Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival

Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater

When: Friday, Aug 4, 6 – 10 pm; Saturday, Aug 5, 12 – 6 pm

“Get ready to enjoy all those pleasures that true Southerners live by – Beer, Bourbon, Barbeque, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts! It’s two great days of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbeque eatin’. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon.” There are several ticket options and attendees can go one or both days

Paperhand Puppet Intervention

Where: Forest Theatre, Chapel Hill

When: Aug 4 – Sep 17, Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7 pm

Paperhand Puppet Intervention is creativity and art run wild. The group uses costumes, and life-size (and bigger) puppets to put on spectacular performances. On top of all that the Forest Theatre itself is a unique place to see a show. There will be live musical performances from local artists before each show.

Taste of Soul NC Seafood Edition

Where: Central Park, Durham

When: Sat, Aug 5, 3 – 8 pm

Enjoy seafood, BBQ, burgers and more at Taste of Soul NC. The event will feature local food trucks, merchants, activities for kids and a bounce house.

OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival

Where: Carolina Theatre, Durham

When: Thu – Sun, Aug 10 – 13

“The OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival is the second largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the Southeast, attracting thousands of patrons to downtown Durham every year since 1995.” The event features a diverse array of shorts, documentaries and feature films.

CaribMask Carnival

Where: Downtown Raleigh

When: Sat, August 19, Parade starts at 12 pm

The carnival features a range of events centered around a parade through downtown that celebrates the area’s Afro-Caribbean community. There will be live performances, delicious food and vendors selling all sorts of crafts.

Artspace Summer Celebration

Where: Artspace, Raleigh

When: Saturday, Aug 19, 11 am – 3 pm

Summer Celebration gives young artists the opportunity to display some of their works in Artspace’s beautiful exhibition areas. There will also be hands-on art making activities, artist demonstrations and free snow cones and popcorn!

Town of Cary Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival

Where: Downtown Cary

When: Saturday, Sunday, August 26, 27; 9 am – 5 pm

The Lazy Daze Festival celebrates the community and the approach of autumn. The event will have all sorts of art, music, food, a beer garden and more. There will be special exhibits, fun games and work from nearly 300 artists.