1. The Hopscotch Music Festival is returning to downtown Raleigh September 7–9 with a full lineup of nearly 150 bands scattered across 12 different downtown venues. This threeday event is a fan favorite with music lovers and local artists, so don’t miss it! hopscotchmusicfest.com
2. Grab your lawn chair and enjoy music, food, and more while experiencing the undeniable charm of downtown Wake Forest during Friday Night on White. Taking place along South White Street on September 8 from 6–9 p.m., one of the area’s most popular party bands, Crush, will perform while you visit the sponsor expo, choose from a variety of dining establishments and food trucks, or grab a beer or glass of wine. wakeforestnc.gov
3. Italofiles, listen up! On September 23, Festa Italiana Raleigh celebrates Italian culture and heritage in the Triangle while providing financial support to local charities. This much-anticipated annual event features live music, a culinary stage, wine, a Vespa raffle, a magician for the kids, and much more. festaraleigh.com
4. Bug out at Bugfest, the biggest bug-centered event of its kind in the entire country! Scheduled for September 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., this event will showcase more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games, and a chance to interact with entomologists and other scientists while learning about the fascinating world of arthropods. naturalsciences.org/calendar/bugfest/
5. Voted Best Festival by Wake Living readers, the IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival takes over downtown Raleigh from September 26–30 for a weekend of one-of-a-kind urban bluegrass featuring Grammy Award winners, top-notch emerging acts, and traditional bluegrass. Not a big bluegrass fan? Not a problem! This event is for everyone, with a dance tent and vendors selling arts, crafts, and plenty of food. worldofbluegrass.org
6. Get ready for the largest and most authentic Oktoberfest celebration in central North Carolina! Held at Koka Booth Amphitheatre October 6–7, Triangle Oktoberfest highlights the very best traditional German food, drink, and entertainment. That means beer and Bavarian foods, including brats, pretzels, and pork schnitzel meatballs. You also don’t want to miss the wiener dog races and live music. triangleoktoberfest.org
7. It’s that time of year again! The North Carolina State Fair runs from October 12–22. Celebrate the best of everything this state has to offer, eat crazy foods, play games, enjoy rides, attend concerts, visit with livestock, and shop a variety of vendors for this special week dedicated to all things NC! ncstatefair.org
8. The Diwali Celebration, India’s most widely celebrated religious and cultural event, is returning to Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre on October 14, featuring music, dance, performances, a handicraft bazaar, Indian food vendors, art and cultural exhibits, children’s activities, and much more! carync.gov/diwali
9. Don’t miss Falling for Local at Dorothea Dix Park on October 7, presented in partnership by The City of Raleigh, Dix Park Conservancy, and Shop Local Raleigh. This fall-themed festival has a bit of everything — live music, local makers and vendors, beer tents, food trucks, activities, inflatables, hayrides, and a free pumpkin patch with 1,000 pumpkins! shoplocalraleigh.org
10. It’s wine o’clock at the North Carolina Wine Festival, where the grape tour continues! Taste more than 100 different varieties of NC wines from sweet to dry while enjoying food vendors, live music, and treasure-filled exhibitor tents on Saturday, October 28, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. ncwinefestival.org
- Out & About in Wake County: September / October 2023
- The Rise of Live, Work, Play
- Something Worth Reading
- Small Business Spotlight: The ZEN Succulent
- Garden Adventurer: Beyond Purple: The Other Beautyberries
- Unleashing Comfort
- The Pet Parade 2023
- Less is More
- On Trend: Hair Extensions
- Erica Chats: Finally Feeling Fall
- Pay it Forward: SAFEchild
- Hummingbird
- Celebrated Spirits: Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy
- Celebrated Spirits: Unicycle Pale Ale
