40+ fall festivals in the Triangle in 2025

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• Labor Day Weekend Festivals
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African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Date: August 30 and 31, 2025
Time: Check back soon for the confirmed schedule but last year it took place 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
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: August 30 and 31, 2025
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.

Come Out and Play Sculpture Show

Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Date: August 23 and 24, 2025, and then every Saturday through September 20, 2025
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.

Hopscotch Music Festival

Hopscotch Music Festival
Date: September 4 to 6, 2025
Time: All day (including day parties)
Place: Main stages are Moore Square and City Plaza, Raleigh, North Carolina, but day parties are at many venues
Cost: $160.39 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 many bands, both on the main stages, club shows, and (free day parties)

Festival Latino

Festival Latino
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 6 to 10 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.

Hillsborough Hog Day

Hillsborough Hog Day
Date: September 12 and 13, 2025
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

BugFest

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ BugFest
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
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.

Carolina Circus Festival

Carolina Circus Festival
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 3 to 9:30 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, games and crafts.

Wilson Jazz Festival

Wilson Jazz Festival
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Place: Various locations in Wilson, NC
Cost: The Main Stage is ticketed (check back soon for the price) and the rest is free.
Features: Live jazz at several venues in Wilson, plus a Second Line.

Triangle Vegfest

Triangle Vegfest
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2025
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Typically free with a suggested donation
Features: Vegan food for purchase, free face painting, family fun zone, contests, shopping, more.

La Fiesta Del Pueblo

La Fiesta Del Pueblo
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Fayeteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances, visual art exhibits, folk art, educational booths and family activities.

Carolina Indie Fest

Carolina Indie Fest
Date: Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 3 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Hugger Mugger, 229 Wicker Street, Sanford, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 10 bands over the two days, plus arts and craft vendors and food trucks.

Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
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 20, 2025
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 #B 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 20, and Sunday, September 21, 2025
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.

Mead Fest

Mead Fest
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
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.

Raleigh Tamale Festival

Raleigh Tamale Festival
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Place: Moore square, 201 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Tamale competition, performances, family activities, food trucks and vendors.

Taste of Lebanon Festival

Taste of Lebanon Festival
Date: September 27 and 28, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (times tentative; check back soon for confirmation)
Place: Saint Sharbel Church, 600 Mt. Vernon Church Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Cultural festival celebrating the richness of Lebanese culture and cuisine. Food, dance, music, kids’ activities, souvenirs and more.

The International Festival

The International Festival
Date: September 20, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: NC State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dancing, kids’ activities, art, food, dessert, vendors, more.

Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races

Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: $12 for ages 13+ ($9 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.

St. Eugene International Food & Music Festival

International Food & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
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 at Lafayette Village

Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village
Date: Check back soon.
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Wiener dog races, German-inspired food, live music and fall brews.

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 28, 2025
Time: Check back soon. Last year it was from 1 to 9 p.m.
Place: Multiple venues in Carrboro, NC. Both indoor and outdoor.
Cost: Free
Features: 100+ bands perform in multiple venues.

Pepperfest

Pepperfest
Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, hot sauce contest, pop-up vendors, pepper activities

Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival

Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival
Date: October 3 and 4, 2025
Time: 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and 12 to 11 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Six stage throughout Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Free (there will be ticketed evening shows at Red Hat Amphitheater.)
Features: Music on multiple stages, food and drink, vendors, family fun

Move-a-Bull City

Move-a-Bull City Open Streets
Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
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.

A Taste of Greece

A Taste of Greece
Date: Check back soon.
Time: Check back soon.
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,

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Main Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC, from Academy Street to Vance Street
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ rides, a beer garden and more.

Ava Gardner Festival

Ava Gardner Festival
Date: Check back soon.
Time: Various times
Place: Most events at the Ava Gardner Museum, 325 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC
Cost: Most events have a cost and some are free.
Features: Film, tours, more celebrating Ava Gardner.

Falling for Local

Falling for Local
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson 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 4, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Wendell, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, parade, kids’ village, food trucks, much more.

Hum Sub Dilwali

Hum Sub Diwali
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 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: Check back soon.
Time: Various times
Place: Several locations in Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Carrboro’s annual celebration of poetry includes readings, a poetry open mic, a poetry slam and more.

North Carolina State Fair

North Carolina State Fair
Date: October October 16 to 26, 2025
Time: Varies
Place: North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Adult admission is $13, youth (6-12) is $7, military is $8, seniors (65+) is $5 and children 5 and under are admitted for free. Save money by purchasing tickets in advance. Rides and attractions have a separate cost.
Features: Rides, entertainment, agricultural shows and competitions, food and more.

Morrisville Diwali Festival

Morrisville Diwali Festival
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of Diwali, with entertainment, music, food, hands-on activities and fireworks.

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 23 to 26, 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 25, 2025
Time: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Dog costume contests, agility courses, vendors

HollyFest

HollyFest
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
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.

Day of the Dead Celebrations

Day of the Dead Celebrations
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 1, 2025
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.

North Carolina Whirligig Festival

North Carolina Whirligig Festival
Date: Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2 2025
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 16, 2025
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

30th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
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.