Want a fun day away from Wilmington? Here are 11 events to try for a short summer getaway
Do you love traveling to events to see different bands or munch on an assortment of food, but at a location close to home? Then we've got a list to consider.
Here are 11 events that can be done as a day trip from Wilmington, where an overnight stay is not necessary.
JUNE
Roxboro: Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival
Looking for something to do for Father's Day? The Carolina Road band will be performing at the Willow Oak Music Festival. The family style bluegrass festival will be held June 15-17 at Willow Oak Park, 895 Blalock Dairy Road, Roxboro. There will be workshops, storytelling and a jamming tent during the day. Local and national bands will be part of the stage show.
For more information and tickets, visit http://www.willowoakpark.com.
Apex Juneteenth Festival
The town of Apex will host the Juneteenth Festival, a holiday celebrated across the country, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Celebrating this important day in history, the festival promotes equity, respect, and understanding between people of all backgrounds and cultures. It will be held 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 at The Depot. 220 N. Salem St.
There will be live music and entertainment, food trucks, half-court basketball games, and more.
For more information on events and downtown parking, visit https://www.apexnc.org/1606/Juneteenth-Festival#definitions.
More: Your guide to 2023's can't-miss outdoor concerts in the Wilmington area
Out! Raleigh Pride
Out! Raleigh Pride, one of the biggest Pride celebrations in North Carolina, will be held 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 24 on Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh.
The theme is "Love 365" as a reminder that we are our true, authentic selves every single day of the year. There will be a day full of fun, vendors, kids' activities, a parade, health and wellness area, beer zone, and much more.
Details: info@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
More: Celebrate Pride Month 2023 in the Wilmington area with these 7 events
More: It takes an island: These friends are connecting good causes to good times in Carolina Beach
Bunn: Blueberry Music Festival
If you're still wanting a blueberry fix a week after the North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw, there's Vollmer Farm in Bunn with its annual Blueberry Music Festival.
The bands performing at the June 24 event will be Chandler James, Shannon Baker & Sometime Soon and Love Tribe. There will also be local vendors, food trucks, beer and wine, a pie eating contests, blueberry picking and more.
The festival will be held 2-10 p.m. at 677 N.C. 98 East, Bunn.
Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at https://vollmerfarm.mazeplay.com/.
Durham: Triangle VegFest
If you're a foodie and want to be more health-conscious & fit, and are curious about a plant-based diet, then there's the Triangle VegFest.
The fest will be held rain or shine, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 25 at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., Durham.
It's free, but a $5 donation will be accepted to help the nonprofit.
This pet friendly event will have food trucks, vegan beer, educational speakers and live music.
There also will be entertainment for children — free face painting, free throw hoops, ring toss, coloring, corn hole and life-size games of Connect 4, Jenga and checkers.
Participants can bring their own bottle and fill up all day for $5 or a refillable, compostable cup will be provided for $6.
For more information, https://trianglevegfest.com/.
JULY
Durham: Festival for the Eno
The Eno River Association presents its 44th Eno Festival, Saturday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 4 at West Point on the Eno Park, located at 5101 N. Roxboro St., Durham.
The festival will feature over 60 bands on four stages. There will also be a juried craft show, artisans, food and drink.
For tickets and more information, visit https://enofest.org/.
New Bern: NC Film Festival
The official North Carolina Film Festival returns to New Bern at the New Bern Civic Theatre on Saturday, July 29 starting at 10 a.m. Featuring work from local and international filmmakers, this event showcases a variety of movie categories. Tickets start at $25. For more information, go to newberncivictheatre.org.
AUGUST
Cary: Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival
Cary is hosting a two-day Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival on Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway.
The festival will feature over 60 beers, more than 40 bourbons, and lots and lots of barbecue.
Hours are 6-10 p.m. Aug. 4 and noon-6 p.m. Aug. 5.
For more information, visit https://cary.beerandbourbon.com/.
Raleigh: CaribMask Carnival
Promoting diversity, equality and to foster a deeper appreciation for Afro-Caribbean culture in the Raleigh area, the CaribMask Carnival returns for its 10th year to the downtown area.
The event will begin at noon Saturday, Aug. 19 at 400 Fayetteville St., and will be featuring international and local artists, DJs, parade of bands, arts and crafts vendors, and food.
Details: https://www.caribmask.com/ or email info.gordaca.org.
Raleigh: N.C. State Packapalooza
The N.C. State Packapalooza will be held Aug. 26. This all-day block party and street festival caps off N.C. State University's Wolfpack Week.
The event, free and open to the public, will feature over 300 vendor booths lining Hillsborough Street. There will be food, arts and crafts, visual and performing arts, games, and much more. Music, closing out the evening, will be performed on the center stage.
Cary: Lazy Daze Arts & Craft Festival
Art lovers can head to downtown Cary Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 for the "Lazy Daze" of summer juried craft show. This large festival brings together over 250 artists representing 16 states across the United States.
The festival will feature numerous interactive art activities, a beer garden, demonstrations from professional craftsmen, and a kid’s world area.
It will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Town Hall Campus, 316 N. Academy St.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Day trips from Wilmington to events in Raleigh, Durham for summer 2023
