When will large festivals return to Raleigh? Soon, organizers hope

As summer approaches, Visit Raleigh tells WRAL News it hopes to start seeing larger events like festivals and concerts taking place by late summer into fall.

Apart from benefiting the economy, the events get more people out of the house and back outdoors. Right now, the group is actively talking with the organizers of several large events who are hoping for good news.

“I can tell you that we are in talks actively with several large events that are looking to either pull off an event or pull an event off that has been here before in a new way,” said Scott Peacock with Visit Raleigh.

How those events would look, he says, depends on the governor’s guidance.

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“We’ve done a really good job here in the Triangle with our COVID-19 numbers," Peacock said. "We’ve got to hold on to that, we can’t let our guard down now. We’re blessed to have so many great outdoor venues that are here as well."

Other events are getting creative so they can hold events now. According to the City of Raleigh, the popular bluegrass festival is considering 2021's event as a mix of in-person and virtual celebration.

“Events that just happened last weekend at the Convention Center, like the roller rink from Shop Local Raleigh, is a great proof of concept to show how we can maybe hold an event like a Comicon back here in Raleigh again safely," said Peacock.

Peacock envisions the city will be willing to close streets and increase outdoor capacity so people can safely attend events during COVID-19.

WRAL News will be monitoring a briefing from Gov. Roy Cooper at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where such items could be discussed.