Start easing into fall with this list of the top things to do in September in the Triangle. September is a very busy season for festivals, with some of the most popular festivals of the year taking place this month.
We focus on the “free and cheap” so many of these events will be easy on your wallet.
After our list of highlighted events, we include a day by day list of everything on our calendar for September. You can also jump right to the day-by-day list. (Please give it a moment to load…it’s a lot!)
First Friday Raleigh
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. (although venues may have different hours)
Place: Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Free
Features: Visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more.
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Date: September 5 and 6, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Place: The Festival’s Main Stage will be located at 500 Fayetteville Street, with the festival footprint extending throughout the surrounding downtown area, including Fayetteville, Hargett, Davie, and Martin Streets.
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: September 5 and 6, 2026
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 (separate ticket), skydiving, antique farm equipment, more.
Wake Forest Unplugged
Wake Forest Unplugged
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Place: E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This event encourages people to leave their technology behind and connect with the community through games, activities and a free concert.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: August 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.
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.
Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Date: Every Saturday in Setember
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. Plus, free food!
Hopscotch Music Festival
Hopscotch Music Festival
Date: September 10 to 12, 2026
Time: All day (including day parties)
Place: Main stages is Moore Square, but many venues host shows.
Cost: $159 for a 3-day pass to main stages and venue shows, 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)
Friday Friday Market and Movie at Moore Square
First Friday Market and Movie: Remember the Titans
Date: Friday,September 11, 2026
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Moore Square, 200 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, food trucks and an outdoor movie. This month the movie is Remember the Titans.
Durham Community Days at Museum of Life + Science
Durham Community Days
Date: September 11 and 22, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Museum of Life + Science, 433 W Murray Avenue, Durham, NC
Cost: Free for Durham (and Durham County) residents
Features: Durham County residents receive free admission. All adults in your party will need to show proof of residency. Each adult can bring up to five children.
Friday Under the Stars
Friday Under the Stars
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Place: Three Bears Acres, 645 Beaver Dam Road, Creedmoor, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Raleigh Astronomy Club hosts a monthly sky viewing session at one of Triangle Land Conservancy’s private sites. Registration is required.
Festival Latino
Festival Latino
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 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.
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Shakori Hills Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, folkloric dance groups, arts and crafts, Parade of Traditional Outfits & Quinceañeras, more
Carolina Circus Festival
Carolina Circus Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 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, vendors and more.
Triangle Vegfest
Triangle Vegfest
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: $0-$10 (pay what you an option is available)
Features: Vegan food for purchase, free face painting, family fun zone, contests, shopping, more.
Pepperfest
Pepperfest
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, pepper condiment contest, pop-up vendors, pepper activities
Hillsborough Hog Day
Hillsborough Hog Day
Date: September 18 and 19, 2026
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
Third Friday Durham
Third Friday Durham
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. (although times vary per value)
Place: Throughout Downtown Durham
Cost: Most events and activities are free
Features: Art venues hosts free receptions. Many other businesses also host art, music and more.
BugFest
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ BugFest
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
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.
North Hills Kids
North Hills Kids
Date: Tuesdays from September 22 to October 27, 2026
Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Place: The Commons, 4150 Main at North Hills Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Free themed activities geared toward toddlers and babie
La Fiesta Del Pueblo
La Fiesta Del Pueblo
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances, visual art exhibits, folk art, educational booths and family activities.
Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Hunter Street and Town Hall Courtyard, 500 Hunter Street, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live entertainment, authentic Italian food, cannoli eating contest, cooking demonstrations, kids’ zone and much more.
Morrisville International Festival
Morrisville International Festival
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dance performances from around the world, artisan vendors, food and drink, and more.
CenterFest
CenterFest
Date: Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2062
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.
Benson Mule Days
Benson Mule Days
Date: September 24-27, 2026
Time: 3 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Downtown Benson, NC
Cost: Free (admission fees apply to some activities)
Features: Mule parade, live music, trolley rides, stable tours, carnival rides, vendors, more
Mead Fest
Mead Fest
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
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.
Apex Latino Arts Festival
Apex Latino Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
Place: Apex Town Campus, 63 Hunter Street, Apex. NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and entertainment, Latino-inspired arts and crafts activities, food vendors, country booths and more.
Raleigh Tamale Festival
Raleigh Tamale Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Moore square, 201 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Tamale competition, performances, family activities, food trucks and vendors.
Taste of Lebanon Festival
Taste of Lebanon Festival
Date: September 19 and 20, 2026
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 (pay for food and drink)
Features: Cultural festival celebrating the richness of Lebanese culture and cuisine. Food, dance, music, kids’ activities, souvenirs and more. In addition, there will be a special ticketed kickoff party on September 18, with live entertainment.
Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races
Asia Fest and Dragon Boat Races
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: $12 for ages 13+ ($10 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.
St. Eugene International Food & Music Festival
International Food & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
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 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.
Carrboro Music Festival
Carrboro Music Festival
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: Starts at 1 p.m.
Place: Multiple venues in Carrboro, NC. Both indoor and outdoor.
Cost: Free
Features: 100+ bands perform in multiple venues. There’s also a free kick-off event on Saturday, September 26.
Full September Calendar
Please give the list a moment to load…it’s a LOT!
