July starts off with a bang, but even after the fireworks end, there’s plenty to do and celebrate in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the rest of the Triangle.
Read on for a list of some of the top events in the Triangle in July.
We focus on the “free and cheap” so many of these events will be easy on your wallet.
Read about some highlighted events, or jump right to our day by day list of July events.
July Highlights in the Triangle
4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations
Fireworks and 4th of July celebrations in the Triangle
Date: Many on July 4, but some are on other dates
Time: Times vary
Place: Many places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Big list of fireworks, parades, street festivals and more. The list includes an interactive map.
Visit a Sunflower Field
Visit a sunflower field
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Many places in the Triangle will have sunflower fields. In late July, Dix Park is front and center!
Cost: Many are free.
Features: Throughout the summer, sunflowers bloom throughout the Triangle. At some field you can cut a few stems. There is generally a cost to visit these fields and cut stems. But some fields, like the famous one at Dorothea Dix Park, is free to enjoy — but it’s for photos, not cutting!
First Friday at Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough
First Friday at Eno Arts Mill
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Eno Mill, 437 Dimmocks Mill Road, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Open artist studios, live music, art activity, kids’ activities, food truck, local beer.
First Friday Raleigh
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Free
Features: The first Friday of every month, Downtown Raleigh showcases its art, music and food during its First Friday Gallery Walk. It’s a free self-guided tour and a chance to visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more. Many venues host special events and performances.
Retro Family Days at Carolina Theatre in Durham
Retro Family Days
Date: Saturdays in July, 2025
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Carolina Theatre, 309 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch a fun, retro family flick. No reservations, but stop by the box office 30 minutes before the show for your ticket.
Saturday Slowdown
Saturday Slowdown
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: RambleRill Farm, 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This once a month event features farmers, vendors, special activities and a chance to visit the farm.
Summer Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Summer Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Dates: July 11 to 13, and July 18 to 20, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: 9241 Sauls Rd, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: A chance to visit the 28 acres of more than 30,000 kinds of plants, including native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights, and an array of unusual trees and shrubs that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
Treasures of the Earth
Treasures of the Earth
Date: July 11 to 13, 2025
Time: Noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday
Place: North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $8 for adults and free for ages 16 and under. The ticket is good for the whole weekend
Features: This show offers a vast array of precious and semi-precious gem stones, pearls, beads and beading supplies, fossils, minerals, crystals, gems, and finished jewelry in gold and silver, including 14K, 18K and platinum fine jewelry, hand-crafted, custom designs, fashion jewelry, and sterling silver.
Raleigh’s Summer Beats Festival
Raleigh’s Summer Beats Festival
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Place: City Plaza, 443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Food truck rodeo, snow ball fight, live music and dance, cutest dog contest, best vacation costume contest, more.
Find Your Glimmer
Find Your Glimmer at Artspace
Date: July 11 to 24, 2025
Time: Varies
Place: Artspace, 201 E Davie Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Most events are free. It’s free to visit the installation.
Features: Artist Candy Carver is installing Find Your Glimmer, an immersive multi-media, black light-activated artwork at Artspace. Several events will take place at the installation, including an opening reception, artist talk, live music and a fashion night. Most of the events are free.
Third Friday Durham
Third Friday Durham
Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. (time varies between venues)
Place: Venues in Downtown Durham, NC
Cost: Most are free
Features: Durham’s monthly art crawl features special events every month, as well as art openings at galleries.
Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week
Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week
Date: July 24 to August 3, 2025
Time: Varies
Place: Many Raleigh restaurants
Cost: Varies
Features: During Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week, participating restaurants will be offering exclusive deals, prix fixe menus and chef-driven specials.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: July is prime season for outdoor concerts. They are happening everywhere, and most are free. Just follow the above link for a round-up of many concert series, as well as a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts.
Summer Movie Programs
Weekday Summer Movie Programs
Date: Various weekdays
Time: Usually in the morning
Place: Several theaters
Cost: Price ranges from free to $3
Features: Seven movie theaters and chains offer a summer family matinee program with low-priced tickets. It’s a great way to cool off during these hot days.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Parks, grounds of hotels, shopping centers, farms, more.
Cost: Most are free
Features: As the sun goes down, enjoy outdoor movies throughout the Triangle! Follow the above link for a day by day list.
National Ice Cream Day
National Ice Cream Day
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Time: Varies
Place: Various places
Cost: Varies
Features: Many ice cream shops will be offering special deals or freebies. There will be a free ice cream social at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park in Fuquay-Varina from 4 to 6 p.m.
Last Fridays Art Walk in Hillsborough
Last Fridays Art Walk
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Art openings, live music, markets, more.
