70+ things to do in August

There is a lot to do in August! Here's a guide.

Aug. 1-7

July 30-Aug. 4: Mamma Mia! - The musical is wrapping up at DPAC.

Aug. 1: Jamey Johnson - The What A View tour with special guest Southall comes to Red Hat.

Aug. 2: Back to School Bash - Get geared up for school and sports for the fall at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Fayetteville. The community is invited to bring new bookbags for other students in need. They will also offer free sports physicals and free hair cuts.

Aug. 2: Baseball Card Trading Night - Bring your baseball cards to the City of Raleigh Museum where you can learn from the experts at Oak City Sports Cards. The event is free and runs 6 to 9 p.m.

Aug. 2-3: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival - Two big days with over 60+ beers, 40+ bourbons, and lots of barbecue at Koka Booth in Cary.

Aug. 3: Star Families - Head to the Morehead Planetarium for family fun. Learn to find some of the constellations in the current night sky that are associated with Greek myths. Tickets start at $13.95.

Aug. 3: Cage the Elephant - The band comes to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Aug. 6: An Evening with CAKE - The band is at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary.

Aug. 6: National Night Out - Get to know your local law enforcement officers with fun events around the Triangle. More than a dozen neighborhoods around Raleigh are hosting events on Aug. 6. Check out the list here.

Aug. 7: Ellen DeGeneres - The comedian performs at DPAC. This show is sold out.

Aug. 7: Iron & Wine - The band's Light Verse tour is at Meymandi Concert Hall.

Aug. 7: SLASH – S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival - The show is at Koka Booth with Larkin Poe, ZZ Ward and Robert Randolph.

Aug. 7: Stargazing at The Willard - An evening of stargazing with the Raleigh Astronomy Club on the rooftop at The Wilard from 8 to 10 p.m Admission is free.

Aug. 7: SiR - The Bad Karma Tour - On stage with Zacari at The Ritz.

Aug. 8-14

Aug. 8-10: Shrek The Musical Jr. - Garner Performing Arts presents this show through Aug. 10.

Aug. 8-11: Cirque de Soleil: Corteo- Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. See it at PNC Arena through Aug. 11.

Aug. 8-15: OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival - OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival celebrates a worldwide glimpse of today’s LGBTQ+ life, helps bring the community together and features entertaining and sophisticated films and filmmaking.

Aug. 9: Train and REO Speedwagon - The Summer Road Trip 2024 tour comes to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Aug. 9: Anthony Hamilton - The Grammy Award-winning soul storyteller is at DPAC with special guesthe Ton3s (formerly The Hamiltones) and AG Thomas.

Aug. 9: Friday Family Flicks: Wonka - Join for a free outdoor movie on the big screen at Garner Recreation Center. Free activities will be offered one hour prior to the start of the movie. Concessions will also be available for purchase. In case of rain, the event will be held at the same time on the following day. Don't forget your lawn chairs or blankets!

Aug. 9: Movie Night: The Marvels- Gear up for an action-packed movie night under the stars featuring The Marvels, curated by The Cary Theater.  Grab your cushions, blankets and chairs for ultimate comfort as you settle in to enjoy the movie at Downtown Cary Park. Popcorn and snacks are available at Market 317. Food trucks will also be on site.

Aug. 9-10: Maz Jobrani: Mr. International Comedy Tour - Maz Jobrani is a comedian, actor and host of his own podcast, "Back to School with Maz Jobrani" on the All Things Comedy Network. His new standup comedy special "Pandemic Warrior" is now available for streaming on PeacockTV. See him on stage at Raleigh Improv.

Aug. 10: National S'Mores Day - The town of Morrisville will celebrate National S'Mores Day by changing its name to S'Morrisville! Community members are invited to celebrate from 4 to 7 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park.

Aug 10: Apex Youth Arts Expo- Participants can display various forms of art, from painting and sculpture to poetry, K-Pop dance or even original songwriting during this event at Halle Cultural Arts Center from 2 to 5 p.m.

Aug. 10: The Rocket Man Show - The #1 Elton John tribute show comes to DPAC.

Aug. 10: River Rag Regatta - Head to Smithfield for the fifth annual “boat” race. Participate or watch at two-people teams try to make it down the river in a boat built with only cardboard, glue and duct tape.

Aug. 10: Race Night at Orange County Speedway - Experience America’s fastest ⅜ mile track with a nice of racing. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. Tickets for kids ages 10 and younger are $2. Adult tickets are $15.

Aug. 10: 311 The Unity Tour 2024 - The show is at Red Hat with special guests AWOLNATION & Neon Trees.

Aug. 10: Maren Morris - The singer brings her RSVP Redux Tour to The Ritz.

Aug. 11: An Evening With John Legend - Experience intimate reimaginings of his greatest hits, unexpected stories from Legend's life and career and selections from his most recent release at Koka Booth.

Aug. 10: Geek and Grub Night Market: Anime Edition - Don your best cosplay, be it from iconic anime, beloved manga or your favorite JRPG, and join fellow geeks in a celebration packed with themed competitions and activities straight from Akihabara. The market is from 6 to 10 p.m at Fred Fletcher Park.

Aug. 10: Made Market Raleigh- Made Market is Raleigh's finest curated handmade market, showcasing the best makers from Raleigh and the surrounding region. The evnet is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults.

Aug. 10: NCMA Outdoor Films: Dreamgirls - Enjoy an outdoor screening of his classic film at the NCMA. Tickets are $5 for museum members and $10 for nonmembers.

Aug. 11: Greg Gutfeld - The TV host, comedian and author is at DPAC with special guest Tom Shillue.

Aug. 11: Bark Bash - Get ready to unleash the fun with our free Bark Bash program in Downtown Cary Park, where tails will wag and paws will play! Treat your furry friend to pup-sicles, strike a pose for paw-some photos, and get artsy with activities designed just for dogs and their humans. It’s a doggone good time you won’t want to miss!

Aug. 12: Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire - The Heart and Soul Tour 2024 comes to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Aug. 12: Joshua Bassett - The Golden Years Tour is at Red Hat Amphitheater.

Aug. 13: Still Woozy - See Still Woozy with special guest Michelle at Red Hat Amphitheater.

Aug. 13: Dogstar - The rock band, which includes actor Keanu Reeves, will play The Ritz.

Aug. 14: The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA - The concert brings one of the greatest pop phenomena back to life.

Aug. 14: Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen - Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Raleigh. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen at Merrimon-Wynne House under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Aug. 15-21

Aug. 16: Trey Kennedy - The Grow Up comedy tour comes to DPAC.

Aug. 16: Sneaker Design Day - Go back to school in style with a fresh pair of sneakers that you design. This event is free and open while supplies last at the Peach Road Cultural Center in Raleigh from 4 to 6 p.m.

Aug. 16: Gin Blossoms and Toad The Wet Sprocket - See the show at Koka Booth with special guest Vertical Horizon.

Aug. 16-17: Eddie Griffin - Eddie Griffin has built an ever-growing fan base since jumping onto the comedy scene in 1990 and hasn't looked back since. See him on stage at Raleigh Improv.

Aug. 16: Glass Animals: Tour of Earth - The global tour comes to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Aug. 16: Tate McRae - The Think Later tour comes to Red Hat Amphitheater.

Aug. 17: Mud Day - It’s a kids dream. The Walnut Creek Wetland Park (Raleigh) will host Mud Day with food trucks, a giant mud pit, plus, a mud kitchen, live animals, fort building, an obstacle course, local environmental organizations, crafts and water play! Join the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aug. 17: Old Crow Medicine Show - The show features special guests The SteelDrivers.

Aug. 17: Air Supply - The rock duo is at DPAC.

Aug. 17: Knightdale Arts and Education Festival - Knightdale's annual Arts & Education Festival, also known as K-Fest, will take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Knightdale Station Park from 10 a.m. to1 1 p.m. There will be inflatables, performances by local acts, food trucks, a DJ, and more!

Aug. 17: Dan + Shay - The Heartbreak On The Map tour comes to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Aug. 17: "Kung Fu Panda 4" Movie - Rhythm & Reels - Head to the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre for a movie under the stars. Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic basket, and come enjoy a memorable, magical summer evening.

Aug. 17: CaribMask Carnival - The Raleigh-Durham AfroCaribbean-Association presents the 11th Annual CaribMask Carnival Parade and Festival Village. "A Tapestry of Many Nations" and a melting point of diverse culture and pride, the Caribbean is a place like no other. The event features parade, bands, food and vendors from noon to 8 p..m in City Plaza.

Aug. 18: Slime Party - Head to the North Regional Libary in Raleigh where school-age kids can make three types of slime. The event is free and runs 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Aug. 21: Styx & Foreigner with John Waite - The show is at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Aug. 21: Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay - Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Raleigh. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay at Merrimon-Wynne House under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Aug. 22-31

Aug. 23: Dusty Slay: The Night Shift Tour - Long hair, tobacco, over-sized glasses and a trucker hat, Dusty Slay is a self-effacing bourbon-voiced Southern comedian.

Aug. 23: One Version of Queen - The Queen tribute show features Marc Martel.

Aug. 24: Night Nation Run - The world’s first running music festival -- the ultimate blend of a music festival and a fun run. Experience a music filled course with live DJs, bubble zones, light shows and neon and black lights.

Aug. 24: Packapalooza 2024 - Packapalooza is an all-day block party and street festival capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week at the start of the academic year. The event is open to the public and includes great music, activities throughout the day and fun entertainment for the whole family. Previous year’s events have had over 85,000 attendees with over 300 vendor booths and over 40 sponsoring organizations.

Aug. 24: Impractical Jokers - Creators and stars of TruTV's hit show Impractical Jokers are bringing their The DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE Tour to DPAC.

Aug. 24-25: Cary Lazy Days Arts and Crafts Festival - Dating back to the event’s conception in 1977, this juried craft show celebrates the “Lazy Daze” of summer and bringing together nearly 300 artists from 16 states. The event features a beer garden, numerous interactive art activities, a kid’s world area, and demonstrations from professional craftsmen.

Aug. 24: Museum Park Concerts for Kids: Pierce Freelon - Museum Park Concerts for Kids is the NCMA’s new outdoor performance series for young audiences. Our inaugural concert features two-time Grammy-nominated artist Pierce Freelon, whose joyful music blends hip-hop, electronic jazz, and soul. His modern and dynamic sound is inspired by his journey as a millennial dad and crafted for today’s modern families. Through honest and playful lyrics, rich melodies, and fresh beats, he shares stories and welcomes kids and adults to his world.

Aug. 25: 24K Magic: The Ultimate Bruno Mars Experience - Flawless vocals, expert musicianship and tight choreography will have you singing and dancing to all the hits you know and love.

Aug. 25: Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert - Coming to DPAC, the experience blends a live orchestral performance of the iconic series soundtrack with an immersive two-hour recap of the animated show’s three seasons on a full-size cinema screen.

Aug. 27: Bush - The Loaded: The Greatest Hits tour is at Red Hat Amphitheater.

Aug. 29: Bark in the Park - Enjoy a baseball game with man’s best friend at the DBAP. Game time is 6:35 p.m.

Aug. 30: Ivan Cornejo Mirada Tour - The show is at Red Hat Amphitheater.

Aug. 30: The Roots with special guest Macy Gray - The event at Koka Booth benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Aug. 30: North Carolina Museum of Art presents PJ Morton and Avery Sunshine - The NCMA’s Labor Day weekend outdoor concert features PJ Morton, five-time Grammy-winning neo-soul, R&B, and funk songwriter/producer/singer (who sold out our venue last summer), and Avery Sunshine, the mercurial singer and composer who weds jazz, soul, and gospel and was a part of season 1 of Jazz at the NCMA.

Aug. 30: Childish Gambino - Childish Gambino is set to take the global stage once again with The New World Tour. See him on stage with special guest Willow at PNC Arena.

Aug. 31: Crowded House - The Gravity Stairs tour is at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1: 15th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County- he African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County (AACF) is back for its 15th edition! Join us on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024 for a unique celebration of African American culture as expressed through art, music, food & community. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, welcoming all to explore the creative offerings of some of North Carolina's most talented local, regional and national artists.