The Town of Cary's Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival is back for 2026! It will take place August 22 and 23, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The setting is Cary Town Hall Campus in Downtown Cary, 316 N. Academy Street, Cary. This is a free festival. The 50th Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival features: Jump for more information on: Artist Gallery Over 250 artists are … [Read more...] about Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival August 22-23
outdoor concerts
Free: River Park Concert in Hillsborough Oct. 24
River Park Concert Series is a free, volunteer-driven outdoor music event presented by Triangle Music Alliance. It takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Downtown River Park, 144 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina. The headliner is The Brothers Comatose. The other artists performing at the event are Tan and Sober Gentlemen, Jack the Radio, and The Ghost … [Read more...] about Free: River Park Concert in Hillsborough Oct. 24
Packapalooza: Free festival at NC State August 22
Packapalooza is a huge, free, family-friendly block party and street festival welcoming the Wolfpack back to campus. It takes place on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, from Brooks Avenue to the roundabout near the Memorial Belltower, on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The whole community is invited to this free street festival. The festival includes music, games, vendors and much … [Read more...] about Packapalooza: Free festival at NC State August 22
Durham Parks and Recreation Summer Concerts in the Park — Wilson Springs Hotel on Aug. 22
Durham Parks and Recreation is presenting a Summer Concert Series. It takes place twice a month from June through August, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. These concerts are free, family-friendly and full of local flavor, including a rotating lineup of food trucks. Pack a blanket or chair and enjoy live music and summer nights. The concerts alternate between these locations: Summer Concerts in the … [Read more...] about Durham Parks and Recreation Summer Concerts in the Park — Wilson Springs Hotel on Aug. 22
Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Concert Series
Saturdays in Saxapahaw is a free outdoor concert series that takes place outside of Haw River Ballroom, 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd., Saxapahaw, North Carolina. The series is every Saturday from May 2 to August 29, 2026. At each event there will be a farmers' market and food trucks from 5 to 8 p.m. The music starts at 6 p.m. The only exception to the time listed above is the first date. … [Read more...] about Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Concert Series
Summer at the Springs Outdoor Concert Series in Holly Springs: All Y’all Country All-Stars Aug 21
The Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs, is hosting a free outdoor concert series, Summer at the Springs, once a month, from May to August, 2026. The concerts take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. They're free and family friendly. Bring a chair and a picnic blanket. Grab dinner from a food truck and enjoy a beer from a local brewery. Summer At The Springs 2026 … [Read more...] about Summer at the Springs Outdoor Concert Series in Holly Springs: All Y’all Country All-Stars Aug 21
North Carolina Whirligig Festival Nov 7-8 in Wilson
The North Carolina Whirligig Festival takes place in downtown Wilson, a little less than an hour east of Raleigh, on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026. It's free to attend. Times The Whirligig Festival is a two-day arts festival that showcases the arts of the region, including whirligigs, North Carolina folk art created by local artist Vollis Simpson. Whirligigs … [Read more...] about North Carolina Whirligig Festival Nov 7-8 in Wilson
HollyFest on Oct 31
HollyFest is a free event on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Gribsby Avenue, Holly Springs. This is a free event. This annual, family-friendly event celebrates Holly Springs and all the people, places, and services that our community has to offer. Featuring local artists, businesses, food vendors, children’s activities, and … [Read more...] about HollyFest on Oct 31
Summer Vibes Music Series in Cary: Night Shift Band on Aug. 19
The Town of Cary is presenting Summer Vibes Music Series in June, July and August, 2026. These free events features live music, food and drink. The events are appropriate for all ages. There will be crafts and activities at the park for kids. Adam Decker BandJune 17, 20266 to 8 p.m.Carpenter Fire Station Neighborhood Park7119 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary, NC Island Time BandJuly 15, … [Read more...] about Summer Vibes Music Series in Cary: Night Shift Band on Aug. 19
Live After 5: Harvey Street at Moore Square Aug. 13
Downtown Raleigh Alliance is bringing Live After 5 back in 2026. This year it will take place at rotating locations, on six Thursdays from May 14 to August 13, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. Please note that one concert has been rescheduled to a Wednesday as a rain date. (See below.) This family-friendly summer concert series will also include local food trucks and more. Locations Moore Square201 … [Read more...] about Live After 5: Harvey Street at Moore Square Aug. 13
