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Artsplosure: The Raleigh Arts Festival
Date and Time
May 16-17, 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Address
Downtown Raleigh, Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
(374.5 mi)
Price
FREE
Description
What it is:
A high-energy, open-air arts festival that fills downtown with 175+ artists, live music, interactive installations, and food—easy to wander, with something happening every hour.
Festival hours on Saturday, May 16: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Festival hours on Saturday, May 17: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
What you’ll find:
- 🖼️ 175+ juried artists with original work (paintings, ceramics, jewelry, more)
- 🎶 Live music all weekend on two stages (local + national acts)
- 🎨 Interactive installations and large-scale art throughout downtown
- 🛍️ Art you can buy directly from artists
- 🌮 Food trucks, drinks, and local vendors
- 👧 Kidsplosure with hands-on creative activities (optional, not the focus)
🎶 Full Music Schedule
Saturday, May 16
Festival hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Main Stage
- 12:00 – 12:40 PM: Cuqui Gorman Dance
- 1:00 – 1:45 PM: Club Cardio
- 2:15 – 3:00 PM: T. Gold
- 3:40 – 4:30 PM: Joseph Terrell
- 5:15 – 6:00 PM: Sunny War
Side Stage
- 12:00 – 12:45 PM: Cloverr
- 1:30 – 2:15 PM: Clover-Lynn
- 3:00 – 3:45 PM: Featherpocket
- 4:30 – 5:15 PM: Housecat!
Sunday, May 17
Main Stage
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM: Dari Satterwhite
- 11:05 – 11:45 AM: Doug Watson
- 12:00 – 12:45 PM: Luke & The Cool Hands
- 1:30 – 2:15 PM: Dreamroot
- 2:45 – 3:15 PM: Slow Funeral
- 3:45 – 4:30 PM: Frail Talk
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Tashi Dorji
Side Stage
- 11:00 – 11:45 AM: M. Roomie
- 12:30 – 1:15 PM: Kenny Wavinson
- 2:00 – 2:45 PM: Leon Rosewater
- 3:30 – 4:15 PM: Pretty Crimes
- 5:00 – 5:40 PM: Bedroom Division
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