Highlighting artists and events throughout North Carolina

Hopscotch Pick: Sleepy Cat’s Day Party

September 11, 2026, Slim’s, Raleigh, NC

The offerings here lean more towards the Americana (but in a good way) with Durham’s David Prather, Raleigh’s Lonnie Walker, and Chapel Hill’s Blue Cactus. Doors: Noon

Hopscotch Pick: The Berkeley’s Hopscotch Weekend

September 12, 2026, Berkeley Cafe, Raleigh, NC

Get here early and camp out! A full day of psych, indie, and straight up good stuff with Chapel Hill’s Megayacht, Raleigh’s Impossible Creatures, Raleigh’s Kate Bopp and the Ghost Rattle, Greensboro’s Rabbit Fighter, and Chapel Hill’s Neon Ruins. Doors: Noon

Hopscotch Pick: Last Call Y’all Party

September 13, 2026, Pour House, Raleigh, NC

Wrap up the endurance test that is Hopscotch with music built for hangovers! Curated by the folks at All Y’all Records, standouts here include: Raleigh’s The Yardarm, Raleigh’s Van Meter, Carrboro’s The Gone Ghosts, and Chapel Hill’s The Rattletraps. Doors: Noon

Carrboro Music Festival 2026

September 27, 2026, Downtown Carrboro, Carrboro, NC

While no longer the largest free music festival on the East Coast, CMF remains free and still packs one hell of a punch when it comes to the quality of regional talent on display. And none of these acts have been imported from across state lines! A few standouts include: Certain Seas, Erie Choir, Heavy For the Vintage, Megayacht, Neon Ruins, Scivic Rivers, Slow Teeth, Tre. Charles, and The Gone Ghosts. Doors: Noon

Certain Seas, Stray Owls

October 10, 2026, Sidetrack, Chapel Hill, NC

Certain Seas brings their melodic brand of indie folk to Chapel Hill’s latest bar to add live music on the weekends. Mebane psychedelic folk duo Stray Owls opens. Doors: 6pm

Monster Wave

October 30, 2026, Eda’s Hide-A-Way, Weaverville, NC

With opening stints for Messer Chups and The Phantom A.D. under their belt, Asheville’s Monster Wave brings their own brand of haunted surf-goth to Eda’s. Doors: 7pm

Zombie Fest 2026

October 31, 2026, The Eagle’s Dare, Wilmington, NC

Screamin’ Rebel Angels headlines as Wilmington’s The Phantom Playboys and Greensboro’s The Tremors throwdown the haunting sounds of NC rockabilly. Doors: 6pm