From outdoor music and movies to baseball, bbq and ice cream, here’s how to soak up the sunniest months in the City of Oaks
by Addie Ladner, Kendall Campos and Bailey Garrison

From catching a baseball game to indulging in some authentic barbecue, Raleigh offers no shortage of ways to soak up everything we love about summer. Fill your long, sunny days with outdoor yoga, fresh local produce, afternoons spent by the water, evenings of live music and, to top it all off, award-winning ice cream. Consider this your 2026 Raleigh summer bucket list — and get to work on these 12 great ideas for making the most of a summer in the City of Oaks.

Get Outside for Some Music 

It’s not summer without live music, and we’ve got tons of great acts coming to our open air venues. A few that caught our eye: Coastal Credit Union Amphitheatre will be hosting Paul Simon (July 11), Death Cab for Cutie (July 22), Tim McGraw (August 7) and Jack Johnson (August 22). Guns and Roses (July 23) and Noah Kahan (July 25) are playing at NCSU’s Carter Finley Stadium, and Buju Banton & Stephen Marley (July 23) and Chance the Rapper (August 29) will be at Red Hat Amphitheatre. For a different vibe, Downtown Raleigh Alliance is back with their Live After 5 block-party style music series, featuring R&B artist Elora Dash at Seaboard Station on July 23 and indie duo Fancy Gap at Moore Square on July 30. North Hill’s Midtown Music is also a whole party scene, with their Beach Music series featuring a different local artist every Thursday evening. For an even more chill, laid back picnic, check out the City of Raleigh’s lawn concert series, which hosts shows throughout the summer at Fred Fletcher and Pullen Parks. 

See an Outdoor Movie

Summer evenings were made for outdoor films. Grab a picnic blanket and local pie from Vic’s Pizzeria before heading to Moore Square (201 S. Blount Street) for a viewing of Hamilton on July 3. Then, return July 10 for Godzilla v Mothra as part of the First Friday movie series. On July 17, Pullen Park (520 Ashe Ave) launches its summer movie nights with National Treasure; arrive early to grab concessions from Pullen Park Café and claim a spot on the grass. For a nostalgic night out, check out weekly-updated showtimes and make the hour-long drive to Raleigh Road Outdoor Theater in Henderson, where car-side snacks and movies viewed from your vehicle keep the classic drive-in experience alive year-round.

Cheer on our Local Baseball Teams 

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 in our area’s historic stadium. After the last of nine innings, enjoy their traditional Friday night fireworks. (From $19; 409 Blackwell Street, Durham; milb.com/durham). Can’t make July’s? There are plenty of home games to pick from this summer all with various activities. The Wilson Warbirds (previously the Carolina Mudcats) are also hosting games through the summer (From $18.50; 401 Goldsboro Street, Wilson). Bring your dog for Sunday games and stick around for fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays. The Clayton Clovers are a wood bat collegiate summer team and will be taking on other local teams at extremely affordable ticket prices (From $6; 1774 Glen Laurel Road, Clayton). Here’s to making this summer a home run!

Catch a Carolina Courage Game

Another warm-weather favorite: supporting North Carolina’s electric soccer scene with a Courage game. The team is hosting many themed home games this summer, including Margaritaville Night on July 11, Christmas in July on July 25, and Black Excellence on August 16. Arrive early to the stadium for tailgating and Fan Fest, where fans of all ages can make posters, enter giveaways, get their faces painted and purchase food and beverages from food trucks and local vendors. Check the Carolina Courage website for their full schedule.
Tickets start at $17, First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary

Get the Scoop on our Artisan Ice Cream Scene

The Triangle is home to award-winning local creameries that provide perfect treats to beat the heat. Recognized by USA Today, Southern Living and Good Morning America, Andia’s Ice Cream (2201 Iron Works Drive, Suite 129) has locations across the Triangle and offers a long list of specialty flavors with rotating flavors every month. Two Roosters Ice Cream (7713 Lead Mine Road; 215 E. Franklin Street; 4025 Lake Boone Trail) has also been previously recognized by USA Today and the National Ice Cream Association, and for the month of June this Raleigh favorite is providing European-themed flavors at their eight locations. For an up-close ice cream experience, Howling Cow Creamery (100 Dairy Lane)  is located on the dairy farm where their ice cream is sourced, with the ice cream made on NC State’s campus. And of course, there’s Goodberry’s Frozen Custard (various locations), a homegrown brand serving up “Carolina Concretes” with base flavors that vary every day and custom mix-ins.

Eat Some BBQ!

Summers in the south are incomplete without good barbeque. For old-school Eastern North Carolina barbeque in downtown Raleigh, head to Sam Jones BBQ Restaurant, where every plate is built on generations of family tradition. For an outdoor spot to watch the game, Longleaf Swine BBQ offers a lively patio and slow-smoked meats made for lingering summer evenings.  If you’re looking for an adventure, head out to Knightdale early to get in line for Prime Barbecue,  led by champion pitmaster Christopher Prieto. 

Hit the Water

There are endless ways to enjoy the water in our area — without a road trip. For paddleboarding or kayaking, WakeRack offers easy pickup and drop-off lockers near Lake Wheeler, Falls Lake and Jordan Lake, along with everything you need for a simple day on the water. Closer to downtown, each lake offers something a little different. Lake Johnson is smaller and more relaxed, best for walking and trails, casual fishing and shoreline views. Lake Wheeler is a larger, more open lake ideal for paddling and longer outings; and just north of the city. Lake Crabtree County Park offers easy recreation, including free kayak and paddleboard rentals, while Falls Lake and Jordan Lake provide bigger, more expansive water for boating, swimming and all-day escapes.

Take The Kids to a Splash Pad!

If you’re looking for a safe and easy way to cool off with little ones, Raleigh’s splash pads are free, family-friendly and open daily throughout the summer. Downtown, the Moore Square Splash Pad (225 E. Martin Street) sits steps away from green space and events, making it an easy addition to a day of exploring shops, restaurants and museums, while the splash pad at John Chavis Memorial Park (505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd) pairs water play with one of the city’s most beloved playgrounds. At Gipson Play Plaza (715 Biggs Dr.), a dramatic waterfall-inspired splash area and interactive jets offer another standout option, where kids can play beneath cascading water or explore behind the feature as it runs seasonally through the fall. For even more ways to beat the heat, several city pools, including Lake Johnson Pool (5623 Jaguar Park Drive) and Ridge Road Pool (1709 Ridge Road), offer splash features alongside swimming and other aquatic activities.

Have Cocktails on a Roof

Downtown Raleigh boasts a wide selection of bars and restaurants to watch the sun set over our city’s growing skyline. For a classy cocktail with a view, check out chic, local favorites 10th and Terrace, Level 7, and The Willard. If you want pizza and pasta with your drinks, try La Terrazza, the rooftop restaurant in The Dillon, providing a menu inspired by Southern Italy and the Mediterranean region. Urban Oak Rooftop Bar & Lounge is Raleigh’s tallest rooftop bar, with a wraparound patio and a menu of original cocktails and shareable plates such as a southern charcuterie board and popcorn chicken thighs. Check out our full list of Raleigh rooftop bars for more options!

Make a Market-Inspired Meal

‘Tis the season for BLTs, pesto, eggplant parmesan, berry cobblers and all the mouthwatering dishes that taste best in summer when peaches, tomatoes, basil and berries are at their peak. Plan a market-inspired meal for your friends or family utilizing only what you can find at our local markets. The NC State Farmers Market (1201 Agriculture Street) is open year-round and offers a wide selection of fresh produce, including peppers, tomatoes and peaches. The city is also home to several community markets, including the Midtown Farmers Market (4160 Main at North Hills Street), Moore Square Market (201 S. Blount Street) and the Black Farmers Market (2718 Rock Quarry Road). 

Take an Outdoor Yoga Class

End your day with movement and mindfulness through one of Raleigh’s open-air yoga offerings, including classes at both Dix Park and Fred Fletcher Park. At Dix Park, instructor Aubrey Anderson leads all-levels, hour-long outdoor flows every Monday evening from June through August, free and open to ages 12 and up (minors must be accompanied by an adult). Just west of downtown at Fred Fletcher Park’s circle amphitheater, Nova Park Yoga offers all-levels classes seven days a week, with weekday evening sessions from 6-7 p.m. and weekend mornings from 9-10 a.m. Classes rotate among instructors and are pay-what-you-can with a suggested $10 contribution. Bring a mat and water, arrive early for check-in and note that parking is available but there are no on-site bathrooms.

Actually Fulfill Your Summer Reading Goals

Need encouragement to crack open a book? We’re here to help. For starters we have a slew of used and indie book stores, not to mention a ton of neighborhood libraries to kick off your summer reading list. And if you find yourself with room for a more organized reading activity but not one to commit, try out one of our local Silent Book Club chapters. One favorite: Oberlin Regional Library, which offers a moment to share your book title before 90 minutes of silence and reading. Be sure to register on the website prior to the event. July 2 | 6:30 – 8 p.m. Free, 1930 Clark Avenue; wake.gov

This article was originally published on June 10, 2026 on waltermagazine.com