Raleigh Fringe Festival
September 10–12
Theatre Raleigh Arts Center
raleighfringefestival.squarespace.com
Modeled after the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was founded after “a bunch of artists were told they were too weird to participate in a theatre fest,” this performing arts festival celebrates everything weird and wonderful about Raleigh. The weekend spotlights eclectic cinema, music, comedy, circus arts, burlesque, competitive solitaire, and lots more for those with unique tastes. See website for ticket pricing.
Community Celebration of the Arts
September 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wake Forest Renaissance Center
bit.ly/WFCelebrationoftheArts
A 45-minute puppet show brings classic folk tales of The Frog Prince, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and the Three Little Pigs to life. The free event also includes hands-on artistic experiences, a slime bar, caricatures from Cartoon Jordan, giveaways, and a mini market.
Carolina Circus Festival: The Greatest Show
September 12, 3–10 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
carolinacircusfestival.com
Sister publication Cary Magazine proudly sponsors this free annual festival devoted to the circus arts supporting mental health in the movement community. Awe-inspiring performances include aerials, fire, LED, and ground acrobatics. The evening also includes workshops, food trucks, and vendors.
BugFest
September 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
naturalsciences.org/calendar/event/bugfest-2026
The theme of the 30th annual event is Hoppers, so expect to learn lots about plant, leaf, and tree varieties! Stop by more than 100 exhibits, bring all your creepy crawly questions for entomologists, and even taste some buggy culinary creations if you dare. Live performances and science talks throughout the day.
Triangle Oktoberfest
October 2 & 3
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
triangleoktoberfest.org
The biggest, most authentic Oktoberfest in North Carolina returns for another year! Eat and drink your fill of traditional Bavarian food and seasonal beer while enjoying live music from King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band, stein hoisting championships, wiener dog races, and more friendly competitions. Ticket pricing varies, but kids 15 and younger get in free! The Kinder Platz zone will keep them entertained with inflatables, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and other activities.
Falling for Local
October 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh
shoplocalraleigh.org
Fall festival season is in full swing. Take a hayride, stop by the pumpkin patch, and enjoy games, inflatables, food trucks, local beer samples, and live music. Plus, shop goodies from more than 150 local makers. Free to attend!
Pay It Forward: Night in Monte Carlo
October 10, 6–11 p.m.
Raleigh Marriott City Center
caringcommunityfoundation.org
Join the Caring Community Foundation to raise money for North Carolina cancer patients in need. Every paddle raised changes a life in the legendary live auction. The evening also includes dinner, cocktails, live music, and casino games. $150 per person.
NC State Fair
October 15–25
NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
ncagr.gov/ncstatefair
From the livestock and rides to the notorious fried food and exhibits, this annual showcase needs no introduction. Special admission days include College Day (Oct. 15), Sensory Day (Oct. 18), Senior Citizens’ Day (Oct. 20), Military Appreciation Day (Oct. 21), and Hunger Relief Day (Oct. 22).
Halloween Boo Bash
October 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Downtown Wake Forest
Geared for children ages 12 and younger, this free day of fun includes exhibits, inflatables, carnival games, activities, DJ tunes, and food trucks. Costumes highly encouraged! Sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, weighted lap pads, and other aids are available from the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources tent.
Spellbound at Mordecai
October 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh
paperandstarsstudio.com
This Halloween market is all about the kids! Participate in a costume contest and parade, but please no horror, gore, or full face masks. Create spooky crafts, decorate a pumpkin, shop handmade items, and meet mysterious creatures and amazing magicians. Free to attend; preregistration encouraged.
