Hopscotch Music Festival
Where: Venues throughout Downtown Raleigh
When: Thursday, Sep 8 – Saturday, Sep 10
Hopscotch is Raleigh’s premier music festival. Started in 2010, the festival has been growing ever since and aims to create a mix of big-name artists from around the globe and local acts. Hopscotch covers a wide range of genres, venues and downtown Raleigh itself. There will also be plenty of art exhibitions and day parties

Hog Day
Where: Historic Downtown, Hillsborough
When: Friday, Saturday, Sep 16 & 17
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 and raises funds for youth programs. There will also be a car show, crafts for sale, local food vendors and more.

CenterFest
Where: Downtown Durham
When: Saturday, Sep 17, 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday, Sep 18, 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.

Pride Durham
Where: Duke University
When: Saturday, Sept 24, 10:30 am – 2 am
“Pride: Durham, NC brings love and activism back to the forefront of Pride as a way to drive stronger connections and further growth and success in a tumultuous political climate. All people with love in their hearts and progress fueling them are welcome at Pride: Durham, NC.” The event will feature a parade in the early afternoon and there will be live performances at 2 pm at the main stage. There will also be an after party at The Fruit from 9 pm to 2 am.

World of Bluegrass
Where: Downtown Raleigh
When: Tuesday, Sep 27 – Saturday, Oct 1
With over 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 bringing with it food, crafts, dancing, bluegrass and plenty more.

Duke University Football Home Opener
Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham
When: Fri, Sept 2, 7:30 pm
The Duke Blue Devils open up their stadium to face the Temple Owls.

NC State Football Home Opener
Where: Carter Finley Stadium, Raleigh
When: Saturday, Sept 10 12:30 pm
The Wolfpack play Charleston Southern in their second game of the season and first at home.
