by Heidi Reid | Apr 29, 2026 | Do, May 2026
The Soccer Tournament returns.
The Coachella of soccer is almost here. Back for its fourth annual year, The Soccer Tournament is less of a textbook bracket tourney and more of a festival, competition and temporary village all rolled into one. Whether you’re a die-hard fútbol fanatic or don’t know what a corner kick is, there’s something here for you.
Dubbed the world’s premier 7v7 soccer fete, the tournament brings together star players and club teams from around the globe to go head-to-head at WakeMed Soccer Park May 27–June 1. The draw: a shot at three winner-takes-all prizes of $1M—decided across ~150 games over the course of six days.
And these aren’t your standard matches. Keeping things unpredictable—and fast—games start with two 19-minute halves, or “Target Score Time.” Once the clock runs out, the game shifts—the first team to reach the current leading team’s score plus one wins. Read: If it’s 3–2 at the buzzer, the first to 4 takes it.
The format guarantees every match ends on the hype of a goal—cue storm-the-field energy—and curbs the drag of a goalless game. Stirring the pot even more, one player is pulled from each side every three minutes after regulation. Upping the intensity, teams drop from 7-on-7 to 6-on-6, then 5-on-5—eventually down to 2-on-2.
Seven fields host three to five matches simultaneously, so the energy never dips. And instead of sitting 300 feet from the field, fans are encouraged to get close to the action.
“You have World Cup winners like Hope Solo, Heather O’Reilly and Carli Lloyd playing 10 yards in front of you,” emphasizes Public Relations Coordinator Freddy Stanley. “Sergio Agüero, who’s played in the World Cup for Argentina and won the Premier League with Manchester City, is out there playing—and you’re right next to the field.”
This year’s roster also includes standout stars Landon Donovan and Gerard Pique, with more global giants set to participate. Field footwork aside, select celebs will hold meet-and-greets, all included with your ticket.
Fueling the fun: Local and international F&B ops, live music, club stores and fan activations, plus kids’ clinics (with a potential trip to Italy on the line) dot the park to fill time between matches, or to just take the edge off of an intense game. So while the stakes may be high, the vibes promise to be even higher. May 27–June 1, WakeMed Soccer Park, tst7v7.com
by Abigail Celoria | Dec 4, 2025 | Do, November 2025
Lace up for a race in the name of cystic fibrosis.
If you don’t know Raleigh philanthropist Pete Proimos personally, you definitely know someone who does—or someone who knows someone who does. That’s according to Lewis Lovell, a captain in the Raleigh Fire Department, and Nemanja Savic, former pro golfer turned teacher.
Come December, Lovell and Savic are showing up for Proimos in a big way, running 104.8 miles to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, a disease Proimos both battles and raises awareness for.
Running four marathons in four days clearly isn’t for everyone, but the community can still support the cause by lacing up for the Lung Run, a fun run chasing a brighter future for CF patients Dec. 14 at Fenton.
Three years ago, Proimos took on a heartfelt venture and founded the Filotimo Foundation, a nonprofit raising awareness and providing resources for people with cystic fibrosis. Named after a kindness-forward Greek philosophy, the foundation revolves around an MO to do what is right, compassionate and generous—no strings attached. Proimos kept his CF diagnosis a secret for most of his life, but a few years into the project, he stopped hiding.
The day Proimos revealed his diagnosis, Savic said he knew something was up. “I don’t think he could have held it in any longer,” reminisces Savic. “We sat down and he said, ‘Okay, so, I’m sick.’”
Around the same time, Lovell and Savic were looking for their next physical challenge. They’d been running together for over a decade—first neighborhood jogs, then full-on marathons. With social media runners as their inspo, they landed on a bold idea: run 100 miles in marathon-sized chunks.
Enter the aforementioned Lung Run, the Filotimo Foundation’s second major event. From Dec. 10–14, Lovell and Savic will tackle a marathon a day, finishing strong with a fun run where locals can hop in for laps—and earn swag along the way. Afterward, the foundation is throwing down in Fenton, with food and drinks, vendors, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus and company.
While raising awareness remains top priority, Lovell has a more personal stake going into the Lung Run—to show support for his friend. “At the end of it, Proimos feels like we’re right behind him, that we’re fighting alongside him,” remarks Lovell. Even before race day, the Lung Run is making waves, as partners in Detroit and virtual teams across the country gear up for their own solidarity runs. So strap on your running shoes and gear up to take a lap for CF. filotimofoundation.org
by Raleigh Magazine | Jun 14, 2023 | Do, June 2023
Through 6/16
Juneteenth Jubilee
Celebrate African American tradition, culture and history with the city at this weeklong event feat. activations, games, food trunks and more—plus a dance party and movie screening Thursday night and a Lunch and Jam on Friday. raleighnc.gov
Through 6/19
2023 Capital City Juneteenth Celebration
This celebration spreads across several days of education and heritage and includes everything from workshops and worships to a fish fry to a gospel music concert at the NCMA. juneteenthraleigh.org
Through 6/19
Town of Cary Juneteenth Celebration
Light it red, yellow and green! Find the columns of the Cary Art Center showcasing these significant colors all weeklong… and keep the celebrations going via a R&B, jazz, soul and funk performance from NiiTO on Thursday, with dance, music and history discussions to look forward to Saturday. Keep it colorful, Cary! carync.gov
6/16
For The Culture Crawl
Take a stroll Downtown to honor Juneteenth and celebrate artistic freedom by grabbing a drink and stopping by Artspace for live music/art exhibitions. Then snap a pic with your fave piece of public artwork by a Black artist, dine at a Downtown Black-owned restaurant and finish the evening at CAM Raleigh. #DTRCultureCrawl artspacenc.org
6/16
Juneteenth at the Pope House Museum
Rise up with the Pope Museum for storytelling and tours highlighting one of Raleigh’s most prominent Black families (and one of NC’s first licensed African American doctors!). Plus, sign up for a walking tour Saturday + Sunday to learn more about the City of Oaks’ Black neighborhoods. raleighnc.gov
6/16–17
Wake Forest Juneteenth Celebration
Join the Town of Wake Forest as it commemorates freedom with two days of fun. On Friday, find a community gathering at Taylor Street Park, then come back Saturday for a lineup including a freedom walk, DJs and performative dance groups. wakeforestnc.gov
6/17
Family Day at the Park
Park yourself at Dorothea Dix Park for an all-day celebration of liberty! Embrace African American culture via spirituals, jazz and R&B performances, a children’s activity zone, and story corner. Majazztic, indeed! dixpark.org
6/17
Juneteenth Block Party with Triangle Pop-Up Market
It ain’t a true Juneteenth celebration without food, drinks and live music! Plus, shop til ya drop at the Triangle Pop-Up Market to truly celebrate in style. boxyard.rtp.org
6/17–18
Juneteenth Jubilee 2023
Can you dig it? Fayetteville’s ’70s-themed jubilee will deliver disco and R&B music from award-winning Black artists—in addition to a costume contest (winner gets a prize!), 5K race and historical trolley tour. How groovy! visitdowntownfayetteville.com
6/17–19
Liberation Station Bookstore Grand Opening
Book it to the grand opening of NC’s first Black-Owned children’s bookstore for festivities corresponding with Juneteenth (!). Plus, don’t miss a slew of bestselling and award-winning Black authors, illustrators and historians whose books will line the shelves of the DTR shop. liberationstationbookstore.com
