September is right around the corner and with it are some of the area’s biggest annual events. There will be plenty of live music, festivals, culture and more for anyone looking to get out and enjoy the changing weather.

 

African-American Cultural Festival

Where: Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

When: Saturday, Sep 1, Sunday, Sep 2

Centered around Labor Day weekend, the festival is a celebration of “African American culture as expressed through art, music, food and community.” The festival aims to share and celebrate the distinctive folk and cultural traditions of African Americans in North Carolina and beyond. There will be live performances, crafts, activities, food vendors and more.

 

Hopscotch Music Festival

Where: Venues throughout Downtown Raleigh

When: Thursday, Sep 6 – Saturday, Sep 8

Hopscotch is Raleigh’s premier music festival. Started in 2010, the festival has been growing in prestige but still retains at least 20% of acts from in-state. 120 bands in all, the festival covers a wide range of genres, venues and downtown Raleigh itself. There will also be plenty of art exhibitions and day parties.

Beericana Craft Beer Fest

Where: Sugg Farm Park, Holly Springs

When:  Saturday, Sep 8, 12 – 6 pm

70 breweries, hailing from NC and beyond, will be attending one of the largest craft brewery festivals in the area. There will also be some of the area’s best food trucks in attendance as well as plenty of live music. Beer, food, music: an unbeatable combo. General admission tickets get you unlimited beer tastings and access to all the festival has to offer

 

Hog Day

Where: River Park, Hillsborough

When: Friday, Sep 14, 6 – 10 pm, Saturday, Sep 15, 10 am – 6 pm

Hog day, as you might imagine, involves a lot of NC BBQ. The event centers around a BBQ cook-off put on by the Orange County Optimist Club.  However, the cook-off is far from the only thing going on. There will be a 5K race, a classic car show, crafts for sale, a dessert contest, local food vendors and more.

Tar Heel Downtown

Where: Franklin Street, Chapel Hill

When: Friday, Sep 14, 6 – 9 pm

Tar Heel Downtown is a community pep rally of sorts. Franklin Street will be filled with all sorts of activities for the whole family all while hyping people up for Tar Heel’s first home football game the next day. There will be a live concert, Tar Heels cheerleaders, performances by the marching band, face painting, arcade games and a chance to meet Rameses the ram.

 

CenterFest

Where: Downtown Durham

When: Saturday, Sep 15, 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday, Sep 16, 11 am – 5 pm

“As Durham’s signature arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from near and far, and fills multiple stages with music, dance, and more from local performers.” CenterFest has been going since 1974 and brings a little something for everyone. Beyond all sorts of art and artists there will be food vendors, a kids’ zone and booths set up by nonprofits and the government service sector.

 

Curds and Crafts

Where: The Cloth Mill at Eno River, Hillsborough

When: Sunday, Sep 16, 1 – 6 pm

The curds and crafts festival is a smorgasbord of artisan cheese and craft beer. Each ticket gives visitors unlimited cheese and beer samples as well as several other goodies. Cheese makers and brewers will be on hand to answer questions and chat about their wonderful products. The Cloth Mill is an indoor venue and will have live music.

 

World of Bluegrass

Where: Downtown Raleigh

When:  Tuesday, Sep 25 – Saturday, Sep 29

With 200,000 attending, World of Bluegrass is the Triangle’s biggest free festival (with some paid events). Billed as the “largest urban bluegrass festival in the world,” the official festival of the International Bluegrass Music Association returns to Raleigh for its 6th anniversary. While bluegrass is definitely the focus, the festival also has food, dancing and plenty more.

 

Art of Cool Festival

Where: Downtown Durham

When: Friday, Sep 28, Saturday, Sep 29

In its 5th year, Art of Cool continues to bring big names and up-and-coming musicians performing Jazz, Soul and Hip-Hop. The main venue will be Durham Bulls Athletic Park and headliners include rapper Nas and singer Erykah Badu. The festival will also feature an educational portion, covering topics like music, culture, community and more.

 

Carrboro Music Festival

Where: Throughout Carrboro

When: Saturday, Sep 29, Sunday, Sep 30

The event kicks off at 1 pm on Saturday following the Carrboro Farmer’s Market. 3 bands will play at Carrboro Town Commons and a free show will take place later at Cat’s Cradle at 8:30 pm. Sunday is the main event featuring over 200 bands across 29 venues. Needless to say, Carrboro will be bursting at the seams with live music and fun. All concerts are free and will feature all sorts of genres.

 

Thanks for reading and check out our post from a couple weeks ago on Alternative Transportation in Raleigh.