40+ fall festivals in the Triangle in 2026

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.

Jump to:

• September Festivals
• October Festivals
• November 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.

Come Out and Play Sculpture Show

Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Date: Every Saturday in Setember
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 many bands, both on the main stages, club shows, and (free day parties)

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.

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

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.

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.

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

La Fiesta Del Pueblo

La Fiesta Del Pueblo
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: Check back soon (typically 12 to 6 p.m.)
Place: Check back soon (typically Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC)
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances, visual art exhibits, folk art, educational booths and family activities.

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, 2062
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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

West End Poetry Festival

West End Poetry Festival
Date: October 15 to 16, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.