Weekend best bets: Star Wars, Ham & Yam Festival and strawberries
It's a busy weekend for festivals and fun in the Triangle with Star Wars-themed events, festivals, food and so much more.
Food and fun
May 4: The Market at NCMA - Browse the galleries, enjoy the NC Museum of Art park and shop local.
May 4: Handcrafted DURM Market - Taking place after the Durham Farmers' Market, shop locally-made and small business vendors at Durty Bull Brewing Company.
May 4: Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival - Food, performances, children’s games, vendors and inflatables in Smithfield.
May 4: Derby Days - Dress to the nines for the classiest day party at Fenton. There will be Kentucky hot brown sandwiches, mint juleps, whiskey tastings and a cash prize for the best Derby dressed.
May 4: Strawberry Festival - Soapstone United Methodist Church welcomes the public for a vendor fair, fire truck and EMS, bounce houses, hot dogs and BBQ, fresh strawberries, giant bubbles, a bake sale, food trucks, face painting, sensory friendly crafts and more.
May 4: Ma and Pa Festival - This festival on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh celebrates Mother's Day and Father's Day. There will be 100+ local vendors, a DJ and food trucks.
May 4: Raleigh Foodie Fare - Join Raleigh Iron Works for a food truck rodeo, food vendors, art vendors, drinks, live music and more!
May 4: Taco and Margarita Crawl - Bar Crawl your way through Sports & Social Cary making sure you stop at each bar for a taste of the specialty margarita, and fuel up at one (or more) of the five taco stands throughout the venue.
May 4: Raleigh Tacos N' Tequila Bar Crawl - Enjoy a culinary journey of tacos, savor refreshing margaritas, and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a fiesta you won't forget.
Star Wars-themed
May 2-4: "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” In Concert - Watch as Luke faces Darth Vader one last time on the big screen while the symphony performs John Williams’ thrilling score.
May 3: Star Wars Night at Moore Square - The downtown Raleigh event includes an outdoor movie, food trucks, a local vendor's market, free Star Wars-themed caricature drawings, a free photo op with Star Wars costumers and a craft corner.
May 4: Geek and Grub Night - Geek out at Fred Fletcher Park with galaxy-inspired beverages, vendors and activities.
May 4: Movies Under the Stars - A fun, free movie screening of "Star Wars: A New Hope" in downtown Chapel Hill. There will be trivia and a costume contest.
May 4: Cary's May the Fourth Be With You - Join this all-day Star Wars celebration at the Downtown Cary Park with a pet costume contest and more.
May 4: May the Science Be With You - Join the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences' scientists, educators, and sci-fi/fantasy fans for a day of special presentations celebrating May the Fourth!
On stage
May 3: Get the Led Out - The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live like you’ve never heard before. The show is at DPAC.
May 3: Red Clay Ramblers - The Red Clay Ramblers remain one of the longest-running string bands from the Piedmont of North Carolina.
May 3: Say Anything - The rock band is at the Ritz Raleigh.
May 4: Alice in Wonderland and Balanchine's "Who Cares?" - Cary Ballet Company's dancers will bring these iconic works to life.
May 4: Priscilla Block - The country star performs at the Ritz.
May 5: The Golden Gals Live! - This show will feature moments you remember from the original show plus all new moments that you will never forget.
Get moving
May 3-5: Juniper Level Botanic Garden’s Spring Garden Party - Self-guided garden tours, 15-minute “Gardening Unplugged” talks and access to the open greenhouses for plant purchases. There's also a DIY floral hat decorating contest – open to all visitors. The event repeats May 10-12.
May 4: Komen Triangle Race for the Cure - The race raises money for breast cancer research.
May 4: Marbles Bike Rodeo - Bring your bike, trike and helmet and get rolling at Marbles in Raleigh! There will be obstacle courses, bike safety, art on the move and bike bling. For all ages and skill levels. This is a free event.
Things to do the entire month of May
It's strawberry picking season! Use our interactive database to find fresh strawberries at local farms in Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill.
Visit dozens of local farmers markets! WRAL has your Triangle guide.
