There isn’t much naturally special about the weekend of April 20 (except Earth Day), so you’re probably wondering why we’d recommend such a random time to visit. For no intentional reason other than that Greater Raleigh is an exceptionally happening and fun-filled place, this weekend is absolutely brimming with events, much more so than usual.

Bring in the Spring with some fun in the sun. The Cuegrass Festival has been an annual hit, hosting one of downtown Raleigh’s largest block parties complete with delicious barbecue and fixin’s from The Pit, not to mention awesome live bands. Get artsy by attending a performance of Leaving Iowa at Raleigh’s Theatre In The Park, or mix your love of food and the arts at the Great Grapes! Art, Music and Wine Festival at the Town of Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

Adrenaline Junkies can have the time of their lives with a few N.C. State baseball home games and Carolina Mudcats home games to choose from throughout the weekend. Even aside from baseball, the sports scene will be especially happening, with the ACC Tennis Championship and the North American Table Tennis Olympic Trials at Bond Park, both taking place in Cary.

The performance arts will be going strong during this weekend, with Steel Magnolias and Passport to Wales both set to be performed by the N.C. Theatre and N.C. Symphony, respectively. The Raleigh Amphitheater will host the intoxicating DAYGLOW show, a high-energy fusion of music, art, dance and paint that forms the world’s largest paint party. The Carolina Ballet will also be at the Progress Energy Center, with a dazzling performance of Carmina Burana.

Make sure to get your laughs over the weekend with the belly-rolling humor of the comedians performing at the World Series of Comedy at Goodnight’s Comedy Club. Or watch clowns, dancers and artists perform daring feats at the Cole Brothers Circus at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

On top of all this, Raleigh will host the area’s largest grand opening, possibly ever! The new Nature Research Center wing at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will open its doors for the first time on April 20, complete with a 24-hour celebration. This will be the largest all-night party downtown Raleigh has ever seen!

There sure isn’t a shortage of fun things to do in Greater Raleigh April 20-22, and we’re positive you’ll leave wishing the weekend had lasted a little longer so you’d have had time to fit in even more!