visitRaleigh insider https://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:44:11 +0000 100 of the Biggest Events and Festivals of 2026 in Raleigh, N.C. http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/biggest-events-and-festivals-in-raleigh-nc/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/biggest-events-and-festivals-in-raleigh-nc/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/biggest-events-and-festivals-in-raleigh-nc/ Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

A year full of major festivals and celebrations lies ahead in Raleigh, N.C.! These events serve an important purpose—they mark history and sense of pride, plus they showcase talent, creativity and culture, delicious foods and beverages (and some surprises, too!).

Make plans now to spend a day or a

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The Best New Restaurants of 2025 in Raleigh, N.C. http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/best-new-restaurants-in-raleigh-nc/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/best-new-restaurants-in-raleigh-nc/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/best-new-restaurants-in-raleigh-nc/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

It's been a sizzling 12 months for great new food in the Raleigh area, from date night spots to pizza shops and more. We've highlighted a range of unique concepts—including a MICHLEIN Guide selection—to help find your next night on the town. Let's dig in!

Lawrence Barbecue

BEST NEW BARBECUE

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Iconic Art: David Benson's Great Raleigh Acorn http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/david-benson-raleigh-acorn-new-years-eve-celebration/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/david-benson-raleigh-acorn-new-years-eve-celebration/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/david-benson-raleigh-acorn-new-years-eve-celebration/ Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's next book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast,

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Now Open: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, N.C. http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/event-guide-north-carolina-chinese-lantern-festival/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/event-guide-north-carolina-chinese-lantern-festival/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/event-guide-north-carolina-chinese-lantern-festival/ Sat, 15 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

One of the Tar Heel State's favorite annual holiday events is back and brighter than ever—yes, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is returning to the Raleigh area for a 10th time!

Taking place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, the festival—which only visits a handful of spots around the country

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Artist Sean Kernick Brings Raleigh's Colorful History to Life in Mural Form http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/sean-kernick-raleigh-history-mural-downtown-raleigh-times/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/sean-kernick-raleigh-history-mural-downtown-raleigh-times/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/sean-kernick-raleigh-history-mural-downtown-raleigh-times/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast,

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At Dix Park in Raleigh, Thomas Dambo's Trolls Have Arrived to a Rockstar Welcome http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/thomas-dambo-trolls-dix-park-raleigh/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/thomas-dambo-trolls-dix-park-raleigh/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/thomas-dambo-trolls-dix-park-raleigh/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast,

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The 81st Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade is Coming to Town in November http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/a-guide-to-the-raleigh-christmas-parade/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/a-guide-to-the-raleigh-christmas-parade/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/a-guide-to-the-raleigh-christmas-parade/ Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

The 81st annual Raleigh Christmas Parade will take place Sat., Nov. 22 in downtown Raleigh, with a 9:30am start time. Read on for all the details!



There's no surer sign of the holiday season quickly approaching than the return of one of Raleigh, N.C.'s best (and biggest) annual traditions—the

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The First-Ever MICHELIN Guide American South Selected 14 Raleigh-Area Restaurants http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/michelin-guide-raleigh-restaurants/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/michelin-guide-raleigh-restaurants/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/michelin-guide-raleigh-restaurants/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:00:00 -0500

A huge breaking news story about food in the Raleigh area was just unveiled—read on to see why Raleigh's food scene just made history!


The MICHELIN Guide—widely considered the world's foremost guide to exceptional dining—has finally landed in Raleigh (and the rest of the American South).

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PineCone Delivers a Hit with Raleigh Wide Open; Down Home Concert Series Ready for Early 2026 http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/pinecone-delivers-hit-raleigh-wide-open/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/pinecone-delivers-hit-raleigh-wide-open/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/pinecone-delivers-hit-raleigh-wide-open/ Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast,

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A Guide to Carolina Hurricanes Hockey in Raleigh, N.C. http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/carolina-hurricanes-hockey-in-raleigh-nc/ http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/carolina-hurricanes-hockey-in-raleigh-nc/#comments http://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/carolina-hurricanes-hockey-in-raleigh-nc/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

The most fun team in hockey.

The loudest house in the NHL.

A perennial contender for the Stanley Cup.

The last seven seasons have been a heck of a ride for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Owner Tom Dundon purchased the franchise in late 2017, former Canes player Rod Brind'Amour was brought on as head

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