SPARKcon creativity fest returns to downtown Raleigh for 4 days

Now in its 12th year, SPARKcon returns to downtown Raleigh this week with several big changes.

Posted 12:12 p.m. Sep 12, 2017 — Updated 7:14 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

RALEIGH, N.C. — Now in its 12th year, the SPARKcon creativity festival returns to downtown Raleigh this week with several big organizational changes.

The four-day festival, which is set to take over Fayetteville St. Thursday through Sunday, is best known for its street painting, shopping and more than 200 performances and events. Food trucks, interactive activities for kids and art displays also make up the festivities.

New this year, the festival will be open longer. The SPARKcon schedule is:

Thursday, Sept. 14: 6 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All SPARKcon events are free and open to the public.

Also new for 2017 is the festival's revised schedule and map, which better incorporates SPARKcon's elements of art, "geek," fashion, dance and more.

"Adjustments to this year’s footprint will allow for better showcasing the talent sourced in the creative hub of the south," said Brandon Cordrey, the Executive Director of Visual Art Exchange, the organization that produces SPARKcon. “Alterations to the footprint will allow visitors to stand on Fayetteville street and easily see the diversity of the Triangle's creative community."

Between acrobatic performances, colorful streets, a "Zen Groove Funkestra" featuring funky jazz and voodoo grooves, a costume design exhibition and more, the festival is truly an "explosion of creativity" in downtown Raleigh, event organizers say.

You can view the entire schedule of events online.

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