Raleigh, N.C., keeps adding happy occasions to the calendar. Festivals and major events serve an important purpose—they mark history and sense of pride, plus they showcase talent, creativity and culture, delicious foods and beverages (and some surprises, too!).
Make plans now to spend a day or a weekend in the Raleigh area around these trip-worthy events this summer!
June
The Soccer Tournament, June 4-9
One of soccer's most electrifying events of the past couple of years returns bigger and better to WakeMed Soccer Park this summer. This six-day, celebrity-filled, winner-take-all event puts $1 million on the line (for both a men's and women's tournament!).
Raleigh's International Food Festival, June 7
Celebrate Raleigh's diverse community and welcoming spirit by trying food, beer and wine from more than 100 local vendors (plus listen to live music and see more entertainment) from around the world. Nearly 40,000 attendees are expected in downtown Raleigh's City Plaza for the event.
Capital City Juneteenth Celebration, June 14
First held at Dorothea Dix Park in 2021 as a celebration and commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States, this event features speakers, artists, historic interpreters, music and more.
N.C. Hops Festival, June 14
Sip, shop, dine and groove for two days at the N.C. Hops Festival at Midtown Park. More than 100 local beers, ciders and seltzers will be on hand to sample, and live music, local makers and food trucks will help round out an event worthy of raising a glass to.
13th Annual Out! Raleigh Pride, June 20-21
Out! Raleigh Pride is the area's annual, family-friendly street festival that celebrates the LGBT community and its allies. Organized each year by the LGBT Center of Raleigh, the festival's speakers, performers and vendors bring eight hours of fun and family to downtown Raleigh's Fayetteville Street district. New for 2025 is a Friday night block party for adults 18 and up!
Related: Apex Pride Festival, June 8
Rocket League Championship Series Raleigh, June 28-29
Rocket League—the wildly popular video game that turns cars into soccer stars—will bring their Esports championship series event to Lenovo Center this month, where fans will watch 16 of the world's best teams battle for a prize pool of more than $350,000.
Also at Lenovo Center this summer: Wu-Tang Clan (June 7); Tyler, The Creator (July 12); GHOST (July 15); Nate Bargatze (July 17-18) and more.
July
The Town of Cary Presents: Independence Day Celebration, July 4
Relax under the pines at Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the Town of Cary Independence Day Celebration. Music from the Cary Town Band, plus a patriotic performance by the North Carolina Symphony, precede fireworks over beautiful Symphony Lake to cap the evening.
Related: City of Raleigh July 4th Fireworks, July 4
Rod Stewart, July 8
British rock legend Sir Roderick David Stewart—one of the best-selling musicians of all time—brings his One Last Time tour to Raleigh's Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.
More music coming to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek: Luke Bryan (June 7); Riley Green (June 14); Avril Lavigne (June 17); Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder (July 9); The Offspring (July 16); Big Time Rush (July 18); Cyndi Lauper (July 22); Outlaw Music Festival (July 27); Mumford and Sons (July 22); Thomas Rhett (July 31); and so. much. more!
GalaxyCon Raleigh, July 24-27
A four-day festival for fans of pop culture, superheroes, science fiction, anime and more, GalaxyCon Raleigh features celebrity guests, comic book creators, artists and cosplayers--altogether an incredible 30,000 attendees at the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh to participate in all things geek!
August
CaribMask Carnival, Aug. 16
A festival to promote diversity, equality and create a deeper appreciation for Afro-Caribbean culture in the Raleigh area, CaribMask will return for a 12th annual event in downtown Raleigh in 2025. In previous years, a parade of bands, flag ceremony, live music and tons of food and drinks have kept a joyful crowd of more than 15,000 people plenty happy.
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, Aug. 23-24
For more than 40 years, the Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival has put local artists and craftsmakers in the spotlight. Today, the Cary festival has grown to two days, features more than 300 artists from 16 states, has multiple stages of live music, a beer garden and plenty of food trucks to keep everyone happy.
Packapalooza, Aug. 25
This annual, all-day block party and street festival, drawing more than 80,000 attendees, caps off North Carolina State University's Wolfpack Welcome Week at the start of another academic year. The free and open-to-the-public event features more than 300 vendor booths lining Hillsborough St., along with food, games, arts and crafts, visual and performing arts and more. Music will take center stage to close out the evening.
16th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County, Aug. 30-31
An annual celebration of African American culture expressed through art, music, food and community, this two-day downtown Raleigh festival showcases local, national and international artists, performers, food vendors and area business owners.
September
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 once again be back and ready to jam in the center of the City of Oaks in 2025. Last year a total of 120 performers played across 10 downtown Raleigh venues, with headlining acts that included Waxahatchee, Faye Webster, St. Vincent, Indigo De Souza and a whole lot more.
BugFest, Sept. 20
Experience more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities at BugFest, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' largest annual event that lets you interact with entomologists and other scientists while learning about the fascinating world of bugs.
La Fiesta del Pueblo, Sept. 21
A tradition for more than 30 years now, La Fiesta del Pueblo, a Hispanic cultural event held in the Fayetteville Street district of downtown Raleigh, draws nearly 20,000 attendees each year and showcases music, art, dance performances, educational booths, children's activities and food from different regions of Latin America, all in celebration of the diversity of Latin-American culture.
Header photo by Garrett Poulos
