July in Raleigh is incredibly hot, vibrant, and full of activity. In addition to celebrating Independence Day, Raleigh in July offers several options to seek entertainment and keep cool. Visiting the sunflower field, cooling off at pools or splash pads, and enjoying outdoor movies are a few of the best things to do in Raleigh this month. Read on for more!
Weather in Raleigh in July
July in Raleigh often descends into a sweltering purgatory. Expect daytime highs around 90°F, dropping to 70°F overnight. Think of cool breathable fabrics as your only armor in the battle against the heat. With around 259 hours of sunshine, the days are mostly sunny. But July also brings a torrent of rain, averaging around 4.4 inches for the month over 12 days, chosen completely at random.
Top Things to Do in Raleigh in July
1. Celebrate the Fourth of July
When: July 4, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: At the stadium complex around the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium
Celebrate Independence Day with explosions and cold fried chicken to commemorate the freedom granted through the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Make your own entertainment as none will be provided until fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
- Free parking is available at Lenovo Center lots, North Carolina State Fairgrounds Bunn Field lots along Trinity Road, and Carter-Finley lots.
- Feel free to bring blankets for comfortable seating and a small cooler with your favorite food. Tailgating is permitted but open fires are prohibited.
- Wear closed-toe shoes for safety. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended, and don’t forget to bring a refillable water bottle and a flashlight!
- Please leave pets, personal fireworks, and other non-permitted items at home.
2. Stamp your passport
When: June 11 to August 11, 2025
Where: Hillsborough Street, , Raleigh, NC 27607
Ready to sprinkle some extra fun into your summer? The Hillsborough Street Food Walk Passport is your golden ticket, inviting you to eat, explore, and be rewarded with rewarding rewards just for having a jolly good time!
This magical passport guides you to the tastiest bites, quirkiest shops, and hidden treasures tucked along one of Raleigh’s most iconic streets. Each check-in, shared moment, helpful tip, and snapped pic helps you earn points and unlock charming, street-themed badges like Check-In Champ, Vibe Spreader, and Local Scout. Level up your explorer game and collect them all! Keep your eyes peeled for family-friendly events and monthly bonus challenges to keep the adventure sparkling.
- Download the app to get started: App Store / Google Play
3. Have some out of this world fun at GalaxyCon
When: July 24 to 27, 2025
Where: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
GalaxyCon Raleigh is a four-day festival celebrating comics, sci-fi, anime, gaming, and more. Meet your favorite celebrities, attend Q&As, and snag autographs. Don your cosplay and strut your stuff or relax in the Cosplay Lounge. Anime lovers will enjoy screenings and voice actor panels. Learn more about your favorite characters at workshops and panels led by creators, writers, and artists. Party the night away at themed events, or challenge friends in the Tabletop Gaming Room and Galactic Arcade. Connect with fellow fans, young and old, in the Family Zone. Special attractions like movie cars and costumed characters round out this nerdy extravaganza!
Missing a comic or have a bare wall? The Exhibit Hall awaits with vendors galore! But beware, enterprising souls await with tempting treasures! For a permanent memento, skilled (and hopefully sanitary) tattoo artists can be found on offering a delightful range of signature tattoos. Choose wisely.
New for 2025, get ready for the GalaxyCon StreetFest, a free outdoor street festival hitting City Plaza on July 26! You can expect a universe of fun with vendors, live music, celebrity sightings, and activities for the whole family.
- All passes can be purchased online. Use code GALAXY10 for a 10% discount.
- Single day passes start at $45 for adults and $20 for kids 5-9.
- 3-day passes start at $140 for adults. Kids multi-day passes are available for $35.
- There are also a number of VIP packages available.
4. Attend the Outlaw Music Festival
When: July 27, 2025
Where: Coastal Credit Union Music Park, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
Buckle up for the 2025 Outlaw Music Festival Tour! This extraordinary event features an unprecedented lineup including the legendary Willie Nelson, the enigmatic Bob Dylan, the Turnpike Troubadours, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Willow Avalon.
Prepare yourselves for unforgettable music memories and unique vendor villages with local food, drinks, and shopping.
- General admission tickets are available online through Ticketmaster for as little as $30.
5. Enjoy some comedy
When: Throughout the year
Where: Various comedy venues
Raleigh possesses a comedic landscape as varied as an adequately stocked beer fridge. Raleigh is brimming with comedians, some polished, some a bit rough around the edges, all eager to tickle your funny bone.
- ComedyWorx offers a stage for touring performers as well as Raleigh’s resident funny folk. ComedyWorx leans towards the whimsical arts of improv and sketch comedy, encouraging audience participation.
- Goodnights Comedy Club has been making people laugh since 1983. Look for unique events like live role playing games, terrible video game playing, and open mic nights.
6. See the sunflowers at Dix Park
When: Expect the sunflowers to be in peak bloom in late-July
Where: Sunflower Field Dorothea Dix Park, 1987 Umstead Dr., Raleigh, NC 27603
A magical 5-acre sunflower field at Dix Park pops up every July, attracting approximately 100,000 visitors each year. It is a City of Raleigh collaboration between Raleigh Water, Raleigh Parks, and the Office of Sustainability. The good folks at Raleigh Water prep the field in spring and plant the sunflower seeds in May so they’ll bloom in late July.
- The Sunflower Field is free to visit.
- Dix Park is open 7 days-a-week, from dawn until dusk.
- Weekday public parking is available at 75 Hunt Drive and 1800 Umstead Drive. Visitors are welcome to use any parking lot during evenings and weekends.
- Another great option is biking or walking there using the Rocky Branch Trail or Centennial Bikeway Connector sections of the greenway.
7. Cool off at a pool or splash pad
When: All summer long
Where: Various pools and splash pads across the city
Cool off with a visit to the pool! The City of Raleigh offers eight swimming pools and aquatic centers scattered throughout the city. At these pools, one may partake in a variety of refreshing activities, from the joyous act of splashing about to the more sedate pursuit of poolside relaxation. Swimming lessons are also available. Check the City of Raleigh Aquatics website for more info and pricing details.
Indoor Pools
- Pullen Aquatic Center
- Optimist Aquatic Center
- Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
- Millbrook Exchange Pool
Outdoor Pools
- Longview Pool
- Ridge Road Pool
- Lake Johnson Pool
- Biltmore Hills Pool
- Millbrook Exchange Pool
Splash Pads
- Moore Square Splash Pad
- John Chavis Memorial Park Splash Pad
- Lake Johnson Splash Pad
- Ridge Road Splash Pad
- Biltmore Hills Splash Pad
For YMCA members, there are additional swimming options available at area YMCAs.
8. Get out on a lake
When: All summer long
Where: Various lakes around Raleigh
Cool down by getting out fishing or boating on one of these Raleigh Lakes:
9. See an outdoor movie
When: Various dates throughout the summer
Where: Various outdoor locations
Imagine a balmy summer evening, an imaginary breeze carrying scents of popcorn and grass. Sprawl out on a checkered blanket under the dark sky for the magic of an outdoor movie. Raleigh offers several open air cinema experiences throughout the summer.
- North Carolina Museum of Art hosts an outdoor film series, which will be taking place in Moore Square for 2025. The Wild Robot, Wicked, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are all coming up this summer. Check the website for schedules.
- First Friday Market and Movie Night takes place every first friday with movies in Moore Square at 7:30 p.m. through November. In 2025, look forward to Top Gun: Maverick, Inside Out 2, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and The Princess Diaries (at 6 p.m.).
- Summer Movie Series at 321 Coffee takes place in Bloc 83’s courtyard. These free events encourage costumes inspired by the movie. Look for Mufasa: The Lion King on July 11 and A Minecraft Movie on August 8. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Bring your own seating.
- Raleigh Little Theater hosts a Movies in the Garden series. Keep an eye out for upcoming events.
10. Get some fresh local produce from the NC State Farmers Market
When: Year round, from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Where: North Carolina State Farmers Public Market, 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, NC 27603
The North Carolina State Farmers Market is a sprawling marketplace with stalls overflowing with ruby red tomatoes and emerald green lettuces. Weathered and wise local farmers hawk their wares with a charming fervor. But be warned, the sheer abundance of choices can be overwhelming. You may find yourself lost in a labyrinth of aisles, your dreams of a simple watermelon purchase turning into an epic quest.
In addition to every type of fresh produce imaginable, look also for indoor and outdoor plants galore, fresh cut flowers, tasty pastries, locally produced cheese and meats, and a variety of other treats. Check out this chart to get an idea of what’s in season.
- Free parking is available on-site.
What are you most excited for in Raleigh in July?
Please leave a reply as proof you were here