Creativity comes alive in the City of Oaks, where you’ll discover an exciting selection of art galleries in Raleigh, NC showcasing established and up-and-coming artists. Visitors will also find pop-up events, local craft fairs, and festivals to truly experience this thriving, artistic city. Our North Carolina hotel is nestled in a convenient and connected area, making it easy to immerse yourself in Raleigh’s arts and culture. Consult this list of venues, museums, and art galleries in Raleigh, NC to find something for visionaries of all ages to enjoy.
Rotating Art Shows & Festivals in Raleigh
Pop-up art shows and temporary installations add excitement to the art scene around Raleigh. Browse seasonal craft fairs during holidays for gifts and decorations, visit annual festivals to celebrate culture, and keep a pulse on what’s new and interesting in the art world by visiting temporary exhibits and shows.
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit | 6240 Glenwood Ave.
Experience Van Gogh like never before in this immersive art exhibit. This mesmerizing digital show features 20,000 square feet of lights and sounds showcasing two-story projections of Van Gogh’s most famous works. Discover the inspiration behind his paintings in a visual VR experience, learn about this influential artist with an interactive, museum-like feature, and create your own painting to be projected on the walls. The Pleasant Valley Promenade where this attraction is on display offers plenty of free parking, plus there are a variety of restaurants and shops nearby to turn this visit into a day-long adventure. Visit the Raleigh Van Gogh Experience website for details and to purchase tickets.
Neighborhood Art Walk | Boylan Heights
This historic downtown Raleigh community invites you to its Neighborhood Art Walk on December 4, 2022. Artists set up in front yards and on porches of neighborhood homes to showcase their work for sale. Shop and speak to the artisans at your leisure from noon until 5:00 p.m. A variety of media will be featured, including paintings, jewelry, pottery, and stained glass, so there’s something to interest everyone. Browse these original works of art for sale just in time for holiday gift shopping or select something special for a souvenir of your Raleigh experience. Visit the Boylan Heights Art Walk website for more information.
Artsplosure Art Festival | Downtown Raleigh
A long-time favorite, this Raleigh art festival features a two-day art market showcasing works from across the nation from more than 150 skilled craftspeople and artisans. Browse a diverse offering of artwork and media in 10 categories, including ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, and wood. Enjoy live music as you wander through unique art installations, and appreciate this special and diverse artistic scene. If you’re traveling with kids in tow, check out Kidsplosure for free arts and crafts. The dates for 2023 have not yet been finalized, so check the Raleigh Art Festival website for announcements.
Craft Fairs Near Raleigh
With such an impressive art scene, it’s not surprising that Raleigh is a hotspot for craft fairs. Visitors can enjoy seasonal markets including the Christmas Carousel, and the Holiday Art Walk Market in nearby Durham, and enjoy fall specialties from the Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival. If you’re looking for one of the top contemporary craft fairs in Raleigh, travel 20 minutes to the town of Cary for their annual Lazy Days Arts and Crafts Festival. Whether you’re buying gifts, souvenirs, or you love being inspired by talented artisans, you’ll find craft fairs for nearly any season or reason in and around Raleigh.
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Permanent Art Exhibits in Raleigh
Look for these art shows, galleries, and exhibits any time of the year during your visit to the City of Oaks. These establishments feature rotating artwork within permanent venues, providing artful entertainment year-round. Bookmark this list for your return trips to Raleigh—there’s always something new to see.
Art Shows at ArtSource Fine Art Gallery | 4421-123 Six Forks Road
ArtSource is an established, premier fine art gallery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hosting three or four exhibitions per year, ArtSource is proud to have featured more than 60 artists. Check their event schedule for the latest unveiling and attend an in-house reception and art show to meet a talented local artist. This gallery is located in the urban “midtown” Raleigh area, so you’ll find many shops, restaurants and breweries nearby to explore and enjoy. Visit the gallery’s website to see the current art show schedule.
Anchorlight Art Show | 1407 South Bloodworth Street
Anchorlight Gallery provides showing opportunities to regional emerging artists in the Raleigh area. This studio proudly operates a competitive fellowship program to support up-and-coming artists with a space to create. Attend an opening reception to meet the newest exhibitor and see their featured work. Private one-hour viewings are also available by appointment on the Anchorlight website.
Artspace Visual Arts Center | 201 E. Davie Street
Artspace is a visual arts center in downtown Raleigh committed to artistic creativity, education, and community outreach. Take a self-guided, free tour of the gallery to view the latest exhibitions by local artists. Visit the center on the third Saturday in October, November, or December to join in their Maker’s Series. This hands-on, hour-long creative session invites participants of all ages to combine traditional art materials and reusable supplies to create something new. The cost to attend is $3. Check the Artspace website for other events and information.
First Friday Art Walks | Downtown Raleigh
Raleigh’s local art venues and galleries keep the lights on late on the first Friday each month to give art enthusiasts an extra opportunity to visit. Take advantage of the extended hours and local restaurant discounts to make a date of your art adventures. Depending on the crowds, you’ll likely find the downtown streets blocked off to allow pedestrians to mingle and tour each location with ease. Build your map and plan your art walk, or play it by ear and explore. Most of the venues participating in the First Friday Art Walk stay open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., but be sure to check ahead to be certain.
Art Museums in Raleigh, NC
The North Carolina Museum of Art and the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) are just two of the top museums in Raleigh. With ever-changing exhibits, CAM provides an opportunity to experience the works of many local artists in a variety of media. The NCMA curates a rich selection of art from visionaries such as Alfonse Mucha and Moataz Nasr and offers docent-led and self-guided tours.
It’s easy to fill your vacation itinerary with this list of art shows, events, and festivals Raleigh has to offer. There’s always an emerging artist or new exhibit to see, so book your stay at our North Carolina hotel and start planning your trip today. We know the galleries and museums promise plenty of things to do in Raleigh—but when you’re finished exploring, visitors can return to StateView to relax in comfortable accommodations, take a dip in the saltwater pool, and enjoy our indulgent on-site dining to make your stay a true getaway.