The Best Things to Do in Raleigh This September 2026
Fall is coming!!! Fall is our favorite time of year, so September gets us so excited for all the fun fall festivities on the way. The temperature is starting to cool off, football season is back, and the calendar is packed with festivals, live music, food and drink events, and plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the Triangle!
From Hopscotch and BugFest to cultural celebrations, fall festivals, Oktoberfest, and even a festival dedicated to tamales, there’s a little something for everyone happening around Raleigh this month. We rounded up some of the best Raleigh-area events happening throughout September 2026 so you can start filling up your calendar!
Week of September 1st - September 7th
Images from Thriving in Raleigh
17th Annual African American Cultural Festival
When: Saturday, September 5th - Sunday, September 6th
Where: Downtown Raleigh
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Celebrate African American culture, history, and community at this annual Labor Day weekend festival in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The family-friendly event features live music, dance and theater performances, visual art, local food, and a marketplace filled with Black-owned businesses and vendors.
When: Saturday, September 5th - Sunday, September 6th
Where: Raleigh Convention Center
Cost: starting at $17.47 (Kids 12 and under get in free!)
Description: Calling all gamers and geeks! The Raleigh Game & Geek Expo is packed with gaming tournaments, free-play areas, arcades, tabletop games, retro and modern consoles, cosplay, celebrity guests, and a massive marketplace. It’s a fun weekend for anyone who loves gaming, pop culture, or all things geeky.
She Welcomes Fall Women’s Retreat
When: Sunday, September 6th from 11am - 4pm
Where: Mini Acres Farm
Cost: $87.21 per ticket
Description: Looking for a fun way to welcome the new season? This women-only retreat at Mini Acres Farm combines wellness, creativity, and a little fall fun. Guests can enjoy yoga, brunch with mimosas, wildflower bouquet making, intention jar making, and a relaxing sound bath.
Week of September 8th - September 14th
Images from Thriving in Raleigh
When: Thursday, September 10th - Saturday, September 12th
Where: Downtown Raleigh
Cost: starting at $159 for GA 3-Day Pass
Description: One of Raleigh’s biggest music weekends is back! Hopscotch brings an eclectic mix of indie, rock, hip-hop, electronic, experimental, folk, and more to venues throughout downtown. With performances happening all across the city, it’s the perfect excuse to explore Raleigh while discovering your new favorite artists.
9th annual BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival
When: Thursday, September 10th - Sunday, September 13th
Where: The Cary Theater
Cost: starting at $10 (depending on session)
Description: The Cary Film Festival is back for its ninth year, bringing four days of short films, workshops, industry talks, filmmaker Q&As, and special events to downtown Cary. The festival showcases short films from filmmakers around the world while also giving audiences a chance to connect with the filmmakers and learn more about the filmmaking process. The weekend wraps up with a screening of the festival’s 2026 award-winning films.
Eno River Association’s 60th Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, September 12th from 1pm - 5pm
Where: Downtown Durham at Carolina Theatre and Dplex Plaza
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: The Festival for the Eno is taking a new form this year as the Eno River Association celebrates its 60th anniversary! Instead of the traditional July festival, this year’s event will be a fall benefit concert and community celebration in downtown Durham, bringing together music, community, and a shared love for protecting the Eno River.
When: Saturday, September 12th from 3pm - 10pm
Where: Downtown Cary Park
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Get ready for a day of circus magic at the Carolina Circus Festival! This family-friendly event features aerial performances, ground acrobatics, fire and LED shows, interactive circus workshops, local artisan vendors, food trucks, and plenty of entertainment throughout Downtown Cary Park.
When: Saturday, September 12th from 4pm - 8:30pm
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater
Cost: starting at $35
Description: Spend an evening under the pines at Whiskey, Wine & Fire, a foodie-focused event featuring whiskey and wine tastings, cocktails, live music, food trucks, open-fire cooking, and firepits throughout Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Guests can sample everything from BBQ, brisket, ribs, and sausages to other open-fire creations while enjoying live bluegrass, Americana, and country music. And of course, there will be firebreathers and artists helping set the night ablaze!
When: Sunday, September 13th from 11am - 5pm
Where: Fenton
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Spend the afternoon browsing original artwork from more than 50 fine artists at Fenton’s annual art festival. You’ll find everything from paintings and mixed media to sculpture and prints, plus workshops, demonstrations, and opportunities to create public art.
Week of September 15th - September 21st
Images from Thriving in Raleigh
When: Saturday, September 19th from 9am - 5pm
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater
Cost: $12.88+ per ticket
Description: Experience the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of Asia at this annual Cary festival. Along with cultural performances, vendors, food, and exhibits, Asia Fest features the Greater Triangle Dragon Boat Festival, complete with exciting dragon boat races on Symphony Lake.
When: Saturday, September 19th from 10am - 7pm
Where: Museum of Natural Sciences
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: It’s time to get a little buggy! BugFest is back with more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games, activities, science talks, and opportunities to chat with entomologists. This year’s theme is “Hoppers,” spotlighting treehoppers, planthoppers, and leafhoppers. And yes, you can even try some creepy culinary creations at Café Insecta!
When: Saturday, September 19th from 11am - 4pm
Where: Downtown Cary Park
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Celebrate the arrival of fall and the season’s harvest bounty at this family-friendly festival from the Cary Downtown Farmers Market. Enjoy live music, local farmers and vendors, arts and crafts, food, craft beer, kids’ activities, interactive exhibits, and the ever-popular pie-eating contest.
When: Saturday, September 19th from 10am - 7pm
Where: Hunter Street and Town Hall Courtyard
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Grab your appetite and head to Downtown Apex for a celebration of Italian culture and heritage! Festa Italiana features live entertainment, authentic Italian food, wine and Bellinis, cooking demonstrations, a cannoli-eating contest, vendors, a kids’ zone, and more.
Juniper Level Botanic Garden Fall Open House
When: Friday, September 18th - Sunday, September 20th AND Friday, September 25th - Sunday, September 27th
Where: Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Plant lovers, this one is for you! Juniper Level Botanic Garden opens its gates for two fall weekends, giving visitors the chance to explore its incredible collection of rare, unusual, and native plants. Browse the gardens, shop the nursery, chat with horticultural experts, and enjoy free educational programs throughout the weekend.
When: Saturday, September 19th from 1pm - 10pm
Where: Clouds Brewing
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Prost! Clouds Brewing is bringing back its annual Oktoberfest celebration with traditional German music and dancers, Cloudstoberfest beer, German-inspired food, and classic Oktoberfest contests. The Little German Band will perform throughout the afternoon and evening, with the stein-holding contest kicking off at 5pm.
When: Sunday, September 20th from 12pm - 6pm
Where: Downtown Raleigh
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Fayetteville Street will be filled with live music, traditional dance, art, food, educational exhibits, vendors, and family-friendly activities. It’s a fun way to experience the incredible diversity and culture that make Raleigh such a special place to live.
Week of September 22nd - September 31st
left image from Thriving in Raleigh | right image from Canva Gallery
When: Thursday, September 24th - Sunday, September 27th
Where: Downtown Benson
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Benson Mule Days is a North Carolina tradition that’s been going strong since 1949. Rodeos, parades, carnival rides, and live music. It’s small-town fun at its best, just a short drive from Raleigh.
When: Saturday, September 26th from 9am - 4pm
Where: 3056 Walters Road, Creedmoor, NC
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: This event brings together dozens of local vendors, makers, and small businesses for a community-focused celebration at Indian Branch Farm. It’s a great opportunity to shop local, spend some time outdoors, and soak up those early-fall vibes.
When: Saturday, September 26th from 11am - 2pm
Where: Moore Square
Cost: FREE to the public
Description: Calling all tamale lovers! The Raleigh Tamale Festival brings local vendors together in Moore Square to celebrate the rich traditions and diverse flavors of this beloved dish. Come hungry, sample tamales from local vendors, enjoy entertainment and activities, and see who takes home bragging rights in Raleigh’s tamale scene.
We’re officially counting down to fall, and September is giving us plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Raleigh! We hope this list helps you find a new festival, event, or activity to check out this month. If you go to one of these, tag us — we always love seeing what you’re up to around Raleigh!
For even more events to explore in Raleigh this September, be sure to check out our full events calendar!
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