Weekend best bets: Dinos, Dogwood Festival and Brewgaloo
The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Brewgaloo Craft Beer Festival and Spring Daze in Cary are just a few of the festivals happening this weekend.
On Saturday, Carolina Ale House in downtown Raleigh will host an official watch party for the Carolina Hurricanes game at 2 p.m. The party is being expanded into an outdoor street event with a giant TV outside, Stormy, raffles and giveaways.
Festivals
April 26-28: Fayetteville Dogwood Festival - This annual festival includes carnival rides, a cornhole tournament and live music.
April 26-27: Brewgaloo Craft Beer Festival - Sample and enjoy dozens of beers and food trucks in downtown Raleigh.
April 27: 2nd Annual Adult Recess Festival - Enjoy games, arts and crafts, food trucks and shop with local businesses while making new friends at Fred Fletcher Park in Raleigh on Saturday. There will be inflatables, kickball, flag football, limbo, tug-o-war, double Dutch, musical chairs and more from 3 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. Open to those ages 21 years and older.
April 27: NC Pickle Festival- Mount Olive hosts this annual festival, which includes a pickle eating contest and more fun.
April 26-27: Mebane Dogwood Festival - A tradition since 1988, this festival includes a golf tournament, a 5K and live music.
April 27: Spring Daze - This arts and crafts festival at Bond Park in Cary features over 170 local artists, live music, food and more.
April 25-28: MerleFest - Since its founding in 1988, MerleFest has operated as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and so much more. This year's headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, The Teskey Brothers, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway and Steep Canyon Rangers.
April 27-28: The 11th Annual Festival of Legends - This festival at Sugg Farm Park in Holly Springs will celebrate crows, ravens and the shiny things they love. There will be fairies, dragons, magic, music, comedy, food, mead and beer. Tickets are $20 per day for adults and $25 for a weekend pass. Children ages 12 years and under are admitted free.
April 27: Unleashed’s Spring Fling Dog and Cat Fundraiser - This event will include local vendors, a doggie Easter egg hunt with prizes, raffles, food trucks, live music and a bounce house. The event is from noon to 6 p.m. at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary.
Live music
April 26: NEEDTOBREATHE - The band comes to Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
April 26: Culture At the Mic – Poetry and Music Showcase - Culture At the Mic is a monthly showcase of talented local artists hosted by the Contemporary Art Museum of Downtown Raleigh. Admission is $9.
April 27: 2024 Music at the Museum Festival - The North Carolina Museum of art will host this event on Saturday from 4:30 to 11 p.m. featuring five artists with North Carolina roots. The lineup includes Tift Merritt, Rissi Palmer, Shana Tucker, Kooley High, Thao, Rafique Bhatia and Alexis Raeana. Tickets are $10 and there will be free remote viewing.
April 27: The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie - The bands come to Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
April 26-27: NC Symphony: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto - See the NC Symphony in Raleigh.
April 27: Poetry in the Park - Celebrate National Poetry Month at Eno River State Park from 2 to 4 p.m. with this event featuring food trucks, storywalks and an open mic.
April 28: Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen - Discover the music of Queen at Hayti Heritage Center under the gentle glow of candlelight. The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $34.
Family fun
April 18-27: Beauty and the Beast - Be captivated by the timeless tale of love, bravery, and magic as the talented students from C. E. Jordan High School in Durham bring this classic story to life on stage. Shows run through Sunday.
April 26-28: Little Mermaid Jr. - Leaders by Choice will present this show at Theatre Raleigh Studio off of Barrow Drive in Raleigh this weekend. There will be shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
April 26-28: Bluey's Big Play - Bluey’s Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series.
April 26: Wheels Roller Skate Party at Durham Central Park - Join artist Dare Coulter at Durham Central Park on Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm for a free roller-skating extravaganza. Coulter is creating public art for the newly renovated Wheels Roller Skating Rink, which will open later this year and will be photographing skaters in action to use as reference for her artwork. Be sure to bring your own skates, grab some delicious bites from the food truck, and be ready to have fun for the whole family.
April 27: Dueling Dinosaurs: Grand Opening - Celebrate the NC Museum of Natural Sciences' opening of an exciting new exhibit that will forever change how we view the world’s two favorite dinosaurs. No ticket required.
April 27: Touch a Truck - Receive a free, hands-on experience with vehicles of all kinds at Sanderford Road Community Center's annual Touch-A-Truck event in Raleigh. The event runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 27: Acorns and Iron Family Health and Wellness Event - There will be fun activities focused on health and wellness for the whole family during this event from noon to 3 p.m. at Brier Crek Park in Raleigh. From interactive games to informative sessions, there's something for everyone.
April 27: Chavis Health and Wellness Day - This event at John Chavis Memorial Park and Community Center will include mental health exhibits, physical fitness classes, wellness information and food trucks with free $15 food vouchers while supplies last. Children's activities will include inflatables, relay races, and other friendly competitions with prizes including Raleigh Parks gift cards. Admission is free.
April 28: Spring Fling 2024: That Girl Lay Lay and Friends Live - Back by popular demand, the music and TV superstar sensation That Girl Lay Lay will return to Raleigh.
April 28: YMCA Kindergarten Celebration - The end of the school year is right around the corner and the YMCA is inviting all graduating kindergartners to a celebration at Camp Kanata on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Kindergartners can spend time on various activities including gaga ball, tetherball, arts and crafts, and water activities. Pre-registration is required, though the event is free and open to the public.
Gardens and Shopping
April 26-27: Mordecai Heirloom Plant Sale - Celebrate Earth Day at Mordecai Historic Park and get your herb, vegetable and flower gardens started for the season. Heirloom varieties of plants will be on sale. Admission is free and plants will range from $3 to $5.
April 27: Raulston Blooms and Plant Sale - Learn, shop for your garden, get great ideas and enjoy gourmet treats while supporting the JC Raulston Arboretum on Saturday during this annual event. Admission is free for garden members, and $5 for nonmembers. Family tickets are $10.
April 27-28: Oakwood Garden Tour - Guests will enjoy a self-guided walking tour featuring Historic Oakwood’s fabulous gardens. Be prepared to walk approximately 1.5 miles and wear appropriate footwear.
April 28: Durham Underground Market - The MAKRS Society X Oak City Music Collective presents: Durham Underground Market: a market and concert series. Enjoy this monthly series featuring new bands every month from Oak City Music Collective, more than 45 local vendors, food trucks, workshops by Joy Worthy Co, beer and wine from The Glass Jug and more. The fun starts at 11 a.m. at Durham Central Park.
