Summer is really happening now! Big Raleigh events and festivals are much quieter in July, but live music, theatre, and concerts are in huge demand! People are flocking to cool down at our nearby lakes, and a little further to our NC beaches, and the sunflowers are getting ready to bloom!
This month we have plenty of fireworks, festivals, and outdoor movies! Down below we’re sharing what we think are some of the best events in Raleigh for July.
Please tell us in the comments at the bottom what you are doing this month in Raleigh? It’s helpful for the readers coming after you to discover more cool things to do in Raleigh and the Triangle area!
And, don’t forget to get prepared for beyond July by checking out our annual list of festivals and events in Raleigh guide. We also share our top picks for things to do in Raleigh this weekend, every Tuesday.
Join our free email community so you don’t miss these updates and more! You can also get access to our free seasonal checklists!
July 4th Events in The Triangle
Instead of listing out all the events here for Independence Weekend, I have written an entire post outlining some things to do for July 4th in Raleigh. Click that link to find everything from lake chillaxing to baseball, hot dogs and fireworks.
Sunflower Fields
I cannot believe it’s been a year already! It feels like yesterday that Savannah and I were twirling around the sunflower fields in Dorothea Dix Park.
Be ready for those giant yellow orbs following the sun. Dorothea Dix is predicting a mid-July bloom!
Here is our guide to where you can see the sunflowers in Raleigh
JULY MUSIC CONCERTS
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:
- Don Toliver – Thee Love Sick Tour 2023 with Pi’erre Bourne July 2, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Barenaked Ladies, July 4, Red Hat Amphitheater
- The Revivalists + The Head and The Heart with Jamie Wyatt, July 6, Red Hat Amphitheater
- LL Cool J, July 8, PNC Arena
- Tears for Fears, July 8 Coastal Credit Union
- Summerfest: Tango Caliente July 8, Koka Booth
- Matchbox 20, July 12, Coastal Credit Union
- Billie Strings, July 13, Koka Booth
- Riley Green July 14, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Young the Giant with special guest Milky Chance & Rosa Linn July 16, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Summerfest: The Catalinas July 16 Koka Booth
- YUNGBLUD: The World Tour with special guests The Regrettes and Games We Play July 18, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Jake Owen with special guest Niko Moon July 20, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Godsmack and Staind, July 20 , Coastal Credit Union
- Louis Tomlinson: Faith in the Future World Tour 2023 July 21, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Dominic Fike: Don’t Stare At The Sun Tour July 23, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Dirty Heads – Island Glow Tour July 27, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Walker Hayes with special guest Ingrid Andress and BRELAND July 28, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Counting Crows Banshee Season Tour with special guests Dashboard Confessional July 29, Red Hat Amphitheater
Sporting Games in July
You know there are too many baseball games to mention, so be sure to check the schedules for the Durham Bulls and Carolina Mudcats.
Here are the professional soccer matches not to miss at Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary:
- North Carolina Courage vs. Houston Dash, July 1, 7:30pm
- North Carolina FC vs. Forward Madison FC, July 15, 7pm
- North Carolina FC vs. Sunderland A.F.C., July 21, 7pm
- North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit, July 22, 7pm
- North Carolina FC vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, July 26, 7pm
- North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride, July 29, 7pm
Week 1: JULY 1 – 9, 2023
Festival For The Eno, July 1 And July 4, 2023
- Where: West Point on the Eno River City Park
- When: 10am – 6pm
- Website: EnoFest.org
- Tickets: $35 p/day or $60 for 2 day pass
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.
SouthEast Crab Feast, Jul 1, 2023
- Where: Lake Wheeler Park
- Time: 1 & 4pm
- Cost: $17.50+
- Website: southeastcrabfeast.com
The beach is coming to you this summer with the Southeast Crab Feast with a celebration of the Low Country Coastal Heritage of outdoor cooking of fresh seafood.
This event offers ALL YOU CAN EAT fresh Blue Crabs, one side of Fish & Chips, Music and a Family Friendly Environment for the entire family.
Proceeds go towards nonprofit organizations like St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
Fireworks celebration at Dix Park, July 4, 2023
- Where: Dorothea Dix Park
- When: 5pm / Fireworks @ 9:30 pm
- Website: raleighnc.gov/fireworks
How exciting that this beautiful city park will be the location of Raleigh’s fireworks?
Bring your blankets, chairs, coolers, and picnics. There will be favorite games, like cornhole, music, and fireworks. The Family Zone will have Art activities with Artsplosure; Slides, skee ball, and a foam party pit!
There will be 30 food trucks.
Parking is off-site with free shuttles running between Moore Square and Dix Park.
Don’t miss these other Independence Day celebrations and ideas for enjoying July 4th.
First Friday, July 7, 2023
- Where: Downtown Raleigh (various locations)
- Website: downtownraleigh.org
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.
- Sir Walter Coffee has drink specials, games on the patio and DJs for their Coffee House Sessions.
- State Of Beer hosts an artisan mini market.
- Taverna Agora has a Greek night with food, drink, songs and dancing!! Oompah!
- Designed for Joy offers tours of their studio on First Fridays where you can also shop their wonderful brand of leather handbags, jewelry and home décor in the Warehouse District.
- First Friday Night Markets is also on at Moore Square with local growers and makers plus entertainment and a free outdoor movie after sundown hosted by the City of Raleigh!
Bands, Bites, & Boats, July 7, 2023
- Where: Bond Park, Cary
- Time: 6-8pm
- Cost: Free
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: Currie Wayne Clayton, Jr.
Bites: Egg Rolls & The Blue Window
Brews: Brüeprint
Week 2: July 5 – 10, 2023
Outdoor Films: Grease and Dirty Dancing, July 7 & 8, 2023
- Where: Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the Museum Park, North Carolina Museum of Art
- Time: 8:30pm
- Cost: Free members/ $7 non-members
- Website: ncartmuseum.org
Enjoy two classic outdoor moves at the NCMA this week.
July 7 will be GREASE and July 8, DIRTY DANCING. Two of my all-time favorites.
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.
You can bring in water bottles, but no other outside food or beverage. There are snacks and beverages for purchase.
Week 3: July 10- 16, 2023
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, July 13 -23, 2023
- Where: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh
- Time: 7:30pm; 2pm on Sundays
- Cost: $12- $22
- Tickets
Shakespeare’s legendary comedy features lovers in trouble, mischievous fairies, and a troupe of well-meaning, but possibly incompetent actors. Directed by Aaron Alderman, this outdoor production will feature a “fae” dark fairy take on the beloved classic with live music and more.
Week 4 July 17 – 23, 2023
Camp out, Durham Bulls, Jul 17 & 29, 2022
- Where: Durham Bulls Athletic Park
- Time: 6:35pm
- Cost: $32
- Website: www.milb.com/durham/
Ready for a unique and fun camp out experience in the Triangle? The Durham Bulls has a special Camp Out package this month. For just $32, you’ll get a terrace view seat for the game and fireworks, get to camp at the ballpark after with s’mores, and enjoy a breakfast in the morning.
Week 5 July 24- 31, 2023
NC Theatre Presents Mary Poppins, July 25 – 30, 2023
- Where: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
- Time: 7:30pm
- Cost: $34.29 to $94.29
- Tickets:
How can you not believe in the magic of Mary Poppins? Tell me you didn’t try and fly with an umbrella when you were young!
This musical is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft that makes this the must-see musical of the season.
Galaxy Con, Raleigh, July 27-30, 2023
- Where: Raleigh Convention Center
- Time: Various
- Cost: Starts at $35
- 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.
Foodie Friday at Dix Park, July 28, 2023
- Where: Dorothea Dix Park
- When: 5-8pm
- Cost: Free
- Website
Foodie Friday is a great opportunity to meet with family & friends or wind down with work colleagues.
Sample Raleigh’s Street food and enjoy local musicians in beautiful Dix Park! Music line up coming soon!
Guided Trolley Tour, July 29, 2023
- Where: Chapel, Dorothea Dix Park
- Time: 12-2pm
- Cost: Free
- Website
This free, 2-hour, 3.5-mile trolley tour will cover the history of the buildings, land, and legacy of Dorothea Dix Park.
