Hello, 2023! Here are 50+ fun and adventurous things to do in NC this year.
Welcome to 2023!
It’s a new year, and with the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind us, it’s the perfect time to look ahead and ponder the ways we’ll make the most of our time.
Between sports and entertainment, new parks and new flights to take us on adventures, there’s plenty to pencil in on our calendars. (Go ahead, be bold. Write down your favorite activities in pen.)
This list isn’t meant to be comprehensive, but it offers a taste of the Triangle. For example, we’re eyeing the Carolina Hurricanes’ first outdoor stadium game ever and the opening of the long-awaited North Carolina Freedom Park in downtown Raleigh.
As with all events, confirm details with venues and organizations before going.
JANUARY
Take a hike for the Year of the Trail
Details: Jan. 1, greattrailsnc.com and ncparks.gov
Take a hike! Kick off the new year with a hike at one of North Carolina’s State Parks. The parks offer guided hikes as the Year of the Trail campaign launches to draw attention to the network of trails, greenways and blueways throughout the state. The Panther Branch Natural Area trails of Eno River State Park in Efland are opening this year, which also marks the 50th year anniversary of the park.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan
Details: Jan. 27-28, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
Award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer Jim Gaffigan is best known for his takes on fatherhood, laziness, food and religion. He has starred in films and voiced roles in “Luca,” “Hotel Transylvania” and more. The “clean” comic will have four shows in Durham with new material this year on his Dark Pale Tour.
Carowinds goes year-round
Details: Beginning Jan. 1, carowinds.com/daily-tickets
Carowinds has some big plans for its 50th anniversary this year with the launch of five new attractions, a re-theming of an existing ride and extended park operations. Carowinds is also going year-round and adding more weekends to visit in January, February and early March. The park will operate regularly for the rest of the year after that.
New flights, destinations at RDU
Details: January and February. rdu.com
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is launching new direct flights — and new airlines — at the beginning of the year. In January, let the good times roll when Southwest Airlines starts direct flights to New Orleans while another new low-cost airline, Breeze, will start direct flights there in February. Breeze also will begin flying travelers to Hartford, Conn., Providence, R.I., Columbus, Ohio, and Jacksonville, Florida. Meanwhile, new airline Avelo will head south to Florida, including Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in February.
Triangle Restaurant Week
Details: Jan. 23-29, trirestaurantweek.com
Fifteen years of “a celebration of culinary experience” is back in the Triangle for a solid week with deals on meals for different cuisines. No tickets or passes are required for the week, though reservations may be encouraged. Participating restaurants in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas will offer a special fixed-price, multi-course meal every day they are open for the event.
‘Aretha: A Tribute’
Details: Jan. 20-21, Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. ncsymphony.org
The North Carolina Symphony will honor the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin over three shows. The concert features Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ryan Shaw. The performance will include many of Franklin’s hits like “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace” and “Respect.”
FEBRUARY
UNC, Duke basketball meet again
Details: Feb. 4, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University. goduke.com
The powerhouse teams will play at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the first time the rivals will meet since their Final Four showdown in New Orleans in April. Duke, UNC and college basketball fans alike will remember all too well that UNC won the unprecedented matchup. This time, however, UNC Coach Hubert Davis will encounter a team led by new Duke coach Jon Scheyer. The new chapter in UNC-Duke history is bound to be epic. Also mark your calendars for March 4, when Duke heads to Chapel Hill for the second Battle of the Blues game of the season.
‘Dreamgirls’
Details: Feb. 7-12, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. nctheatre.com
The North Carolina Theatre will present “Dreamgirls,” the American musical revealing the competitive entertainment industry through the eyes of a young female singing trio from Chicago. Staged with a mostly African American cast, notable actresses Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine graced Broadway as the characters in the original 1981 play. Jennifer Hudson won the Oscar in 2007 for playing Effie in the 2006 film.
Widespread Panic
Details: Feb. 9-11, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
For over three decades, rock band Widespread Panic has been performing around the world. The current lineup includes lead singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Duane Trucks, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, keyboardist John “JoJo” Herman and guitarist Jimmy Herring. In Raleigh, the jam band is set to perform three shows over the weekend; a three-day pass is available.
Hootie and the Blowfish and an outdoor NHL game
Details: Feb. 18, Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh. pncarena.com
Finally! The Carolina Hurricanes, in conjunction with the National Hockey League, will host a long-awaited outdoor game at Carter-Finley Stadium against the Washington Capitals. The event marks the first time the Hurricanes have played a game outside. They were originally scheduled to host the NHL Stadium Series last February but the game was postponed due to COVID-19 safety concerns. As part of the weekend’s festivities, Hootie and the Blowfish will perform a one-night only show on Feb. 17, the night before the game, at PNC Arena.
‘The Book of Mormon’
Details: Feb. 14-19, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
“The Book of Mormon” follows the adventures of a pair of missionaries sent off to spread the Good Word through music and comedy. The satirical play, first staged in 2011, examines the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The production racked up numerous awards when it was first presented on Broadway, including the Tony Award for Best Musical.
‘Jagged Little Pill’
Details: Feb. 28-March 5, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
You oughta know by now that this jukebox musical by Diablo Cody is based on the music of Alanis Morissette and is inspired by her 1995 album of the same name. The musical deals with the ups and downs of life and relationships with Morissette’s greatest hits — “Ironic,” “Hand in My Pocket” and “Head Over Feet,” among others — as the soundtrack.
MARCH
Greensboro becomes Tournament Town
Details: March 1-5 and 7-11, Greensboro Coliseum, theacc.com
The ACC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments return to the Greensboro Coliseum. The women play first from March 1-5, with the men playing the following week, March 7-11. This is the 23rd time the coliseum has hosted the women’s teams in 24 years while it’s the 29th time for the men. On March 17 and 19, the arena will also be a first and second round site for the NCAA men’s tournament. But we’ll have to wait till Selection Sunday to see which teams will play there.
‘Michael Richards: Are You Down? ‘ at N.C. Museum of Art
Details: March 4 to July 23, N.C. Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. ncartmuseum.org
The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh will host two exhibitions this spring celebrating the life and work of two African American artists: sculptor Michael Richards and costume designer Ruth E. Carter. “Michael Richards: Are You Down?” is described as the largest-ever solo exhibition and retrospective of the artist’s work, which explores “the concepts of freedom and escape” as well as social justice issues. The sculptor was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. His work, “Tar Baby vs. St. Sebastian” is already a popular work at the N.C. Museum of Art.
American Ballet comes to NC
Details: March 16-19, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
For the first time in over 50 years, the America’s National Ballet Company returns to North Carolina with the drama, “Giselle” as part of Duke Performances. The tale of love has been a classic in the ballet for almost 200 years because of the “exquisite and exacting dancing it requires of its entire ensemble,” according to DPAC.
Tobacco Road Marathon
Details: March 19, American Tobacco Trail, Cary. tobaccoroadmarathon.com
The full marathon is back for the 13th year over 20 miles on the American Tobacco Trail. The half-marathon is back too. Over the past 12 years, the event has raised over $1.3 million for charities, including the American Red Cross, Hope for the Warriors and Triangle Rails To Trails Conservatory. The event, which starts in Cary, attracts runners for its flat course and ideal temperatures.
Trevor Noah will be ‘Off the Record’
Details: March 24-27, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
Trevor Noah’s “Off The Record” tour is coming to the Triangle for four shows at DPAC. The comedian and former host of “The Daily Show” will visit 28 cities across the United States. His stand-up includes his illuminating (and funny) revelations about learning to speak German, life in South Africa, modern communication and pop culture.
Veg Fest in Wake Forest
Details: March 25, Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest. WakeForestVegFest.org
The 100% vegan event features a wide assortment of plant-based foods, products and services. Admission is free and education speakers and other outdoor activities will be on site.
APRIL
Dreamville Festival
Details: April 1-2, Dix Park, Raleigh. dreamvillefest.com
The two-day festival at Dix Park features J. Cole, artists from his Dreamville label and other popular musicians. In previous years, the line-up has included Nelly, Lil Baby, Kehlani, Murray, Ari Lennox, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Sza and Wizkid. Last year, 80,000 attendees from all over traveled to Raleigh for the event, generating over $6.7 million in economic impact to the city and county. This year’s line-up has not been announced yet.
Ruth E. Carter exhibit at NCMA
Details: April 1 to Aug. 6, N.C. Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. ncartmuseum.org
“Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” features 60 original costumes from films the Oscar winner has worked on. Carter’s remarkable designs allowed actors to fully immerse themselves in the lives of their characters. Her work has been in films like “Black Panther,” “Amistad,” “The Butler” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
Harlem Globetrotters
Details: April 16, PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
While dribbling around the globe, the Harlem Globetrotters will make a stop at Raleigh’s PNC Arena. The team’s entertaining basketball skills, athleticism and fun have been an attraction for crowds since 1926 when they were founded.
‘The Color Purple’
Details: April 22-30, A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater, Raleigh. nctheatre.com
The North Carolina Theatre will present the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-prize-winning book “The Color Purple.” The musical tells the story of Celie, who has a personal awakening while overcoming numerous struggles over 40 years of her life.
MAY
It’s ‘About Damn Time.’ Lizzo comes to PNC Arena
Details: May 10, PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
Lizzo has had one of the biggest years in entertainment, and she’s bringing her tour to Raleigh’s PNC Arena. The musician has racked up awards, including an Emmy and three Grammys, and has been the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” twice this season. Her latest album, “Special,” features the hit single “About Damn Time,” which earned Lizzo her fourth “Hot 100” hit.
Don’t miss the music and beer at Blues and Brews Festival
Details: May 20, Durham Central Park, Durham. durhambluesandbrewsfestival.com
The music festival, a fundraiser for the Exchange Club of Greater Durham, features only North Carolina craft beer with proceeds benefiting the community. Downtown Durham is filled with music, food trucks and unlimited 12-ounce pours of the finest brews in the state.
Artsplosure returns to downtown Raleigh
Details: May 20-21, downtown Raleigh. artsplosure.org
Raleigh’s non-profit and art community’s event is back downtown. The two days of festivities include over 170 visual artists showing and selling their work along Fayetteville Street. Live musical performances, food vendors and activities will also be featured.
ACC Baseball Championship
Details: May 23-28, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham. theacc.com
The 12-team tournament will return to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The tournament has been held in Durham several times in the past 13 years, most recently in 2019, and has set attendance records in the process. The tournament’s single-game attendance in 2013 was over 11,000 and still stands as the largest crowd ever to view a college baseball game in the state.
N.C. Symphony Summerfest
Details: Concerts are weekend evenings May 27 to July 16. Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. ncsymphony.org
When the N.C. Symphony begins its family-friendly Summerfest concert series, it feels like the season has officially arrived. Guests can bring blankets, food and most adult beverages while they listen to selections from classical composers to movie soundtracks and even classic rock.
JUNE
Downtown Cary Park opens
Details: Summer, 327 S. Academy St., Cary. downtowncarypark.com
Downtown Cary’s long-anticipated park is expected to open this summer with bold designs, a bar, market, dog park, event pavilion and courts for games. The 7-acre park has been years in the making and also will be the site of the town’s future social drinking district.
North Carolina Freedom Park opens in downtown Raleigh
Details: Summer, Lane and Wilmington streets, Raleigh. ncfmp.nationbuilder.com
A project that has been in the works for 20 years is opening in downtown Raleigh on Lane Street. The park, designed by the late architect Phil Freelon, celebrates freedom and the African American experience. The centerpiece of the park is a 50-foot tall steel Beacon of Freedom, serving as a point of reflection.
Out! Raleigh Pride
Details: June, Downtown Raleigh. outraleigh.com
For the past 11 years, Out! Raleigh Pride has celebrated the LGBTQ community by filling downtown streets with music, color and fun. The inclusive, family-friendly event features a parade, live entertainment, local vendors, artists, a KidsZone and beer garden.
JULY
Cruising across Carolina
Details: Summer (or any time you need a road trip.) newsobserver.com
Last summer, News & Observer journalists Martha Quillin and Travis Long took readers on adventures throughout the state, visiting old favorites and landmarks and turning up hidden gems that we should add to our must-visit list. You can catch up on tasty food, see lighthouses, enjoy the southern Piedmont or mountains. You can learn more at newsobserver.com about the best places to see from Murphy to Manteo.
EnoFest: Festival for the Eno
Details: July 1 and 4. West Point on the Eno-Durham City Park, Durham. enofest.org
Set on the beautiful Eno River, EnoFest is an annual music festival typically held on the July Fourth weekend in support of Eno River conservation. Attendees can expect a variety of activities, including crafts, workshops and live music. Local food vendors will also be in attendance. Tickets in previous years have hovered around $35 per day and are expected to go on sale in late spring.
AUGUST
Try a new wine
Details: Weekly through 2023. The Wine Feed in Raleigh or Durham. thewinefeed.com
Expand your palate with free wine tastings at The Wine Feed in Raleigh and Durham every Wednesday night. Sample wines from around the world and learn about how they were produced with the help of experts.
SEPTEMBER
ACC football season begins
Details: Games begin in September and run through the ACC championship game on Dec. 2
A rite of passage for any Triangle resident, the start of ACC football season signals the start of fall. With a slew of schools (including N.C. State, UNC and Duke!) to choose from, locals can spend the season enjoying lots of games — and the full experience of tailgating, marching bands and stadium munchies and brews — in their own backyard.
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Details: Fall. Downtown Raleigh. aacfestival.org
Although dates have not yet been announced, plan to visit the African American Cultural Festival in downtown Raleigh this fall. Typically held on Fayetteville Street, thousands of visitors flock downtown to celebrate African American heritage through live music, vendors, food and art. Tickets and event information will be available closer to the event.
Centerfest Arts Festival
Details: September. Downtown Durham. durhamarts.org/centerfest
This annual event, organized by the Durham Arts Council, features the work of local artists from around the Triangle. The two-day festival is held in Downtown Durham, and visitors are able to walk through the streets to buy art of all kinds while listening to concerts and checking out street performers and stages with dancers.
Hopscotch Music Festival
Details: September. Downtown Raleigh. hopscotchmusicfest.com
Although exact dates and the lineup have not been announced yet, Hopscotch Music Festival is likely to return to the streets of Raleigh this year. Previous headliners of the multi-day music festival have included Perfume Genius, Sonic Youth alum and art-punk soloist Kim Gordon, Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett and Davy Crockett’s distant relative, Charley Crockett.
La Fiesta del Pueblo
Details: September or October. Downtown Raleigh. elpueblo.org/fiesta
Join the annual celebration of the Latino community in North Carolina. Typically set during Hispanic Heritage Month, this is the largest festival honoring the Hispanic community. Last year’s festival attracted more than 22,000 visitors. Registration and details will be released in late May.
IBMA World of Bluegrass
Details: Sept. 26-30. Raleigh. worldofbluegrass.org
IBMA World of Bluegrass is returning to Raleigh for another year of music, vendors and industry discussion. Although the event is normally held outdoors, this past year, organizers moved the festival into the Raleigh Convention Center in the wake of Hurricane Ian. The festival lineup has not yet been announced, and tickets will not go on sale until closer to the event.
OCTOBER
‘Sunset Boulevard’
Details: Oct. 10-15. Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. nctheatre.com
With a hit score by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Sunset Boulevard” is coming to N.C. Theatre’s stage. Based on the 1950 film of the same name, the Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of Hollywood Golden Age glamour and the quest for fame. This production stars Lauren Kennedy, who made her Broadway debut in this production.
NC State Fair
Details: Oct. 12-22. NC State Fairgrounds. ncstatefair.org
Put the annual tradition of visiting the State Fair on your calendar for this October, an event that features a dizzying array of rides, games, exhibits, and of course, food from across the state.
Shania Twain in concert
Details: Oct. 18. PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
The five-time Grammy Award winner is hitting the road in 2023 for her Queen of Me Tour, and that includes a stop in Raleigh for the second leg of the tour. The country-pop superstar is the known for hits like “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “You’re Still the One” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
NOVEMBER
Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibit
Details: Expected November. Exact date to be announced. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. duelingdinosaurs.org
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is hosting the highly anticipated Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit. After paleontologists discovered some of the most complete triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons to date, these 67-million-year-old fossils will be making Raleigh their permanent home. While an opening day has not yet been confirmed, the dinosaurs are expected to be unveiled in 2023 along with the SECU DinoLab, which will be on the ground floor of the Nature Research Center.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Details: November to beginning of January 2024. Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. boothamphitheatre.com
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival has become an annual Triangle tradition, thanks to its colorful large-scale lanterns, performers and food. Take a stroll through the grounds of Booth Amphitheatre, glowing with thousands of LED lights, and admire the handiwork of Chinese artisans who make the 40 displays come to life.
ACC Basketball season starts
Details: November
Surrounded by UNC, Duke and N.C. State, basketball fans have no shortage of top-flight games to check out. The bigger question may be whether fans can find tickets. As the Triangle teams enter ACC competition — say a matchup between rivals UNC and Duke — a seat is harder to come by. But tickets typically can be bought for early season, non-conference matchups. For newcomers and natives alike, an in-person game with all its buzz is a sight to behold.
American Indian Heritage Celebration
Details: November, N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. ncmuseumofhistory.org
The American Indian Heritage Celebration is a massive gathering honoring and celebrating the Indigenous people of North Carolina that comes at the end of American Indian Heritage Month. With representatives from all eight state-recognized tribes, the day is packed with demonstrations, presentations and performances that shine a light on their contributions to the state.
DECEMBER
‘A Christmas Carol’
Details: December. Raleigh and Durham. theatreinthepark.com
“A Christmas Carol” is a holiday standard by most accounts, but the Theatre in the Park musical comedy rendition is a must-see local favorite. Ira David Wood III’s annual production has been performed since 1974 and is typically presented in at least two venues: Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and Durham Performing Arts Center.
Carolina Ballet presents ‘The Nutcracker’
Details: December. Raleigh and Durham. carolinaballet.com
The Carolina Ballet’s take on ‘The Nutcracker’ is a widely held seasonal tradition, thanks to its cast of colorful characters, a live symphony orchestra, beautiful costumes and sumptuous backdrops. Dancers and musicians will treat audiences to a magical holiday world. The production is typically held at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and Durham Performing Arts Center.
Holiday Express at Pullen Park
Details: December. Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh. raleighnc.gov/parks/holiday-express
After a multi-year hiatus, the Holiday Express returned to Pullen Park for the 2022 holiday season, and there was no shortage of excitement. When tickets went on sale in November, they sold out in just under two hours. Keep an eye on the City of Raleigh’s website for details in November on how to get tickets to ride the holiday train, visit Santa and experience plenty of holiday lights.
