August 27 and 27, 2023 (12 p.m. until dark)
Every Saturday in September through September 23 (2 p.m. until dark)
JimGin Farm
150 Wild Horse Run, Pittsboro
Free

Explore fun and diverse art in a relaxed outdoor setting. Enjoy live music as you browse the art.

September 2 and 3, 2023
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
City Plaza on Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Free

Celebrate African American culture with music, art, food and more.

September 7 to 9, 2023
Various times and locations in Raleigh

Hopscotch Music Festival is ticketed, with the main stages at Moore Square and City Plaza. However, the festival also features free "day parties" in venues all over Raleigh, as well as free late-night club shows.

Friday, September 8, 2023
6 to 10 p.m.
Garner Recreation Center
215 W Main Street, Garner, NC
Free

Enjoy live music and dance performances, artisan vendors, food trucks, kids' activities and more.

September 9 and 10, 2023
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saint Sharbel Church
600 Mt. Vernon Church Road, Raleigh, NC
Free

Cultural performances, music, dance, authentic Lebanese food, and a Lebanon-inspired vendor market.

Various dates, times and locations

There are many Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the Triangle in September and October. Enjoy live German music and dancing, German-style food and drink, stein holding contests and much more. Learn about each one.

Friday, September 8, 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Downtown Angier, NC
Free

Enjoy a kickoff concert on Friday night with Rivermist. The main event on Saturday incudes games, rides, food, music, vendors and more.

Saturday, September 9, 2023
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Main Street in Four Oaks, NC
Free

Live music, classic cards, handcrafted market, rides, kids' zone, more.

Saturday, September 9, 2023
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Downtown Oxford, NC
Free

This free, family-friendly festival features a pepper eating contest, hot sauce competition, a classic car show, live music, food trucks, and a kids' area with inflatables, face painting, crafts and more.

Saturday, September 9, 2023
6 to 10:30 p.m.
Wakefed Soccer Fields, 101 Soccer Park Drive, Cary, NC
Free

Enjoy aerial and acrobatic shows, free workshops, fire shows, LED shows, a silent auction and a circus arts market.

Friday, September 15, 5 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
River Park, 144 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC
Free

This long-running festival features a BBQ cook-off, craft vendors, the Hog Day 5K, classic car show, a children's area, and more.

Saturday, September 16, 2023
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W Jones Street, Raleigh
Free

Learn about insects at this very popular annual festival. There will be over 100 exhibits, activities, games and crafts, both inside and outside the museum.

Saturday, September 16, 2023
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
$8 (Free for kids under 12 and seniors 65+)

Enjoy arts and crafts, games, ethnic foods, performances, and dragon boat races.

September 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Downtown Durham
Free, but a $5 donation is requested

This festival is Durham's largest cultural and community event. It features visual art, musical artists, street performers, kids' activities and more.

Sunday, September 17, 2023
12 to 6 p.m.
Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Free

Music, dance, visual art, folk art, educational booths, family activities.

September 21 to 24, 2023
Thursday: 3 to 11 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Downtown Benson, NC

This is the 74th year for this festival, which celebrate the role of the mule in rural life. Mule-related events include a mule show, a mule race, Mules Got Talent, the Mule Day Parade and more. In addition, there is a carnival, vendors, concerts, and rodeos. Admission is free, but some events and activities have costs associated with them.

Saturday, September 23, 2023
12 to 6 p.m.
Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Free

Explore the diversity of Morrisville with culinary traditions from around the world, traditional music and ance, and more.

September 23, 2023
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Free

Enjoy Italian entertainment, Italian food and wine, kids' activities and more.

Sunday, September 24, 2023
4 to 7 p.m.
2020 Chapel Hill Road #23, Durham, NC
Free

The festival will celebrate Latinoamerican heritage with music, dance competitions, cultural exhibitions, traditional food and crafts for sale, traditional carnival-style games for kids, and more.

The green space includes a creek, a community garden, and a mural reflecting the colorful Latino culture.

September 29 and 30, 2023
12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Fayetteville Street, from Martin Street to the Martin Marietta Center
Free

This free street festival is a free component of the IBMA World of Bluegrass. There will be six stages of music. It will also feature an art music, beer garden, games and activities, and food and beverage vendors.

Saturday, September 30, 2023
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fred Fletcher Park
820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC
Free

This is a free, family-friendly event that features a market and plenty of fun medieval-themed activities. Enjoy magical entertainment, practice sword skills, and more.

September 30 and October 1, 2023
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
8306 NC Hwy 751, Durham, NC
Free

Tour the Byzantine-style domed church, shoop the attic treasures sale, and shop from vendors. the highlight of the festival is the authentic Greek food for purchase.

Sunday, October 1, 2023
All day
Various locations in Carrboro
Free

This free music festival features 100 local and regional bands and performers in several locations in Carrboro.

Friday, October 6: 5 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, October 7: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 8: 12 to 6 p.m.
Downtown Selma, NC
Free

The festival includes a carnival, food truck rodeo, parade, live music, car show, model train show, the Hispanic Heritage Festival, car show, and more.

October 7, 2023
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Fuquay-Varina
Free

Live entertainment, kids' zone, art vendors, food and craft vendors.

Saturday, October 7, 2023
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh
Free

This celebration of fall and of local businesses features local makers, vendors, food trucks, beer and wine, as well as free hay rides and inflatables, and even a free pumpkin patch.

Saturday, October 7, 2023
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Around Ashley Wall Town Square
99 West 3rd Street, Wendell, NC
Free

This festival includes a parade, over 100 vendors, a kids' village, live music and more.

Sunday, October 8, 2023
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mystic Farm & Distillery
1212 North Mineral Springs Road, Durham, NC
$10

Experience Reiki, yoga, massage, holistic healers, tarot readings and more. There will also be live music and food trucks.

Sunday, October 8, 2023
12 to 4 p.m.
Durham Central Park
501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Free to attend

Check out lots of international food trucks, and beer and beverage stations. There will be music representing Greece, Mexico and more, as well as prizes and promotional items from Durham's Sister Cities.

Sunday, October 8, 2023
12 to 2 p.m.
Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro, NC
Free

A celebration of African culture, art and history, presented by UNC African Studies Center.

October 14, 2023
10 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Free (parking is $10)

This festival (formerly known as Cary Diwali) features music, dance, theater performances, a handicraft bazaar, Indian food vendors, exhibitions of Indian art and culture, demonstrations, children's activities and more. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display over Symphony Lake.

Saturday, October 14, 2023
2 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Sanford
Free

StreetFest is a day-long celebration with music, art, entertainment, food trucks and fireworks, right on the streets of Downtown Sanford.

October 14, 21, 28, 2023
1 to 6 p.m.
140 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill's annual fall arts festival is returning as three art markets. There will also be interactive art experiences and entertainment.

October 12 to 22, 2023
NC State Fairgrounds
Ticket prices vary, and there are also several discount days

Rides, music, entertainment, livestock competitions, and lots of food.

Sunday, October 15, 2023
2 to 7 p.m.
The Plant
220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Free

All things chestnut! Including roasted chestnut, chestnut drinks, chestnut trees for sale, pop-up vendors, shelling demonstrations, and screening of "Clear Day Thunder, Rescuing the American Chestnut."

October 20, 2023
Time TBA
Downtown Cary Park, 319 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Free

Watch locally created zombie short films on a huge outdoor screen. Dress as your favorite zombie if you'd like!

October 19 to 21, 2023
Various locations in Carrboro

Celebrate poetry with readings, open mics, workshops and more.

Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days
Lloyds Farm, 226 North Lloyd's Dairy Road, Efland, NC
$5 (free for ages 12 and under)

Shop from a huge number of antique, vintage and craft vendors. There will also be auctions, appraisals and entertainment.

Saturday, October 21, 2023
12 to 8 p.m.
City Plaza
400 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Admission is free -- pay for tasting

Taste wine from a wide variety of suppliers from all over the world. There will also be food vendors and performances.

October 26 to 29, 2023
Locations in Clayotn

The four-day festival includes a midway full of carnival rides, car, motorcycle, and tractor shows, Latin American Festival, Squealin' on the Square BBQ competition, and other community-focused events, vendors, food, music, and fun.

Friday, October 27, 2023
4 to 7 p.m.
Bond Park
801 High House Road, Cary
Free

This is the Triangle's only pumpkin flotilla. Watch carved, lit pumpkins float on Bond Park Late at twilight. If you'd like to participate, you can drop off a carved pumpkin in the days leading up to the event.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Moore Square
226 E Martin Street, Raleigh
Free

At this fun family event you can enjoy stage performances, have your fortune told, shop for handmade items and treats, decorate pumpkins, watch magicians and more.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
5 to 8 p.m.
Cedar Fork Community Center
1050 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Free

The celebration includes hands-on activities, music, food and fireworks.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
12 to 5 p.m.
Downtown Franklintown, NC
Free

Celebrate all things Halloween, with games, trunk or treat, a costume contest, and performances.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Durham Central Park
501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Free

This festival includes a costume contest for dogs, music, a photo booth, animal adoption and more.

Sunday, October 29, 2023
12 to 4 p.m.
City Plaza
443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Free

Remember deceased friends and family with the creation of an offering, folklore, Aztec dance, Mexican crafts, and much more.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
West Point on the Eno
5101 N Roxboro Road, Durham
Free

The whole family is invited to this annual Halloween celebration but it's especially for kids ages 12 and under. Enjoy a campfire, hayrides, songs, treats, face painting, games and more.

Friday, November 3, 2023
6 to 9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Free

This annual celebration is in collaboration with Artist Studio Project and the Friends of COR Museum. The focus this year is Indigenous Voices.

November 3 to 5, 2023
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
$5 (early bird), $6 (full price)

Enjoy performances, kids' activitiesm live music, international foods, bazaars and more. On Friday at 11 a.m. there will be a naturalization ceremony for 120 new American citizens.

Saturday, November 4, 2023
4 to 9 p.m.
Durham Central Park
501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Free

This is an exciting and unique art event. Liberty Arts will be pouring 4,000 pounds of 3,000 degree molten iron into molds. In addition, the event features drumming performances, fire breathers, kid-friendly activities, local food trucks, craft beer and more.

Saturday, November 4, 2023: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 5, 2023: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Downtown Wilson
Free

This festival showcases the art of the region, especially whirligigs, the folk art by local artist Vollis Simpson. There will be four stages of live entertainment, the Whirli-Kidz Zone, artists, vendors, food and more.