Like Hopscotch’s less edgy, flowy-skirted and flowery sister, Iron Blossom Music Festival continues to shine a spotlight on local indie and folk bands while always tapping a few bigtime acts to end the night—and it reigns as a must-attend for any indie or folk fans in the Southeast.
At just three years old, this RM pick for fests worth traveling for has already blossomed into a one-of-a-kind event, avoiding the long lines, drama and price point of a bigger op while still hosting big names worth drama—NTM it’s just a 2.5-hour drive from the Cap City. Here are some festival highlights to browse while you pen your wishlist for next year’s lineup.
Rain, Rain, Here to Stay Guests were evacuated not once, but twice from the fest on Saturday, with Medium Build sneaking in a set between the two delays. But true to the festival’s happy-go-lucky nature, guests were unfazed and danced in the rain, some barefoot. Even after both evacuations, the energy didn’t end, it just moved—breweries and bars surrounding Midtown Green were buzzing with damp and smiling festival goers.
Indie Sleaze Is So Back Vampire Weekend showed out to headline Saturday night with a greatest hits setlist, oozing the sleazy aesthetics of their heyday ~15 years ago. The undeniable charm of Ezra Koenig plus the nostalgia of “A-Punk” live? Unmatched.
Vampire Weekend
…And Indie Folk Never Left Folk had a field day with the rest of the lineup. From The Lumineers to Boone-based Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Chapel Hill-based Watchhouse, it was an indie fanatic’s dream. Athens-based Futurebirds lead the fest towards alt-country horizons while Improvement Movement slung dad rock with a touch of soul. In short, a wide range of boxes were checked when it came to genre. And the sole lineup lowlight? Alt trio Khruangbin’s cancellation. Maybe next year…
A Hop, Skip and a Jump The aptly-named Iron and Blossom stages were in perfect proximity to each other—if you camped out between the side-by-side stages, you could catch every set. And even so, fest goers hopped between the stages, so sets were never overly congested. Sticking with the drama-free nature, you could wrangle a spot close to the barricade at both stages, so long as you rolled up by 2 or 3pm.
Futurebirds
Hometown Heroes Leaning into local, Richmond and Virginia artists reigned. Richmond-based Holy Roller lit up the stage with grooves and a Western aesthetic. And hailing from Shenandoah Valley just north, folk trio Palmyra garnered a huge crowd at the smaller stage—one that didn’t shy away from singing along. In true Iron Blossom fashion, the group’s Mānoa Bell tapped barefoot along to the beat as he strummed the double bass. Overall, the songs of the Southeast shined.
Life is too short for FOMO—so grab the tickets and file the memories. From hot concerts and epic fests to arts, theater, comedy and beyond, Raleigh’s lineup is stacked. Here, our bucket list worth clearing your cal for.
Linkin Park courtesy of Lenovo Center
Halsey courtesy of Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
The Black Keys courtesy of Red Hat Amphitheater
Tyler the Creator courtesy of Lenovo Center
Goo Goo Dolls courtesy of Red Hat Amphiteater
Jason Aldean courtesy of Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Mt. Joy courtesy of Koka Booth Amphitheater
The Lumineers courtesy of Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Mr. Worldwide, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone and more head to Queen City to throw some love in your life. Charlotte, lovinlifemusicfest.com
Iron Blossom Music Festival
Sept. 20–21
High spirits blossom at this indie music fest featuring the likes of Vampire Weekend, Khruangbin and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Richmond, ironblossomfestival.com
NC Holiday Flotilla
Nov. 28–30
Float on alright at the annual boat-decorating competition and parade kicking off the holiday season. Wrightsville Beach, ncholidayflotilla.org
Feast Wilmington
March 2026
Feed your need and consider this fest your passport to all the food and bevs that give Wilmy its foodie credentials. Wilmington, feastwilmington.com
Nikki Glaser Courtesy of Martin Marietta
Craig Robinson courtesy of Raleigh Improv
Shane Gillis courtesy of Live Nation
Godfrey courtesy of Raleigh Improv
Randy Feltface by Dylan Woodley courtesy of Goodnights Comedy Club
Comedy
Nikki Glaser, April 12–13 @ Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
*Quietly* cheer on your fave pro golfers as they vie for the top title at one of the finest country clubs in the U.S. Cue the golf clap! Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, pgachampionship.com
The Soccer Tournament
June 4–9
Kick it for a shot at $1 mill with locals, legends and professionals at the “most exciting and highest stakes” 7 vs. 7 soccer tourney in the world. WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, tst7v7.com
City of Oaks Marathon
Nov. 2
Put your body’s endurance to the test on this 26.2-mile run from North Raleigh to DTR—or opt to hold a snarky poster and line the course to cheer on the overachievers. Both are winners in our book! Raleigh, cityofoaksmarathon.com
Panthers vs. Bills
Fall, date TBD
Are you ready for it? This year’s T. Swift and company losers—er, the AFC runners-up Buffalo Bills—look to get stampeded in Charlotte by a Panthers team on the glowup finding new life under coach Dave Canales and now-hot QB “the Carolina Reaper” Bryce Young. Keep Pounding! Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, panthers.com
Swan Lake courtesy of Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Tee up for a better tomorrow while catching future PGA pros in action, indulging in top-tier hospitality and making a real impact—all from the best seat on the green at Raleigh Country Club. unchealthchampionship.com
Summer Salute
May 31
No beach? No problem. Get your shag on at North Ridge Country Club by swaying to live beach music, running it back at the Pink Flamingo Casino and partying for Transitions LifeCare—good vibes guaranteed. northstatebank.com
Rock Your World
Sept. 7
Party hard—give back harder. Crank up the volume at this adrenaline-fueled fest serving live music, sky-high thrills and nonstop energy that promise to, ahem, rock your world as you hop and bop to Band of Brothers and the Rae Radick Band, throw your hats for a military tribute, and sample sips and snacks in support of the Hope for Haiti Foundation and more. hopeforhaitifoundation.com
Evening of Hope &Igniting Hope
Sept. 10 & 11
Double the impact as hope takes center stage across two powerhouse nights of purpose hosted by Foundation of Hope at the Pavilion at the Angus Barn to fuel critical mental health research and support for those battling mental illness. Glam up for a gala and inspiring keynote, then shift gears for a more laid-back evening of dinner, drinks and dancing. walkforhope.com
MightyGivebackConcert
Expected September
Nothing’s mightier than music with a mission. Dip your feet into this philosophy by uplifting local nonprofits—and dancing hard—with a high-energy lineup of live music at Red Hat Amp.bandtogethernc.org
Hops for Hope
Sept. 13
The only thing better than cracking open a cold one? Cracking open a cold one for a cause. Compassion meets craft beer at the 10th annual brew-tiful fundraising fest landing in North Hills’ Midtown Park to fund life-changing medical flights for children and families in need. We’ll drink to that—with plenty of brews to pick from.childrensflightofhope.org
Over the Edge
Sept. 27
Got guts? Prove it by taking the plunge from 19 stories up and rappelling down DTR’s Pendo building to benefit Special Olympics NC. Besides serving serious bragging rights, the drop mirrors the everyday adversities individuals with disabilities encounter while raising funds to make them feel a little lighter. sonc.net
Holt BrothersFoundationFunkraiser
Nov. 2
Dance, drink and party for the children? Twist our arm. Uptown funk is gonna give it to you via sips, snacks, music and a memorabilia auction at this annual fundraiser at Angus Barn uplifting NFL football stars Terrence and Torry Holt’s mission to support children of cancer patients. holtbrothersfoundation.org
Turkey Ball
Expected November
Gobble till you wobble for good. A ticket to this ambient annual alfresco gala poolside at Mulino means a holiday turkey for a family in need. mulinoraleigh.com
Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Dec. 6
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, so lift your voices high and battle it out at Moore Square for the caroling crown while bolstering local education through the Wake Tech Community College Foundation.figgypuddingnc.org
Jingle Ball
Expected December
Mix, mingle and jingle all the way at Marbles Kids Museum to bring Christmas to life for local tots in need via thousands of toys and toy program funding in Wake County. And be sure to be nice—Kris Kringle may make an appearance… capitalcityclauses.org
Photo by Shepard Barnes, courtesy of Live After 5
Photo by Keenan Hairston, courtesy of Out! Raleigh
Courtesy of NC State Fair
Courtesy of Raleigh Christmas Parade
Art in Bloom courtesy of Visit Raleigh
Tried & True
Midtown Beach Music
Thursdays April–June
Tropical oasis: found. Don your Hawaiian shirts, leis and carefree attitudes for Midtown’s lineup of sunny tunes paired with food trucks, sips and all-around good vibes. visitnorthhills.com
Artsplosure
May 17–18
It’s always an explosion of creativity and color at this art mecca serving up a curated lineup of ~175 visual artists from across the country spotlighting ceramics, glass, jewelry, metal, painting and photography. artsplosure.org
Live After 5
May 21, June 18, July 23, Aug. 20
A post-work DTR block party? Say less. DRA’s free summer concert series is back with a spotlight on NC-grown artists. Expect drinks and dancing backdropped by cover bands, original artists, vendors and food trucks all rooted in the Tarheel State. downtownraleigh.org
Out! Raleigh
June 20–21
Local flavors, vibrant entertainment and all the rainbow energy ignite Fayetteville Street to celebrate and support the community and LGBT Center of Raleigh. On Friday, leave the kids behind for a night of adults-only fun. #Boots lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
NC State Fair
Oct. 16–26
Feast your eyes, ears and stomachs on food, artisan goods, games and more at the state’s fave fest. Pro tip: Wait at least 30 minutes after housing a turkey leg or order of fried Oreos to spike your adrenaline on a ride. ncagr.gov
DRA Tree Lighting
November
And Raleigh said, “Let there be light!” Get lit for the holiday event you’ve been pining (!) for by oohing and aahing at the sparkling tree while sipping and snacking on food truck fare and drink vendors. Rockefeller Center, who? downtownraleigh.org
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Nov. 22
Ring in the holidays with parading pageantry and excitement as floats, marching bands, dancers and giant balloons grace—and float over—the DTR streets. And you better watch out (till the end) because Santa Claus is coming to town.grma.org
A Christmas Carol
December
The ghost of Christmas future says laughter and good humor is coming to the Cap City via Theatre in the Park’s annual showcase of good tidings and cheer with a twist. theatreinthepark.com
Krispy Kreme Challenge
February 2026
Pound a dozen doughnuts (or 2,400 calories) in the middle of a 5-mile jaunt and run it back in under an hour, all in the name of charity for the UNC Children’s Hospital. Take it from us—if you want to avoid running through partially digested doughnuts, stay ahead of the crowd. krispykremechallenge.com
Art in Bloom
March 2026
NCMA’s annual petal power is back as florists from across the state and beyond interpret works from the People’s Collection into bold and blooming masterpieces. Okay, bloomers! ncartmuseum.org
