24 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week · August 20–23, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

Packapalooza

NC State's signature all-day block party on Hillsborough Street features 350+ vendor booths, live music across multiple stages, and a grand fireworks finale at the Belltower — 90,000+ attendees expected.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM · Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

Free Events

NCMA Movie Night: Wicked: For Good

Outdoor movie night at Moore Square with food trucks and Emerald City vibes — catch Wicked: For Good under the stars.

Friday, August 21, 2026 6:00 PM · Moore Square, Raleigh

Wellness on the Block: A Free Community Open House

Current Wellness opens its doors for a free community open house event in downtown Raleigh.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Kirby Derby at Dix Park

Raleigh's wackiest annual tradition returns with downhill soapbox racing, costumes, parades, and pine car racing on Harvey Hill at Dix Park — free to attend.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM · Dix Park, Harvey Hill, Raleigh

Fourth Ward Gospel Extravaganza

A free community gospel music celebration at the Fletcher Opera Theater.

Sunday, August 23, 2026 4:00 PM · Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh

Music & Nightlife

Wilderado at Bowstring Raleigh

Indie folk-rock band Wilderado performs at Bowstring Raleigh with opener Sam Burchfield.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 · Bowstring Raleigh, Raleigh

Karlous Miller at Raleigh Improv

Fan-favorite comedian Karlous Miller brings his stand-up to the Raleigh Improv for a weekend run of five shows.

Friday, August 21, 2026 · Raleigh Improv, Raleigh

Kristin Key at Goodnights Comedy Club

Stand-up comedian Kristin Key performs two shows Saturday night at Goodnights Comedy Club.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 6:00 PM · Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

Chance the Rapper at Red Hat Amphitheater

Chance the Rapper brings his Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour to Red Hat Amphitheater.

Saturday, August 29, 2026 · Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh

Ibiza Nights at The Portal HQ

Italian DJ Forte headlines an Ibiza Nights party at The Portal HQ, bringing authentic European house vibes to Hillsborough Street.

Saturday, August 29, 2026 · The Portal HQ, 3801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

Arts & Culture

Rod Man at Goodnights Comedy Club

Comedian Rod Man headlines two shows Friday night at Goodnights Comedy Club.

Friday, August 21, 2026 7:00 PM · Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

Grief Sucks: A One Man Show By KevOnStage

Social media star and comedian KevOnStage performs his one-man show at the Fletcher Opera Theater — a personal and hilarious take on grief.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh

Meaningful Laughs: A Comedy Show About Menopause

A unique comedy show tackling menopause with humor and community at Current Wellness in downtown Raleigh.

Saturday, August 29, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Food & Drink

Flowers Cottage Coffee and Park Bar at Dix Park

Dix Park's newly opened Flowers Cottage coffee and park bar officially opens, offering drinks with views of Flowers Field and the Raleigh skyline from an expanded deck and patio.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 · Flowers Cottage, Dix Park, Raleigh

Midtown Farmers' Market at North Hills

The beloved 16th-season Midtown Farmers Market returns with 35+ local vendors offering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts, live music, and kids' crafts.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM · The Commons, North Hills, 4191 Main at North Hills Street, Raleigh

Cary Street Food Festival

An indoor/outdoor food festival at Fenton in Cary featuring 20+ food trucks with all items priced at $5 or less, plus live entertainment, axe throwing, a mechanical bull, and a vendor market.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 2:00 PM · Fenton, 201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary

Date Night

Tapas & Wine Tasting

A five-course tapas and wine pairing dinner — a Saturday night built for sipping and snacking.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Raleigh

Sunday Unwind Sound Bath

A relaxing sound bath event to unwind and reset on a Sunday evening at Current Wellness.

Sunday, August 30, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Lord of the Rings Drag Brunch

A one-of-a-kind Lord of the Rings-themed drag brunch at the Raleigh Improv — a memorable afternoon of fantasy, drag, and brunch.

Sunday, August 30, 2026 1:00 PM · Raleigh Improv, Raleigh

Family-Friendly

NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater

The NC Chinese Lantern Festival returns for its 11th year at Koka Booth Amphitheater with 1,000+ handcrafted silk lanterns and displays in a self-guided walking tour.

Friday, August 21, 2026 · Koka Booth Amphitheater, Cary

Packapalooza at NC State University

NC State's signature Wolfpack Welcome Week block party on Hillsborough Street with 350+ vendor booths, live music, and a fireworks finale — open to all ages.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 2:00 PM · Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star at Raleigh Little Theatre

An interactive children's theatre piece for very young audiences performed by two Star Keepers, opening its run at Raleigh Little Theatre.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 · Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh

Outdoors & Active

Rooftop Yoga at Downtown Raleigh

Sunday morning rooftop yoga sessions with skyline views in downtown Raleigh — come for the stretches, stay for the scenery.

Sunday, August 23, 2026 · Downtown Raleigh

Wellness Wednesdays at Midtown Park – Orangetheory Fitness

The fall season of free outdoor fitness classes kicks off at North Hills Midtown Park, starting with Orangetheory Fitness — open to all fitness levels.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM · Midtown Park, North Hills, Raleigh