This spring and summer you can play mini-golf on the most imaginative and artistic course around...for free! Downtown Raleigh Alliance is debuting ArtPutt on Friday, May 1, 2026, and it will be around all spring and summer, until September 30, 2026. This year it will be at Bloc[83] Courtyard, 621 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. Play for free any day, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Use … [Read more...] about Art Putt: free pop-up mini-golf in Raleigh starting May 1
Entertainment
Holly Springs International Food Festival May 1
The Holly Springs International Food Festival takes place Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., outside the Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC. It's free to attend. The festival will celebrate different cultures from around the world. You pay for your food and drink. Enjoy a variety of food and beverages from local restaurants and food trucks … [Read more...] about Holly Springs International Food Festival May 1
PeakFest at new location
PeakFest returns to Apex on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Please note that this year it's at the Apex Town Hall campus, 73 Hunter Street, Apex, North Carolina. New parking spaces recently added in the downtown Saunders Lot and Moore Street lot are a short walk away from Town Hall. The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Features of PeakFest: Stage Schedule Arch … [Read more...] about PeakFest at new location
Free Live Music Series on Rooftop of Westin Raleigh-Durham
The Westin Raleigh-Durham, at 3931 Macaw Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is reopening the rooftop lounge for the season starting April 16, 2026. Enjoy craft cocktails, small bites and sweeping views. You can sip a cocktail and watch planes glide into RDU, for a unique atmosphere. Westin Raleigh-Durham is hosting a FREE live music series on the rooftop on Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. This is … [Read more...] about Free Live Music Series on Rooftop of Westin Raleigh-Durham
Meet in the Street Festival in Wake Forest May 2
The Annual Meet in the Street Festival is taking place Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in downtown Wake Forest. This will be the 44th year for the festival. It's free to attend. Look for updates in the Facebook event. The festival will feature: … [Read more...] about Meet in the Street Festival in Wake Forest May 2
Haw River Festival — live music and outdoor activities May 2
Haw River Festival takes place Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., near Haw River Ballroom, 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road, Saxapahaw, North Carolina. Haw River Festival is the kickoff to this season's Saturdays in Saxapahaw concerts. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Besides the music, the festival includes: Bands: They're raffling off a "Weekender" … [Read more...] about Haw River Festival — live music and outdoor activities May 2
Pay What You Want Block Party (with pottery painting) at Trophy Brewing & Taproom Apr. 29
Cozy Panda is hosting a Block Party on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Trophy Brewing & Taproom, 656 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina. The event features pottery painting. And it's "pay what you want!" You can pay for your piece, pay it forward to support another guest, or paint for free. In addition, the party features: … [Read more...] about Pay What You Want Block Party (with pottery painting) at Trophy Brewing & Taproom Apr. 29
International Day of Dance Festival at Downtown Cary Park April 29 — performances and free workshops
The 2nd Annual International Day of Dance Festival, organized by Graceful Expressions, takes place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., at Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, North Carolina. This is a free event and suitable for all ages. This is not a drop-off event. Parents or guardians must stay with their children. Celebrate the universal language of dance … [Read more...] about International Day of Dance Festival at Downtown Cary Park April 29 — performances and free workshops
The Night Market Company’s Alphabet Soup Pride Market in Cary June 13
The Night Market Company is presenting its 3rd Alphabet Soup Pride Market on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 5 to 10 p.m., at Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, North Carolina. It's free to attend. This event features: Look for updates in the Facebook event. … [Read more...] about The Night Market Company’s Alphabet Soup Pride Market in Cary June 13
Creation Celebration at Highland UMC on Apr. 26 — free food, games, entertainment, more…
In Honor of Earth Day, Highland United Methodist Church, at 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, invites the community to join them for a celebration of God's good creation. Creation Celebration takes place Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. It's free to attend and for all ages. Luke Vandergriff will be performing. He's a local multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and visual artist … [Read more...] about Creation Celebration at Highland UMC on Apr. 26 — free food, games, entertainment, more…
