Out & About in Wake County: July/August 2026

The Market at RIW

July 11, August 8 & September 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Raleigh Iron Works

Local artisans paired with live music, presented by Triangle Pop-Up on the second Saturday of each month.

GalaxyCon Raleigh

July 23–26
Raleigh Convention Center
galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-raleigh

Anime, cosplay, comic books, gaming, sci-fi, and more fandoms collide at this four-day fest packed with celebrities, panels, exhibits, and lots more! Single-day and multi-day passes available, $45 and up for adults, kids 4 and under free.

Live After 5

July 30 & August 13, 7–9 p.m.
Moore Square Park, Raleigh

Start the weekend early with a free outdoor Thursday night concert. Bring chairs and blankets to get comfy, and visit the onsite food trucks to fuel up. July: Fancy Gap. August: Harvey Street.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

July 31, 6–10 p.m.
August 1, noon to 6 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
boothamphitheatre.com

Savor smoky, saucy goodness from pulled pork and brisket to chicken and ribs, paired with all-you-care-to-taste samples of beer and bourbon. Plus, yard games, vendors, live music, seminars, and more. Tickets $55 and up.

All Things Groovy Hippie Fest

August 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Moore Square, Raleigh

This third annual event brings peace, love, and good vibes to Raleigh with a day of live music, vintage-inspired vendors, artists, food trucks, and classic cars.

Dive-In Movie: Zootopia 2

August 22, 8 p.m.
Holding Park Aquatic Center, Wake Forest

Bring the whole family to enjoy a movie from a poolside lounge chair. Tickets go on sale August 1 at wakeforestnc.recdesk.com. $7 per person.

Packapalooza

August 22, 2–10 p.m.
Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
packapalooza.ncsu.edu

NC State students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends kick off the academic year with a street festival and block party. Enjoy performances on multiple stages, family-friendly activities, food, and lots of Wolfpack spirit capped off by fireworks at the Belltower.

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

August 22–23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cary Town Hall Campus
carync.gov/lazydaze

The prestigious juried arts festival that draws hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors to downtown Cary celebrates 50 years of community spirit. Shop for art, enjoy live entertainment on four stages, and visit food trucks and the beer garden. Kids get their own Collectors Market with $5 pieces, plus opportunities for play, crafts, and more.

Teen Vendor Market

August 29, noon to 4 p.m.
Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park, Raleigh

Support teen makers, artists, and entrepreneurs showcasing their creativity at this outdoor market.

Wake Forest Unplugged

September 6, 5–7 p.m.
E. Carroll Joyner Park, Wake Forest

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board invites people to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with their community, friends, and family. Compete in sack and relay races, cornhole, and miniature golf; visit onsite food and dessert trucks; and end the evening with a free concert.