local vendors, and favorite R&B vibes. Includes a complimentary glass of champagne from The Secret Garden Soiree Wall.
NC Vintage Bazaar, Aug 26, 2023
- Where: Raleigh Convention Center
- Time: 11am-7pm
- Cost: $5-$20
- Tickets
The North Carolina Vintage Bazaar is the state’s biggest vintage clothing and thrift convention! Featuring over 130 vendors selling every single type of vintage, you’re bound to find a treasure that you love.
Packapalooza, August 26, 2023
- Where: Hillsborough St
- Time: 2-10pm
- Cost: Free
- Website: packapalooza.ncsu.edu
Packapalooza is all about welcoming NC State Univeristy students back for the new college year with an all-day block party and street festival.
They will have everything it takes to celebrate in NC State style, including great music, activities throughout the day, and fun entertainment for the whole family.
Last year, Raleigh-based alternative country band American Aquarium headlined the event (although a huge storm interrupted it!) There will be food and beverages available for purchase.
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Aug 26-27, 2023
- Where: Cary Town Hall Campus, Downtown Cary
- Time: 9am -5pm
- 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: A weekend Getaway in Downtown Cary
Inter-Tribal Pow Wow, August 26, 2023
- Where: Big Field, Dorothea Dix
- Time: 11:30am – 6pm
- Cost: Free
- Website
Experience a day of competition dancing, music, and vendors showcasing the incredible legacy and culture of Indigenous communities living in North Carolina today.
Night Nation Run 2023, Aug 26
- Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater
- Time: 5:30pm
- Cost: $34.99+
- Website: nightnationrun.com/raleigh
The Night Nation Run is the World’s 1st Running Music Festival an ultimate blend of a Music Festival and a Fun Run.
This running course that has selfie stations, live DJs, neon lights, and bubble zones. At the finish line you can cool down with a concert featuring top headliner DJs.
Let us know in the comments any events in Raleigh you’re attending this month? What have we missed?
