David Beckham, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Aryna Sabalenka and Inter Miami CF choose IM8. In a 12-week trial, 95% felt more energy, 85% better digestion, 80% better sleep and 75% sharper focus. NSF Certified for Sport and recommended by 300+ clinicians, discover the IM8 routine and see the clinical results for yourself.

Discover Your IM8 Routine

When a bus-driver shortage threatened students’ rides to school, Mt. Vernon Middle School counselor Teresa T. Brown took the wheel—earning her commercial driver’s license and driving the bus herself! WakeEd named her its 2026 Star Among Us award winner on September 1. She’ll receive a $5,000 prize and be honored at the November 9 gala. Now that’s dedication worth celebrating!

Green Hope High School senior Izabella Marek is opening doors for her classmates. She launched a nonprofit booster organization to help students afford DECA competitions and co-founded a council connecting more than 100 student organizations to work together.

On September 1, WakeEd named her its 2026 Emerging Star Award winner, an honor that includes a $5,000 prize. Her example is a bright reminder that leadership means helping others succeed.

🪕 Raleigh Wide Open — Big Tunes, Zero Ticket Drama!
When: Friday, October 2, 3–11 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, noon–11 p.m.
Where: Fayetteville Street and surrounding downtown Raleigh streets.
Cost: Free; no tickets required.

Downtown trades traffic noise for banjos, fiddles, and fabulous harmonies! Enjoy bluegrass, Americana, and folk music, plus arts, vendors, food, and a Family Fun Zone. Bring your dancing shoes—or your instrument for a friendly jam. Festival details

🦐 North Carolina Seafood Festival — Shell-fishly Good Fun!
When: October 2–4. Friday noon–11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Morehead City waterfront.
Cost: Free admission; food, rides, and special events cost extra.

Come hungry and let the waterfront become your weekend dining room! The festival’s 40th edition serves up North Carolina seafood, live music, cooking demonstrations, artisan shopping, and children’s activities. It’s a coastal getaway with a very delicious agenda. Festival details

🍺 Triangle Oktoberfest — Brats, Brass, and Very Short Legs!
When: Friday, October 2, 5–10 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, noon–8 p.m.
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary.
Cost: Ages 16+: Friday $22.50 advance/$27.50 event day; Saturday all-day $27.50 advance/$32.50 event day. Ages 15 and younger free. Additional taxes/order charges apply.

German brass music, Bavarian bites, stein-hoisting contests, and dachshund races make this a wonderfully wurst way to spend the weekend! Children can enjoy Kinder Platz activities, while proceeds support charitable causes. Food and drinks are separate. Details and tickets

🎸 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival — Porch Hopping Beats Channel Surfing!
When: October 2–3; music begins at 11 a.m. daily, with final performances ending by 6:30 p.m.
Where: Porches throughout Oriental; Riverfront Stage at 605 South Avenue.
Cost: Free.

In Oriental, the porches come with their own soundtrack! Wander this walkable coastal village for folk, Americana, bluegrass, gospel, country, and jazz, with a Village Market and Food Park rounding out the fun. Pack a folding chair and settle into small-town music magic. Festival details

🎶 Shakori Hills GrassRoots — Let Your Weekend Find Its Groove!
When: October 2–4 are part of the full festival running October 1–4; performance times vary.
Where: Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro.
Cost: Current adult day admission: $76 Friday, $76 Saturday, $53 Sunday, plus taxes and fees. Children 12 and younger free with a ticketed parent or guardian; parking and camping extra.

Trade your usual playlist for a whole festival of discovery! This family-friendly celebration mixes music, dancing, art, workshops, and food in a rural setting. Come for a day or make a camping weekend of it—the dance floor has room for your happiest moves. Details and tickets

🚂 Selma Railroad Days — All Aboard the Fun Express!
When: October 2–3; the Railroad Days Parade is Saturday, October 3.
Where: Downtown Selma, around Raiford Street.
Cost: Free festival admission; purchases and some activities extra.

Your ticket to small-town fun comes with model trains, classic cars, live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, and a festive parade! Selma’s 51st Railroad Days celebrates the town’s rail heritage with plenty to keep train lovers and little conductors smiling. Festival details/

🏴 Scotland County Highland Games — A Little Scotland, a Lot of Spirit!
When: Friday, October 2, Highland Fling 5:30–8:30 p.m.; main Games Saturday, October 3, with competitions beginning at 9 a.m.
Where: Friday at McDuffie Square, downtown Laurinburg; Saturday at the John Blue House property, 13040 X-Way Road.
Cost: Friday Fling free; Saturday adult admission $22 advance/$25 at the gate. Children’s rates available; under 5 free.

Follow the bagpipes to a day of Scottish athletics, Highland dancing, piping and drumming, sheepdog demonstrations, and clan gatherings. Friday’s free street party starts the celebration; Saturday brings the full Highland experience. Kilts welcome, enthusiasm essential! Details and tickets

🥜 Edenton Peanut Festival — Shell Yeah, It’s Saturday!
When: Saturday, October 3; vendors begin at 9 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., porch concerts at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.
Where: Historic downtown Edenton; Battle of the Bands at 607 N. Oakum Street, 2–7 p.m.
Cost: Nut Run registration $35–$55; children’s sack race free. The tourism schedule does not state general festival or band-competition admission prices.

Edenton goes delightfully nuts with a parade, local shopping, food trucks, porch music, and marching-band excitement! Early birds can tackle the Nut Run; everyone else can cheer, browse, and enjoy the waterfront town’s 51st peanut celebration. Festival details

🎻 Bascom Lamar Lunsford Mountain Music Festival — Mountain Music With Deep Roots!
When: Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Mars Hill University, Mars Hill.
Cost: Free admission.

Give your toes permission to tap! This longstanding celebration honors Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions, offering a chance to enjoy the sounds and stories that have shaped mountain communities for generations. A lovely pick for a day of music and regional heritage. Festival details

🦋 Mountain Monarch Festival — Follow the Flutter!
When: Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Gorges State Park Visitor Center, 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire.
Cost: Free admission.

These travelers don’t need suitcases! Celebrate monarch butterflies’ southward migration with expert talks, guided hikes, children’s crafts, face painting, and local food trucks. It’s a mountain outing with wings—and a fun way to sneak a little learning into family time. Festival details/

🧶 John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival — Handmade Happiness Turns 50!
When: October 3–4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
Where: John C. Campbell Folk School, 1 Folk School Road, Brasstown.
Cost: Adult admission $12 advance/$15 at the gate; seniors 65+, veterans, and ages 12–17 $10 advance/$12 gate; under 12 free. Online fees may apply.

Celebrate the festival’s 50th edition with more than 230 craft vendors, craft demonstrations, food, and folk, roots, and traditional music and dance. Wander the scenic campus, meet talented makers, and get a head start on gifts with stories behind them. Details and tickets

🍂 Autumn Jubilee — Fall Fun, Park Included!
When: October 3–4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
Where: Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury.
Cost: Free admission.

Put your weekend on “browse, munch, repeat”! Autumn Jubilee fills a beautiful wooded park with handcrafted goods, live entertainment, and festival food. Bring the family, shop the artisan booths, and enjoy a fall celebration with plenty of room for a leisurely wander. Festival details

Advertise Your Business With Us!