Fall festivals in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas will be great in 2026! Please check out this big list of festivals all fall in the Triangle.
Our list is getting updated every day. We are adding more details as we receive them.
September Festivals
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Date: September 5 and 6, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Place: The Festival’s Main Stage will be located at 500 Fayetteville Street, with the festival footprint extending throughout the surrounding downtown area, including Fayetteville, Hargett, Davie, and Martin Streets.
Cost: Free
Features: This festival is a Labor Day tradition in Raleigh. It’s a celebration of African American culture through art, music, dance, food and community.
Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days
Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days
Date: September 5 and 6, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park, 4221 Silk Hope Road, Siler City, NC
Cost: $5. Children under 6 admitted for free
Features: Entertainment, working farm animals, junior dairy show, tractor pull (separate ticket), skydiving, antique farm equipment, more.
Wake Forest Unplugged
Wake Forest Unplugged
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Place: E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This event encourages people to leave their technology behind and connect with the community through games, activities and a free concert.
Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Date: Every Saturday in September
Time: 12 p.m. until dark
Place: JimGin Farm, 150 Wild Horse Run, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: More than 50 artists display their work, and there will also be music provided by the North Carolina Songwriters Co-Op. Plus, free food!
Hopscotch Music Festival
Hopscotch Music Festival
Date: September 10 to 12, 2026
Time: All day (including day parties)
Place: Main stages is Moore Square, but many venues host shows.
Cost: $159 for a 3-day pass to main stages and venue shows, but day parties are free (donations welcome)
Features: This major music festival in Raleigh features well over 100 bands, on the main stages, club shows, and the (mostly free) day parties.
20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest and Festival
NC Hot Sauce Festival
Date: September 11 and 12, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Downtown Oxford, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Pepper eating contest, hot sauce contest, live music, food trucks and more
Festival Latino
Festival Latino
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Garner Recreation Center, 215 W Main Street, Garner, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances, artisan vendors, food trucks and more.
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Shakori Hills Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, folkloric dance groups, arts and crafts, Parade of Traditional Outfits & Quinceañeras, more
Carolina Circus Festival
Carolina Circus Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Aerial and ground acrobatics performances, fire and LED shows, free workshops, vendors and more.
Triangle Vegfest
Triangle Vegfest
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: $0-$10 (pay what you an option is available)
Features: Vegan food for purchase, free face painting, family fun zone, contests, shopping, more.
Hillsborough Hog Day
Hillsborough Hog Day
Date: September 18 and 19, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
Place: River Park, 144 E Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, BBQ cook-off, handmade crafts, classic car show, much more
Pepperfest
Pepperfest
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, pepper condiment contest, pop-up vendors, pepper activities
Hillsborough Hog Day
Hillsborough Hog Day
Date: September 18 and 19, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
Place: River Park, 144 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, BBQ cookoff, car show, children’s area, more
BugFest
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ BugFest
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This is the largest bug-centered event of its kind of the country. Participate in more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities. Meet entomologists and other scientists.
Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Hunter Street and Town Hall Courtyard, 500 Hunter Street, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live entertainment, authentic Italian food, cannoli eating contest, cooking demonstrations, kids’ zone and much more.
Morrisville International Festival
Morrisville International Festival
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances from around the world, artisan vendors, food and drink, and more.
CenterFest
CenterFest
Date: Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Downtown Durham
Cost: Free, but a donation of $5 is suggested
Features: Live music on multiple stages, visual artists, kids’ activities and much more.
Taste of Lebanon Festival
Taste of Lebanon Festival
Date: September 19 and 20, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Saint Sharbel Church, 600 Mt. Vernon Church Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free (pay for food and drink)
Features: Cultural festival celebrating the richness of Lebanese culture and cuisine. Food, dance, music, kids’ activities, souvenirs and more. In addition, there will be a special ticketed kickoff party on September 18, with live entertainment.
Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races
Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: $12 for ages 13+ ($10 early bird tickets.) Free for 12 and under and 65 and older.
Features: Watch dragon boat races and enjoy cultural performances, arts and crafts, Asian food and more.
La Fiesta Del Pueblo
La Fiesta Del Pueblo
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances, visual art exhibits, folk art, educational booths and family activities.
Benson Mule Days
Benson Mule Days
Date: September 24-27, 2026
Time: 3 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Downtown Benson, NC
Cost: Free (admission fees apply to some activities)
Features: Mule parade, live music, trolley rides, stable tours, carnival rides, vendors, more
Mead Fest
Mead Fest
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Starrlight Mead, 130 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free (pay for food and drink)
Features: A mini-Renaissance festival, with sword fighting demos, mead, music, costumes, and more.
Apex Latino Arts Festival
Apex Latino Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
Place: Apex Town Campus, 63 Hunter Street, Apex. NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and entertainment, Latino-inspired arts and crafts activities, food vendors, country booths and more.
Raleigh Tamale Festival
Raleigh Tamale Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Moore square, 201 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Tamale competition, performances, family activities, food trucks and vendors.
St. Eugene International Food & Music Festival
International Food & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: J. Ashley Wall Town Square, 99 W 3rd Street, Wendell, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live entertainment and authentic cuisine from around the world, kids’ activities and more.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Oktoberfest Festivals
Date: Various dates
Time: Varies
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: We’ve compiled a list of a ton of Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the Triangle. They take place in September and October.
Carrboro Music Festival
Carrboro Music Festival
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: Starts at 1 p.m.
Place: Multiple venues in Carrboro, NC. Both indoor and outdoor.
Cost: Free
Features: 100+ bands perform in multiple venues. There’s also a free kick-off event on Saturday, September 26.
October Festivals
Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village
Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free (registration fee to race your dog)
Features: Wiener dog races, German-inspired food, live music and fall brews.
Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival
Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival
Date: October 1 to 3, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. on Friday, and 12 to 11 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Multiple stages throughout Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Free
Features: Music on multiple stages, food and drink, vendors, family fun
Wilson Jazz Festival
Wilson Jazz Festival
Date: October 9 and 10, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Various locations in Wilson, NC
Cost: The Main Stage is ticketed ($30 in advance) and the rest is free.
Features: Live jazz at several venues in Wilson, plus a Second Line.
Move-a-Bull City
Move-a-Bull City Open Streets
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: 1.2 miles of Blackwell, Corcoran and Foster Streets in Downtown Durham
Cost: Free
Features: People traffic will replace car traffic, and the streets will be transformed into car-free public spaces where people can come enjoy walking, biking, rolling, playing, and community celebration.
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Fuquay-Varina, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ rides, a beer garden and more.
Falling for Local
Falling for Local
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, local businesses, inflatables, fall photo ops, much more. There’s a free pumpkin patch.
Wendell Harvest Festival
Wendell Harvest Festival
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Wendell, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, parade, kids’ village, food trucks, much more.
A Taste of Greece
A Taste of Greece
Date: October 10 and 11, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day
Place: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 NC Hwy 751, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Delicious, authentic Greek food and desserts to enjoy in the festive dining tent or to take home. The festival also features an Attic Treasures Sale, vendors, and tours of the Byzantine-style, domed church,
Hum Sub Diwali
Hum Sub Diwali
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: Free admission. Parking is $10.
Features: Music and dance performances, handicraft bazaar, Indian art and culture, children’s activities and fireworks.
West End Poetry Festival
West End Poetry Festival
Date: October 15 to 17, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Several locations in Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Carrboro’s annual celebration of poetry includes readings, a poetry open mic, workshops and more.
SARDUC x RDUAE Fall Fest — Asian Festival
SARDUC x RDUAE Fall Fest — Asian Festival
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: The Corner @ NCSU, 941 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Features: Performances of music, dance martial arts and more. Also mahjong, K-pop mat pilates, craft vendors and more.
Morrisville Diwali Festival
Morrisville Diwali Festival
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Place: Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of Diwali, with entertainment, music, food, hands-on activities and more.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Oktoberfest Festivals
Date: Various dates
Time: Varies
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: We’ve compiled a list of a ton of Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the Triangle. They take place in September and October.
Halloween Events
Halloween events in the Triangle
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: The Triangle is host to a huge number of Halloween celebrations, including festivals, trick or treat events, costume contests, and much more. There are events for adults, children, and even dogs.
Clayton Harvest Festival
Clayton Harvest Festival
Date: October 22 to 25, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, 12 to 9 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Various locations in Dowtown Clayton, NC, including Horne Square, Town Square and other locations.
Cost: Free
Features: Midway carnival rides (for a price), vendors, entertainment, much more. On Sunday, the Latin American Festival takes place at Town Square.
Barktoberfest
Barktoberfest
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Drive, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Dog costume contests, agility courses, vendors
HollyFest
HollyFest
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Gribsby Avenue, Holly Springs, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Entertainment, food vendors, local businesses, children’s activities and art.
November Festivals
Day of the Dead Celebrations
Day of the Dead Celebrations — check back soon
Date: Check back soon. They take place in late October and early November.
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Most are free
Features: Celebrate Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, at many events throughout the Triangle. The events typically include altar displays, a race, festivals and more.
Taste of China: Chinese Food and Culture Festival
Taste of China: Chinese Food & Culture Festival
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 321 S Academy Street, Cary, North Carolina
Cost: Free (just pay for food)
Features: Performances, food for purchase, cooking demos, martial arts, Chinese calligraphy, children’s activities, more.
Festifall Arts Market
Festifall Arts Market
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Parking lot at 100 E Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Art market and performances
North Carolina Whirligig Festival
North Carolina Whirligig Festival
Date: Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: Tentative: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Downtown Wilson, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This festival showcases the arts of the region, including whirligigs, North Carolina folk art created by local artist Vollis Simpson.
Chestnut Carnival
Chestnut Carnival
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate all things Chestnut, with roasted chestnuts, shelled chestnuts, pop-up vendor market, chestnut beer and cocktails, live music and much more.
Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
31st Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (tentative)
Place: North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Please note that the festival is taking place at the NC Museum of Art, because NC Museum of History is undergoing renovations. This festival is an annual celebration of the rich diversity and contributions of American Indians in North Carolina for over 14,000 years. It features hands-on activities for all ages, cultural booths and demonstrations, artisans and vendors, a grand entry procession, performances and more.
Stephen Dovenitz says
This comprehensive listing of area events…excellent…thank-you!
Carolyn Holdsworth says
As newcomers to the area, we rely on your lists to see what’s going on around here. Your lists are a great service!
Peter Starr says
Thanks, so much!