16 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week · July 30–August 2, 2026

Free Events

Live After 5 featuring Fancy Gap

Downtown Raleigh's beloved free summer concert series returns to Moore Square with indie folk band Fancy Gap, plus local food trucks and cold drinks.

Thursday, July 30, 2026 7:00 PM · Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh

We're Not Really Runners – Sunday Run Club

A welcoming Sunday run/walk group in Raleigh open to all paces — whether you walk, run, or just love to chat, this crew is here for it.

Sunday, August 2, 2026 · Raleigh, North Carolina

Summer Concert Series

The City of Raleigh's free outdoor summer concert series continues with live music in the park.

Sunday, August 2, 2026 6:00 PM · Raleigh

Festivals & Special Events

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Cary's favorite annual festival returns for two days of all-you-care-to-taste beer and bourbon samplings, bluegrass music, BBQ, biscuits, and smoked meats at Koka Booth Amphitheater.

Friday, July 31 – Saturday, August 1, 2026 6:00 PM · Koka Booth Amphitheater, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary

The Market at Raleigh Iron Works

Triangle Pop-Up returns to the hip Raleigh Iron Works venue for a curated local market featuring artists, makers, and small businesses.

Saturday, August 8, 2026 11:00 AM · Raleigh Iron Works, Raleigh

Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival

A massive downtown Raleigh music festival expecting 150,000+ attendees with food vendors, makers, artists, and small businesses across two days.

Friday, October 2 – Saturday, October 3, 2026 · Downtown Raleigh

Music & Nightlife

Stormy Daniels at Goodnights Comedy Club

Stormy Daniels takes the Goodnights Comedy Club stage for a one-night stand-up show.

Friday, July 31, 2026 7:30 PM · Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

Dale Jones at Raleigh Improv

Comedian Dale Jones brings his stand-up act to the Raleigh Improv for multiple shows across the weekend.

Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, 2026 · Raleigh Improv, Raleigh

Bronco – El Gran Baile Tour

Legendary Mexican grupero band Bronco brings their El Gran Baile Tour to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium for a night of classic Latin hits.

Saturday, August 8, 2026 8:00 PM · Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh

Outdoors & Active

Kayaking 101 at Falls Lake

A beginner-friendly group kayaking class on Falls Lake offering hands-on instruction and one-on-one time with an instructor to build foundational paddling skills.

Saturday, August 1, 2026 9:30 AM · Falls Lake, Durham

Morning Miles Run Club at North Hills

A weekly Tuesday morning run club at Midtown Park offering 3-mile and 5-mile routes followed by coffee and conversation.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 6:05 AM · Midtown Park at North Hills, Raleigh

We Run Raleigh Run Club – Tuesday Runs

Join this free weekly run club every Tuesday for a warm-up, run/walk, cool-down, and line dance turn-up in downtown Raleigh.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 7:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh

Date Night

Bands, Bites & Boats at Bond Park

A free Friday evening at Bond Park Boathouse with live music by Adam Pitts, food trucks, Fortnight Brewing, and after-hours boat rentals on Bond Lake.

Friday, August 7, 2026 6:00 PM · Bond Park Boathouse, 801 High House Road, Cary

Arts & Culture

North Carolina's Funniest Person Contest

Local stand-up comedians compete for the title of North Carolina's Funniest Person in this multi-night competition at Goodnights Comedy Club.

Friday, August 7, 2026 7:30 PM · Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

Family-Friendly

First Friday Market & Movie Night: Zootopia 2 at Moore Square

Moore Square transforms into a free outdoor movie night featuring Zootopia 2 under the stars, with food trucks and live music before the screening.

Friday, August 7, 2026 5:00 PM · Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh

Learn How to Juggle!

A fun, hands-on juggling workshop at Current Wellness — perfect for all ages looking to pick up a quirky new skill.

Saturday, August 8, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh