Raleigh Weekend

The Local's Guide to Things to Do in Raleigh, NC

Your Weekend Guide to Raleigh

Your go-to weekend cheat sheet for Raleigh. Think of it like having a well-informed friend pointing out the coolest shows, food popups, and reason-to-get-out-of-bed plans — all tailored to what’s happening locally this weekend.

🎨 Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival: Summer Fun for All Ages

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Wrap up your summer with creativity, music, and fun at the 49th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival! Just a short hop from Raleigh to Cary, this two-day celebration features over 250 talented artists, live entertainment on four stages, and 25+ food vendors. Kids will love Kid Daze, where they can enjoy hands-on crafts, games, and the Kid Collectors Market, picking up pint-sized pieces made by local artists. With artisan demos, interactive activities, and fun around every corner, it’s a must-visit family event to end the season on a high note!

📍 Cary Town Hall Campus, Downtown Cary
💸 FREE Admission
🗓 Saturday + Sunday, Aug. 23–24 · 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

🐺 Packapalooza™: A Howlin’ Good Time for the Whole Family

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Even for a Pirate fan, this is a Wolfpack tradition worth joining! Celebrate the start of a new school year with NC State’s signature all-day block party. Families can enjoy live music—including a headline performance by Saved by the 90s—plus kid-friendly activities, 300+ vendors, and a grand finale of fireworks at the Belltower. With over 85,000 attendees each year, this is one Raleigh tradition you won’t want to miss!

📍 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
💸 FREE Admission
🗓 Saturday, Aug. 23 · 2 – 10 p.m.

🎒 Don’t Lose Your Marbles… Stop by Kick-Off to Kindergarten at Marbles!

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Starting kindergarten is a big milestone for both kids and parents—make the transition a smooth one with this free, fun-filled event! Kids can practice the lunch line, ride a WCPSS school bus, enjoy interactive storytime, and explore a typical school day with music, PE, and more.

📍 Marbles Kids Museum — 201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh
💸 FREE (Registration required)
🗓 Saturday, Aug. 23 · 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Step Into a Fairytale at Raleigh Princess Day

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Bring the magic of fairytales to life on Saturday, Aug. 23. Kids will love meeting their favorite princesses for a day full of stories, songs, dances, crafts, games, and more. Plus, enjoy 10 enchanting performances and a special meet and greet where little ones can snap photos, give hugs, and collect autographs from every character. Don’t forget to dress them up in their favorite royal attire!

📍 Raleigh Convention Center — 500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh
💸 $34.97 Admission required (babies 12 months and under free)
🗓 Saturday, Aug. 23 · 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
⏰ Session Times: 10:00 a.m. · 12:00 p.m. · 2:30 p.m. · 4:30 p.m.

But First… Patio Vibes, On Us! 🌞

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Sunny skies, patio vibes, and good eats—what more could you want? To celebrate summer winding down and football season kicking off, we’re giving away a $50 gift card to one of our favorite spots for drinks and bites, Players Retreat! Enter below for your chance to win!

Grab Your Popcorn, Folks 🍿

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It’s movie night! On Friday, Aug. 15, The Rialto is serving up two vibes under one roof—Five Points Short Film Festival at 6:15 p.m., then the “50th Anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 11:55 p.m. Fresh storytelling or cult-classic chaos? Your call. P.S. Grab short film fest tickets early for a discount!

📍The Rialto, Raleigh
🎟 Five Points Short Film Festival: $16.50, Day of: $22 | 6:15 p.m.
🎟 The Rocky Horror Picture Show: $11 | 11:55 p.m.

Caribbean Colors Hit Raleigh!

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The 12th Annual CaribMask Carnival takes over City Plaza on Saturday, Aug. 16, celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture in full color! Catch a lively Parade of Bands with elaborate costumes, live music, traditional dances, and a flag ceremony representing over 15 countries. This family-friendly, free event is the ultimate way to soak up the energy, rhythms, and vibrant spirit of the Caribbean right in the heart of Raleigh.

📍400 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
🎟 Free to attend · Pay as you go | 12–8 p.m.