It’s peak summer! Make the most of it with laid-back concerts, outdoor films, markets and camping by the water!
by Addie Ladner and Luca Muehlbauer
Pitch a Tent!
This month, try your hand at backpack camping — where you park your car and hike or paddle a short distance to get to your site — to get fully immersed in Mother Nature. We’re fortunate to have lots of acreage dedicated to overnight camping, and sites along the water are particularly popular in July. “If you’re looking to get away for the weekend or take some time off during the week, our local state parks are an easy escape!” says David Mumford, superintendent of Falls Lake State Park. “It’s the time of year people want recreation like fishing, boating and swimming.” Along Falls Lake, the Shinleaf Recreation Area is a peninsula dotted with nearly 50 dedicated hike-in tent sites, many of which look out onto the water. (13708 New Light Road, Wake Forest) In Orange and Durham Counties, Eno River State Park offers two serene campsite options along its basin. Hike about a mile to get to the Fanny’s Ford site from the Fews Ford Access, or just over a mile to the Piper Creek campground from the Cole Mill access point. (6101 and 4390 Old Cole Mill Road, Durham) A little further afield, hike 2.5 miles from the Raven Rock State Park main access to get to the Family Wilderness Camp. Or, if you’re paddling the Cape Fear River Canoe Trail, you can access the Canoe Camp. Note: There is no canoe or kayak launch inside the state park; drop in upstream at Buckhorn Dam to get to the campsite. (3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington) Find more info and book a campsite at ncparks.gov. For ideas of things to do this month that are a little less involved but nonetheless fitting for the height of summer, read on.
Raise a Glass to Freedom at Theatre Raleigh
Inspired by the Broadway hit Hamilton, wine educator and vocalist Sara Abernethy will host a unique tasting in Theatre Raleigh’s Green Room, a community cafe, bar and event space on the theater company’s campus. Abernethy will lead guests through sampling four distinct wines inspired by Independence Day and, in between each one, perform songs from the musical along with other vocalists from the performing arts company.
July 1 | 5:30 p.m.; $56; 3031 Barrow Drive; theatreraleigh.com
Continue Your Summer Reading with a Silent Book Club
Need encouragement to hit your summer reading goals? Oberlin Regional Library is hosting a Silent Book Club to help you make the time. Bring whatever book you’re reading to enjoy in companionable silence for 90 minutes. Afterwards, participants are invited to chat and share what they’re reading with others, if they’d like. July 2 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.; free but registration encouraged, 1930 Clark Avenue; wake.gov. For other Silent Book Club options, click here.
Celebrate an Extra Special Independence Day!
There are lots of ways to celebrate a momentous Fourth of July here in the City of Oaks! Start the morning by watching the First in Freedom Parade, organized by the Celebrate America Foundation and the NC Department of Labor, which will travel a little more than a mile through downtown, ending at the State Capitol building. (9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; 134 S. McDowell Street; grma.org) Afterwards, head to the North Carolina Freedom Fest, a free celebration organized by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources featuring live music, more than 50 food trucks and vendors, history exhibits and family activities at the State Capitol building and grounds. “This is going to be an unforgettable celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Join us to enjoy the best of North Carolina — all in one place,” says NCDNCR secretary Pamela Cashwell. Headlined by NC musicians Tift Merritt and Rissi Palmer, there will also be trolley tours of historic downtown Raleigh, an Independence Day ceremony and a kids zone. (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; 1 E. Edenton Street; america250.nc.gov) End the day with the quintessential Independence Day ritual: fireworks! At Dorothea Dix Park, enjoy a spectacular show accompanied by a market, live entertainment and fun hands-on activities from the City of Raleigh. The celebrations start at 6 p.m. and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; free; 1030 Richardson Drive or shuttle from Moore Square; raleighnc.gov)
Take the Kids to See National Treasure at Moore Square
What better way to wind down after a long day than an outdoor film? The City of Raleigh is hosting a series of free outdoor cinema experiences the first Tuesday of the month through October, and this month they’re screening National Treasure (2004) at Pullen Park. Starring Nicolas Cage, it’s a film about explorers trying to find a treasure that has been hidden since the creation of the United States. The Pullen Cafe will be open to purchase popcorn and refreshments, and bring your blankets or lawn chairs to get comfortable.
July 7 | 7 p.m.; free, 520 Ashe Avenue; raleighnc.gov
Head to Bond Lake for Bands, Bites and Boats
On first Fridays this summer, Cary’s Bond Park Boathouse is hosting this exuberant outdoor event with music, food and after-hours boat rentals. Check out one of their pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats or sunfish sailboats before or after listening to music and enjoying local food and drink. This month, soul singer and songwriter Garland Mason will be performing for those in attendance. Cary brewer Bond Brothers Beer Company will be selling its drinks, with Ty’s All Natural and Safari Eatz providing food for purchase. Enjoy the setting sun while floating around in Bond Lake.
July 10 | 6 – 8 p.m.; free, 197 Bond Park Drive; carync.gov
Hear Paul Simon at Coastal Credit Union
Legendary songwriter Paul Simon will be coming to the Coastal Credit Union Amphitheatre this summer! A musician who rose to global prominence in the 1960s and is now enjoying his “A Quiet Celebration” tour, Simon will perform two unique sets during each concert; a full run of his Seven Psalms album and a set of his greatest hits with his 11-piece band.
July 11 | 8 p.m.; From $35, 3801 Rock Quarry Road; coastalcreditunionmusicpark.com
Celebrate Bastille Day at Lafayette Village
In Lafayette Village, immerse yourself in French culture by celebrating Bastille Day, which marks the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the start of the French Revolution. Learn about French wines during a tasting walk, shop local French-inspired vendors, and enjoy live bands and photo opportunities. Guests are invited to wear red, white and blue to represent the country’s colors.
July 11 | 4 – 10 p.m.; free but reservation required; 8480 Honeycutt Road; lafayettevillageraleigh.com
Take Advantage of the City’s Summer Music Series
Pack a picnic and your blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this family-friendly Sunday night concert series at Fred Fletcher Park featuring local jazz bands. On July 12, keep an ear out for Invitation, July 19 will bring Thelonius, and July 26 will feature Capital.
July 12, 19, 26 | 6 p.m.; free, 805 Washington Street; raleighnc.gov
Shop July’s Raleigh Underground Market
The Raleigh Underground market brings in more than 50 vendors offering a range of products including food, art and other unique crafts and workshops. Along with the shopping, enjoy country soul musician Ashton Lalyn from Eastern North Carolina, plus food trucks and Bond Brothers Brewery offering drinks for purchase.
July 12 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free, 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street; makrs.com
Cheer on the Durham Bulls
It’s not summer without baseball! Our Triangle minor league team, the Durham Bulls, will take on another North Carolina team, the Charlotte Knights, in a three-game series starting on July 17. After the last of nine innings, enjoy their traditional Friday night fireworks.
July 17 | 6:45 p.m.; from $19; 409 Blackwell Street; milb.com/durham
Shop the Village District Sidewalk Sale
Get ready for The Village District’s annual sidewalk sale! This popular event brings the shops outside to offer some of the best deals of the year on a range of products such as shoes, clothing, jewelry and home decor, from stores including Kannon’s Clothing, Fleet Feet, Littles of Raleigh, Light Years Jewelry, Great Outdoor Provision Co. and Duxiana. Before or after, take advantage of being outside and enjoy cocktails and light bites at Positano or Tazza, or grab sweets from Goodberry’s. July 17-19 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; free; 2068 Clark Avenue; shopvillagedistrict.com
Take the Kids to Marbles for Farm to Fork Kids Fest
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems, a partnership of NC State, NC Agricultural and Technical State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is introducing the Farm to Fork Series, a year-long initiative to strengthen education and awareness about farming and food systems as they relate to our health. They’ll host the Farm to Fork Kids Fest at Marbles Kids Museum, where the first floor and outside spaces will be filled with hands-on activities centered around agriculture from “seed to smoothie,” including farm labs, cooking demos, animal health and more.
July 18 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Tickets included with museum admission; 201 E. Hargett Street; cefs.ncsu.edu
Check Out the Time Out of Mind Tribute to Bob Dylan at Lincoln Theatre
Rod Abernethy — Grand Prize winner of American Songwriter’s Bob Dylan Song Contest — hosts this tribute bringing together an impressive roster of North Carolina music royalty for an evening of beloved Dylan songs. The lineup includes Don Dixon and Robert Kirkland of Arrogance, Doug MacMillan of the Connells, Dave Wilson of Chatham County Line, Robert Sledge of Ben Folds Five, Laurelyn Dossett, Florence Dore, Rissi Palmer, Jonathan Byrd, Jeffrey Dean Foster and many more. July 19 | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m.; from $18 GA, $29.25 balcony; 126 E. Cabarrus Street; lincolntheatre.com
See Guns n’ Roses at Certer-Finley Stadium
Iconic rock group GunsN’ Roses, which rose to fame in the late 1980s after its debut album, Appetite For Destruction, is headed to NC State’s open-air Carter-Finley Stadium. Expect a high-energy concert featuring legendary guitarist Slash and singer Axl Rose. With concerts that often run up to three hours, expect classic hits like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “November Rain” and new music, too. It’s bound to be a blast!
July 23 | 6 p.m; from $54; 4600 Trinity Road; gopack.com
People Watch or Participate GalaxyCon
A four-day festival of comics, pop culture, and sci-fi fandom is coming to the Raleigh Convention Center. Celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers and creators will converge for meet-and-greets, panel talks, a kids’ zone, character installations and more. (Just folks in their costumes is worth a trip downtown!) One highlight: a Q&A with actor Hayden Christensen, known for his role as Anakin Skywalker in theStar Wars franchise.
July 23 – 26 | Various times; from $155; 500 S. Salisbury Street; galaxycon.com
Jam out to Live After 5
Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s family-friendly, block-party-style live music series continues this month! On July 23 at Seaboard Station (20 Seaboard Avenue) enjoy Elora Dash, who plays a mix of jazz, neo-soul and R&B. On July 30 at Moore Square (201 S. Blount Street), hear Fancy Gap, a dynamic duo that blends indie rock and Americana. Bring a blanket or chair and plan to enjoy the food trucks for dinner.
July 23 & July 30 | 7 – 9 p.m. Free; various locations; downtownraleigh.org
See CLUE at Raleigh Little Theatre
Raleigh Little Theatre is hosting a production of the mystery caper Clue, featuring high school students. Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin, this production is presented through RLT’s Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage program. Expect a riff on the classic board game, which starts as a dinner party and turns into a whodunit when a guest is murdered. This madcap comedy will keep the audience guessing.
July 24 – Aug. 9 | Various times; From $19; 301 Pogue Street; raleighlittletheatre.org
Capital Chevy 190
The Wake County Speedway is hosting a fast-paced track-car racing event, the Capital Chevy 190. It’s part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series where various model racing cars from divisions across the country will circle the quarter-mile “bull ring” for a dizzying 190 laps.
July 24 | 8:30 p.m.; From $21; 2109 Simpkins Road, Garner; wcspeedway.com
Once Upon a Time One More Time
Pop culture and timeless fairy tales converge at this student production at Theatre Raleigh. Once Upon a Time One More Time will mash up various Britney Spears hits and the stories of Cinderella, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty for a fun and different perspective on these heroines. July 24 – Aug. 1 | Various times; From $15; 6638 Old Wake Forest Road; theatreraleighact.com
See Passion Pit at the Ritz
Indie pop group Passion Pit, led by Michael Angelakos, is headed to The Ritz for The Pretty Penny Tour. Expect the signature electronic dance beats and ethereal vocals that broke Passion Pit in the late 2000s with the album Manners, featuring “Sleepyhead” and “Little Secrets,” and have garnered a cult following since through several full-length albums and EPs.
July 31 | 7 p.m.; From $48; 2820 Industrial Drive; ritzraleigh.com
Head to Cary for the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Spend the weekend in Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, a weekend celebration of the South’s favorite food and beverages. General admission gets you a souvenir glass for all the sips you want — choose from more than 20 kinds of beer and 30 kinds of bourbon — and access to all live entertainment, including live rock and bluegrass tunes on the Main Stage. A VIP ticket gets you all that, plus a BBQ dinner plate to pile high with ribs, pulled pork, brisket and more. Also explore the Tasting Theater, which features a slew of on-theme vendors, and the famous Shrine of Swine, a whole-hog cooking demo by top pitmasters. Don’t miss the Cochon Carnival for some healthy competition over games like cornhole and giant Jenga.
July 31 – Aug. 1 | Various times; From $55; 8003 Regency Parkway; boothamphitheatre.com
This article originally appeared in the July 2026 issue of WALTER magazine.
