June Events 2023: What’s happening in Raleigh this month?

Summer is finally here! Whether you’re planning to hit the beaches, cool off in the mountains, or stay in Raleigh and enjoy all the incredible summer festivals and events and things to do, we’re here to help with lots of ideas on our blog and social channels.

Down below we’re sharing what we think are some of the of the best events in Raleigh for June. This month we have many events celebrating Juneteenth and Pride!

Let us know in the comments 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 surrounds.

And don’t forget to get prepared for beyond June by checking out our annual list of festivals and events in Raleigh guide.

June Getaway Ideas

Now the weather is warming up, why not go on a fun outdoor getaway or enjoy an easy day trip from Raleigh over the weekend? Here are a few ideas for you:

• 12 Great Beaches under 3 hours from Raleigh
• Things to do on an Ocean Isle Beach Vacation
• 11 Reasons to Visit Ocracoke Island
• 15 Fun Day trips from Raleigh
• Camping at Kerr Lake
• Top places to go in the North Carolina mountains
• A night at the Durham Bulls Baseball

Pride Month

Raleigh is transforming into a more welcoming LGBTQ Southern city, and June is one way we can keep growing this. June is Pride Month so let’s put extra attention into celebrating our LGBTQ community and the rich diversity it brings to the City of Oaks.

Here are a list of recourses, businesses, and community programs that support and celebrate the LGBTQ community. Please leave a comment with any more you know of.

• You can find a list of Pride Month events here.
• House of Swank has a great Raleigh Pride T-Shirt
• Legends Nightclub is the oldest and most well-known in Raleigh
• Ruby Deluxe is an this underground bar with drag shows and brunches, themed danced parties and local bands.
• The LGBT Center of Raleigh is a resource and community gathering space in the Warehouse District. The LGBTQ Center’s objective is to “serve, empower, and advocate for the LGBTQ community’s well-being.”
• Stonewall Sports Raleigh Inc. is a nonprofit LGBTQ & Ally sports league whose mission is to ensure that everyone can participate in organized sports and feel comfortable being themselves.
• The Green Monkey is a gay-owned bar downtown in Hillsborough St that sells unique gifts made by local craftsmen and includes a neighborhood bar where all are welcome. The business also hosts a variety of activities, including bingo, quizzes, and drag performances. They are hosting Pride events all month long.

June 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:

• Dead & Company, June 1, Coastal Credit Union
• Dermot Kennedy, June 3, Red Hat Amphitheater
• TLC, Shaggy En Vogue, Sean Kingston, June 7, Coastal Credit Union
• Subtronics, June 9, Red Hat Amphitheater
• Summerfest: Fire & Rain Songs of the 70s, June 9, Koka Booth
• Ricardo Arjona June 11, PNC Arena
• Noah Kahan ; June 14, Red Hat Amphitheater
• Dierks Bentley, June 16, Coastal Credit Union
• Pixies, June 16, Red Hat Amphitheater
• Rebelution, June 17, Red Hat Amphitheater
• Summerfest: Classics Under the Stars, June 17, Koka Booth
• Summer Jam 2023, June 23, Koka Booth
• Peter Frampton, June 24, Red Hat Amphitheater
• NC Symphony: Harry Potter vs Star Wars, June 24, Koka Booth
• KIDZ BOP, June 30, Coastal Credit Union

If you’re looking for accommodation for these concert evenings, check out our downtown Raleigh hotel picks, with our current favorite the Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown.

Sporting Games in June

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. Orlando Pride, June 17
• North Carolina FC vs Lexington, June 18
• NC Courage vs Racking Louisville FC, June 24
• North Carolina FC vs Charlotte Independence, June 30

WEEK 1: June 1- 4, 2023

UNC Health Golf Championship, June 1 – 4, 2023

• Where: Raleigh Country Club
• Time: First tee off 6:50-7am – 7pm Thurs/ Fri and 5pm Sat Sun
• Cost: $20+
• Tickets

Watch the PGA Tour’s rising stars as well as seasoned professionals at the state’s only Korn Ferry Tour event is on in Raleigh. It’s the primary pathway for golfers seeking to earn their PGA TOUR card.

Featuring 156 pro golfers, and players with local ties, including Ben Kohles, who grew up in Cary and has won two tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour this year. Other local players expected to play include Ryan Gerard and Carter Jenkins, who both played golf at UNC-Chapel Hill. It’s going to be a fun four days with lots of activities and events on apart from the golf.

Plaza Pride Party, June 2, 2023

• Where: Fayetteville St
• Time: 6-9pm
• Cost: Free

Join in the first Pride First Friday to kick-off LGBTQ Pride Month! It’s a family-friendly celebration of Raleigh’s queer community with live entertainment, a local vendor market, the unveiling of our public art installation Rainbow River, and more!

First Friday, June 2, 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.

This month there are so many things happening including:

• Artspace is celebrating a full night of Pride with live music from XOXOK, painting workshops, DJ Gay Agenda, and drag performances. 
• 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 decor 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 – Mama Mia after sundown hosted by the City of Raleigh!
• Clyde Cooper’s BBQ has live music to go with their ‘cue!

First Friday is one of our monthly date nights. See more date ideas for Raleigh here.

BBQ, Brews & Tunes, June 2, 2023

• Where: Clyde Cooper’s BBQ Downtown Raleigh
• Time: 1:30pm-4:30p,
• Cost: Free admission
• Website

Come eat, drink, and listen to some great local, live music! This months event will feature The Johnston Brothers Trio.

Bubbles and Brisket, June 3, 2023

• Where: Smoky Hollows
• Time: 2-6pm
• Cost: $75 for standard ticket
• Tickets here

Created on the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, ‘Bubbles and Brisket’ is a collaboration of chefs, pit-masters, wine producers, sommeliers and brewers, pairing sparkling bubbles with a variety of cooking techniques and side dishes that feature everyone’s favorite: brisket. 

Jubilant! A Juneteenth Concert, June 3, 2023

• Where: CAM Raleigh
• Time: 5pm
• Cost: $20
• Website

Celebrate Juneteenth through art and song. Featuring Negro spirituals, African American art songs and Black resistance music. Featuring vocalists Corey Leak, Monique McLeod, Brenda Vandervort-Miller, storyteller/poet Joy Vandervort-Cobb, and accompanist Chris Colón.

International Food Festival, June 3, 2023

• Where: Fayetteville St, Downtown Raleigh
• Time: 11-9pm
• Cost: Free to enetr
• Website: eventbrite.com

Time to celebrate the vibrant cultures that make up Raleigh. Over 30 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe, live performances, and an outdoor international dance party!

Ever After: Fairytales, Food, and Flower, June 3, 2023

• Where: Fred Fletcher Park
• When: 10am-3pm
• Cost: Free
• Register

A unique botanical adventure where you shop for local produce, get your home and garden ready for the summer with plants, and try delicious food samples. There are arts and crafts, and Fairytale character meet and greets in a garden tea party setting for the kids!

Historic Raleigh Trolley ‘Pride Ride’, June 4, 2023

• Where: Mordecai Historic Park
• Cost: $12
• Time1,2, and 3pm
• Website: raleighnc.gov

This Pride Ride on the historic Raleigh Trolley will highlight historic locations, neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and other points of interest throughout the city as they pertain to the city’s LGBTQ community.

WEEK 2: JUNE 5-11, 2023

Triangle Restaurant Week, June 5- 11, 2023

Time to celebrate the culinary excellence of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

During Triangle Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer special three-course menu options and fixed pricing. No reservations, tickets or passes required. See participating restaurants here.

Geek and Grub Market (Love & Rainbow Edition), June 10, 2023

• Where: Mordecai Historic Park
• Time: 6-10pm
• Cost: Free

Geek out at this market with food trucks and vendors and geeky merchants. This is the Pride Love and Rainbow edition of this regular event. For mature audiences only after 8pm!

Apex Pride Festival, June 10, 2023

• Where: Apex Town Campus, 73 Hunter Street
• Time: 11am-5pm
• Website: apexnc.org

The annual Apex Pride Festival is held in celebration of our LGBTQ+ community members and loved ones. Come out for a day of inclusion, music, food, games, vendors, and activities!

Let’s celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, families, and community members.

WEEK 3: JUNE 12-18, 2023

Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads, father figures, and caregivers. We hope you have a special day with a well-deserved break and much love and attention. We’re leaving this week for a four week Europe trip to France. Italy, Germany, Austria, and Hungary. You can follow along on @ytravelblog

Fairytale Costume Showdown and the Princess Bride Movie Night, June 16, 2023

• Where: Moore Square
• When: 5-9pm
• Cost: Free

Whether you’re a princess, a knight, a mythical creature, or a character from a fantasy saga, come on down for a showdown on the Moore square runway and compete for prizes.

After the showdown, sit back and enjoy our special screening of ‘The Princess Bride.’ As always, we will have food trucks, family games and shopping!

Friday Fish Fry, June 16, 2023

• Where: Dorothea Dix: Harvey Hill
• Time: 4pm to sold out

To celebrate Juneteenth, Chef James Guilford, a third-generation pit BBQ cook from Princeville, NC, will start the activities for Dorothea Dix Park with a Friday Fish Fry and fire up his pit to begin cooking authentic wood-fired eastern North Carolina BBQ for Saturday afternoon. 

Fish sandwiches with vinegar-based coleslaw along with lemonade for $10.

Juneteenth Jou 2023: A celebration of freedom and gospel music, June 16, 2023

• Where: NC Museum of Art
• Time: 7pm
• Cost: $63 Members, $70 Nonmembers 
• Tickets

This special event features the Clark Sisters, John P Kee, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Charles Jenkins, a Grammy-recognized vocalist.

Juneteenth Celebration at Dorothea Dix Park, June 17, 2023

• Where: Dorothea Dix Park
• Time: 1-6pm
• Website: dorotheadixpark.org

 Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy an afternoon of family entertainment with musical performers, vendors, guest speakers, kids’ zone, and exhibits. The celebration begins with a cannon salute by United States Colored Troops reenactors.

Liberation Station Bookstore Grand Opening, June 17, 2023

• Where: 208 Fayetteville St
• Time: 11am – 3pm
• Cost: Free
• Register

The grand opening of North Carolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore will include a ribbon cutting, Storytime, and notable children’s book authors signing.

Pride Bar Crawl, June 17, 2023

• Where: Whiskey Rose Raleigh
• When: 3-10pm
• Website:

The 6th Annual Pride Crawl – Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, join this colorful adventure and paint the town rainbow together!

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people.

Father’s Day Original Downtown Murals & public Art Tour, June 18, 2023

• Where: 300 S Salisbury St
• Time: 10:30am-12:15pm
• Cost: Pay what you want (tip the guide)
• Register

This informative and entertaining walking tour is perfect for Dad and the entire family to see some of Raleigh’s best and most vibrant large scale art works!

WEEK 4: JUNE 19-25, 2023

N.C. Hops Festival, June 24 2023

• Where: Jim Graham Building at North Carolina State Fairgrounds
• Time: 2-6pm
• Cost: $45 / $10 DD
• Website: shoplocalraleig.org

We’re beer tasting again! No matter the month, it seems there is a beer festival to match. This month takes us to the showgrounds for the annual NC Hops Festival featuring NC craft beverages, live music, local makers, and food trucks!

For one price, you can responsibly enjoy unlimited samples of NC beer, cider, seltzers, and more. See you there!

Out! Raleigh Pride, June 24, 2023

• Where:  Fayetteville St
• Time: 11am – 6pm
• 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. 

WEEK 5: JUNE 26-30, 2023

ONGOING RALEIGH EVENTS in June

• Spiders: Fear to Fascination; June 18- Oct 8, 2023 at the Museum of Natural Sciences, 10am-5pm Spiders is a conversation we have with many people in Raleigh when they find out we’re Australian! Well, you can satisfy that curiosity and itch that fear at this exhibition that spins an immersive tale, revealing how this incredibly diverse group of animals has evolved and survived for 300 million years.
• Jazz at the NCMA will be held frequently during June. Head to this page to see who is playing and when. The Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the Museum Park—is situated at the heart of the Museum campus amid gardens, meadows, woodlands, and site-specific art installations and sculpture.
• A Little Princes is on at Willaim Peace University from June 9 – Sun June 25, 2023. The classic story of Francis Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess is reinvented into an original adaptation for Sweet Tea Shakespeare audiences.
• Historic Yates Mill County Park will have corn grinding demonstrations and costumed tours every Sunday and Saturday until November. 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.
• Tongue & Groove Open Mic is on every second Sunday at the VAE Gallery downtown. Poets, musicians, storytellers jump onto the stage to co-create a night of ephemeral art. FREE!
• Want to see a two-time Academy Award winner’s costumes? Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” will open to the public at the North Carolina Museum of Art on April 1 – Aug 6, 2023. This exhibit features 60 original costumes from films like “Black Panther,” “Amistad,” “The Butler” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.
• 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!
• Wellness Wednesdays are back at Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park from 6 – 7pm $5
• Midtown Beach Music at the Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park in North Hills is on every Thurs until June 22, 5-9pm $5
• Moore Square Market is back every Sunday now until October 22, 2023. Pick up your local produce and treats, meet up with friends, and enjoy live music at Moore Square Market!​. 11am – 3pm
• Raleigh Night Market will be on June 7 and 11 at City Market. Find locally-made goods and enjoy a night filled with music and entertainment with Triangle area artisans, food, and drinks