Carrboro Music Festival

Where: Downtown Carrboro

When: Sunday, Oct 1, 1 pm

The Carrboro Music Festival takes place at venues all over Downtown Carrboro, featuring all sorts of bands and performers. Most shows are free to the public and attendees can easily pop between venues. The entire area will be abuzz with activity and there will be something for all ages.

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance

Where: Pittsboro (Find directions here)

When: Thursday – Sunday, Oct 5 – 8

Shakori Hills features local and regional acts from a range of genres including bluegrass, world music and psychedelic rock. Attendees can go to as many of the four days as they want and camping overnight is an option.

Triangle Oktoberfest

When: Koka Booth Ampitheatre

Where: Friday, Oct 6, 5 – 10 pm; Saturday, Oct 7, 12 – 4 pm and 4 – 8 pm

Oktoberfest is a celebration of beer rooted in 19th century Munich, Germany. The Triangle Oktoberfest will feature live music, traditional Bavarian food, wiener dog races, contests, lots and lots of beer and more (including kid-friendly activities). The event was canceled last year due to Hurricane Ian but will be back in full force this year.

SAS Championship

Where: Prestonwood Country Club, Cary

When: Monday, Oct 9 – Sunday, Oct 15

Come out and catch some of the world’s best golfers at the area’s biggest professional golf event. The tournament will raise nearly $6 million for area youth initiatives.

NC State Fair

Where: NC State Fairgrounds

When:  Thursday Oct 12 – Sunday Oct 22

First started in 1853, the NC State Fair was originally created to give the agricultural community a venue to showcase its crops, livestock and new technology. While the fair has not strayed from this core mission, it has grown considerably in other aspects, namely food, rides and games. There are always some monstrosities of gastronomy like deep fried candy bars, hamburgers with donuts for buns, and fried bacon. There will also be plenty of more traditional foods like homemade ice cream, barbecue (ever present) and fudge.

Cary Diwali

Where: Koka Booth Amphietheatre, Cary

When: Saturday, Oct 14, gates open at 10 am

Also known as the “Festival of Light,” Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated religious and cultural events in India. The free festival will feature live music, dance performances, delicious food and more.

Festifall Arts Festival

Where: West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill

When: Saturdays, Oct 14, 21, 28, 1 – 6 pm

Every year, West Franklin Street is shut down and taken over by a sea of artists and crafters selling their wares and demonstrating their talents. The festival facilitates interaction between the local arts community and the broader Chapel Hill community. There will also be live music and plenty of the area’s best food trucks.

Tar Heel Antiques Festival

Where: Lloyd’s Farm, 226 North Lloyd’s Dairy Rd, Efland

When: Saturday, Oct 21, 9 am – 5pm; Sunday, Oct 22, 9 am – 5 pm

“Join us for a day or the entire weekend to enjoy the love of antiques through our vendor booths, appraisals and onsite auction.” The show will feature antiques in all price ranges with something for everyone from the casual visitor to the seasoned antique hunter.

Barktoberfest

Where: Durham Central Park

When: Saturday October 28, 3:30 – 6:30 pm

Durham Parks and Recreation, and Beyond Fences are teaming up to bring you and your dog an afternoon of fun. Beyond Fences is a non-profit organization that strives to bring basic pet care resources to area neighborhoods. The organization provides free services, supplies, information and support and proactively reaches out to the community to build relationships with families and help keep pets healthy and happy. The event will feature a music performance, dog costume contest, photo booth and raffle to win great pet prizes (all proceeds go to charity).