Raleigh, N.C. (April 29, 2024) — Culture buffs will love Raleigh, N.C., for its free, world-class museums and expansive public art scene. You also don’t want to miss the city’s flourishing live music scene when visiting North Carolina’s capital city. Raleigh is home to the most live music in the state, with more than eighty live music venues and internationally recognized music festivals that take place throughout the year. From traditional bluegrass to contemporary beats, Raleigh offers a vibrant music scene fed by creative talents across North Carolina and beyond.

Festival goers need look no further than Raleigh, N.C. Kicking off the live music season is the Dreamville Festival, which took place April 6-7, 2024, in one of Raleigh’s most beautiful and historic locations, Dorothea Dix Park—Raleigh’s largest city park with over 300 acres of public green space. The festival, now in its fourth year, was created by rapper and N.C. native J. Cole, offering an opportunity for him to give back to his home state that has helped shape the artist with a one-of-a-kind celebration of culture, food and art that also features a curated selection of music performers.

In the fall, music festival lovers can enjoy the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass Festival, known as the world’s largest urban bluegrass music festival. Since 2011, IBMA has brought the world’s most talented bluegrass musicians to Raleigh for a week of bluegrass-related events and shows.

Some of Raleigh's most picturesque live music events take place at Red Hat Amphitheater. Since its opening in 2010, Red Hat Amphitheater has become a beacon for live entertainment in the Southeast. This 6,000-seat venue blends state-of-the-art with simple convenience, with its prime location being just steps away from the exciting energy of local restaurants, bars and clubs. Amid it all, you’ll find beloved area favorites like Lincoln Theater and The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, where local and national acts perform nightly and stand as pillars of the local music scene in Raleigh.

These intimate music venues throughout downtown Raleigh are pivotal to the annual city-wide celebration, Hopscotch Music Festival. Hopscotch is known for its adventurous lineups, memorable performances and music in almost every genre imaginable—rock, hip-hop, metal, folk, electronic, experimental and more. During this 3-day festival, downtown Raleigh’s fan-friendly atmosphere comes alive, spanning performances on a large outdoor main stage to the intimate club shows. The Hopscotch Music Festival will happen September 5-7 this year.  

If the performing arts are more your rhythm, be sure to visit the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, where innovative theatrical productions take place and artists captivate and entertain audiences from near and far. The facility features four performance venues that have hosted traveling Broadway shows, musicians and performances by renowned organizations such as the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera and the Carolina Ballet.

The live music and performing arts community in Raleigh is thriving thanks to creative minds who have come together to create a unique and collaborative culture for all to enjoy.

Check out the biggest live music events happening in the Raleigh area through June 2024 here.

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (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 economic position of and provides opportunity for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes nearly 18 million visitors annually whose spending tops $3 billion. The visitor economy supports over 24,500 local jobs in Wake County and generates $287 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $601 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Dana Canby, Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.830.1289
dcanby@visitRaleigh.com

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