Raleigh’s annual arts festival — Artsplosure — is back this weekend, Oct. 9- Oct. 10 (after a ~2 year hiatus due to COVID-19). This year, visitors can expect 2 days of live music, food trucks, beer stands, art installations, children’s activities, and over 175 artists selling artwork at the art market in Downtown Raleigh.

There will be 2 stages (1 at City Plaza and 1 on Morgan Street in front of the Capitol Building) featuring performances from NC artists Libby Rodenbough, T. Gold, Dissimilar South, and more. Click here for the full line-up.

“Artsplosure's mission of ‘art for all’ is at the core of community connection,” Lucy Tobias, Marketing Director of Artsplosure, said. “This weekend's namesake festival offers a physical space for residents + visitors to come together and support art in an engaging, fun way for the whole family.”

The Song Confessional, one of the festival's interactive installations, will be open to the public throughout the weekend. Festival goers can anonymously share a confession or personal story at the installation’s trailer + musicians Walker Lukens and Zac Catanzaro will turn confessions into original songs.

Other experiences include the 2021 Congressional Art Competition collection — a display of 6 out the 8 pieces recognized for excellence — and Kidsplosure, an arts festival for kids.

We asked Lucy what she’s most excited for and she said, “I can't wait for all of the music! We consider ourselves a ‘discovery festival’ where we curate our emerging singer + songwriters. You can experience a performer here at the festival, and in the next year or so, they could be performing at the Grammys or selling out Madison Square Garden.”

Artsplosure kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 9. + is free to the public.

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