40+ fall festivals in the Triangle 2024

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Come Out and Play Sculpture Show

Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Date: August 24 and 25, 2024, and then every Saturday through September 21, 2024
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.

African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Date: August 31 and September 1, 2024
Time: Check back soon.
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 31 and September 1, 2024
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, antique farm equipment, more.

Hopscotch Music Festival

Hopscotch Music Festival
Date: September 5 to 7, 2024
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: $159 for a 3-day pass to main stages, 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 13, 2024
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 13 and 14, 2024
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 14, 2024
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 14, 2024
Time: 3:30 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 14, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. to around 10 p.m.
Place: Various locations in Wilson, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live jazz at several venues in Wilson, plus a Second Line.

Triangle Vegfest

Triangle Vegfest
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: $5 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 15, 2024
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 20, and Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Hugger Mugger, 229 Wicker Street, Sanford, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 9 bands over the two days, plus arts and craft vendors and food trucks.

Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Hunter Street and Town Hall Courtyard, 500 Hunter Street, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 60+ local food trucks and vendors providing Italian products. Entertainment, cookin gdemos, wine and beer tents, children’s area.

Hispanic Heritage Fiesta

Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Shakori Hills Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Arts and crafts fair, games, parade of Latin-American outfits, art exhibit, four Latin bands, folkloric dance groups, more.

Morrisville International Festival

Morrisville International Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Place: Town Hall Drive, Morrissville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances from around the world, artisan vendors, food and drink, and more.

Mead Fest

Mead Fest
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
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 21, 2024
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.

Burwell School Fall Festival

Burwell School Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Burwell School Historic Site, 319 N Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Local vendors, a bake sale, tag sale, children’s games and more.

Taste of Lebanon Festival

Taste of Lebanon Festival
Date: September 21 and 22, 2024
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
Features: Cultural festival celebrating the richness of Lebanese culture and cuisine. Food, dance, music, kids’ activities, souvenirs and more.

CenterFest

CenterFest
Date: Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, 2024
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.

The International Festival

The International Festival
Date: September 27-29, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Jim Graham Building of NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $5 per day in advance
Features: Music and dancing, naturalization ceremony for 240 new citizens, kids’ activities, art, food, dessert, vendors, more.

Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races

Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: $10 for ages 13+ ($8 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.

IBMA Bluegrass Live!

IBMA Bluegrass Live!
Date: September 27-28, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Place: Fayetteville Street, from Cabarrus Street to Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: The street festival is free.
Features: There are ticketed shows at Red Hat Amphitheater, but there is also a free street festival, with multiple stages, as well as vendors.

St. Eugene International Food & Music Festival

International Food & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
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: Saturday, September 28, 2024
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.

El Futuro Hispanic Heritage Kermes

El Futuro Hispanic Heritage Kermes
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: El Futuro, 2020 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Latinoamerican food, music, dance, agencies, games, cake Mariachis, more.

Family Renaissance Fair at NC Museum of Art

Family Renaissance Fair
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Combat demonstrations, medieval and Renaissance crafts, performances, and free access to fall exhibitions. Especially for kids and their families.

Carrboro Music Festival

Carrboro Music Festival
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
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 29, 2024
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, hot sauce contest, pop-up vendors, pepper activities

A Taste of Greece

A Taste of Greece
Date: October 5 and 6, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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 5, 2024
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. There’s also a free concert in the Varina Business District on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Selma Railroad Days

Selma Railroad Days
Date: October 4 to 6 p.m.
Time: Check back soon.
Place: Downtown Selma, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, car show, carnival, much more

Ava Gardner Festival

Ava Gardner Festival
Date: October 4 to 6, 2024
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. There’s a free outdoor movie on Friday.
Features: Film, tours, more.

Falling for Local

Falling for Local
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
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 5, 2024
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 12, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: Free admission. Parking is $10 (although you can park a little farther away for free, and walk)
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 17-19, 2024
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 17 to 27, 2024
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.

Raleigh’s International Wine Festival

Raleigh’s International Wine Festival
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Place: City Plaza, 443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free admission (pay for food and wine)
Features: Wine from a variety of international wine suppliers. Entertainment.

Morrisville Diwali Festival

Morrisville Diwali Festival
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 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 24 to 27, 2024
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 26, 2024
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 26, 2024
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: Late October through November 2, 2024
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 includes 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 2, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: 310 S Academy Street (between Dry Avenue and Waldo Street), Cary, NC
Cost: Free (just pay for food)
Features: Performances, food for purchase, cooking demos, more.

North Carolina Whirligig Festival

North Carolina Whirligig Festival
Date: Saturday, November 2, and Sunday, November 3, 2024
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 17, 2024
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 trees for sale, chestnut beer and cocktails, much more.

29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration

29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Please note that the festival is taking place at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 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.