Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival

Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater

When: Friday, Aug 1, 6 – 10 pm; Saturday, Aug 2, 12 – 6 pm

According to the event site “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.

Sir Walter Miler

Where: Meredith College, Raleigh

When: Friday, August 8

The Sir Walter Miler was started to remedy the lack of stateside races for American runners. It begun in 2014 and quickly evolved into a massive event filled with cheering fans and some of the fastest racers in the country. The event revolves around the mile race and has been called one of the best homegrown track events in the country. The race is free and open to the public!

OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival

Where: Carolina Theatre, Durham

When: Thursday – Sunday, Aug 14 – 17

“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.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention: The Gift

Where: Forest Theatre, Chapel Hill

When: Aug 15 – Sep 28, Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 6:20 pm (opening act)

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 and fantastic place to see a show. There will be live musical performances from local artists before each show.

CaribMask Carnival

Where: Downtown Raleigh

When: Saturday, August 16, 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 23, 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 and artist demonstrations!

Town of Cary Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival

Where: Downtown Cary

When: Saturday, Sunday, August 23, 24; 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.

Packapalooza

Where: Hillsborough Street by NC State campus, Raleigh

When: Saturday, August 23, 2 – 10 pm

NC State Packapalooza is an exciting street festival that packs Hillsborough Street with students, faculty, staff, families and people from around the area. There will be plenty of music, entertainment, family-friendly activities food and more, all in support of the NC State Wolfpack.