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50+ Unmissable Festivals & Events in Raleigh To Attend In 2026

One thing Raleigh knows how to do well, is a festival. There is a whole host of accolade-worthy Raleigh events and festivals happening throughout the year, and 2026 promises to be an exceptional year for entertainment. If you’re visiting Raleigh, or new to the city, then attending a festival in Raleigh is a great way to get to know the city and mingle with its passionate locals.

Whether it’s live music, the arts, sampling the food scene, nightlife, outdoor activities, craft beer, lifestyle choices, or learning about diverse cultures, there are plenty of amazing events in Raleigh that showcase the best entertainment in this Southern city.

Brewgaloo Festival

Below are our favorite Raleigh festivals throughout the year. Whether it’s Winter, Spring, Summer or the Fall, don’t miss these popular events!

January

MLK Dreamfest (Jan 18 – 19, 2026)

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens

• Where: Cary Arts Center
• When: 18th – 19th Jan, 2026
• Time: 4:30-8:30pm
• Cost: Free
• Website: townofcary.org

In celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Town of Cary puts on a series of events and programs to honor his legacy, triumph, and courage, as well as focus on the issue of civil…

Raleigh is the largest city in the state without a data center moratorium. Why?

Raleigh city leaders had a lot on their plate Tuesday. But one item not on the agenda is still drawing some opposition. 

Over the weekend, a developer pulled plans for a data center in southeast Raleigh. By the time the plans were withdrawn, dozens of residents had signed up to speak against the proposal.

The uproar is raising a question: why hasn’t Raleigh adopted a data center moratorium? 

The City of Oaks is currently the largest in the state without a moratorium in place. Charlotte and Durham adopted theirs weeks ago. Greensboro and Fayetteville are actively considering their own. 

The moratoriums have been driven by a wave of public outrage over the amount of land, power and water data centers can consume. 

Data center supporters have pushed back, arguing the facilities help generate needed tax revenue and jobs. 

The moratoriums are not bans on data center development. Instead, they’re temporary pauses - some lasting just a few weeks, others years - on new data center projects while city staff and leaders research the topic. 

>>Inside North Carolina's data center boom: Where does the water go?

Tuesday, WRAL sent Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell and each member of city council…