Are you looking for fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend? This weekly update, hand crafted by us, will help you plan for memorable moments with your friends, family, or even just by yourself.
We update this post every Tuesday to share the weekly events in Raleigh this weekend and until the following Monday. We try to cover a wide range of interests and will include suggestions on things to do that aren’t event based, like visiting a museum, or taking a hike!
Our weekly list offers a variety of options, including events, festivals, concerts, activities for both kids and adults, sports and seasonal events. We have something for everyone!
And if the event is good enough, we’ll share fun activities in the surrounding areas of the Triangle, including Durham, Chapel Hill and our close municipalities like Cary and Wake Forest.
Fun things to do in Raleigh This Weekend
We’re kicking off June in a huge way this weekend with lots of incredible events: Think major golf championships, Pride Month Celebrations, Juneteenth celebrations, live music events and all you can eat food and drink! I want to be in ten different places at once!
We’ll be at the golf this Friday – so follow along on our Instagram!
Here’s our Summer Guide for Raleigh this year. There are lots of weekly events now opening up so be sure to check the ongoing events section below as we add in more each week! You can plan your month in advance with our June events guide for 2023.
We do our best to check information for each event is current. But please do your due diligence before visiting each event to check it’s not sold out, been cancelled, details changed, and of course, always check current prices! Check below for more ideas.
Fun Events in Raleigh this weekend
Don’t forget to keep scrolling too for the ongoing events in the next section!
- UNC Health Golf Championship, June 1 – 4, 2023 is at the Raleigh Country Club. Expect four days of exciting golf, fun events, and more! Watch the PGA Tour’s rising stars as well as seasoned professionals at the state’s only Korn Ferry Tour event.
- Jazz at the NCMA; Kirk Whalum and Chante Moore, June 1, 2023, at the NC Museum of Art outdoor theater. 7pm $31.50
- Dead & Company, June 1, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
- Plaza Pride Party is on Downtown Fayetteville St on June 2, 2023, Kicking off Pride month with 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! 6-9pm
- First Friday, June 2, 2023 at various locations in Downtown Raleigh. Art galleries and studios are open late with rotating exhibits and artist talks. First Friday is FREE and open to all.
- First Friday Market & Free Movie Night, Food Trucks & Live Music at Moore Square on Friday June 2, 2023. 5-9pm. Music by John Sierra and movie is Mama Mia!
- Dermot Kennedy, June 3, Red Hat Amphitheater
- Bubbles and Brisket is back at Smokey Hollows on Sat, June 3, 2023, it’s all you can eat brisket and, of course, drink bubbles! $75 standard ticket
- CAM Raleigh is hosting a Jubilant! A Juneteenth Concert featuring Negro spirituals, African American art songs and Black resistance music. Sat, June 3, 2023, 5pm. $20
- Summerfest: The Music of Whitney Houston is on at Koka Booth on Sat, June 3, 2023 at 8pm with the NC symphony
- So much eating to do this weekend. An unmissable event is the annual International Food Festival held on Fayetteville St this Sat June 3, 2023 Over 30 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe, live performances, and an outdoor international dance party! 11-9pm FREE admission
- Clyde Coopers will be hosting a BBQ, Brews & Tune event on Fri, June 2, 2023, 1:30 – 4:30pm Come eat, drink, and listen to some great local, live music! This months event will feature The Johnston Brothers Trio.
- The unique Ever After: Fairytales, Food, and Flower botanical adventure is on at Fred Fletcher Park, Sat June 3, 2023 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! 10am -3pm. Free
- Historic Raleigh Trolley ‘Pride Ride‘, June 4, 2023, at 1,2, and 3pm. 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. $12
- Celebrate Pride with yoga in the park! Join Current Wellness and the LGBT Center of Raleigh for this flow designed for all bodies. Sunday, June 04, 2023 , 10:00am-11:00am
- Triangle Restaurant Week, June 5- 11, 2023. Time to celebrate the culinary excellence of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Participating restaurants offer special three-course menu options and fixed pricing. No reservations, tickets or passes required. See participating restaurants here.
Ongoing Weekly Events in Raleigh in May
- Moore Square History Tour on Sundays at 2pm This free tour shares the 230-year history of one of the original 5 public spaces in Raleigh. Must book in advance.
- FREE Yoga Class at the City of Raleigh Museum on Saturdays @10am
- Yoga in the Park is at Dorothea Dix every Monday at 6pm It’s free but register in advance!
- Game on is on almost every second day in April. Enjoy a fun variety of giant games, lawn games, board games and MOORE!
- Ruth E Carter Afrofuturism In Costume Design Exhibit at the NC Museum of Art opens April 1 and continues until 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. $20
- Beer and Banjos is a free bluegrass music showcase, every Tuesday at 6:30pm at the Raleigh Times upstairs bar! Acts change each week.
- Open Mic at Goodnights every Tuesday at 7:30pm It’s your time to funny shine!
- Open Mics at Gizmo Brewery is on every Sunday from 3-6pm. Sit outside in the sun and enjoy the local talent on the outdoor stage with a cold brew.
- Wednesday Wine and Weeds at Raleigh City Farm is back for the warmer Raleigh months. It’s one of my favorite volunteering opportunities in Raleigh. Get your hands dirty in our Pollinator and Food Gardens while sipping wine and other tasty beverages compliments of Sweet Peas Urban Gardens!
- 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
- If you like walking tours, this Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls walking tour may be a hit for couples who love to get their SPOOK on. Uncover the lurking ghosts and spirits of Raleigh on a guided paranormal walking tour. Stand as close as you dare to the Heck-Andrews House and listen to chilling tales of this city’s dark history.
- Midtown Farmers’ Market at North Hills is on every Saturday in The Commons starting at 10am. See a guide to North Hill’s here.
- Holly Springs Farmers Market are on every Saturday 9:00-Noon at the Holly Springs Cultural Center
- Cary Downtown Farmer’s Market is on Saturdays, 9am – 12pm at 200 E Chatham Street
- Downtown Rolesville Market is on Saturdays 9am – 1:30pm along Main St.
- 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
- Brookside Bodega in Mordecai area will have musicians on their patio every Tuesday, 5-8pm. They have great food and craft brews too!
Have an event you want to submit? Here are our guidelines for event submission.
If you find this helpful, please share with your friends. You can subscribe to our free email community and get a free PDF download of our top festivals and events for 2023 (great for planning your epic year) and our summer bucket list!
But wait! We’ve got more ideas to help you plan your Raleigh weekend. If you can’t find things to do today in Raleigh, here are some more suggestions on things to do plus activities relevant for all year round.
Time to enjoy a Summer Garden Picnic
Spring is an sensory explosion! Time to soak up those colors and smells at the following Triangle gardens
- Sarah P Duke Gardens in Durham are stunning! Don’t miss the tulip garden.
- JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State
- The Raleigh Rose garden
- Here are five more lovely gardens in Raleigh
Want to go for a hike?
Any day is a good day for a hike, especially in Spring! Below are a few of our favorite trails in Raleigh. All of these are great for kids too:
- FOR LAKE VIEWS: The easy 3-mile paved loop around Lake Johnson
- FOR A FOREST IMMERSION: Loblolly Trail, Umstead State Park
- FOR UNIQUENESS: Hemlock Bluffs in Cary
- ART, NATURE & CITY: Enjoy this ultimate combo on the 6-mile one way Art to Heart bike trail
If these ideas don’t warm up your heart, choose one from this list of 25 trails in Raleigh to suit all levels and styles.
Rain in the forecast? Try these indoor activities
Don’t despair, if there is rain in the air, there’s plenty of activities in Raleigh this weekend you can do indoors:
- RALEIGH’S BEST ATTRACTION: We think the free NC Museum of Art is Raleigh’s best foot forward. If the sun peaks out head to their fantastic sculpture park for some outdoor fun!
- NC’S MOST POPULAR MUSEUM: The free North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is perfect for a rainy day for all ages. Learn more about the world we live in through fun exhibitions and interactive displays.
- FOR SPORTS LOVERS: The NC Sports Hall of Fame celebrates excellence in athletics and commemorates and memorializes exceptional accomplishments in sports. It’s located on the third floor of the NC Museum of History. Here is a list of our favorite sports bars in Raleigh, if you want to catch a game with other sports lovers on the weekend!
- FOR KIDS: You can’t go past Marbles Kids Museum for younger kids. Defy Gravity, Urban Air, and are two fun indoor amusement zones. You also can’t go past the movies, and bowling (check out King’s in North Hills) Here’s a full list of things to do with kids in Raleigh and a list of things to do in Raleigh with teens.
Looking for places to eat in Raleigh this weekend?
- BRUNCH. It’s the weekend, of course you want a long lingering brunch with peeps you love. Check out these memorable Raleigh brunch spots. We recently experienced the new brunch at Gringo a Go Go and highly recommend.
- BREAKFAST: If you want to be more traditional, here are some of our favorite breakfast places in Raleigh.
- Looking for a date night restaurant? We love Crawford & Son, Second Empire Tavern, Las Ramblas. See more date ideas here.
- MORNING COFFEES have never tasted so good at these Raleigh coffee shops the locals love!
- Want a view with that cocktail? Try these rooftop bars with a view.
Feel like a day trip?
Who wouldn’t? Vacations don’t always have to involve a plane trip and overnight stay. They can be refreshing adventures just a short car ride away. If you’re looking for getaways from Raleigh this weekend, consider these:
- JOHNSTON COUNTY: At only 20-40 minutes’ drive away, you’ll find a unique cultural escape in Johnston County. It’s not all farmland fun. There are vineyards, fantastic restaurants, and classy whiskey bars. Check out our date day experience in Joco and fun day out with kids. And don’t miss our 15 fun day trips from Raleigh.
- SMALL CITY BREAK: Full of art, culture, food, and local experiences, Durham is always a fun day trip from Raleigh. Here are some ideas on things to do in Durham.
What about Camping or a Beach Getaway
A trip to the beach works all year long! Just one look at the ocean and smell of the salty air reduces your urban stress levels. There are also several great spots near Raleigh for camping.
Check out our:
- one-day itinerary guide for Wrightsville Beach
- 12 great beaches near Raleigh
- Reasons to love Ocracoke Island
- 17+ things to do in Carolina Beach
- Lake Gaston RV Park: an easy camping getaway from Raleigh
- Kerr Lake: our favorite camping spot near Raleigh
Visiting Raleigh this weekend for an Event?
If you’re visit Raleigh from out of town for any weekly events, here are our recommendations for accommodation in downtown Raleigh.
- Residence inn Downtown Raleigh – fantastic location and big suites
- StateView Hotel – hidden away in a forest on NC State’s Campus
- Check out 10 of our short-term rental favorites
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 NC this weekend. Leave us a comment below if you have any events this weekend in Raleigh we should know about?
Tell us what you’re doing this weekend in Raleigh? Anything we missed or can include next week for you!
