Festivals & Special Events

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

  • Raleigh Wide Open Panels First Friday

    City of Raleigh Museum 220 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC

    The Gospel program at Raleigh Wide Open brings the sounds, stories, and spirit of gospel music to life through dynamic talks at the City of Raleigh Museum. Appaloosa Redd joins Greensboro musician and storyteller Colin Cutler for a conversation on the Gospel of the Blues, followed by Kendall Kent’s exploration of the gospel quartet tradition and the resonant artistry of the bass voice. Location: City of Raleigh Museum Date: Friday, Oct. 3 Time: 5-9 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free

  • Falling for Local

    Dorothea Dix Park 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC

    With live music from local talent and loads of FREE fall fun – including hay rides, inflatables, lawn games, kids activities, seasonal photo ops, and a pumpkin patch – you don't want to miss this family-friendly event! Dine from 50+ local food trucks Shop with 100+ makers and independent businesses Sample NC craft beer and ciders Raleigh Fire will be in attendance, celebrating Fire Prevention Week For the live music lineup and list of vendors, follow the link below. More event details Date: Saturday, Oct. 4 Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: The Big Field at Dorthea Dix Park

  • The Gospel Program at Raleigh Wide Open Festival

    City of Raleigh Museum 220 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC

    The Gospel program at Raleigh Wide Open brings the sounds, stories, and spirit of gospel music to life through dynamic talks at the City of Raleigh Museum. Cultural producer Cardo Grant curates the Gospel Radio Lab, a three-part series tracing gospel radio from its Piedmont roots, through its role in the Civil Rights era, and into its digital-age future. Together, these sessions honor gospel’s enduring power to shape culture, strengthen community, and inspire across generations. Presented by the North Carolina Folklife Institute in partnership with PineCone, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council. Location: City of Raleigh Museum Date: Saturday, Oct. 4 Time: 12 - 3 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free

  • Dominican Heritage Festival

    Carolina Pines Community Center 2305 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC, United States

    Music, Food and Culture! Join us at the Dominican Heritage Festival! Stop by our Community Engagement van to pick up free resources and learn about city services. Sunday, October 5 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Carolina Pines Community Center 2305 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh   ¡Acompáñanos en el Festival de la Herencia Dominicana! Visita nuestra Camioneta de Participación Comunitaria para recoger recursos gratuitos y conocer más sobre los servicios de la ciudad. Domingo, 5 de octubre 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Centro Comunitario Carolina Pines 2305 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh

  • Iron Pour at Sertoma: Art in the Making

    Sertoma Arts Center 1400 Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC, United States

    Join artist Jim Gallucci and his team for an iron pour and see public art for Sertoma Park being created in real time! Watch as molten iron is poured into sand molds during this dramatic and high-energy event and learn about the scratch block process—a unique way to design cast iron artwork. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and heat of the pour, grab a bite from local food trucks, and take part in a fun, creative experience for all ages. The event starts at 11am with the furnace lighting around noon. Enjoy food trucks and crafts while you wait for the iron to reach 3000 degrees Farenheit—the temperature at which the molten iron can be cast. Jim and his team will pour almost 1,400 lbs from 2 to 4pm. Learn more about Public Art at Sertoma Arts Center. In the event of a weather cancellation, a rain date will occur Sunday, October 12.

  • Ticket Sale: 2025 Holiday Express at Pullen Park

    Pullen Park Amusements 520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh, NC

    Event Dates: December 2-18 Location: Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC Cost: $17 plus tax and fees One of Raleigh’s most beloved holiday traditions is back! Holiday Express at Pullen Park will once again transform the park into a winter wonderland filled with festive lights, seasonal activities, and holiday magic for the whole family. Tickets for this popular event will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. exclusively through Ticketmaster. Learn more about Holiday Express 2025!

  • White Cane Awareness Day

    NC State Legislative Building 16 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC

    White Cane Awareness Day was first recognized at the White House in 1964.  This national observance raises awareness about the independence and capabilities of people who are blind and low vision.  Join us at the Legislative Building for a proclamation and remarks from the Governor, public officials, and community leaders. For more information, visit the North Carolina Council of the Blind. Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15 Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Start Location: North Carolina State Legislative Building

  • Small, Emerging, and Under-Resourced Business Summit

    All Faith's Chapel at Dix Park 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC

    The Small, Emerging, and Under-resourced Business Summit is an annual event hosted by the City of Raleigh and its partners to celebrate and support the city’s small business community. The 2025 theme, “Pathways to Prosperity,” highlights the innovation, resilience, and economic contributions of local businesses across sectors such as goods, services, and construction. Register on Eventbrite. Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15 Time: 4:30-7 p.m. Location: Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel 1030 Richardson Dr Raleigh, NC 27603 Attendees will gain valuable insights into business development resources and opportunities through: a dynamic panel of local entrepreneurs who are shaping North Carolina’s economic future business showcases networking meeting representatives from the City of Raleigh, Wake County Public School, Wake County Government, NC DBE and HUB Offices, North Carolina State University, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Capital Area Workforce Development, National Institute, Wake Tech Small Business Center, Prospera, Local Chamber of Commerce and more. Register today on Eventbrite! To learn more, visit Business Engagement and Opportunities Program.

  • 2025 Raleigh Commission for Persons with Disabilities Awards Banquet

    McKimmon Center NCSU McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC, United States

    Join us for the 2025 Raleigh Commission for Persons with Disabilities Awards Banquet, a special event honoring champions of accessibility for the disability community. We invite all to join and celebrate community voices, leadership, and impact for a healthy and resilient Raleigh! Date: Monday, Oct. 20 Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m. Location: McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman St Raleigh, NC 27606 Register on Microsoft Forms by Sunday, Oct. 12. Space is limited. Theme: Connecting Voices, Bridging Communities The theme for the 2025 Banquet is “Connecting Voices, Bridging Communities,” centering representation, empowerment through connection, and community building. The event will feature the presentation of the 2025 Raleigh Commission for Persons with Disabilities Awards to champions for accessibility and inclusion, including the Citizen Involvement Award, the Lockhart Follin-Mace Advocacy Award, and the James E. Meekins Award (for an individual with a disability) Nominations are open! If you know an individual or organization who has made a positive impact on the disability community, nominate them for an award on Microsoft Forms. Keynote Speaker: Sen. Lisa Grafstein Sen. Lisa Grafstein is a North Carolina State Senator representing District 13 since 2023. A longstanding civil rights attorney, she formerly served as litigation counsel at Disability Rights North Carolina, spearheading strategic legal advocacy for people with […]

  • Biltmore Hills Fall Festival: Trunk-or-Treat

    Biltmore Hills Park 2615 Fitzgerald Drive, Raleigh, NC

    Biltmore Hills Community Center and The Raleigh Police Advisory Board would like to invite you to the 3rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat event! Bring your children in their best costumes and come enjoy free candy, learn about the Police Advisory Board, and enjoy an awesome Fall Festival takeover. Participants can make candy bags, enjoy short lines at one of our many Inflatables, and enjoy a variety of activities. There will be carnival games, free pizza, and candy provided by the Police Advisory Board. Fall backdrop for photos of the best costumes. Location: Biltmore Hills Park Ages: Family-Friendly Cost: Free No Registration Required

  • Ghostly Spooktacular

    Green Road Community Library 4101 Green Road, Raleigh, NC

    Looking for somewhere to bring your ghouls and goblins? Well, look no further! Bring them to Green Road Community Center. We will have a fun-packed evening with activities including a ghostly dance party, spooky crafts, monstrous games and more! Kids will leave with a smile and a treat. Costumes are encouraged. Location: Green Road Community Center Date: Friday, Oct. 24 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free Register on RecLink

  • Fall Carnival at the Pines

    Carolina Pines Community Center 2305 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC, United States

    Join us for an evening full of fun made just for kids! Little ones can dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy an exciting lineup of carnival-style games, win cool prizes, enjoy some fall favorite snacks, and take home a special goody bag. It's a fun-filled indoor celebration the whole family will love! Ages: All Cost: Free