There’s a lot to celebrate in the Triangle! Plan ahead with this guide to summer festivals. We’re adding more festivals to this list all the time, so keep checking back.
We focus on free and cheap events here on Triangle on the Cheap, and all of these events fall into that category. Make sure to click each link for details like location, time, and any cost.
We are highlighting a few of the festivals that take place in summer of 2025 in the Triangle, but keep reading for a much more extensive list.
You can also jump right to the part of the list you’re interested in:
May Festivals
Taste of Soul
Taste of Soul
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2025
Time: 3 to 8 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free admission (pay for food)
Features: There will be lots of food trucks to choose from, as well as kids’ activities, a DJ, live performances and more.
International Children’s Day
International Children’s Day
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
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.
Raleigh Greek Festival
Raleigh Greek Festival
Date: May 30 to June 1, 2025
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: $5.50; Free for kids under age 13
Features: Live music and dancing, and food for purchase.
June Festivals
International Food Festival
Raleigh’s International Food Festival
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 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.
Beaver Queen Pageant
Beaver Queen Pageant
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Duke Park Meadow, 1608 Acadia 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 bribing a judge. $5 per bribe. This event benefits Keep Durham Beautiful.
Tanabata Festival
Tanabata Festival
Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Place: Carolina Pines Community Center, 2305 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free, but $10 suggested donation per adult
Features: Japanese cultural festival — music, drumming, dancing, art, Sumo wrestling, food, more.
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.
July Festivals
Triangle 4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations
4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Huge list of 4th of July fireworks, parades and celebrations in the Triangle.
Raleigh’s Summer 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, contests, games, prizes, music and dance
August Festivals
S’Morrisville
S’Morrisville
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Time: 4 to 7 p.m. (check back soon; we are confirming the time.)
Place: Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: S’mores, music, inflatables and activities.
Kirby Derby
Kirby Derby
Date: Check back soon
Time: Check back soon
Place: Richardson Drive and Tate Drive, in Dix Park, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Parade, pinebox car competition, costumes, and the soapbox derby race.
CaribMask Caribbean Parade and Festival
CaribMask Caribbean Parade and Festival
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The kicks off the festivities, and the festival includes live entertainment, vendors and more.
Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
Date: August 23 and 24, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Cary Town Hall Campus, 316 N Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Over 250 artists, live music, children’s activities and food and drink vendors.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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