Summer may not officially begin until June 20, the longest day of the year, but with the long Memorial Day weekend behind us, it sure feels like summer. Also in the rearview mirror are many of the restrictions preventing in-person gatherings! So buckle up and get ready for events, festivals, concerts and more this summer. If you are looking for fun, here are 10 don’t-miss events that are on our radar!
- Shop local in the heart of downtown Apex at the Apex Night Market. The markets will feature 25 vendors including food trucks, craft vendors, local artists and more! Each event will be different, so make plans to explore the market every month. 6-9 p.m. June 10 and July 8, Downtown Apex, raleighnightmarket.com
2. Enjoy two weekends of North Carolina Museum of Art’s Art in Bloom with more than 30 stunning floral arrangements paired with popular works of art. The annual fundraiser offers virtual and in-person options, and proceeds benefit the NCMA Foundation. June 3-6 and June 10-13, North Carolina Museum of Art, ncartmuseum.org/bloom
3. Feed your inner foodie during Dine Out Downtown in downtown Raleigh. Dine outdoors on closed streets and jam out to a rotating lineup of local musicians. Locations include Glenwood South, Warehouse District, City Market and Fayetteville Street. 5-9 p.m. Saturdays in June, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, downtownraleigh.org
4. Your favorite comedians return this summer to Raleigh Improv. Have a laugh with their full lineup all season long, including Emmy Award-winning Craig Shoemaker and L.A. Times best-selling author Maz Jobrani. Thursdays through Saturdays in June and July, Raleigh Improv, improv.com/Raleigh
5. Live music is back at Park West Village’s Acoustic Nights series this summer. Enjoy local singers and songwriters while you dine at your favorite restaurants or shop local in The District. Concerts are free and family friendly. 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays starting June 11, Park West Village, parkwestvillage.com
6. Theatre in the Park presents “Always a Bridesmaid” this summer in-person and on-demand streaming. In this laugh-out-loud comedy, four friends fulfill their promises to be in each other’s weddings, no matter what — and no matter how ugly the bridesmaid dress. June 4-6 (in-person), June 11-20 (on-demand streaming), Tickets $16-$27, Theatre in the Park, theatreinthepark.com
7. Explore over 80 miles of trails around town during the Cary Greenways Challenge. Sign up, challenge your friends and family, and enjoy the outdoors all summer long. The virtual race is free to join, and runners of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate. Starting July 3, Fit & Able Productions, runsignup.com/Race/NC/Cary/CaryGreenwaysChallenge
8. Shop dozens of your favorite local artists and makers all over town at Triangle Pop-Up events. Markets are family and pet-friendly, so bring your kiddos and make a day of it! Local area locations include Fount Coffee + Kitchen, NC Museum of Art, and Boxyard RTP. Weekends in June and July, Triangle Pop-Up, trianglepopup.com
9. The Peak City Pigfest, hosted by the Apex Sunrise Rotary Foundation, is a weekend of barbecue and festival fun. Hang out at the beer garden, listen to music, watch cook teams prepare their entries, and enjoy some of the best smoked meat in town. July 23-24, Downtown Apex, peakcitypigfest.com
10. Celebrate Cary’s 150th Anniversary at their A Day to Remember community celebration. Enjoy food vendors, carnival games, and an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the tallest cupcake tower. You don’t want to miss out! Saturday, July 24, Town of Cary, cary150.org
