American Dance Festival

Where: Locations throughout Durham

When: June 3 – July 20

“The world’s greatest dance festival,” according to the New York Post, the event begins in June and runs all the way through July. ADF aims to promote and support modern dance through a wide range of methods including education, community outreach, national and international initiatives and more. The festival is just as much about participating as it is spectating. There are numerous performances as well as classes and workshops.

Apex Latino Arts Festival

Where: Downtown Apex

When: Saturday, June 4, 3 – 10 pm

The Apex Latino Arts Festival is a celebration of arts and culture in the Apex community. There will be plenty of live performances, arts and crafts for sale and more! One of the highlights of the festival is its culinary event, featuring delicious food from throughout Latin America.

Raleigh’s International Food Festival

Where: City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh

When: Sat, June 4, Noon – 10 pm

The festival celebrates the area’s diverse community with a festival to promote cross-cultural exchange. There will be live music and dance performances, beer, wine and lots of delicious food.

Pimento Cheese Festival

Where: Academy Street, Downtown Cary

When: Saturday, June 11, 11 am – 4 pm

“Food trucks will line Academy Street to serve their regular menus, along with new dishes featuring a southern delicacy: pimento cheese! Enjoy live music at the Downtown Park, grab a drink from local breweries, and taste some of the best pimento cheese samples from local restaurants. You can even test your skills in the pimento cheese sculpting contest.”

Hillsborough Food Truck Rodeo

Where: Downtown Hillsborough

When: Sunday, June 12, 3 – 8 pm

Come out and sample the delicious creations of some of the best area food trucks, enjoy historic downtown and enjoy the community. Check out the Facebook event page for a full list of trucks that will be attending.

Juneteenth Celebration

Where: East Main Street, Durham

When: Saturday, June 18, 19

Juneteenth is a celebration of African American culture, heritage and achievements, rooted in the abolishing of slavery. It is often referred to as African American Independence Day and is recognized as a state holiday in North Carolina and many other states. There will be live performances, plenty of food, a kids zone and more!

Outdoor Movies

Where: North Carolina Museum of Art, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre

When: Throughout June, July and August

While the days can get a little toasty during the summer, the nights are the perfect opportunity to spend some time outside. A great way to do just that is to head to one of several venues that shows movies outdoors. Many, like NCMA (pictured below), screen a combination of classic and recent movies and serve all sorts of refreshments.