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Raleigh is home to many diverse festivals that range from celebrations of blues to art to railroads. Every October, the Selma Railroad Festival features carnival rides, a parade and a children’s area that all pay homage to the railroad. Food and wine enthusiasts flock to the Currituck Food and Wine Festival, held each September. Local vineyards bring their best wines to be sampled along with the best local cuisine. Bull Durham Blues Festival celebrates the rich history of North Carolina’s southern blues for three days in early September. The largest event in North Carolina is the North Carolina State Fair. This ten-day festival in October draws over 700,000 people annually for the livestock competitions, musical acts, games, rides and delicious festival food. For those looking to get together with local North Carolinians for a good time, don’t miss out on Raleigh’s awesome festivals.
Bull Durham Blues Festival
804 Old Fayetteville St., Durham, North Carolina 27707
Celebrating the rich history of southern blues in North Carolina, the Bull Durham Blues Festival is a three-day celebration of blues legends and newcomers. The event is the largest blues festival in North Carolina, drawing in crowds from over 175 North Carolina cities, 25 states and 5 countries. Hosted at the historic Durham Athletic Park, the early September festival is a superb way to unwind in the evening, with music staring at 6pm, and ending at 11pm.
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CenterFest Arts Festival
Downtown Durham, North Carolina; Event Information; Tel. 919.560.2722
For the 34th year, the CenterFest Arts Festival has been the largest arts and community street festival in Durham, North Carolina. The event features over 150 artists and street performers, a plethora of food and great music. The mid-September event also provides many educational activities for children of all ages. The festival is located in Durham Central Park, where many art galleries, new restaurants and a farmers market are located. The city of Durham usually expects between 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to attend this event put on by non-profit group the Durham Arts Council.
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Currituck Food and Wine Festival
Cotton Gin Jarvisberg, North Carolina; Event Info.; Tel. 887.287.7488
For the past five years wine enthusiasts have gathered in the crisp fall air that the end of September in North Carolina brings, for the annual Currituck Food and Wine Festival. Wine samplings from local vineyards are offered in addition to local fresh seafood and delightful BBQ from some of the areas best restaurants. The event also features live music for entertainment while food and wine are being enjoyed. Not to be forgotten is The Great Grape Stomp, where festival participants can stomp their way to fantastic prizes.
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North Carolina State Fair
North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina
The biggest event in North Carolina is Raleigh's annual North Carolina State Fair. The ten-day October festival happens at North Carolina State Fairgrounds and draws more than 700,000 people. Entertainment at Raleigh's North Carolina State Fair includes livestock competitions, craft demonstrations, big-name performers, plus lots of games, rides and good old festival food.
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Selma Railroad Days Festival
Event information: Tel; 919. 965.9841
Held each October, the Selma Railroad Festival in Selma, North Carolina pays homage to what the town was formed around. The event is family oriented, with carnival rides, a parade, an exclusive children's area and an abundance of sweets and treats. For adults, there are antique cars, music by regional artists and tons of great fare. There is even a pageant where five girls of various age groups are crowned tiny, little, junior, teen and miss Railroad Days each year.
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Trioka Music Festival
Downtown Durham, North Carolina; near Duke University
Though the Trioka Music is barely five years old, the event is drawing both university students and independent music lovers from around North Carolina alike. The five-day festival places over 20 bands in venues ranging from various coffee shops in Durham to 305 South, an artist's venue in the downtown area. A non-profit group composed of volunteers organizes the entire event. The first few years of the festival were small, but with the word catching on about the local independent sounds, Trioka could become one the biggest music festivals in North Carolina.
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— Raleigh festival reviews by David Backes & Avital Binshtock
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