Summer is in full swing in the Raleigh area—there's still tons of fun to be had in the City of Oaks while the days are long and the weather is warm. There's plenty of time to plan for a weekend road trip, too, and August won't let you down. Baseball games, foodie events, art exhibits, outdoor concerts and way, way more are coming right up!
Sir Walter Miler
Aug. 2
One of America's best (and fastest) track events, the tenth annual Sir Walter Miler is a free-admission event—featuring an elite field of men and women runners—that allows fans onto the track at Meredith College to scream and cheer as athletes look to set some of the fastest mile times of the year in the U.S. The fun starts at 6pm, the racing gets going at 8:30pm and the post-race party follows at nearby Raleigh Brewing Company.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Aug. 2-3
Beer sipping, bourbon tasting, music listening and barbecue eating—what's not to love? Don't miss the two-day Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Admission buys you a souvenir sampling glass so you can enjoy an all-you-care-to-taste sampling of beer and bourbon, plus chow down on some pulled pork, ribs, biscuit and more, all while enjoying all-day live music.
Don't miss out: Whiskey, Wine & Fire (Sept. 21) will also take place at Booth Amphitheatre this fall.
Aug. 2
Pack your blankets and lawn chairs for this monthly affair at downtown Raleigh's Moore Square, where food trucks, live music, a local market, free games and an outdoor movie ("Barbie" at 7:30pm) will take place.
Save these dates: Future events include Sept. 13 ("Freaky Friday") and Oct. 4 ("Twilight").
The ultimate summer outing!
Cirque du Soleil presents Corteo
Aug. 8-11
In this enchanting production from Cirque du Soleil—having wowed more than 10 million guests across 20 countries since debuting in 2005—actors and acrobats at PNC Arena will plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.
Browse handmade items, discover small businesses, enjoy live music and more at these upcoming market events:
Friday Night on White
Aug. 9
A favorite summertime event in charming downtown Wake Forest, Friday Night on White invites visitors to bring blankets, lawn chairs and their best dance moves out to White St. (the main avenue where White Street Brewing Company, Shorty's Famous Hot Dogs, Bodega and other favorites await). Sleeping Booty band will take to the main stage from 6-9pm, and food trucks and a beer tent will keep event goers plenty happy.
Ready for a Raleigh road trip? Let's go!
- Jamey Johnson, Aug. 1
- An Evening with Barn Dance, Aug. 2
- Autumn Nicholas and Them, Aug. 2
- Mysti Mayhem Duo, Aug. 2
- Cage The Elephant, Aug. 3
- Cosmic Charlie, Aug. 3
- CAKE, Aug. 6
- Iron & Wine, Aug. 7
- SLASH, Aug. 7
- Greensky Bluegrass, Aug. 8
- Mez, Aug. 8
- Fireside Collective, Aug. 9
- Train & REO Speedwagon, Aug. 9
- Maren Morris, Aug. 10
- John Legend, Aug. 11
- Chicago And Earth, Wind & Fire, Aug. 12
- Joshua Bassett, Aug. 12
- Still Woozy, Aug. 13
- Gin Blossoms, Aug. 16
- GLASS ANIMALS, Aug. 16
- Tate McRae, Aug. 16
- Dan + Shay, Aug. 17
- Old Crow Medicine Show, Aug. 17
- Andrew Bird and Amadou & Mariam, Aug. 20
- Styx & Foreigner, Aug. 21
- Band of Horses, Aug. 23
- Derek Chase, Aug. 23
- Jesse Roper, Aug. 23
- CaryLive!: Doc Robinson, Aug. 24
- Coheed and Cambria, Aug. 26
- Bush, Aug. 27
- Childish Gambino, Aug. 30
- The Roots, Aug. 30
- Crowded House, Aug. 31
The Carolina Mudcats—sitting at first place in the Carolina League as we near the end of the minor league baseball season—have another month of games lined up at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, with 10 games total on the home schedule for August (mark your calendars for Friday Night Fireworks, Souvenir Saturdays and more!).
Aug. 17
A tradition since 2002, this quirky neighborhood event now draws visitors from across Raleigh and beyond for a day of soap box derby racing and fun in the sun at Dorothea Dix Park.
CaribMask Carnival
Aug. 17
A festival to promote diversity, equality and create a deeper appreciation for Afro-Caribbean culture in the Raleigh area, CaribMask—highlighted by the three elements of traditional Carnival: dressing in masquerade, music and dancing—returns for an 11th annual event in downtown Raleigh in 2024. A parade of bands, flag ceremony, a main stage with live music and tons of food and drinks are sure to keep a crowd of more than 15,000 people joyful.
Exhibition: Amazing Pollinators
Through Sept. 29
This upcoming exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences dives into what makes pollinators—bats, bees, beetles, butterflies and more—so vital to life on Earth (and challenges both adults and young children to take on a series of playable games and mazes in the ultimate survival quest).
Note: The museum also recently opened an incredible new permanent exhibit—read about the Dueling Dinosaurs here!
Aug. 23
Mark your calendars for a free tour—offered just twice per year—of Mordecai Historic Park, including the Mordecai House (Andrew Johnson's birthplace), St. Mark's Chapel and the Allen Kitchen.
A star-studded lineup of performers will take to the stage in Raleigh this month!
At Raleigh Improv:
At Goodnights Comedy Club:
At Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts:
Raleigh Little Theatre presents Something Rotten!
Aug. 23-Sept. 15
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. This music comedy is directed by Susannah Hough.
Packapalooza
Aug. 24
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. A headlining musical act to close out the evening is expected to be announced soon ("American Idol" winner David Cook took to the stage in 2023).
48th Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
Aug. 24-25
For nearly 50 years, the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival has put local artists and craftsmakers in the spotlight. Today, the festival has grown into a two-day affair in downtown Cary featuring more than 300 artists from 16 states, multiple stages of live music, a beer garden and plenty of food trucks.
Aug. 29
WOLF! The North Carolina State University Wolfpack football team is back in action for another season at Carter-Finley Stadium (and they're expected to be a true contender for an ACC Championship). They'll kick things off in August with an early home game in front of nearly 60,000 fans wearing red.
Aug. 31
Food trucks and local breweries will be on hand for Brew 'n' Choo, a series of family-friendly events at the North Carolina Railway Museum & New Hope Valley Railway that offers the rare opportunity to take a one-hour train ride through the woods (food and beverages allowed on the train!) and/or a 45-minute walking tour of the railway and museum.
More of the August ride schedule can be seen below as well.
15th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Aug. 31-Sept. 1
An annual celebration of African American culture expressed through art, music, food and community, this Labor Day weekend tradition has connected diverse people and families from across our region with musicians, performers, traditional dance, food vendors and local makers for more than a decade now, becoming Raleigh's premiere destination for sharing and celebrating the distinctive folk and cultural traditions of African Americans.
A new way to travel—discover a curated collection of tours, hands-on workshops and experiences led by local experts in the Raleigh area (the August calendar is filled with new events!).
- Garden Tour and Floral Arrangement Workshop, Aug. 1
- Armenian Delights: Chef's Dinner at Sophie's Grille, Aug. 4
- Watercolors and Brews Workshop, Aug. 8
- Letterpress Card Making Workshop, Aug. 9
- Beer and Cider Stroll: Whitaker Mill Neighborhood, Aug. 10
- Herbal Tea Workshop, Aug. 13
- Guided Mezcal Tasting Tour, Aug. 15
- Garden Tour and Floral Arrangement Workshop, Aug. 17
- Wine 101 Class, Aug. 17
- Tapestry Weaving Workshop, Aug. 20
- Poetry and Music Showcase, Aug. 23
- Honey Tasting and Hive Tour, Aug. 24
- Tea Etiquette & Tastings, Aug. 27
- Crochet Workshop and Dessert Sampling, Aug. 29
- Watercolors and Brews Workshop, Aug. 29
- Garden Tour and Floral Arrangement Workshop, Aug. 29
- Hopscotch Music Festival, Sept. 5-7
- Beyond: The Cary Film Festival, Sept. 5-8
- Martin Lawrence, Sept. 6
- Opera in the Park with the North Carolina Opera, Sept. 12
- Hootie & the Blowfish, Sept. 13
- Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show, Sept. 13-15
- BugFest, Sept. 14
- Joan Osborne, Sept. 14
- Dreamland Carolina Circus Festival, Sept. 14
- La Fiesta del Pueblo, Sept. 15
- Mt. Joy, Sept.18
- Jelly Roll, Sept. 20
- IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, Sept. 27-28
- The International Festival, Sept. 27-29
- Asia Fest, Sept. 28
