Artsplosure in Raleigh May 16-17 — art market, performances, kids’ activities and more…

Artsplosure–the Raleigh Arts Festival will be back again on May 16 and 17, 2026,  bringing art, music, kids’ activities, interactive installations, and entertainment to Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. 

Art Market

Find a list of artists here. Browse for art of many media. All will be available for purchase. You’ll find:

• Ceramics
• Fiber art
• Glass
• Jewelry
• Metal
• Other 2D
• Other 3D
• Painting
• Photography
• Tech/digital art
• Wood

Artsplosure Stage Schedule

Main Stage

Saturday:

• 12 p.m.: Ciqui Gorman Dance
• 1 p.m.: Club Cardio
• 2:15 p.m.: T. Gold
• 3:40 p.m.: Joseph Terrell
• 5:15 p.m.: Sunny War

Sunday:

• 10 a.m.: Dari Satterwhite
• 11:05 a.m.: Doug Watson
• 12 p.m.: Luke & The Cool Hands
• 1:30 p.m.: Dreamroot
• 2:45 p.m.: Slow Funeral
• 3:45 p.m.: Frail Talk
• 5 p.m.: Tashi Dorji

Side Stage

Saturday:

• 12 p.m.: Cloverr
• 1:30 p.m.: Clover-Lynn
• 3 p.m.: Featherpocket
• 4:30 p.m.: Housecat!

Sunday:

• 11 a.m.: M. Roomie
• 12:30 p.m.: Kenny Wavinson
• 2 p.m.: Leon Rosewater
• 3:30 p.m.: Pretty crimes
• 5 p.m.: Bedroom Division

Carolina Shakespeare

Performances will take place on the green next to Birdie’s on Fayetteville Street.

Saturday – May 16th

• 1:45 – 2:15 PM Midsummer Night’s Dream & As You Like It Monologue
• 3:00 – 3:40 PM Falstaff Monologue
• 4:30 – 5:15 PM Taming of the Shrew & Sonnets
• 6:00 – 6:45 PM Macbeth & Hamlet Monologue

Sunday – May 17th

• 12:45 – 1:30 PM 12th Night & As You Like It Monologue
• 12:15 – 2:45 PM Midsummer Night’s Dream & Sonnets
• 3:15 – 3:45 PM Taming of the Shrew & Hamlet Monologue
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM Macbeth

Accessibility

• The festival will take place along Fayetteville and its side streets, which are fully accessible for people with limited mobility. This City of Raleigh-owned property complies with all ADA recommendations and design standards.
• The festival’s designated accessible drop off and entry point will be located on the south side of City Plaza, adjacent to the Marriott Hotel traffic circle, on Fayetteville Street. The City will have all other street entry points barricaded with large trucks, and this location is convenient with easy ingress and egress.
• The juried Art Market will open an hour early at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 10, for those who require longer to access the festival experience.
• Assistive listening devices, audio description, and sign language interpretation will be provided, if requested by audience members at least seven business days in advance.
• Kidsplosure arts and craft activities are especially designed to be fun and enriching for everyone.