Out and About

Lazy Daze, Southern Folklife festivals lead weekend best bets

Festivals, live music and family fun are happening around the Triangle this weekend.

Posted Updated
37th Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Cary, NC on Augu
By
Kathy Hanrahan
and
Caitlin Zanga
RALEIGH, N.C. — Festivals, live music and family fun are happening around the Triangle this weekend.

Festivals:

The annual Cary Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival attracts thousands into historic downtown. Admission, parking and shuttles are free. There is a special children’s stage featuring interactive theater, magic and more. Two other stages will feature everything from local dance groups to bands playing beach, bluegrass and classic rock. The event runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Caribmask Caribbean Carnival is Saturday in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza. There will be authentic cuisine, dancing, vendors and more! Admission is free.
Ribs are taking center stage on Saturday at the Raleigh Ribfest. It will feature live music and lots of ribs served up in different styles. The event runs Thursday through Sunday on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. Admission is $7 for adults. Senior citizens and activity military and students get discounts. Children get in for $1.
The Southern Folklife Festival is celebrating its 25th year with a series of events in the Chapel Hill area through the weekend. On Friday, there is a New Orleans Brass Band Symposium, Parade and Concert at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Wilson Library. The event will feature a concert from the Rebirth Brass Band and Dumpstaphunk and a second line parade. Another concert is happening that night at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro featuring an all-star cast of musicians including Tift Merrit, Mike Mills from R.E.M. and The Connells. The main concert is Saturday night featuring Tift Merritt and Merle Haggard at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Memorial Hall.
The NC Gay and Lesbian Film Festival continues this weekend with screenings and a family fun day Saturday at the Carolina Theatre of Durham. There will be face painting for the children and arts and crafts. The family festival is free and so is a screening of the 1986 animated film “An American Tail.” All other films are $10 a ticket.
Featuring mainly comics, toys and art, Raleigh Comic Con happens Saturday at the Hampton Inn and Suites Crabtree Valley in Raleigh. Admission is free. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Hillsborough Street in Raleigh will be hosting Packapalooza, a celebration of everything NC State. The free event is from 2-10 p.m. and will feature a performance at around 8:45 p.m. from NC State student and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. 

Live music:

Third Day plays Koka Booth Amphitheater on Friday. Tickets start at $27.25.
Boston plays Red Hat Amphitheater Friday night. Tickets start at $29.50.
Chicago and REO Speedwagon play Walnut Creek Saturday night. Tickets start at $26.
Perfect for kids, The Fresh Beat Band plays Red Hat Amphitheater Sunday. Tickets start at $25.
Rock band Chevelle plays Lincoln Theatre Saturday evening. Tickets start at $25.

And more:

On Friday, head to Napper Tandy's for Comedy for a Cause. Local comics will be performing to help raise money for an Apex girl battling leukemia. The show is free, donations are accepted. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. 
The Cookery in Durham will be opening its doors on Sunday for a special “Brunchy Sunday” event featuring Pie Pushers and hand-crafted, unique cocktails by Alley Twenty Six. Local beer and wine and an art and food market are also on tap. Admission is free. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Close out the season with a classic summer movie! Enjoy “Grease” by moonlight at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Sit under the stars and sing-a-long! Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Picnic baskets, including beer and wine, are allowed in.
Sunday is the last day of Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week.
Raleigh Beer Week kicks off on Sunday with a Fullsteam Beer Diner at Garland, Sourfest at Busy Bee and The Raleigh Showcase, featuring limited edition beers from across the area, at Raleigh Brewing Company.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.