1. Downtown Wake Forest comes alive the second Friday of each month through September for the ever-popular Friday Night on White concert series. Local and regional bands perform a toe-tapping mix of classic rock and pop, R&B dance, Top 40, and Motown favorites. Catch The Band Punch in July, and return for The Brickhouse Band in August. Attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets for the family-friendly affair. Food trucks will serve an array of eats, and White Street Brewing and Norse Brewing offer sip-and-stroll beers. July 11 and August 8, 6–9 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Wake Forest. wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events/friday-night-white
2. The music is hot and the fun is hotter at Raleigh’s Summer Beats Festival! Cool down in the Snow Ball Fight Zone. Dress yourself for the Best Vacation Costume Contest, or bring your furry friend along for the Cutest Dog Contest. A food truck rodeo offers savory and sweet treats, plus beer and wine tastings, games, prizes, and more. Live music will keep the party hopping all day. Saturday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission. City Plaza, Raleigh. downtownraleigh.org/do/raleighs-summer-beat-festival
3. GalaxyCon Raleigh brings four days of anime, cosplay, and fandom to town, with something for every interest. Celebrity appearances — including William Shatner, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Sarandon, Dolph Lundgren, Tori Spelling, and many more — include Q&A sessions, autographs, and photo ops. Shop art, comics, and other vendors, or even visit Tattoo Row for some new ink. Tabletop and video gaming, cosplay competitions with cash prizes, themed after-dark parties and raves, and a Family Zone add to the jam-packed schedule. July 24–27. Adult tickets begin at $35; VIP and kids’ passes available. Raleigh Convention Center. galaxycon.com
4. Haitian art is recognized around the world for its colorful, intricate, and symbol-laden works of enchanting imagery. The Haiti As It Was exhibit showcases complex and varied pieces from late 20th and early 21st century artists. Explore images of Roman Catholic saints combined with the mythical figures of sacred African mysteries. Through July 31. Free admission. Gallery C, Raleigh. galleryc.net/exhibits/haiti-as-it-was-2
5. Two days, 60+ beers, 40+ bourbons, and tons of barbecue. Yep, it’s time for the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival! Admission gets you a sample glass for the all-you-care-to-taste beer and bourbon. The Shrine of Swine returns for the whole-hog experience North Carolina is known for, plus ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage, and sides galore. Enjoy music, cigars, shopping, and lots more. Friday, August 1, 6–10 p.m. Saturday, August 2, noon to 6 p.m. $45 and up (VIP options available). Koka Booth Amphitheatre. boothamphitheatre.com/events/detail/beer-bourbon-bbq-festival-3
6. Embrace your crafty side and create an acorn keepsake representing the City of Oaks at the First Friday Make & Take at Designed for Joy. Plus, support the organization’s mission of providing living-wage employment for women in Raleigh. Friday, August 1, 5–7 p.m. $15 per person. Designed for Joy studio (517 W Cabarrus St., Suite A), Warehouse District, Raleigh. designedforjoy.com/blogs/blog/first-friday-make-take-raleigh-acorn-bell
7. Whether you know every song by heart or have yet to see the beloved musical, you’re sure to enjoy Wicked under the stars presented by the North Carolina Museum of Art. Themed programming precedes the show, and food trucks will keep everyone satisfied. Friday, August 22, 6–10 p.m. (movie begins at 7:15). Free admission. Moore Square, Raleigh. ncartmuseum.org/events/ncma-outdoor-films-at-moore-square-wicked
8. Pack the street and show your Wolfpack pride at NC State’s Packapalooza! This all-day block party and street festival packs in the fun and festivities, as 85,000 attendees can attest. Capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week, and kicking off the 2025–2026 school year, the tradition includes live music, entertainment, family-friendly activities, food vendors, community information, and more. Saturday, August 23, 2–10 p.m. Free admission. Hillsborough Street, Raleigh. packapalooza.ncsu.edu
9. Embrace the lazy days of summer at the 49th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. The juried craft show draws more than 250 artists from across the country, plus thousands of attendees. Four stages feature beach folk, jazz, bluegrass, reggae, and more performances, with roving entertainers adding to the fun. Food trucks provide delicious bites for every palate, and Cary Sister Cities will serve beer, seltzer, and wine in a family-friendly beer garden. Games, storytimes, festival-wide bingo, and other children’s activities keep the little ones engaged with the arts. Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Cary. carync.gov/lazydaze
10. Show local some love at the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo presented by Shop Local Raleigh. More than 50 locally owned trucks rally to dish out everything from cheesesteaks and empanadas to K dogs and cupcakes. Burn off some calories perusing wares from local vendors. Sunday, August 24, noon to 6 p.m. Free admission. Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh. shoplocalraleigh.org/food-truck-rodeo
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