This April, new direct flights will launch from Dublin to Raleigh, which will complement existing direct services from London. The State Capital has a host of new openings, blended with Southern and global flavours, rich history and a diverse downtown to tempt travellers to experience this beautiful Southern gem.
New Cocktail Experiences:
- Capulet Cocktail Club: A hidden house of revelry and romance that opened in December 2025, paying homage to the most ancient House of Capulet, once beloved and feared in Verona, now reborn in Raleigh among the gardens of The Exchange.
- Rosebud Cocktail Lounge that opened this Valentine’s Day release, is a sophisticated mid-century cocktail bar that honours both the legacy of craft cocktails in the Triangle and the timeless power of nostalgia. Named for the enigmatic symbol from Orson Welles’ masterpiece “Citizen Kane,” Rosebud explores multi generation nostalgia through an immersive sensory experience. The bar features a carefully curated hi-fi sound system paired with an extensive vinyl collection, creating an atmosphere where great cocktails meet exceptional sound design.
New Black-owned businesses:
- Hone-Sharpen Cooking School: A woman-owned startup, this innovative new cooking school from Chef Cherisse Byers features a demonstration and commercial kitchen. The space offers classes for both the general public and individuals training in the culinary arts. Hone-Sharpen hosts pop-ups, group classes, cooking demonstrations and events in Smoky Hollow. Complementing the experience, elevate your lunchtime dining at the adjoining sandwich bar, Garlic Bay Sandwich Shop.
- Coming soon, Oberlin Hotel (est. opening June 2026): The first hotel from the Curio Collection by Hilton property in the Raleigh area. The hotel will be situated in the heart of the Village District and will feature 150 guest rooms (including presidential suites), a high-end restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a courtyard for hotel guests and residents to enjoy. The hotel’s decor is inspired by honoring the Black history of the neighborhood through artwork and descriptions of notable Black figures who were influential in shaping the area and Raleigh as a whole.
- Murals honouring Black History: The Raleigh areais home to a vibrant collection of Murals that pay tribute to its rich history and cultural heritage. A number of those murals are dedicated to Black history, community and culture—triumphant depictions and stunning works of art that bring colour and life to the city’s streets and serve as powerful reminders of the contributions and resilience of the African American community
America 250 Events:
- April 10, Well, I Declare: America at 250 : A live reading of the Declaration of Independence with thoughtful responses from singer-songwriters to the ideas in the document. Stage actor Mike Wiley will read the Declaration, and North Carolina singer-songwriter Dawn Landes is heading up a team of musicians, including Rissi Palmer, to convey the ideas in song.
Annual Events
- Krispy Kreme Challenge, 7 February 2026
One of America’s most unique running events (and toughest eating events!), the Krispy Kreme Challenge requires competitors to run five miles, eat a dozen doughnuts at the halfway point and hit the finish line in under one hour. For the curious, those doughnuts total 2,400 calories and 144 grams of fat—but who’s counting! - Raleigh’s International Food Festival, 6 June 2026
Celebrate Raleigh’s diverse community and welcoming spirit by trying food, beer and wine from more than 100 local vendors (plus listen to live music and see more entertainment) from around the world. Nearly 40,000 attendees are expected in downtown Raleigh’s City Plazafor the event. - Hopscotch Music Festival, October 2026
The 16th annual Hopscotch Music Festival—time and time again named as one of America’s can’t-miss independent music events—is expected to be back and ready to jam in the center of the City of Oaks in 2026. Last year a total of 120 performers played across 10 downtown Raleigh venues, with headlining acts that included Earl Sweatshirt, My Morning Jacket, Built to Spill, Superchunk and a whole lot more.
For more information – https://www.visitraleigh.com/
ENDS
For media enquiries, hi-res images, or video, please contact us.
Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: Anisha@ttmworld.co.uk
Kirsty Dillury, Owner / Chief Communications Officer: kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk
For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 313 1717