The summer is in full swing in June. There are lots of outdoor movies, festivals and much more.
Plan June with this list of the top things to do this June in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding area.
We’re highlighting several events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in the Triangle in May. This calendar will be updated all the time. Every day! You can also just jump to the full June calendar.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
International Children’s Day
International Children’s Day
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Fun-filled day of storytelling for the whole family, including puppetry, crafts, art, a children’s book fair, storytime and more.
Hillsborough Handmade Parade
Hillsborough Handmade Parade
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Hillsborough, NC, from Burwell School Historic Site to Eno River Farmers Market
Cost: Free
Features: This every-other-year event features costumes, painted faces, puppets, stilt walkers, marching bands, dancers and more. Everyone can participate. There’s also a handmade market from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Eno River Farmers Market
International Food Festival
Raleigh’s International Food Festival
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Place: City Plaza, 420 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free admission (pay for food)
Features: International music and dance performances, food and drink.
Raleigh Greek Festival
Raleigh Greek Festival
Date: May 31 to June 2, 2024
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $5; Free for kids under age 13
Features: Live music and dancing, and food for purchase.
Beaver Queen Pageant
Beaver Queen Pageant
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Duke Park, 106 West Knox Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free admission
Features: This festival is a special mix of folly, pageantry, humor and competition. Vote for your favorite contestant by donating to the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association.
Juneteenth Celebrations
Juneteenth Celebrations
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Learn about all the Juneteenth celebrations throughout the Triangle. Juneteenth marks the date that the Emancipation Proclamation was finally read to enslaved African-American people in Texas.
Pride Month Celebrations
Pride Month Celebrations
Date: Various dates in June
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Most are free
Features: All throughout June, enjoy festivals, parades and more to celebrate Pride Month.
Carolina Brass Band Festival
Carolina Brass Band Festival
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 1:30 to 8 p.m.
Place: Apex Nature Park Amphitheater, 2600 Evans Road, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy performances from bands from around the state.
Best of Carolina Bridal Show
Best of Carolina Bridal Show
Date: Sunday, June 2, 2024
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Maywood Hall by Trophy Brewing, 622 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $5 (but use promo code TOTC for free tickets)
Features: Meet vendors who will help you plan the perfect day. Also enjoy interactive experiences and photo opportunities and more.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: June 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.
Hillsborough Street $5 Food Walk
Hillsborough Street $5 Food Walk
Date: Every Wednesday from June 5 to August 14, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Place: Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free to participate
Features: Participating merchants will offer $5 small plates and drinks. Ther ewill also be live music at some venues from 6 to 8 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Can Food Truck Rodeo
Pay What You Can Food Truck Rodeo with A Place at the Table
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Across from A Place at the Table, 300 W Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Pay what you can
Features: Multiple food trucks will be operating on a “pay what you can” model. If you can pay more, it’s appreciated. Your generosity supports A Place at the Table Cafe, Raleigh’s first “pay what you can” cafe.
Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo
Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free to attend. Pay for food and drink
Features: Many food truck to choose from. There will also be beer, art and family fun.
301 Endless Yard Sale
301 Endless Yard Sale
Date: June 14 and 15, 2024
Time: Vendors’ hours might vary, but most will be set up from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
Place: Along US 301 in the counties of Johnston, Halifax, Wilson, Nash and Harnett, on a 100-mile stretch of highway
Cost: Pay for what you buy
Features: Shop for treasures from 500+ vendors.
Triangle Community Band Festival
Triangle Community Band Festival
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances by five regional community bands, with an encore that brings all the bands together. Multiple food trucks will be on site.
Free Civil Rights Walking Tour at NC State Capitol
“We’ve Always Been Out There” — free walking tour of protest and civil rights
Date: Fridays in June, 2024
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: North Carolina Capitol Building, 1 Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Walking tour of protest and civil rights history in Raleigh.
Raleigh Money Expo
Raleigh Money Expo
Date: Friday, June 21, to Sunday, June 23, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Exposition Center, NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Over 160 coin and stamp dealers. Educational programs. Free coins for kids.
Family Farm Animal Day at Duke Homestead
Family Farm Day at Duke Homestead
Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Duke Homestead, 2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham, NC
Cost: $5
Features: Visit with animals that you’d find on a 19th century farm. Living history event.
