‘Cuegrass Festival returns on Saturday, April 18.
Raleigh’s original beer, barbecue and bluegrass event will benefit local children’s organizations.
What: Barbecue, beer, and bluegrass return to Downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street with The Pit Authentic Barbecue’s 16th ‘Cuegrass Festival on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 6 p.m.
What’s Happening in ‘26: The pig cookers will be fired up early to cook The Pit’s famous whole-hog barbecue but this year, the festival is going to be bigger and better than ever, with a way to upgrade your experience with VIP access to our Pitmaster Patio, more pig cookers, a dessert station, fairy hair, a dog station, a silent auction and a Fast Pass to skip the food and beverage lines. Don’t miss our Vendor Village with more than 25 local vendors along Fayetteville Street. This year, Foothills Brewing will supply local brews at the food tent, draft beer tent and main stage tent, while Clouds Brewing is serving draft at The Raleigh Times tent. Keep the party going at our free after-party at The Raleigh Times with Clouds Brewing, featuring Drew Foust and The Wheelhouse and Elora Dash.
Who’s playing: Eight bands and artists will be joining us, including four in front of the Capitol Building on the main stage: Dear Mirabella and the Pigkickers, The Cody Sisters, The Tan and Sober Gentlemen and Old Habits, who has joined us for every ‘Cuegrass Festival except one since the festival started in 2009. We’ll also have a stage in front of the Raleigh Times Bar with Autumn Nicholas and Ashley Virginia.
Capitol Stage Schedule (On Fayetteville Street):
LIVE at the Raleigh Times Stage Schedule (On E. Hargett Street):
The Raleigh Times ‘Cuegrass After-Party:
What’s on tap: We’ll have a selection of some of our favorite local and regional beers from our beer sponsors Foothills Brewing and Clouds Brewing!
Why: All proceeds from food and drink sales go to improve the lives of local kids, including children helped at SAFEchild, which works to eliminate child abuse and neglect in Wake County. Funds will also support local Scouts at the Occoneechee Council of BSA, rescue animals saved through Freedom Ride Rescue (who will have adorable rescues at ‘Cuegrass available for adoption!) This year, we’re also supporting local educators and students by donating to the Broughton Capital Foundation and Arts Together.
For more information on ‘Cuegrass Festival, go to www.Cuegrass.com.
Since its inception, ‘Cuegrass has raised more than $275,000, with proceeds going to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Feed the Farm, W.C. Breeze Family Farm, North Carolina farmers through Animal Welfare Approved, N.C. 4-H, JLR’s BackPack Buddies and SAFEchild.
About The Pit Authentic Barbecue: Michelin-recognized in 2026, The Pit serves whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue from pigs raised on farms where free-range farming practices are used. Making a name for itself as a top restaurant for North Carolina’s signature cuisine, The Pit has gained national attention from Southern Living, GQ, Gourmet Magazine, Imbibe magazine and The New York Times, among others. Check out the menu at www.ThePit-Raleigh.com.
Questions: Event Contact: Samantha Hatem, 919-810-7486, samantha@empireeats.com
