Starting Thursday, September 13th, there's a "creative explosion" happening in downtown Raleigh! The SPARKcon festival is back for it's 7th year and is full of fun activities for the whole family!

Here are the details from the organizers:

SPARKcon, the Triangle’s annual creative explosion, September 13–16th, will assemble 1,700+ artists, performers and other creative folks for 200+ shows and exhibits on Fayetteville Street, City Plaza and beyond -- including the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater. Click HERE for the SPARKcon website.

New this year is the first annual SPARKcon Opening Ceremony. Multiple acts will spark the flame on Thursday, September 13th from 6–10p at the Amphitheater. Fashion will rule the night: featured acts include the fashionSPARK runway show and a very special circusSPARK fashion show. Other SPARKs will showcase their creativity through theatre, music, dance and circus performances with film previews, skateboarding feats and other SPARK tidbits sprinkled throughout the program.

OPENING CEREMONY:
Thursday 9/13 6pm-10pm @ The Raleigh Amphitheater

FESTIVAL HOURS:
Friday 9/14 5:30pm – 11pm
Saturday 9/15 10am – 11pm
Sunday 9/16 11am – 4pm

FESTIVAL LOCATION:
Downtown Raleigh, Fayetteville St area and 17+ local venues

Thursday Highlights: Opening Ceremony! Circus, fashion, skateboarding, music, dance and theater at the Raleigh Amphitheater.

Friday Highlights: Main Stage Music on City Plaza and a circus performance and fire jam on Fayetteville Street. IdeaSPARK Pecha Kucha @ The Architect.

Saturday Highlights: A Main Stage line-up of music, dance and theater, street painting on Fayetteville Street and an art bazaar in City Plaza. Film to screen in the evening. Galleries featuring design, art and new media/digital work in multiple venues.

Sunday Highlights: The bazaar continues, the music stage will present a full day’s lineup and skateboarders will take over a block of Fayetteville Street. View the finished Street Paintings.