We’ve got your weekend lineup, Raleigh! Check out these local things to do to keep you busy this weekend!
Every week, we curate a list of local things to do in and around Raleigh. Our goal is to uplift local businesses and connect you with fun, community-driven experiences.
We prioritize events from our Shop Local Raleigh members, offering you the best local experiences. Want to add your event to our list? Consider becoming a Shop Local Raleigh member or contact us for collaboration opportunities.
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😂 Cliff Cash at Goodnights Comedy Club 7/2-3
Check out Cliff Cash at Goodnights Comedy Club this weekend! 401 Woodburn Rd. More info.
🏖️ Beach Music at North Hills 7/2
Enjoy live music from The Soul Psychedelique Orchestra at Midtown Park at North Hills! Due to the heat, gates will open at 6pm. The band will still play from 6–9 PM, so you won’t miss any of the music. They’ll also have water stations and Italian ice to help keep you cool & hydrated throughout the evening! Tickets and info.
🐴 Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing 7/2
Join Ponysaurus every Thursday in front of the taproom for your choice of a 3- or 5-mile route, then reward yourself with a pint for the effort! Check-in starts at 6pm, with announcements and the run kicking off at 6:15pm. It’s totally free, and all paces are welcome! 6pm-8pm. 2221 Iron Works Dr. Suite 100. More info.
🎆 Morrisville’s Red, White, & Boom! 7/2
Celebrate Independence Day early in Morrisville at Red, White & BOOM! The festival features live music, inflatables, face painting, family‑friendly games, food trucks, and a dazzling fireworks display. This year they will also honor the 250th anniversary of the United States with special commemorative activities and a patriotic tribute during the fireworks finale. 6pm-9:30pm – fireworks around 9:00pm. Cedar Fork District Park – 228 Aviation Parkway. More info.
🎆 Wendell Fireworks Show 7/2
The Wendell Fireworks Show returns for America’s 250th birthday! Enjoy a bigger Fireworks show for America 250, a concert from The Main Event Band, golf cart and bike parade, crowd performers, food trucks and more! This is a free community event open to all! 6:30pm – fireworks around 9:00pm. Wendell Park – 601 W. Third St. More info.
🍩 Dinks & Donuts at Pin Point 7/3
Join Pin Point this Friday for Dinks & Donuts! Great pickleball, delicious donuts, and a chance to win $! Enter their giveaway by submitting a raffle entry during the event for your chance to win $50 in Pin Point credits. 9am-12pm. More info.
🛥️ Thurston Howell Yacht Rock at Bowstring 7/3
Prepare to set sail on a groovy voyage with Thurston Howell, Your Premiere Yacht Rock Spectacular! Thurston Howell crafts a symphony of classic hits all night long, from Toto and Michael McDonald, all the way to Hall and Oates and Steely Dan! 1930 Wake Forest Rd. 7:00pm. More info.
🍿 Independence Day at Downtown Cary Park 7/3
As part of Cary’s July 3rd Celebration and in honor of America’s 250th birthday, catch a screening of Independence Day (PG-13)! Come early to enjoy pre-screening activities for all ages. Food trucks will also be on site. 6pm-10pm. Downtown Cary Park – 327 S Academy St. More info.
🎆 Apex Fireworks Frenzy 7/3
Kick off your Fourth of July celebrations with an evening of food, games, a uniquely-Apex drone show, and a spectacular fireworks display! Enjoy the Parade of Wheels, Apex Fire Department Splash Down, inflatables, games, food trucks, and more. 4:30pm-10pm – fireworks around 9:30pm. Hunter Street Park – 1250 Ambergate Station. More info.
🎆 Garner Independence Day Celebration 7/3
Enjoy delicious food and great music while your children play in the kids’ zone. Top it all off with a headlining performance by the North Carolina Symphony and the best fireworks show in the Triangle! 5pm-10pm – fireworks around 9:30pm. Lake Benson Park – 921 Buffaloe Rd. More info.
🎆 Clayton’s Independence Day Fireworks 7/3
The Town of Clayton’s Independence Day Fireworks Display will take place on Friday, July 3, with fireworks launching from Clayton Middle School due to construction of the new Clayton High School. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm and is expected to last approximately 20 minutes. Bring your chair, find a spot, and enjoy the show! Clayton Middle School – 490 Guy Rd. More info.
🎆 Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular 7/3
Fireworks, food trucks, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more await you at Wake Forest’s 2026 Independence Day Celebration! Featuring headliner band, The Swingin’ Medallions, food trucks, an incredible fireworks show, roaming entertainment, and more. Admission is free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at around 9:30 p.m. Heritage High School – 1150 Forestville Rd. More info.
🍔 Bull City Freedom & Good Food Fest 7/3-4
Get ready for an epic celebration at Durham Central Park! A weekend full of tasty food trucks, live music, and activities for the kiddos! Bring your friends, family, a blanket and a chair, but most of all an appetite for a fun-filled Independence Weekend! 3pm-9pm. 501 Foster St. Durham, NC. More info.
🎉 First In Freedom Parade 7/4
Celebrate 250 years of American independence as the First In Freedom Parade marches through downtown Raleigh. Enjoy patriotic floats, marching bands, giant balloons, veterans groups, community organizations, and representatives from all 100 North Carolina counties in this once-in-a-generation celebration.
🚏 Parade Route (Begins at 9:30 AM)
🇺🇸 Starts at Salisbury St. & Lane St.
➡️ Travels on Salisbury St. toward the State Capitol
➡️ Turns left onto Morgan St.
➡️ Turns right on Fayetteville St.
➡️ Turns right on Lenoir St.
🏁 Ends at Lenoir St. and Salisbury St.
Bring a chair, wear your red, white, and blue, and arrive early for the best viewing spots. More info.
🎆 4th of July Fireworks at Dix Park 7/4
Enjoy DJs and live music, lawn games, inflatables, a craft station, food and drink vendors, and the main event, fireworks at 9:30 pm. 6pm-10pm. Dix Park – Big Field. More info.
🎆 Star Spangled Block Party 7/4
The Star-Spangled block party is back with DJ Mark McNally in the clock tower area. Find your spot in the Brier Creek Commons for one of the largest fireworks shows that begins after dark. The fireworks soundtrack will be broadcast on Kix 102.9, just tune in after dark and listen to the choreographed show live. 8pm-9pm. Brier Creek Commons – 8181 Brier Creek Pkwy. More info.
🎉 Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest 7/4
This free, all-day festival is a celebration of the arts, history, nature, and culture that define North Carolina’s role in the nation’s story. Enjoy live performances by Tift Merritt & Rissi Palmer, a Hurricanes KidZone, living history, vendors, food trucks, and more. 10am-4pm. NC State Capitol – 1 Edenton St. More info.
🎆 Rolesville 4th of July Celebration 7/4
Live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer, wine, fireworks. 5pm-9pm – fireworks around 9:15pm. Redford Place Park – 121 Redford Pl. Dr. More info.
🎆 Cary Independence Day Celebration 7/4
Live music from the NC Symphony and Cary Town Band, kids’ activities, fireworks. 3:30pm-10pm – fireworks at 9:25pm. Koka Booth Amphitheatre 8003 Regency Parkway. More info.
🎉 Fourth on First Avenue 7/4
Live music, bike parade, inflatables, mini golf, splash party, DJ. 9am-1pm. Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Ave. More info.
🎆 Durham Bulls Fireworks Night 7/4
Watch the Durham Bulls and enjoy fireworks after the game. 6:45pm – fireworks around 9:15pm. Durham Bulls Athletic Park – 409 Blackwell St., Durham. More info.
⭐️ Stars, Stripes & Seaboard 7/4
Enjoy live music from The Shine, play cornhole and sip a drink in the beer garden. Grab a bite from Boatman Spirits Co. or a neighboring spot before heading out to the fireworks. 5pm-7pm. 20 Seaboard Ave. More info.
🌭 Glizzyfest at Crank Arm Brewing 7/4
Crank Arm Brewing will have hotdogs on the grill (while they last) and drink specials! Blazin’ Trails Bottle Babies is bringing a crew of adoptable puppies from 2:00-4:00 PM – get some puppy love, or adopt your new family member! 1pm-6pm. 319 W Davie St. More info.
😂 Darren Brand at Goodnights Comedy Club 7/4-5
Check out Darren Brand at Goodnights Comedy Club this weekend! 401 Woodburn Rd. More info.
🎤 Hair in Concert at Fred Fletcher Park 7/4
Enjoy a free, family-friendly celebration featuring music, poetry, art, and community connection! Hands-on children’s activities from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM. The evening’s featured performance begins at 6:30 PM with Hair in Concert. The event will also feature spoken-word artists, featuring 2023 NC Poet Laureate Dasan Ahanu, along with Ajani Kambon, Kamile Sabali, and Brenda Bailey. The final aspect of this performance will include participatory dancing and singing as one community. 3pm-8pm. 820 Clay St. More info.
🐶 Puppies, Stars and Stripes at Crank Arm Brewing 7/4
Brews, barks, and best friends! Blazin’ Trails Bottle Babies is heading to Crank Arm Brewery (Raleigh) with a pack of adorable, adoptable pups — and they can’t wait to meet you! Come grab a cold drink and hot dog cookout. Enjoy the sunshine, and fall in love with a furry friend who’s ready to hop into your heart (and maybe your car). 2pm-4pm. 319 W Davie St. More info.
👩🌾 Midtown Farmers’ Market at North Hills 7/4
Swing by the market to kick off the holiday with bike & stroller decorating, live music, 20+ local vendors, and more! 4191 Main at North Hills St. 8am-12pm. More info.
👩🌾 Cary Farmers Market 7/4
Join the Cary Farmers Market for the traditional market season along East Park St., next to Downtown Cary Park. Find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally made and locally grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, humanely-raised meat, and artisan-made goods. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. 160 E. Park St., Cary. 8am-12pm. More info.
⚽ NC Courage vs. Seattle Reign 7/4
Up, up, and away! The Courage are celebrating the strong girls who make up the Triangle. From future stars to everyday heroes, join them as they honor the girls who inspire, lead, and show off their superpowers on the field! 6:30pm. Tickets
🐾 July 4th Cookout for Pets at Unleashed 7/4
Celebrate 1,750 Dog Years of America! Stop by your local Unleashed this Saturday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM for a FREE July 4th Cookout-themed treat buffet for pets! Plus, participate in the July 4th-themed challenge to earn a free Summer Scouts iron-on patch. Stop in before July 4th to see all of the calming and fireworks supplements they have on sale! Note: Crabtree & Streets at Southpoint are limited to service animals- all other locations welcome all pets! Their mall stores will have to-go options. Find your location 1pm-4pm. More info.
🎨 Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda Event Co. 7/5
Unleash your creativity at this self-guided pottery painting workshop, perfect for all ages and skill levels. This self-paced session lets you create at your own speed, with the Cozy Panda Event Co. team on hand to offer guidance, tips, and a little artistic inspiration. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted masterpiece! Southern Peak Brewery will be serving delicious brews all afternoon. 950 Windy Rd. Suite 100. Apex. 1pm-2:30pm. More info.
🎆 Holly Springs July 5 Independence Day Celebration 7/5
The Town’s year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary begins on July 5! Make plans to celebrate 250 years for the USA and 150 years for Holly Springs. 6pm-9:30pm – fireworks around 9:15pm. Sugg Farm – 2401 Grigsby Ave. More info.
🍹 Morgan Street Sessions 7/5
Designed to bring together great music, food, drinks, and community, Sessions features local and regional DJs performing curated sets in a relaxed daytime atmosphere. Enjoy feel-good house music, brunch cocktails, food from a variety of vendors, and an energetic outdoor experience on the patio at Morgan Street Food Hall. 411 W Morgan St. 12pm-4pm. More info.
🎆 Independence Weekend Fireworks 7/5
Watch the Zebulon Devil Dogz and enjoy fireworks after the game. 6pm. Nomaco Park – 1501 NC Hwy 39, Zebulon. More info.
🎶 Live Music
7/3 Excitable (Def Leppard Tribute) & ’84 (Van Halen Tribute) at Lincoln Theatre – Tickets
7/5 Madison Beer at Red Hat Amphitheater – Tickets
