Top picks
SproutFest 2026
This is the perfect excuse to get the kids out of the house early before the humidity peaks. Head to the Holly Springs Farmers Market for a morning of kid-friendly market fun, local treats, and a great community vibe right before the school year kicks off. Grab your iced coffee, let the kids pick out some fresh fruit, and check off your weekend grocery list all at once. * When: Saturday, Aug 22, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm * Where: Holly Springs Farmers Market * Price: FREE * Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged kids.50th Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival 2026
This is a massive local tradition, and celebrating its 50th year means it will be busier than ever. With over 250 artists, four stages of live entertainment, and a dedicated kids' area, there is plenty to keep everyone distracted. Go as early as possible to beat the midday sun, park at the designated shuttle lots to save your sanity, and plan to grab lunch from one of the 25+ food vendors. * When: Saturday, Aug 22 & Sunday, Aug 23, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm * Where: Cary Town Hall Campus * Price: FREE admission * Best for: The whole family, though strollers might get tough to navigate as the crowds peak.Last Weekend of Staying Alive Special Exhibition at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
If you need to escape the heat entirely, this is your last chance to catch this excellent indoor exhibition. It features 17 live animals from around the world—including a two-toed sloth, armored armadillos, and trippy toads—showing off their wild survival and self-defense strategies. The museum is always a win for a air-conditioned Saturday afternoon, but this specific exhibit wraps up this weekend. * When: Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm * Where: 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh * Price: FREE * Best for: Curious elementary and middle schoolers who love weird animal facts.Wake Forest Comic-Con at Flaherty Park Community Center
If you have a kid obsessed with Pokémon cards, anime, or comic books, this is a low-stress, budget-friendly way to indulge their hobby. It is entirely indoors, completely free to enter, and features local vendors selling toys and collectibles. It is small enough not to feel overwhelming but has enough cool factor to keep older kids engaged for a couple of hours. * When: Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm * Where: 1226 N. White St., Wake Forest * Price: FREE * Best for: Big kids, tweens, and teens who love collector culture.Kirby Derby 2026
This is Raleigh's signature dose of neighborhood weirdness and a total blast to watch. People spend weeks building wacky soapbox derby cars and costumes for a day of friendly, chaotic competition on Harvey Hill. It is a late afternoon event, so the temperature should be slightly more tolerable—just bring lawn chairs, blankets, and plenty of water. * When: Saturday, Aug 22, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm * Where: Harvey Hill at Dix Park, Raleigh * Price: FREE * Best for: All ages, especially kids who love watching things go fast and look silly.Also worth knowing
* The Long Exhale — a Group Exhibition — 5 Points Gallery · Wednesday, Aug 19 · FREE · A quiet, air-conditioned gallery space featuring paintings, sculptures, and fused glass from ten local artists. * Karlous Miller — Raleigh Improv · Friday, Aug 21 – Sunday, Aug 23 · $39.35 - $121.05 · A high-energy comedy show for a much-needed parents' night out (ages 21+). * Carsen White aka Nurse Stankk — Room 861 Goodnights Comedy Club · Friday, Aug 21 – Sunday, Aug 23 · $29.99 - $45.99 · Dark, chaotic comedy based on ER shift survival that healthcare workers will especially appreciate. * Durham Farmers’ Market — Pavilion at Durham Central Park · Saturday, Aug 22, 4:00 am – 8:00 am · FREE admission · An incredibly early morning market featuring local produce, cheeses, pastries, and crafts. * Self Guided Tours of Pauli Murray's Childhood Home — The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice · Saturday, Aug 22, 6:00 am · FREE · Learn about the incredible life of the Durham-raised human rights activist and legal scholar. * Back to School Giveaway — Southside Church of Christ · Saturday, Aug 22, 6:00 am – 1:00 pm (Giveaway 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm) · FREE · A community event featuring free school supplies, bounce houses, music, and a pop-up basketball clinic. * August StoryWalks® of Wake County Parks — American Tobacco Trail · Saturday, Aug 22, 8:00 am · FREE · Walk the trail while reading pages of the children's book "Finding Winnie" posted along the path. * Table Tennis - Open Play — Raleigh Community Center · Saturday, Aug 22, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm · FREE · Indoor table tennis open to all ages; just grab a free Open Play Pass online or at the center. * Broomstick Lace Workshop — Kristin S. Conrad Lace Center & Raleigh Lace Museum · Saturday, Aug 22 & Sunday, Aug 23 · $450 · A two-day, intensive lace-making workshop for those with basic crochet experience. * Wake County Library Storytimes and Programs — Your local Wake County Public Library · Saturday, Aug 22, 9:15 am – 7:00 pm · FREE · Free baby, toddler, and family storytimes, plus age-specific afternoon adventures. * Pickleball Open Play — Raleigh Community Center · Saturday, Aug 22, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm · FREE · Drop-in indoor pickleball play for all ages using the city's free Open Play Pass. * Great Southeast Pollinator Census at JC Raulston Arboretum — 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh · Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm · FREE · Help count local pollinators in the garden for this fun, hands-on citizen science project. * Back to School Bash is coming to Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson — 1126 S Saunders St, Raleigh · Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm · FREE · A community thank-you event with live music, free Popeye's lunch, and a Kona Ice truck. * Art and Blooms at the JCRA: "Mountains, Skies and Water" — JC Raulston Arboretum · Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm · $25 · A whimsical card-painting workshop where you will learn to paint garden and mountain scenes. * Kids Classes at Apple Crabtree Valley Mall — Level 2, Crabtree Valley Mall · Saturday, Aug 22, 10:45 am – 7:00 pm · FREE · Quick, hands-on tech sessions designed to help kids learn new creative skills on Apple devices. * Summer at the Centre - Kill the Music — Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts · Saturday, Aug 22, 11:00 am and 8:00 pm · Ticket prices vary · An interactive, 1980s-style murder mystery show centered around a one-hit-wonder girl group reunion. * Sisters of Purpose Clothing and Lunch Giveaway — Corner of Hyde Park and Liberty Street, Durham · Saturday, Aug 22, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm · FREE · An outdoor community giveaway offering free clothing, shoes, and lunch to anyone in need. * Adult Basketball Open Play- Weekend — Raleigh Community Center · Saturday, Aug 22, 1:00 pm – 2:45 pm · FREE · Indoor court time for adults looking to get a quick game in. * We Rock the Spectrum's Character Playdate with Rumi — 2104 Village Market Place, Cary · Saturday, Aug 22, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm · $25 · A fun, sensory-safe character playdate at the gym. * Cary Street Food Festival — Fenton, Cary · Saturday, Aug 22 & Sunday, Aug 23, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm · FREE admission · A massive food truck takeover where every single food sample is priced at $5 or less.
See you out there! — Nina