CenterFest Arts Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22
Downtown Durham
centerfest.durhamarts.org
As Durham's signature arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from near and far while filling multiple stages with local performers. Serious art shoppers are tempted by world-class ceramics, paintings, jewelry, fiber art and woodwork. Singers, dancers, choirs, bands, jugglers and magicians provide continuous entertainment. Children have a blast at the Creative Kids Zone while food vendors keep guests fueled for fun.
A Tasteful Affair
Sunday, Oct. 6
The Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
bidpal.net/ata2019
The tasting event of the season features bites and beverages from more than two dozen of the Triangle's best dining establishments. Guests and celebrity judges enjoy amazing food along with live music from singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rory John Zak as well as a silent auction - all for a great cause, the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill.
Le Tour de Femme
Saturday, Oct. 12
Holly Springs
letourdefemme.org
North Carolina's premier women-only cycling adventure is presented by the nonprofit Grab My Wheel to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Angel Fund of Rex Hospital. The ride is open to all female cyclists, at all skill levels, for routes of 15, 31.2 or 62.4 miles. The post-circuit celebration is legendary. In the fight with cancer, says Grab My Wheel, no one rides alone.
Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope
Sunday, Oct. 13
Angus Barn, Raleigh
walkforhope.com
This family-friendly festival spotlights music, games, face-painting, balloon art, pony rides, prizes and sweet treats as well as an optional 5K walk or run through Umstead State Park. The merrymaking raises money to fund groundbreaking research at the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry and to rally support for the 1 in 5 Americans who live with a mental illness.