Four Major Raleigh Festivals to Attend This Week
Raleigh’s festival calendar is packed with music, theater, street performance and family activities from September 10–12, 2026. This week’s major events include the Hopscotch Music Festival, Raleigh Fringe Festival, Lakeside Family Fest and Buskers Day at the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Whether you want to discover new music in downtown Raleigh, experience unconventional theater or enjoy a free outdoor event with the family, here are four festivals to put on your calendar.
Hopscotch Music Festival
The Hopscotch Music Festival returns to downtown Raleigh for three days of live music across outdoor stages and local clubs. More than 100 artists are scheduled to perform at venues including City Plaza, Moore Square, Kings, Lincoln Theatre, Nash Hall, Neptunes, Slim’s and The Pour House Music Hall.
The 2026 lineup features headliners Dexter and the Moonrocks, Cory Wong and King Princess, along with Momma, Duckwrth, Soccer Mommy and many more performers. View the official Hopscotch lineup.
A three-day pass provides admission to official club shows and access to Moore Square Commons, a new festival area featuring local food, crafts and musicians. Review passes and participating venues.
- Dates: Thursday, September 10–Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Location: City Plaza, Moore Square and venues across downtown Raleigh
- Admission: Festival passes required for official programming
- More information: Hopscotch Music Festival
Raleigh Fringe Festival
The Raleigh Fringe Festival returns for its third year with three days of multidisciplinary performances at Theatre Raleigh Arts Center.
The alternative arts festival provides a platform for emerging and established artists to experiment, take creative risks and celebrate Raleigh’s “weird and wonderful” creative community. Programming includes live performances, buskers, workshops, community events and artist showcases.
The festival runs September 10–12 at Theatre Raleigh Arts Center. Performance times and schedules vary by day. View the Theatre Raleigh event listing.
- Dates: Thursday, September 10–Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Location: Theatre Raleigh Arts Center
- Address: 6638 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
- Admission: Ticketed
- Event times: Vary by performance
Lakeside Family Fest
Families can spend an entire Saturday enjoying creativity, wellness and outdoor adventure during the third annual Lakeside Family Fest.
The free event includes a fire show, art activities, martial arts, bubbles, yoga, a sound bath, forest bathing, s’mores, food trucks, vendors, guest speakers, tug-of-war and a sensory yurt. Optional overnight camping is also available.
Lakeside Family Fest runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Lakeside Retreats in East Raleigh. Review the official event details.
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Time: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Location: Lakeside Retreats
- Address: 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh
- Admission: Free
- Optional activity: Overnight camping
Buskers Day at the North Carolina Museum of Art
Buskers Day will transform the North Carolina Museum of Art’s 164-acre Museum Park into a celebration of public performance.
Musicians, movement artists and other performers from across North Carolina will bring creativity to the park’s paths and plazas. The family-friendly afternoon introduces visitors to the tradition of busking, in which artists perform in public spaces and may accept gratuities from audience members.
General admission is free, and performances will take place throughout the park from 1 to 5 p.m. View the official Buskers Day information.
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Time: 1–5 p.m.
- Location: Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art
- Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
- Admission: Free
Plan Your Raleigh Festival Weekend
Hopscotch and Raleigh Fringe offer three days of ticketed music and performing arts, while Lakeside Family Fest and Buskers Day provide two free options for families on Saturday.
Because several of these events overlap, attendees should review schedules, parking information, ticket availability and venue policies before making plans.
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