INDY's 2025 Festival & Event Guide
Around the Triangle, the muddy slush piles have thawed and daffodils are starting to poke up, which means that spring is almost here—and with it, festival season and numerous opportunities to have your memories multiplied by the community around you. Find food, beer, and wine events; art exhibitions; Pride happenings; and much more. Lock into the Triangle’s music scene with free summer concerts and festivals like Pittsboro’s sprawling Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival or go see some movies—Durham hosts the prestigious Full Frame Documentary Festival every year and there are plenty of smaller indie events like BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival and Chapel Hill’s Cosmic Rays Film Festival in Chapel Hill. Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find a unique local way to explore it this year—and we’ve compiled it all in our annual festival and event directory. Don’t forget to keep our special pull-out section on hand as a reference guide for the rest of the year—and see you out there!
MARCH
MARCH 7
OCAG Spring Show Reception
Higgins & Myers Custom Framing and Fine Art Gallery, Chapel Hill
https://higginsandmyers.com/home-main/fine-artgallery-2-2/
MARCH 9
Jewish Food Festival
Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC, Durham https://www.jewish-food-festival.com
MARCH 15, APRIL 19, MAY 17, JUNE 21, JULY 19, AUGUST 16, SEPTEMBER 20, OCTOBER 18, NOVEMBER 15, DECEMBER 20
Pop-Up Raleigh
Trophy Brewery, Raleigh Popupraleigh.com and @PopUpRaleigh on socials
MARCH 15-16
St. Patrick's Day Weekend at Pluck Farm
PLUCK FARM - Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/st-patrickscelebration-weekend/
MARCH 16
Welcome Tattoo 6 year Anniversary Party
Welcome Tattoo, Durham https://www.instagram.com/welcometattoonc/
MARCH 21-23
Carrboro Django Reinhardt Festival
Cat's Cradle Back Room, Carrboro https://onyxclubboys.com/carrboro-django-reinhardtfestival
MARCH 21
Anne Heartt Gregory: 5 Points Gallery
Featured Artist
5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
MARCH 22
GameMakers Showcase
Apex Town Campus - Senior Center https://www.eventeny.com/events/ gamemakershowcase-17621/
MARCH 23
The Block Party at Artpost Artpost, Durham https://www.instagram.com/artpostdurham/
MARCH 28, APRIL 25, MAY 30, JUNE 27, JULY 25, AUGSUT 25, SEPTEMBER 26, OCTOBER 31
One Tribe Final Friday Drum Circle & Fire Show
Old Library Site, Cary https://onetriberhythms.com/
MARCH 30
Spring Patchwork Market
The Durham Armory https://thepatchworkmarket.com
APRIL
APRIL 3-6
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Downtown Durham https://www.fullframefest.org/
APRIL 4-6
Taste of the Beach
The Outer Banks https://obxtasteofthebeach.com/tickets-events/
APRIL 8, MAY 12, JUNE 9, JULY 8, AUGUST 12, SEPTEMBER 8
Preservation Durham 21+ (tosampledrinks)
Summer Cocktails and Cornices
Walking Tour
TBD https://www.preservationdurham.org/tours
APRIL 10, APRIL 24, MAY 8, MAY 22
LIVE@Lake Raleigh
Lake Raleigh, Corner of Main Campus Drive & Campus Shore Drive https://live.arts.ncsu.edu/livelake-raleigh-2025/
APRIL 11-13
Oak Grove Rhythm Retreat
Oak Grove Retreat, Tarboro https://www.oakgrove-retreat.com/rhythm-retreat
APRIL 11-13
Kick Back and Carve
The Plant, Pittsboro http://greenwoodwrightsfest.com/
APRIL 12
Electric Garden 21+ (tosampledrinks)
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
APRIL 12
Fur-get Me Not Spring Festival
Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/fur-get-menot-spring-festival/
APRIL 12
Tacos 'N Taps Festival21+ (tosampledrinks)
Cary
Koka Booth Amphitheatre https://cary.tacosntaps.com/
APRIL 12-13
Hop Into Spring - New Hope Valley Railway
New Hope Valley Railway http://triangletrain.com/
APRIL 13
Vintage Spectacular Market 1526 Wake Forest Rd. Raleigh https://www.trunkshowraleigh.com/events
APRIL 13
Multi-Farm Plant Sale
Botanist & Barrel https://botanistandbarrel.square.site/product/multifarm-plant-sale/893
APRIL 18
Annie Nashold: 5 Points Gallery
Featured Artist - Opening Reception 5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
APRIL 18
Anne Gregory: 5 Points Gallery Featured Artist - Opening Reception 5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
APRIL 19
The Flart Market Artpost, Durham https://www.instagram.com/flartmarketdurham/
APRIL 19
The North Carolina 'Cuegrass Festival Fayetteville Street, Raleigh cuegrass.com
APRIL 20
4/20 Fest at Nature's Releaf 21+ 5517 Western Blvd. Raleigh https://www.facebook.com/events/ 638178118765993/
APRIL 23
Running Bull Film Festival Carolina Theatre of Durham https://carolinatheatre.org/festival/running-bull-filmfestival/
APRIL 26
Durham Symphony Free Family Concert
Emily K Center, Durham https://durhamsymphony.org/season-schedule/
APRIL 26
Bearthday - Raleigh City Farm’s Annual Bearthday Fundraiser
Raleigh City Farm - Corner of Blount and Franklin Streets raleighcityfarm.org
APRIL 26
Bull City Beer Mile 21+ (tosampledrinks)
Durham Central Park
https://www.facebook.com/bullcitybeermile
APRIL 26-27
The 12th Annual Festival of Legends: Journeys
Jefferson L Sugg Farm, Holly Springs www.festivaloflegends.com
APRIL 26
Canine Field Day
Rock Quarry Park
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/dprplaymore/ activity/search/detail/16567
APRIL 26
EarthFest
Apex Town Campus - 73 Hunter Street
https://www.eventeny.com/events/ apexearthfest-17511/
APRIL 26 - 27
Rhythms Reimagined:
NC Youth Tap Ensemble with Luke Hickey & Elizabeth Burke
Carolina Theatre of Durham www.ncyte.org
APRIL 26
Spring Daze Arts + Crafts Festival
Bond Park, Cary
https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/events/ festivals/spring-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival
APRIL 27
Earth Day Festival
Durham Central Park
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/dprplaymore/ activity/search/detail/16178
16 March 5, 2025
MAY
MAY 1-4
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, Pittsboro
https://www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org/
MAY 2, JUNE 6, JULY 4TH, AUGUST 1, SEPTEMBER 5, OCTOBER 3
PLAYlist Concert Series
Durham Central Park durhamplaylist.com
MAY 3 - 4
Durham Greek Festival
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, Durham DurhamGreekFestival.org
MAY 4
Durham Symphony Free 'Pops in the Park' Concert
Durham Central Park, Durham https://durhamsymphony.org/season-schedule/
MAY 4
Movies Under the Stars
Carolina Square Lawn
https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/movies-underthe-stars-6/
MAY 16
Jim McKeon: 5 Points Gallery
Featured Artist - Opening Reception
5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
MAY 17
Bull City Yoga Festival 21+
Durham Central Park
https://www.bullcityyogafestival.com
MAY 17
Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival
Rock Quarry Park
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/dprplaymore/ activity/search/detail/16171
MAY 17-18
Preservation Durham 2025 Home Tour: The Golden Anniversary
Orchard Park Shelter, Durham https://www.preservationdurham.org/hometour
MAY 18
Grown Up Book Fair + Nomad Pop-Pp
Botanist & Barrel
Not available yet.
MAY 24
Carrboro Bluegrass Festival
Cat's Cradle Back Yard https://catscradle.com/event/carrboro-bluegrassfestival/cats-cradle-back-yard/carrboro-north-carolina/
MAY 29 - JUNE 1
Bliss Boogie Festival
Lakeside Retreats, Raleigh https://blissboogie.com/
MAY 30
Glow in the Park 21+
Durham Central Park https://durhamparksfoundation.org/glow-in-the-park
MAY 31
Hope for Teens Queer Prom 2025
Hilton Raleigh North Hills https://givebutter.com/Queer_Prom_2025
JUNE
JUNE-AUGUST
Camp RiverQuest 10-15
Saxapahaw tinyurl.com/campriverquest
JUNE 1
Queer Community Picnic
Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/queercommunity-picnic/
JUNE 5-7
Barriskill Dance Theatre 12+ School Recital
Barriskill Dance Theatre School, Durham https://www.alyssanobledance.com/recital
JUNE 6 - 8
Southern Documentary Convening Motorco, Durham https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/southerndocumentary-convening/
JUNE 7
Beaver Queen Pageant
Duke Park Meadow
https://www.facebook.com/BeaverLodgeLocal1504/ and https://bsky.app/profile/beaverlodge1504.bsky. social
JUNE 7
Chapel Hill Pride Promenade
Start: Peace & Justice Plaza, Chapel Hill End & celebration: 140 West Franklin Plaza, Chapel Hill
https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/pridepromenade/
JUNE 12-JULY 26
American Dance Festival Agerequirements varyforprograms
Duke University. Durham https://americandancefestival.org/
JUNE 12-15
NC Rhythm Tap Festival
Chapel Hill https://www.ncrtapfest.com/
JUNE 14
American Summer 21+ (tosampledrinks)
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
JUNE 14
The 8th Annual Triangle Community Band Festival
Durham Central Park. Durham www.durhamband.org
JUNE 14
Resistance Fest ... Resist Hate & Reclaim Love
Life’s Journey UCC, Burlington https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resistance-fest-resisthate-reclaim-love-tickets-1257161336399
JUNE 14
Brew ’n Choo - New Hope Valley Railway
New Hope Valley Railway http://triangletrain.com/
JUNE 15
Father's Day Celebration at Pluck Farm
Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/fathers-day/
JUNE 19
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration
Carrboro Town Commons, Carrboro https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/juneteenthcelebration/
JUNE 20-21
2025 Out! Raleigh Pride 18+ Friday Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh
JUNE 21
Midsummer Celebration
Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/midsummer/
JULY
JULY 4-5
46th Annual Festival for the Eno West Point on the Eno Park, Durham www.enofest.org
JULY 4
Chapel Hill July 4th Celebration
Southern Community Park https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/fireworks/
JULY 12
Cosmic Jam 21+ (tosampledrinks)
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
JULY 12
Blueberry Fest
Botanist & Barrel Not available yet
JULY 18
King Nobuyoshi Godwin: 5 Points Gallery Featured Artist - Opening Reception
5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
AUGUST
AUGUST 1-3
Audio Advice Live Sheraton Hotel, Raleigh https://live.audioadvice.com/
AUGUST 1-2
17th Annual Beer Bourbon 21+ (tosampledrinks) & BBQ Festival - Cary
Koka Booth Amphitheatre https://cary.beerandbourbon.com/
AUGUST 2
Take Up Space Fashion Show (presented by The Spotted Beauty) Triangle Town Center Mall, Raleigh https://www.facebook.com/ share/14sDqMySiH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
AUGUST 9
Hops & Blues 21+ (tosampledrinks)
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
AUGUST 14-17
OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival Carolina Theatre of Durham, Durham carolinatheatre.org/outsouth
AUGUST 23
Packapalooza
Hillsborough Street along NC State's campus https://packapalooza.ncsu.edu/
AUGUST 23-24
Lazy Daze Arts + Crafts Festival Downtown Cary carync.gov/lazydaze
AUGUST 30-31
The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival
Oak Hollow Park, Highpoint https://coltranejazzfest.com/
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 6
Glass Jug Oktoberfest 21+ (tosampledrinks)
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
SEPTEMBER 6
11th Anniversary 21+ (tosampledrinks) Oktoberfest
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
SEPTEMBER 7-17
Jewish Film Festival
The Chelsea Theater, Chapel Hill https://www.jewishforgood.org/film-festival
SEPTEMBER 11-14
BEYOND: The Cary Film Viewer discretion advised Festival
The Cary Theater, Cary https://thecarytheater.com/beyond-the-cary-filmfestival/
SEPTEMBER 13
Big Stomp Botanist & Barrel
Not available yet.
SEPTEMBER 13
Whiskey Wine & Fire - Cary 21+ (tosampledrinks)
Koka Booth Amphitheatre https://cary.whiskeywinefire.com/
SEPTEMBER 19
Yuko Nogami Taylor: 5 Points Gallery Featured Artist - Opening Reception 5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
SEPTEMBER 20
Hispanic Heritage ~ Fiesta ~ de la Herencia Hispana
Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, Pittsboro https://www.facebook.com/events/ 1546754279221826
SEPTEMBER 20
Durham Oktoberfest 21+ (tosampledrinks)
Durham Central Park https://www.facebook.com/events/ 460059630168118/
SEPTEMBER 20-21
CenterFest Arts Festival Downtown Durham https://durhamarts.org/centerfest/
SEPTEMBER 26-28
Octobullfest
107 E. Parrish St. Durham https://www.bullcityburgerandbrewery.com
SEPTEMBER 26-28
Pride: Durham, NC Durham https://www.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org/program/ pride/
SEPTEMBER 27
Beer Garden Yacht Party 21+ (tosampledrinks)
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP http://glass-jug.com
SEPTEMBER 27
Mead Fest
Starrlight Mead & Cider, Pittsboro https://www.starrlightmead.com/mead-fest
SEPTEMBER 27
Apple Fest
Botanist & Barrel
Not available yet.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 3-4
Raleigh Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Fayetteville Street, Raleigh raleighwideopen.com
OCTOBER 4
FlushFest
West Hillsborough https://appropriatesanitat.wixsite.com/flushfest
OCTOBER 4-5
Oktoberfest Weekend at Pluck Farm Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/oktoberfestpluck-farm/
OCTOBER 5
14th Annual Durham School of the Arts Fall Art Festival: Dia de los Muertos
Durham School of the Arts https://www.instagram.com/dsa_faf
OCTOBER 9-11
Slingshot Festival 18+
The Fruit and Surrounding Venues https://www.slingshotfestival.com/
OCTOBER 11
Bike Loud '25! Fundraiser Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/bike-loudfundraiser/
OCTOBER 11
PlantFest 2025 (Orange County Master Gardeners)
Blackwood Farm Park Chapel Hill theorangegardener.org
OCTOBER 11, 18, 25
Halloween Train Rides - New Hope Valley Railway
New Hope Valley Railway http://triangletrain.com/
OCTOBER 11
Blacktoberfest 2025
Proximity Brewing Company, Durham blacktober-fest.com
OCTOBER 14-17
Destination 2025 18+
Cherokee Convention Center, Cherokee https://www.accelevents.com/e/destination-2025sponsorship-opportunities
OCTOBER 17
Jenny Blazing: 5 Points Gallery
Featured Artist - Opening Reception
5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
OCTOBER 17-19
GreenWood Wrights'Fest
Pittsboro http://greenwoodwrightsfest.com/
OCTOBER 18
5th Annual Bullhorn Fest
Shadowbox Studio, Durham bullhornarts.org
OCTOBER 18, NOVEMBER 1
Festifall Arts Markets
140 West Franklin Plaza, Downtown Chapel Hill https://www.chapelhillarts.org/
OCTOBER 19
Duke Gardens Harvest children must beaccompanied byanadult Festival
Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, Durham https://gardens.duke.edu/
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER, 1-2 & 8-9
Kramer / Weinstein Open Studio 2025
501 Landerwood Lane, Chapel Hill https://emilyeveweinstein.com/events
NOVEMBER 1-2
Pluck Farm's Pumpkin Smash
Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/pumpkinsmash-party/
NOVEMBER 1-2 & 8-9
The 12th Annual Ignacy Jan Paderewski Piano Festival of Raleigh Saint Mary's School (November 1 and 2) and NC Museum of Art (November 8 and 9) www.paderewski-festival.org
NOVEMBER 8
Fool’s Faire - Renaissance Festival
Steel String Brewery - Mebane https://steelstringbrewery.com/events/fools-faire-2025
NOVEMBER 8
Pullen & Sertoma Fall Arts Fair
Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh https://raleighnc.gov/arts/services/arts-centers/fallarts-fair
NOVEMBER 8-9
Durham Pottery Tour
Durham durhampotterytour.com
NOVEMBER 8
Golden Belt Arts Holiday Market
Golden Belt Arts, Durham
NOVEMBER 15
The 9th Annual Liberty Arts Iron Pour
Durham Central Park https://www.libertyartsnc.org/iron-pour
NOVEMBER 21
Susan Woodson: 5 Points Gallery
Featured Artist - Opening Reception 5 Points Gallery, Durham https://5pointsgallery.com
NOVEMBER 28
SmashFest
The Scrap Exchange https://www.scrapexchange.org/smashfest-2024
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 20
Santa Train Rides - New Hope Valley Railway
New Hope Valley Railway http://triangletrain.com/
DECEMBER 7
33rd Annual Boylan Heights Artwalk
Historic Boylan Heights Neighborhood https://www.boylanheights.org/art-walk
JANUARY 2026
JANUARY 1
Kwanzaa Fest
Durham Armory, Durham https://aadekwanzaafest.wixsite.com/kwanzaafest
JANUARY 23-25
Carrboro Film Fest
The Drakeford Library Complex, Carrboro https://www.carrborofilm.org/
24 March 5, 2025 INDYweek.com
