Raleigh, North Carolina – Out and About has your guide to weekend fun in Raleigh, Durham, Cary and beyond!
festivals
Sept. 8-10: Hopscotch Music Festival – Downtown Raleigh hosts this annual music festival Thursday through Saturday. Headliners this year include Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett, popular artist Perfume Genius and Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon. Tickets are on sale. There are free days also happens throughout the city center.
September 10: 16th Annual Hot Sauce Contest – This annual event is held on Saturday, September 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Oxford. There will be plenty of barbecues and hot sauces to try and buy, as well as a pepper-eating contest, vintage car show and live music.
September 10: 33rd Annual Four Oak Acorn Festival – This festival takes place on Saturday, September 10 in downtown Four Oaks. There will be live music, a show of classic cars and vintage tractors, food trucks, a children’s zone and a craft market. There will also be rides.
September 10: Brier Creek Fall Food Truck Festival – The Brier Creek Food Truck Festival returns Saturday, September 10 from 5-8 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks and fun!
September 10: Oaklyntoberfest – This Fuquay-Varina brasserie celebrates Oktoberfest with free food, live music, games and more fun on Saturday, September 10.
September 10: Mordecai Historical Park 50th Anniversary Festival – Celebrate 50 years of historic Mordecai Park as a public park at this event on Saturday, September 10, from noon to 4 p.m. Hear from community partners about their work, explore the history of the park since 1972, and peek inside some of the historic buildings to learn about future plans for the park.
September 11: Triangle Veg Fest – Learn all about plant-based diets, taste food, and listen to live music at this event in Durham Central Park on Sunday, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September 11: MAKRS Society Autumn Festival – Join the MAKRS Society for its first fall festival at CCU Midtown Park in North Hills on Sunday, September 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks, local vendors and family activities.
September 11: Raleigh Brewing Company Oktoberfest – Raleigh Brewing Company will celebrate Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 11 from 1-6 p.m. with ax throwing and more fun.
Family fun
September 9: Durham Bulls star wars night – The Bulls will celebrate the return of Star Wars Night as they take on the Evil Empire (aka the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders). Stick around after the game for Friday Night Fireworks!
September 9: Friday Family Movies: Encanto – Head to the Garner Entertainment Center for a free outdoor screening of this film on Friday nights. Concessions will be available for purchase.
September 10: Sneakerville Fashion, Art and Sports Show – Sneakerville is your opportunity to browse, buy, sell and trade some of the hottest, new/used, retro and unique sneakers. It’s September 10 at the Durham Convention Center.
September 10: North Carolina Sugar Rush – Durham Central Park is the site of this event serving on Saturday September 10th. From 3-8 p.m., treat yourself to smoothies, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and other tasty treats.
Food, shopping and more fun
September 9-10: Mrs Pat – See this comedian on stage at Raleigh Improv.
September 10: NC Vintage Bazaar – The North Carolina Vintage Bazaar takes place on Saturday, September 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will include thousands of t-shirts, jackets, sweaters, pants, blouses, dresses, bags and everything in between.
September 10: Hops For Hope – Sample over 30 beers at this event to benefit Children’s Flight of Hope on September 10. There will also be live music, food trucks and children’s activities.
September 10: Cocktail and Cooking Class: Tequila – Get inspired to step up your cocktail game at home by gathering around the bar at Willard Rooftop for this class on September 10 from 2-3:30 p.m. Skilled bartenders will teach you how to make three cocktails that you can easily replicate at home. and share tips for pairing food with your creations.
September 11: Geek and Grub Market (Anime Edition) – This monthly market will celebrate all things anime on Sunday, September 11 at Fred Fletcher Park. This event will feature live music, fun activities, giant board games, delicious food and geeky items from over 40 local geek-themed artisans.