Raleigh, N.C. (March 3, 2025) – Raleigh is brimming with events – including live music almost every day throughout the year and sporting events happening year-round. While savvy travelers continue opting for experiences over goods, below are some of the most exciting trip-worthy events in 2025 that you can only see in Raleigh.

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds, March 21 and 23
One of the best weekends of the year for sports fans can be experienced at Raleigh's Lenovo Center, as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament's First and Second Rounds will take place with eight teams battling for two spots in the Sweet 16.

  • Stay: The Umstead Hotel and Spa is North Carolina’s most highly rated independent boutique hotel, convenient to restaurants and shopping yet a comfortable retreatto recharge at during March Madness.
  • Eat: Fuel up at Superica, an Austin-style Tex-Mex restaurant from celebrity chef Ford Fry.
  • Play: Explore Fenton in Cary, a live-work-play development with shops, pop-up markets, Paragon Theaters, an immersive sports bar and more.

Carolina Hurricanes final regular season home games, April 2, 12 and 13
One of the NHL's pre-season favorites (and currently sitting near the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference), the Carolina Hurricanes' final three home games are likely to play a pivotal role in their Stanley Cup quest. They'll battle the Washington Capitals (April 2), the New York Rangers (April 12) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (April 13) over three nights at the Lenovo Center.

  • Stay: The StateView Hotel, a boutique Marriott property inspired by all things Raleigh and NC State University, offers a serene setting on the shores of Lake Raleigh.
  • Eat: Players Retreat, a Raleigh institution dating back to the 1950s and a hub for Raleigh sports fans, serves delicious classic southern dishes and cheap eats.
  • Play: Pin Point Indoor Pickleball & Golf provides a top-notch indoor recreational experience for sports enthusiasts, featuring golf simulators, a putting green and plenty of indoor pickleball courts, plus a full bar and TVs.

The Fifth and Final Dreamville Festival, April 5-6
Curated by platinum-selling rapper J. Cole, Dreamville Festival will take its fifth and final bow over two days in April, with a multi-stage music festival (and one-of-a-kind celebration of local culture, food and art) at downtown Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park. The music lineup is yet to be announced, but past headliners have included Drake, Nelly, SZA, Nicki Minaj, Usher and Burna Boy. Tickets and accommodations are likely to sell out shortly after the lineup announcement, so book your trip soon.

  • Stay: Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown, a comfortable hotel with spacious suites, walkable to Dix Park and plenty of downtown restaurants and attractions, this is one of the last downtown hotels with rooms remaining for Dreamville weekend.
  • Eat: Flavor Hills, a Black and veteran-owned restaurant serves delicious southern food with a simple yet profound mantra: “Eat, Laugh, Drink.”
  • Play: Come to Raleigh early to enjoy Downtown Raleigh’s monthly First Friday. This event showcases the vibrant art and creative community on the first Friday of every month. It is free and open to the public.

The Soccer Tournament (TST), June 4-9
One of soccer's most electrifying events returns bigger and better to WakeMed Soccer Park this summer. This six-day, high-stakes, winner-take-all event puts $1 million on the line for the men’s and women’s tournament. This one-of-a-kind event with a festival atmosphere allows visitors and locals alike to enjoy an international soccer (or, football) experience with teams, athletes and celebrities from all over the world.

  • Stay: The Mayton, a stunning boutique hotel with comfortable rooms and suites in the heart of downtown Cary makes a perfect home base for your trip to TST.
  • Eat: Crawford Brothers Steakhouse opened in late 2024, the newest venture of local James Beard Nominated chef Scott Crawford. The restaurant features classic American steakhouse options in a modern and sleek atmosphere.
  • Play: Downtown Cary Park is a buzzing 7-acre urban park that hosts nearly 500 events and programs each year and features stunning landscape architecture and spaces to play, relax and connect.

Hopscotch Music Festival, Sept. 4-6
The 15th annual Hopscotch Music Festival—time and time again named as one of America's can't-miss independent music events—will be back and ready to jam in the center of the City of Oaks in 2025. Last year over 100 performers played across 10 downtown Raleigh venues, with headlining acts that included St. Vincent, Faye Webster, Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman and The Wind, and a whole lot more.

  • Stay: The Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown is the fourth Tempo property worldwide. Opened in late 2024, this hotel focuses on comfort and wellness and offers stunning views of downtown.
  • Eat: Ajja is a modern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired restaurant from James Beard Nominated chef Cheetie Kumar and her partner Paul Siler. Cheetie and Paul are real-life rock stars – you may even see their bands on a Hopscotch stage.
  • Play: Triangle Rock Club at Salvage Yard is the largest climbing gym in North Carolina. Grab a day pass and try something new.
     

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, Visit Raleigh is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the industry and community's economic position and provides opportunities for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.2 billion. The visitor economy supports nearly 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $307 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $712 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

About the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA):
A division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) – the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) markets and promotes Raleigh and all of Wake County to generate and/or retain sports-related businesses (tournaments, championships, special events and meetings) for economic development. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.2 billion. The visitor economy supports nearly 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $307 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $712 in taxes annually. raleighsports.org

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Veronica Clark
Public Relations Manager
919.819.8292
vclark@visitraleigh.com

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