April marks the true beginning of spring, and that means that spring festivals and outdoor concerts are in full swing in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the rest of the Triangle region of North Carolina.
Plan the beginning of spring with this list of the top things to do April, 2026, in the Triangle.
We’re highlighting 35 events this month. But then, keep reading for our huge calendar of things to do in the Triangle in April. This calendar will be updated all the time. You can jump right to the calendar if you’d like.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
April Highlights in Triangle
North Carolina Science Festival
North Carolina Science Festival Date: All April
Time: Various times
Place: Locations across the state
Cost: Varies. Many events are free
Features: Science events all around the state
Easter Events
Easter events Date: Mostly April 4 and 5, 2026, but some earlier
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Most are free
Features: Follow the above link for a calendar of Easter egg hunts, Easter bunny visits and more
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts Date: Many dates
Time: Varies
Place: All over the Triangle
Cost: Varies, but most are free
Features: Follow the above link for a list of outdoor concert series and a day by day calendar of outdoor music
Peeps in the Park
Peeps in the Park Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Place: Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Easter/spring themed scavenger hunt. Find hidden peeps. The event also include face painting, inflatables, music and more.
Busk and Bloom: A Spring Buskers Day Celebration
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
Busk and Bloom Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Buskers will be in every corner of the Museum park. Free, but tips are appreciated!
Revolutionary War Living History Day
Revolutionary War Living History Day Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Various locations in Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Re-enactors, demonstrations, tours, much more
NC State Earth Fair
NC State Earth Fair Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Stafford Commons, 2610 Cates Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Display of sustainable items, educational exhibits about the environment, student groups and university-affiliate departments.
Tarheel Antiques Festival
Photo courtesy of Tarheel Antiques Festival
Tarheel Antiques Festival Date: April 10-11, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Lloyds Farm, 226 N Lloyd’s Dairy Road, Efland, North Carolina
Cost: $5 per day or $7 for the weekend
Features: Shop from a large number of antique and craft vendors. Plus auctions, appraisals, activities and entertainment.
UNC Science Expo
UNC Science Expo Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: Check back soon for the time. Last year it was 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Learn about science and research at UNC Chapel Hill through hands-on activities, demonstrations, games and more.
Beyond the Book Children’s Book and Art Festival
Beyond the Book Children’s Book and Art Festival Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Fletcher Park, 820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Author and illustrator events, collaborative art, crafts, vendors, entertainment
Peak City Pig Fest
Peak City Pig Fest Date: April 10-11, 2026
Time: Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Date: Downtown Apex
Cost: Free
Features: Barbecue competition, live music and vendors.
Pimento Cheese Festival
Pimento Cheese Festival Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free (pay for food)
Features: Purchase pimento cheese dishes from food trucks and vendors. Also, enjoy a pimento cheese sculpting contest, live music, pimento cheese samples and more.
Spring Festival at Olde Raleigh Village
Spring Festival at Olde Raleigh Village Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 12 to 2 p.m.
Place: Olde Raleigh Village, 3231 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Free face painting, free make-your-own flower bouquet bar, free Chipotle buffet. All while supplies last (come early.) Live music
Cat Show: It’s TICA Time
Cat Show Date: April 11 and 12, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Dorton Arena at NC Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+), $8 for children (4-12)
Features: International judges will judge over 30 breeds of cats. Shop for cat toys and accessories. Adoptable cats will be there.
Repair Café
Photo: Repair Café NC
Repair Café Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: Whitted Meeting Room, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Partner with skilled volunteers to fix your broken stuff. Registration is recommended.
Fest in the West
Fest in the West Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Mills Park, 441 Mills Park Drive, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This is West Cary’s signature festival. Includes a petting zoo, youth dance, activities from jump rope to robotics, and much more. Fest in the West is an active day of learning and fun for kids.
15th Annual ‘Cuegrass Festival
‘Cuegrass Festival Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy two stages of live music, a kids zone and plenty of good food to purchase. This event raises funds for local children’s causes, so donations are welcome.
Children’s Day Festival
Photo courtesy of American Turkish Association of North Carolina
Children’s Day Festival of Cary Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 1 to 7 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Make and take international crafts, performances by children, representing various cultures and art forms, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks and more.
Forest Fest
Forest Fest Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Downtown Wake Forest
Cost: Free
Features: Includes tree seedling giveaway, children’s activities, live music and more.
Nepal Day Celebration
Nepal Day Celebration Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Cultural exhibits, artisan market, traditional Nepali dances and music, bounce house, face painting, Nepali and international food
Arts on the Block
Arts on the Block Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Historic City Market, 306 Parham Street, Raleigh, NC and Davie Street
Cost: Free
Features: artist-led demos, artisan vendors, pop-up performances, dancing, much more.
Carrboro Day, Earth Day and Open Streets
Carrboro Day, Earth Day and Open Streets Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Place: Weaver Street in Downtown Carrboro
Cost: Free
Features: Eco-friendly activities and outdoor fun on a car-free street.
Durham Earth Day Festival
Durham Earth Day Festival Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham. NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, Earth Day parade, hands-on environmental education, kids’ activities, an Earth Day market and more.
Earth Day/Arbor Day at Dix Park
Raleigh Earth Day Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. with movie at 8:15 p.m.
Place: Dorothea Dix Park, 1985 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Earth-conscious vendors, performances, hands-on activities. Outdoor movie at 8:15 p.m.
Asian Night
Asian Night Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: East Chapel Hill High School, 500 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: $10
Features: Night market booths from 5 to 7 p.m., and cultural performances from 7 to 9 p.m.
Mebane Dogwood Festival
Mebane Dogwood Festival Date: April 24 and 25, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Downtown Mebane, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, multiple entertainment stages, touch a truch, car show, much more
Magical Hill Festival and Fairy House Contest
Magical Hill Festival and Fairy House Contest Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Chapel Hill Community Center Park, 120 S Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Earth day activities, rock climbing, magic show, fairy house contest, more
North Carolina Pickle Festival
North Carolina Pickle Festival Date: April 24 and 25, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Downtown Mount Olive, NC
Cost: Free, but some activities will have a cost
Features: Pickle eating contest, live music, Cuke Patch 5K, car show, more.
Cary’s Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
Photo courtesy of Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Three stages of music and entertainment, activities for kids, and booths from 170 local artists. This festival is also an Earth Day festival.
Canine Field Day
Canine Field Day
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Drive, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Fun for dogs, including an agility course, Frisbee catch and ball fetch area, bobbing for treats and a treasure hunt. There will also be pet-focused vendors, and food for purchase.
Apex EarthFest
Courtesy of Town of Apex
Apex EarthFest Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Apex Town Hall Campus, 73 Hunter Street, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances, clothing swap, fashion show, more
Raulston Blooms Garden Festival
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
Raulston Blooms Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $5 per person or $10 per family
Features: Garden and nature activities, plant sales, and more
Y’all Means All Beer Festival
Y’all Means All Beer Festival Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Raleigh Brewing,
Cost: Free (pay for drinks)
Features: 15 NC breweries, plus music, local artisans and food trucks
Brewgaloo
Brewgaloo Date: April 24 and 25, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday. 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Pay for tasting tickets. Through April 8, use promo code Triangleonthecheap26 to save $10 on Friday night tasting tickets.
Features: Music, beer samples, more
Unleashed’s Spring Fling
Unleashed’s Spring Fling Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Ampitheatre
Cost: Free
Features: Adoptable pets, egg hunt for dogs (requires donation), live music, food trucks, more
