Hello, spring! We're nearly a quarter of the way through 2019, and winter weather has been kicked to the curb for good. Sunshine, longer days, major concerts, food truck rodeos, outdoor exploration and more are here to stay—cheers to that. Here's what we're doing in April in the Raleigh area!
 

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

April 4
This marks the final home game of the regular season for the Carolina Hurricanes, the NHL's hottest team in the league aiming to stake their claim to a playoff spot. Expect a big crowd for this one (and don't forget to wear red and be loud!).
 

North Carolina Opera presents Puccini's Tosca

April 5 and 7
Immerse yourself in Italian culture by watching Tosca, the quintessential Puccini thriller set in 1800s Rome. Not seen in the area since North Carolina Opera’s premiere season, Tosca returns with a cast of rising stars and the North Carolina Opera Orchestra and Chorus, all conducted by Joseph Rescigno. This fully-staged production is sung in Italian with projected English translations.
 

NCTOYCON

April 6
This toy and action figured-focused convention brings the best toy dealers and top experts in the hobby to Marbles Kids Museum for a day of informative panels, toy collecting and a special movie premiere of DC's latest superhero movie Shazam.
 

Dreamville Festival

April 6
Curated by platinum-selling rapper and N.C. native J. Cole, Dreamville will be a one-day, multi-stage festival at downtown Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park with a one-of-a-kind celebration of local culture, food and art that also features a curated selection of music performers blending together some of today’s biggest national acts with exciting up-and-comers. In addition to J. Cole, the lineup includes SZA, Big Sean, 21 Savage, 6LACK, Nelly, Mez, Teyana Taylor, Davido, Bas, Rapsody and more!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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KISS: End of the Road Tour

April 6
Don’t miss the iconic band’s last tour ever as they perform legendary rock anthems like “Rock & Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City.” Crazy costumes and makeup are in store for a show that's always part concert, part party!
 

Eurobike Raleigh 2019

April 7
A motorcycle show dedicated to the long and fruitful history of European motorcycling, Eurobike Raleigh puts creativity and innovation, mirror-like decoration and elegant simplicity on display for all to see at North Hills' Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park.
 

Beer & Bacon Fest

April 6
Bacon, more bacon and then some bacon! The Beer & Bacon Fest at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre offers plenty of local restaurants and food trucks with awesome bacon dishes. Each guest receives a souvenir glass with 75+ of their favorite craft beers, wine, spirits and ciders to taste! Live music and a whole hog butchering demo round out a full day of fun.
 

North Carolina Football Club (FC) takes to the pitch in Cary

April 6 vs. Memphis; April 27 vs. Hartford
North Carolina FC, a men's professional soccer team in the United Soccer League headed by new coach Dave Sarachan (former coach of the U.S. men's soccer team), takes to the pitch at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park twice in April.
 

Carolina Ballet presents Monet Impressions

April 11-14
A beautiful homage to the great French painter, Monet Impressions has everything a dance lover could wish for: a story ballet based on the great French painter's life in the first act, and a sweeping impressionistic second act based on his famous garden paintings.


Carolina Mudcats back on the diamond

April 11-14 vs. Wilmington; April 15-17 vs. Fayetteville; April 26-28 vs. Potomac
Swinging into a brand new season, the Milwaukee Brewer's single-A affiliate Carolina Mudcats are back in action at Five County Stadium in Zebulon with three home series this month. Be on the lookout for Thirsty Thursday (half off beverages and $1 hot dogs), Family Friday Fireworks (post-game fireworks each Fri. night) and All-You-Can-Eat Tuesday (hot dogs and hush puppies!) promos all season long.
 

Theatre In The Park presents Godspell

April 12-28
A timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love! Godspell—filled with high spirited musical styles—uses song, dance and storytelling to retell the passion story and parables of the gospels.
 

Raleigh Little Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

April 12-28
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Waston are on the case! Watch as the intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents and elaborate disguises in attempt to find an ingenious killer. Full of humor, horror and plenty of stage magic, this kooky and spooky caper will have you howling with laughter.
 

North Carolina Courage games

April 13 vs. Chicago; April 17 vs. Orlando
The North Carolina Courage—defending champions of the National Women's Soccer League and widely considered one of the best club soccer teams in the world—kick off another season in Cary with two home games in April.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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SpringFest at The Mason Jar Lager Company

April 13
It's SpringFest time at Mason Jar Lager Company, which means German-style lagers, food, music and dancing! Special beer releases, games, contests, food trucks and dance performances make a for a full day of fun in Fuquay-Varina.
 

Zac Brown Band

April 13
Set to play an early-season show at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek (the area's largest outdoor music venue!), the Zac Brown Band returns to Raleigh with their signature country sound.
 

Great Grapes! Wine and Food Festival

April 13
Hundreds of wines from more than 22 N.C. wineries will be on hand at one of the region's biggest wine festivals, where you can taste and sample to your heart's content (plus enjoy live music, food, arts and more!). Pro tip: Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to relax on the grounds at beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre. 
 

4th Annual Mid-Town Square Spring Festival

April 13
Held at Bond Brothers Beer Company (which was voted 2017's "Best New Brewery" in the country in USA TODAY's 10Best) in Cary, this free-admission festival features food trucks, local artists, live music and, of course, Bond Brothers' award-winning brews (new releases and special casks included!). Kids and leashed dogs are welcome at the brewery but heads up—this event will draw a big crowd!


Live & Local: Spring Fest on Hillsborough St.

April 13
An annual, family-friendly street festival featuring a full day of music, artists, inflatables for kids, beer from Raleigh Brewing Company and more.
 

Lebanese Festival

April 13
The 21st annual Lebanese Festival in downtown Raleigh promises non-stop dancing and musical performances to go along with Lebanese desserts, beer, wine and more (including all the belly dancing you can handle!).
 

Lonerider 10th Anniversary Celebration

April 14
Celebrating 10 years of "Ales for Outlaws," Lonerider Brewing Company's 10th anniversary celebration at The Hideout will feature special beers poured all day long, limited edition bottle releases, food trucks, vendors and more. VIP ticket holders will also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery and an extra special swag bag!
 

Cary's Downtown Chowdown

April 14
Enjoy a food-filled afternoon in downtown Cary. Taste some of the area's best food (barbecue, burgers, beignets and more!), enjoy cool beverages from craft beer and wine vendors and relax to the music of great local performers. More than 30 total vendors will be on hand—see you there!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Jay Pharoah

April 19-20
Jay Pharoah, the actor, stand-up comedian and impressionist that spent six years on the cast of Saturday Night Live, comes to Raleigh's legendary Goodnights Comedy Club for two nights of special performances.
 

HerbFest

April 19-28
Those who love to cook will love Herbfest! Stroll through Wake Forest's charming White St. and shop organic, non-GMO herbs and vegetables, plus heirloom tomatoes and peppers and beautiful perennials specific to the area.
 

North Carolina 'Cuegrass Festival

April 20
What could be finer than a jam-packed day of drool-worthy barbecue from The Pit, plenty of local brews and toe-tappin' bluegrass music in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District?
 

North Carolina Theatre presents Murder for Two

April 26-May 5
Catch this musical comedy at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, telling the story of a small town policeman with dreams of making it to detective. In this hilarious rendition, just two performers play 13 roles! You’ll die laughing.


Art in the Garden

April 27
Raleigh Little Theatre's arts festival is back, featuring a jury-selected lineup of visual artists, food trucks and live entertainment. This unique, outdoor event takes place in the historic Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden—have your cameras ready for photos with the beautiful backdrop!
 

Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

April 27
Featuring more than 170 local artists, Cary's Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival (celebrating their 26th year in 2019) fills the streets with art—paintings, jewelry, sculptures and more—plus food vendors, children's activities and all-day live music.
 

Brewgaloo

April 26-27
N.C.'s largest craft beer festival—featuring 100 breweries, 50 food trucks and drawing 30,000 people—Brewgaloo takes over downtown Raleigh for two days each April. The festival, which has free admission on Sat. (so bring plenty of friends!), allows you to purchase either beer samples or full pints from breweries located across the state. The event is part of Beer Month in Raleigh, N.C., a month-long celebration of the nearly 30 craft breweries that call the area home.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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North Carolina Symphony presents Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert

April 26-27
A magical, musical evening at the Duke Energy Center as the North Carolina Symphony performs live and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" shows on the big screen.
 

Goodguys 5th N.C. Nationals

April 26-28
Goodguys returns to the Carolinas for another exciting weekend of nostalgic hot-roddin' fun! Grab your family and all your friends and head on out to the Goodguys 5th N.C. Nationals automotive festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds to explore more than 1,500 candy-colored and chrome-plated 1972 and older rods hot rods, customs, muscle cars, tricked-out trucks and classics on display!
 

Cary Music & Arts Festival

April 28
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of exceptional music, theater and visual arts programs from nine Cary area high schools, the Cary Music & Arts Festival is a free-admission day of dance, theater, jazz, choral, orchestral and classical music. This event is BYOP (bring your own picnic!). 
 

Check our calendar of events for full listings of happenings in Raleigh, N.C.!

 

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