The Clayton Harvest Festival is the most fun you can have in Clayton. Tons of vendors representing…read moreall sorts of food and trades; even a car show. I enter the car show every year and it is so much fun talking to the different folks about cars and getting to know them. It gets real busy in the streets, but eve is so nice and respectful. I'll continue to visit every year!

We came here on the last day, a Sunday, with our 2-year-old granddaughter. According to the…read morewebsite, there was the midway with the rides, an area with some dancing, and an area with some crafts booths. We parked about 2 blocks away on the street so the walk wasn't bad at all. The rides take various amounts of tickets. We ended up spending about $25 for 20 tickets. There were lots of "OMG I'm gonna toss my lunch" rides, a Ferris wheel, a kiddie roller coaster, and I think a small fun house (we didn't go up to it). There were only 2 places to get something to eat or drink, and they were right beside each other. The selection, though, was pretty sad. They didn't even carry corndogs. Basically just cotton candy, ice cream, and funnel cake. By the time we walked around a little after the ride, we decided to leave and get something to eat. We gave the tickets we had to some kids who were happy to get them. I'm not sure if we would go back or not, to be honest. If there was something else going on, we wouldn't. If we were bored and wanted to get out with our granddaughter, we might.

"I keep drinking because I don't quit. Quitters are losers."…read more Woah! World Beer Festival. Where to start?! Well, for me, it's the corner of Person St and Martin St. I am a stickler of order and rules, so I started out at table #1 and trek my way across the all the brewery. While everyone flipping through their big book of Beer Guide, generously produced and provided by ALL ABOUT BEER MAGAZINE for this year's festivity, I however had done my study. Days before I have compiled and made a checklist of all the confirmed breweries, in Evernote, for easy checking in later in UNTAPPD app. I enjoyed all the national and international breweries, and even though the NC brewery tent was packed from beginning to end, I somehow made it through twice, when there was literally no moving foot traffic. Half way through the evening, feeling the waves of lethargy overcoming me, I wisely hopped over to the food tents, and got myself some stomach padding. The Sloppy Goats with Tots was quite interesting. Helping out at the Yelp booth also gave me some new perspectives, had I kept drinking, how much of a blabbering fool would I look to others. In the end it was a tremendously fun event, which I would most likely return in the coming years. (UPDATE: the final count was 96 check-ins in Untappd)

This was the first year I got a ticket and went to the World Beer Festival in Moore Square. All in…read moreall, I enjoyed it. I didn't stay the whole 6p-10p second session of the day but got to enjoy a lot of the flavor, both festival and beer, in what I did stay. Beer, beer, beer...it's a lot of beer. Greeted with your little clear plastic cup as you walk in, you get to have 2 oz. pours of whatever beers you choose to taste all during your session. And there had to be hundreds. Ciders as well, and actually they surprised me, I had a few I liked! Again, it cemented that I am just not an IPA kinda guy, but at least I got to try and see what I may like if any (just didn't happen with IPAs). From the serious beer tasters to those that were out to enjoy a downtown event to the sloppy drunken frat boy/wannabe frat boys and screeching drunk girls, and all in between, all types were definitely represented at this event. Great people watching event, that was some of the best fun. It was a decent setup, pretty spaced out tents but a bit (no, sometimes a lot) crowded in the actual tents where the beers were. I have low tolerance for claustrophobic situations but in the wide open space of Moore Square, you can get quick relief. The food is more along fair food type of stuff, I had the corn dogs and they were awesome actually! The live music was a good touch as well. I even ran into some fellow Yelpers and even old buds I haven't seen in years...good times. Bottom line: Will I go back again if I have the chance? Probably so. It was fun, and a welcome event to get everyone out and about in the downtown Raleigh area.

With their relocation to the Raleigh Convention Center, this has the potential of being the…read moreTriangle's premiere shopping event of the season. Spend a weekend shopping for handmade, one-of-a-kind craft representing more than 110 artists from across the country. For those seeking unique and collectible gifts, you won't want to miss this event! Friday, November 6 - Sunday, November 8, hours are Friday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.- Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now! Advance sale discount Visit CarolinaArtisanCraft.com for more information. Let's get social! Use the hashtag #CarolinaCraft15 We will be there, hope to see you!

I started attending this show when it was at the Fair Grounds on Thanksgiving weekends. I'm so glad…read morethey moved it earlier in the month so holiday travel won't interfere with my shopping! The Raleigh Convention Center is such a bright, airy place to showcase such beautiful work. I heard there will be 40 new artists there this year. I can't wait!

This is always a great event in downtown Raleigh at the First of the Month...There is great art…read morethroughout the city, and of course there is music and other fun events......It covers quite a large area so saying that don't limit yourself just to the shops in the Downtown area...There are also some good spots on Glenwood, Hillsborough, and other parts of Raleigh that are also part of the First Friday activities...I think you will Truly Enjoy yourself!!!

I have been going to Raleigh's First Friday since I moved to North Carolina and they never…read moredisappoint. It took me a while to get the layout and come to the realization that it's impossible to hit all the vendors in one night, but I still try! As of late I usually start in the Depot and grab a beer at Tasty Beverage (they don't have "specials" but they're always great!) or go to Jose and Sons for 1/2 price appetizers from 5-7pm, then head over to CAM. From there you can walk down Martin Street and hit four galleries (including Design Box, Visual Art Exchange, 311 Gallery and Tipping Paint Gallery). You might want to sign up (ahead of time) for a free cocktail class at ABV or venture downtown from here. It's easy to pick up the R-Line and take it to R-15. From there walk down E. Cabarrus and visit Flander's Gallery and Lump Gallery (located directly next to one another). From there you can walk down S. Blount and visit Artspace, from there you can swing through City Market which sometimes has live bands playing on the cobblestone streets. Walk up Blount and turn left on Hargett stopping at Adam Cave Fine Art Gallery. Keep walking down Hargett and you'll soon find yourself in an outdoor market (they set it up when the weather's nice outside Raleigh Times Bar). You'll have bands, drinks and see all different media from local artists. That's usually all I can get to in one night, but there are lots more galleries to check out. I have yet to visit the galleries on Glenwood, but it's on my list! First Friday has an AMAZING website that lists all the art galleries, exhibits AND the food and drink specials on a map: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh/map. It's super convenient and easy to use. If you haven't visited First Friday yet, now's your chance, you won't be disappointed!

This was my first time coming to Hopscotch and I'd just purchased tickets for the Friday night…read moreheadliner, Jenny Lewis. I was pleased at the plentiful bathroom situation, and the fact that so many Hopscotch workers picked up trash between acts- it was a very nice touch. The City Plaza venue was clean and pleasant. My only complaint: There was an obnoxious video screen cycling through the same set of advertisements during Orville Peck's act, but thankfully they turned it off by the time Jenny Lewis took the stage. I guess they were sponsors of the festival but it was awful. In general, Hopscotch seems like a great festival. There were lots of different venues and some of the acts were even free! Downtown Raleigh is a great location that easily accommodates the crowds and offers plenty of parking spread out throughout the city.

Wow, what a blast Hopscotch was this year! I had no clue what I was getting myself into but talk…read moreabout an impressive showing for Raleigh and the Triangle! Got a 3-day wristband and over the course of the long weekend got to see great indy acts like Lower Dens, King Mez, Driveby Truckers, Flaming Lips and Yelawolf. Talk about a range of music styles and energy, each venue was pretty well set up for the crowds and security was decent without being a hassle. There was plenty of beer stands, crowds were enthusiastic but not obnoxious, a winner all around! Toss in the great weather and you really should not miss out on Hopscotch if you enjoy live music. Next year though, VIP wristband! Once a venue reaches capacity it's one out, one in. Loved to see how Raleigh is getting all growed up on both the music and food fronts. Raleigh rocked it out last month, thanks to Hopscotch...

SparkCon is a really fun event that keeps getting better and better each year. I wish there were…read moremore activities Friday during the day, since that's when I attended this year, but I guess that was my own fault. Evidently there were lots of cool things on Friday evening that I missed. Most people probably don't have Friday off like I happened to that day. :) I always love seeing the chalk drawings, and the circus performers. This year I watched some bike polo and got a poem on demand written about my friend's baby! So cool! The whole vibe is so fun and friendly and creative. I can't wait for next year!

This is my second year to attend. I can't go tomorrow, so I went tonight (Friday). Didn't draw a…read more*huge* crowd, but there were a fair amount of people there. I attended a brief portion of the fashion show and a brief portion of the Circus act. Both were okay. I remember last year having a little more substance but I was also there on Saturday, not on Friday. There were only three food trucks out tonight and artists were just beginning to create their chalk art on the streets. A fun event nonetheless. And it's FREE. I hope they do the vintage map thing at the City of Raleigh museum again. That was my favorite part last year.

I am pleased that the city of Raleigh has a family friendly, alcohol free event on New Year's Eve…read more Over the years of the event, they have excelled in making it an interactive event with a great variety of arts and entertainment. The kids event start in the mid afternoon, and include the full New Year;s Eve countdown treatment at 7pm (12 midnight on Greenwich Mean Time) with the acorn drop and fireworks display. Ever wanted to be in a parade? You have your chance with the people's procession. Lots of paper mache animal heads and shapes are made available for use in the parade, or be one of the many walking the huge puppet named Rhea down the parade route. New for this year was a phone app that made it much easier to see what activities where happening at any particular time. Do be aware this is a popular event and can get VERY crowded, especially at the main stage for both the 7pm and midnight acorn drops. Traffic and parking can be quite difficult, especially for those not used to downtown parking. I have been many times since this event started iver 25 years ago. I have always found it to be an enjoyable way to bring in the new year.

This place is hot, on a whole new level though. It's a bit off the beaten path from the usual…read moreRaleigh nightlife spots, but it's worth it. It's the best karaoke bar Raleigh has. Cheap drinks Diverse crowd Laid back Cheap eats Fun

This past weekend I took part in the curbside beer pick up. Great concept, particularly since the…read moreactual festival was cancelled. It was great opportunity to support our local NC breweries.You can pick up an assortment of beers. I ordered a 5 pack of sours for $18. The only issue were the lines were quite long. I was in line, probably 2 hours in my car to pick up the drinks. In the future, it would help to have multiple pick up spots. This was a fun alternative in the setting of social distancing.

There are things I love about Brewgaloo and things I hate, but overall, from a participants…read moreperspective, it's good enough to have brought me back three years in a row, so I guess that deserves a four star rating. Anyone you talk to that's been to Brewgaloo will agree that the event is utterly disorganized. They encourage patrons to buy tickets ahead of time BUT DON'T! The will call line is always 3-4 times longer then the usually nonexistent 'day of' line. Honestly, the confusion is ultimately in the purchasing and ID checking of the event. I'm not sure if the staff doesn't know what they're supposed to be doing or don't communicate, but it's just a cluster f. Don't purchase full pours. This is honestly in your best interest since the 3oz pours are never under, rather they're almost always over. Sometimes the beer tents even give you a full pint for funzies. Not sure how people are making money with this event; I've heard it's by how ever many empty kegs you have at the end, while others have told me it's through token collect. Either way, the breweries themselves don't seem to be regulating the process very well. In addition, I have run into more then one tent where they're giving away free samples! One of the reason's I love Brewgaloo is that I'm paying for the exact amount I want to drink. I'm not paying $50+ a ticket like most of the local beer fests. Rather, I'll buying however many $1 3oz pours or $5 pints I can drink. It's much more financially friendly for those of us that don't go crazy at festivals like this. Last year, like many of the reviews stated, vendors were running out of beer and it was getting messy the later it got. This year, it was drizzling rain during the whole event. And while I thought that would keep a lot of people at home, it kept about 1/4 of the regular crowd home. If you're going to this event and it's a nice day out, expect LONG lines for beer and food. It's just that kind of festival. Finally, if you don't like drunk people, this would be an event to avoid. Other then that, come on down to Fayetteville and enjoy music (some so loud you won't be able to hear anything else), beer from what must be every single brewery in North Carolina and even some liquor! The variety of food trucks but most of all, the gathering of groups of friends, looking to have a good time. See you next year!

This is the last year Sir Walter Raleigh will be slinging a banjo. The IBMA will be moving to…read moreanother city next year. Great event. This weekend they block off Fayetteville st and the party begins. Bands are playing on the end of adjoining streets to Fayetteville St. stages are all over. You have anywhere from 5 to 12 live bands playing at one time. This is including the convention center. Sorry to see the IBMA leave Raleigh. This event draws people from all over the world. Biggest Bluegrass event in the country. If you go, check out the convention center , bands are playing there also.

Nothing says Fall more than Bluegrass music to me! Always excited when the World of Bluegrass comes…read moreback to Raleigh and am tickled pink that the IBMA has adopted Raleigh as host city for its annual gathering. Great atmosphere, music on every corner, and spur of the moment jams in every nook and cranny. Even if you aren't a fan you can't help but appreciate the harmonies, fiddlin', and finger picking skills of these talented artists. Plus there's plenty of food and crafts up and down Fayetteville Street. Great weather just makes it better. Y'all come!