Any time of year you visit, you’ll find plenty of Raleigh events, festivals and things to do. People travel from far and wide to The City of Oaks to attend concerts, conventions, and celebrations in this interesting and diverse city. Count on The StateView Hotel for a comfortable stay in a convenient location near many of these activities. Explore our full list of the year’s best food and drink festivals, cultural events, conventions, concerts, and more to make any trip to Raleigh entertaining.
Event dates and details are subject to change. The below information is provided to the best of our knowledge. Please verify event dates, times, and ticket prices with the event vendor.
January Raleigh Events
Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO Art | January 1 – 7, 2024
Admire the incredible LEGO artwork of Nathan Sawaya at Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO Art! This exhibition features over 90 sculptures made fully of LEGO, including an enormous T-Rex, reimaginings of world famous art like Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, human figures, and more.
Triangle Restaurant Week | January 22 – 28, 2024
Restaurants around the Triangle treat diners to a week of special 2-3 course menu options during Triangle Restaurant Week. Try out the flavors all across the city, with participating restaurants like Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, The Willard, Midwood Smokehouse, Yatai, and other local favorites.
Looking for more of the best restaurants in Raleigh? Check out this list of our favorites.
Raleigh Events February
Krispy Kreme Challenge | February 3, 2024
The 20th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge is a student-run, charity-based race supporting the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. This inventive challenge is one of the most attended Raleigh events in February, and requires participants to run or walk 2.5 miles throughout downtown Raleigh to the Krispy Kreme at the intersection of Peace and Person Streets. After consuming one dozen donuts, the team or individual races another 2.5 miles back to the start. There’s a one-hour time limit to complete the challenge. The race begins at the Memorial Belltower on the North Carolina State University campus. Register in advance online.
Raleigh African American History Tour | Every Saturday
Beginning inside a local coworking space, this Raleigh walking tour takes guests about a mile through downtown with planned stops at both well-known and unmarked points of interest. Going beyond a typical walking tour, this history tour prioritizes the “actual history” of the stops on the trail. This downtown Raleigh activity is suitable for the whole family.
March Events in Raleigh
Art in Bloom | March 13 – 17, 2024
Raleigh’s annual Art in Bloom event includes five days of viewings in 2024. Floral designers from across North Carolina and the United States interpret works of art to be displayed in the North Carolina Museum of Art. These creative floral arrangements are a stunning sight to behold, with this year’s Decade Show theme displayed in 10 additional large installations that portray the decades from the 1920s through the 2020s. Tickets for the event go on sale on February 8th for the general public and cost $40 per person.
Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March 16, 2024
This beloved Raleigh event is back for their 40th year! The Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 16, 2024 beginning at 10 am. This parade is a celebration for everyone to enjoy sharing in the fun of being Irish for a day, celebrating in true Irish spirit with dancers, skaters, marching bands, plenty of dogs, and more. After the parade, join the afterparty at Hibernian Pub (311 Glenwood Ave) where the fun will go on with live music and entertainment, dancers, bagpipers, and more.
Playthrough Gaming Convention | March 18 – 19, 2024
The Raleigh Convention Center will host one of the largest video game conventions in the state this spring. The Playthrough Gaming Convention showcases the latest games and gives gamers a chance to network and play-test new creations. Exhibits at the Raleigh Playthrough convention will include gaming demonstrations, new game showcases, competitions, and more. Buy your passes online in advance to save!
Things to do in Raleigh in April
Raleigh Veg Fest | April 2, 2024
Bring your appetite to Veg Fest! This event is fully vegan, featuring plant based food, products, and services presented by local and traveling vendors. Raleigh Veg Fest is an outdoor festival, offering a full day of knowledge and plant-based facts by top notch educational speakers.
LIVE @ Lake Raleigh | April 4 + April 18, 2024
The LIVE @ Lake Raleigh sunset concert series returns in April and May this year. These Raleigh concerts are outdoors on the shore of Lake Raleigh. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair to relax in as you enjoy the evening entertainment. LIVE @ Lake Raleigh is a family friendly concert series. April 4th’s performance by Charly Lowry will begin at 6 pm, with food trucks on-site starting at 5 pm. April 18th’s show by Laura Gonzqui will begin at 6 pm, with food trucks open on-site starting at 5 pm.
When you stay at The StateView, our boutique Raleigh hotel, you’re within walking distance of shows and events at Lake Raleigh!
Raleigh Home and Garden Show | April 12 – 14, 2024
Get your tickets to the Raleigh Home and Garden Show! Explore two fairgrounds buildings packed with home improvement, décor, and garden exhibits with more than 100 specialty vendors. In addition to exhibits and vendors, guests can check out the Food Trucks & Fun Courtyard between the Expo and Graham Buildings for delicious local eats. Advance tickets are $10 when purchased online by April 11th, and all other general admission tickets are $12. Children ages 13 and under are free.
North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival | April 20, 2024
Get ready for bluegrass and barbecue and brews — oh my! This is one of the tastiest downtown Raleigh events in 2024. The 14th annual ‘Cuegrass Festival in Raleigh will feature award-winning barbecue, bluegrass music performed by local bands, a draft beer tent filled with cold local brews, and so much more. This downtown Raleigh event keeps the fun going after dark, with an afterparty at The Raleigh Times from 6 to 10 pm. Admission is free and proceeds from food and beverages will benefit SafeChild and the Occoneechee Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Brewgaloo | April 26 and 27, 2024
Dive into the best of local brews at North Carolina’s largest craft beer festival! The second largest craft beer festival in the US features craft beer from over 110 area breweries and delicious eats from food trucks as you listen to local bands and peruse Fayetteville Street. Brewgaloo features a Friday Night Block Party and sampler event from 6 to 10 pm, which features all-you-can-try 3-oz. pours of your favorites plus limited releases, sours, and barrel-aged brews.
The Saturday Street Festival is an all-day downtown Raleigh event, running from 1 to 9 pm. Admission is free, and drinks are available for purchase in 3-oz. samples (2 tickets) or by the pint (5 tickets).
Love a good brew? Check out our list of the top breweries in Raleigh.
Raleigh May Events
LIVE @ Lake Raleigh | May 2 and May 16, 2024
The LIVE @ Lake Raleigh sunset concert series returns in April and May this year. These Raleigh concerts are outdoors on the shore of Lake Raleigh. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair to relax in as you enjoy the evening entertainment. LIVE @ Lake Raleigh is a family friendly concert series. On May 2, enjoy the distinctly Appalachian sounds of Asheville’s Holler Choir at 6 pm. May 16th’s performance from Whoop will begin at 6 pm.
Longleaf Film Festival | May 10 – 11, 2024
The North Carolina Museum of History is proud to host the 10th annual Longleaf Film Festival. This Raleigh festival will screen both short- and feature-length independent narrative and documentary films, animated films, music videos, and more. This free event is fun for anyone who wants to enjoy inspired storytelling through film.
Artsplosure | May 20 – 21, 2024
Artists from all over North Carolina will come together at this Raleigh festival to bring you an exciting two-day art market. Browse artwork for sale in 10 media created by more than 175 artists and craftspeople. Artplosure is a free downtown Raleigh event that also features live music, art installations, food trucks, plus arts and crafts for children at Kidsplosure.
Animazement Raleigh | May 24 – 26, 2024
Animazement is a larger-than-life Japanese Anime event coming to the Raleigh Convention Center this May. Attendees can expect concerts, cosplay events, art displays, guest speakers, panels, merchandise, and more! Animazement weekend passes are available for preorder and include a Thursday evening Pre-Con event on the 25th. Adult weekend passes are $70, kids’ tickets are $55 for ages 6 to 12; children ages 5 and younger are free. Single-day passes are also available at the door and start at $30 for adults and $25 for children.
June Raleigh Events
Raleigh’s International Food Festival | June 1, 2024
Experience global cuisine while supporting the community at Raleigh’s International Food Festival on June 1! With over 50 countries represented with food, desserts, beer, wine, performances, and more, you can visit the entire world without leaving the City of Oaks. This Raleigh festival is free to attend.
Khruangbin – A LA SALA Tour | June 11, 2024
Texas-based trio Khruangbin brings their mesmerizing sounds to the Red Hat Amphitheatre this June. This Raleigh concert is sure to please, featuring enchanting guitar riffs and the angelic vocal stylings of bassist Laura Lee and the incomparable DJ Johnson on drums. Reserve your tickets today!
Things to do in Raleigh in July
State Capitol Independence Day Festival | TBD Summer 2024
With a reopening expected in summer 2024, residents and vacationers alike are hoping to attend the State Capitol Independence Day Festival this year in Raleigh. This festival celebrates our nation’s independence with live music, children’s activities, actors in period costume, and more. Watch the State Capitol’s Facebook page for updates.
Christmas in July Bar Crawl | July 20, 2024
Celebrate the halfway point to Christmas at the annual Raleigh Christmas in July Bar Crawl! Don your favorite holiday gear and gather your friends for a night of awesome drink specials featuring classic Christmas sips and year round flavors. Keep up with the roving group of fellow Santas, elves, and reindeer, or go at your own pace – that’s the beauty of this downtown Raleigh bar crawl.
GalaxyCon | July 25 – 28, 2024
Nerd Alert! GalaxyCon is in Raleigh for a four-day festival filled with everything super-fans of comic books, gaming, pop culture, Sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and cosplay could want. Guests include celebrity actors, wrestlers, creators, and authors. This festival in Raleigh is held at the Convention Center. Ticket prices vary and include a variety of single-day child and adult tickets as well as multi-day passes with general admission and VIP options.
August Events in Raleigh NC
Carolina Fall Boat Show | August 18 – 20, 2024
The Carolina Fall Boat Show & Sale is the longest running new product showcase and boat show in NC. This year’s event will host a variety of marine dealers representing popular boating manufacturers, giving visitors the chance to browse the last of 2023’s inventory and be the first to see 2024’s stock – right in time for fall boating season. The boat show will be held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Info
Red Hat Amphitheater Shows | Multiple Dates in August 2024
Surrounded by the vibrant energy of downtown Raleigh, Red Hat Amphitheater is a hotspot for world class performers and the listeners who love them. In August, Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh will host Tate McRae’s THINK LATER Tour on August 16th and Bush – Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour on August 27.
September Raleigh Events
Benson Mule Days | TBD, September 2024
Benson Mule Days just outside of Benson, NC is a four-day celebration that’s been a popular annual event since its start in 1949. Rodeos, mule competitions, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, and concerts are just some of the happenings that attract the nearly 30,000 fans who attend Benson Mule Days each year. Saturday’s parade is a can’t-miss event, featuring floats, classic cars, antique tractors, and hundreds of mules, horses, and buggies.
International Festival | September 27 – 29, 2024
Join in the sharing of traditions and culture at the Raleigh International Festival. More than 50 cultural groups reside in Raleigh communities, and this festival celebrates that diversity. Enjoy educational experiences, art, food, and music during this cultural festival in Raleigh. Stay in touch here for more details.
Raleigh Events in October
North Carolina State Fair | October 17 – 27, 2024
The State Fair in Raleigh is one of North Carolina’s biggest events. Visit the educational exhibits, check out the competition entries, go on thrill rides, and try inventive, delicious deep-fried foods. The NC State Fair boasts 10 days of family fun with something for everyone.
Looking for a hotel nearby the NC State Fair? The StateView Hotel has you covered with comfortable Raleigh accommodations.
Triangle Oktoberfest | TBD, October 2024
Celebrate Oktoberfest at the largest Oktoberfest gathering in Central North Carolina this year! Triangle Oktoberfest is an authentic German festival featuring classic Bavarian food and vendors, family fun, and delicious German beers from Munich. Watch their page for updates about Oktoberfest 2024 in Raleigh.
November Raleigh Events
Raleigh Christmas Parade | November 23, 2024
Join thousands of visitors and locals at the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade! Drawing nearly 80,000 visitors annually, this Raleigh Christmas event has spectators lining the streets early in the morning to see local businesses with floats, marching bands and performers, vintage cars, dancers, and more in the parade that begins at 9:30 am – including everybody’s favorites, Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Moonlight in the Garden | November 7 – 16, 2024
Stroll the immaculate gardens at JC Raul Arboretum by moonlight and enjoy a meticulously designed lighting showcase that showcases the natural beauty of the gardens. Featuring strands of multicolored lights, glowing topiaries, lanterns, and more, this softly-lit experience isn’t just for fun: Moonlight in the Garden helps the arboretum raise necessary funds to keep their gates open and admission free 365 days a year. Stroll the garden, see a live band, sip apple cider, or even roast a marshmallow or two at the fire pits. There will also be food trucks on-site.
Christmas Tree Lighting at North Hills | TBD, November 2024
Join the celebration at the annual Christmas tree lighting at North Hills! Offering trackless train rides for kids, live music and entertainment, and plenty of vendors, plus visits from Santa Claus and the main event of the tree lighting, this November event in Raleigh is fun for the whole family.
December Raleigh Events
Illuminate Art Walk | December 2024
See downtown Raleigh come to life at night at the Illuminate Art Walk. This self-guided art walk is light-based, featuring installations and exhibitions that transform public spaces into giant art pieces. Using large-scale interactive installations, light-based sculpture, and projection art, Illuminate lets visitors experience Raleigh in its best light.
Wendell Wonderland | December 2024
Venture to nearby Wendell to experience Wendell Wonderland this December. Historic downtown Wendell will be lit up in classic Christmas fashion and host holiday celebrations like visits from Santa, the lighting of the town tree, live music and entertainment, trolley rides through town, and more. The Lake Myrna Light Show, one of the top free Christmas light displays on the East Coast, will also be in full swing and features over 400,000 sparkling lights.
Visiting the city during the holidays? See the best of Raleigh’s Christmas events for a list of festive things to do during your holiday trip to Raleigh.
Visiting The City of Oaks
Check out our Raleigh, NC Visitors Guide for even more attractions, parks, restaurants, and breweries to round out your trip itinerary. This diverse, exciting city has your entertainment covered, and our luxurious amenities and comfortable, modern rooms will take care of the rest.