Fill Your Calendar with Anticipation

Artsplosure’s Raleigh Arts Festival is one of the most original and longest-running arts festivals in North Carolina. Held annually on the third weekend of May in downtown Raleigh, the two-day festival features an Art Market with approximately 175 juried visual artists from across the United States. Artists showcase work in ceramics, glass, fiber art, jewelry, metal, painting, photography and wood. The festival also features national and regional entertainment on two stages, arts-based activities for children, and large-scale temporary art installations each year.

Animazement is Raleigh’s premier Japanese animation and culture convention. The annual event celebrates Japanese visual culture through anime, manga, video games and more. Enjoy masquerades to show off your costumes, concerts, educational panels, limited merchandise and unique artwork throughout the weekend. Browse Artists Alley for handmade illustrative prints, plushies, charms and more.

Kick off summer at Sugar Mountain this Memorial Day weekend! Scenic chairlift rides, bike park, tennis and the public 18-hole golf course are all open Friday through Monday, with cool breezes and big mountain views along the way. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Food Truck Festival brings an eclectic mix of yummy eats, live music from The Lucky Strikes and Classic Highway, yard games and a fun center for the kids to enjoy. Food trucks include Diggy Donuts, Leisa's Kettle Corn, Lakeo Steakhouse of Japan and more! Memorial Day Monday kicks off the Grillin' and Chillin' summer concert series at 6 p.m. with more live tunes from Vinyl Live and grubs for everyone on the Caddyshack Cafe deck overlooking panoramic mountain views. Enjoy a cool way to welcome warmer days in the mountains.

Dubbed the “Coachella of Soccer,” The Soccer Tournament is a premier 7v7 soccer festival that brings together top players, celebrities and clubs from around the globe to compete for three $1 million winner-take-all prizes. TST is designed to be fan-friendly and high-energy. Over six days, fans get up close to more than 140 high-stakes matches. Games are one hour long and use Target Score Time®, meaning every match ends on a goal.

Airing of the Quilts is an Appalachian Mountain springtime tradition. With dozens of quilts displayed, the event takes place at the Zachary Tolbert House, a Greek Revival “time capsule” from the 1850s that has survived without modern updates. Visitors are welcome to explore the original kitchen for a glimpse into the rugged domesticity of the 19th-century High Country lifestyle. During the event, local quilters display their work throughout the historic campus of the Cashiers Historical Society. The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to stroll the grounds, explore preserved buildings and watch Appalachian artisans demonstrate traditional crafts and showcase handmade works. This year, offerings include yarn spinning, glassblowing, fabric batik making, blacksmithing, weaving and woodworking. Visitors can also enjoy live Appalachian music while immersing themselves in the seasonal transition from winter to spring — an ideal time to air out quilts for the seasons ahead.

Stroll through downtown Dillsboro and meet more than 40 of the region’s artisans. Browse shops and galleries and enjoy local restaurants along the way. Entertainment and festival food round out a family-friendly day celebrating mountain art and culture. Admission is free. Pets are welcome.

The 301 Endless Yard Sale returns June 19-20 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day – bringing together treasure hunters, collectors and curious travelers from across the country. Stretching more than 100 miles along US Highway 301, this one-of-a-kind event is packed with everything from everyday finds like clothes, kitchen gadgets, vintage records and toys to unexpected pieces like antiques and old farm equipment. You never know what you’ll discover. The 301 Endless Yard Sale is an annual June event where residents, shopkeepers, restaurateurs, merchants and nonprofits along US 301 host hundreds of yard sales, sidewalk sales, flea markets and community events. Founded 14 years ago in Selma, the event now spans multiple towns along the route through Johnston, Halifax, Wilson, Nash and Harnett counties. Held on the third Friday and Saturday of June, the sale stretches more than 100 miles and offers deals on antiques, collectibles, DIY furniture, crafts and more.