Brewgaloo returns to Raleigh alongside a new alternative festival. What to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Brewgaloo returns April 24–25 but is missing 16 breweries and vendors.
- Y’all Means All debuts April 25 at Raleigh Brewing as a pro‑LGBT festival.
- Shop Local director’s anti‑trans comments led to an apology and businesses cutting ties.
Two beer festivals are happening in Raleigh this weekend, but North Carolina’s largest, Brewgaloo, will be missing 16 breweries and as many craft vendors as an alternative pro-LGBT event debuts the same day. The split stems from anti-trans comments made by Shop Local Raleigh’s director in December.
Here are key takeaways:
• Brewgaloo: Shop Local Raleigh’s two-day downtown festival draws an estimated 50,000 people to downtown Raleigh.
• If you go: A ticketed opening night party is held Friday, April 24 from 6 to 10 p.m. The Saturday main event is free to attend, with drink tickets available for purchase online or on-site. It will be held 12 to 8 p.m. Most of Brewgaloo is held on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh between Salisbury and Wilmington Streets, with portions of Davie, Martin and Hargett also blocked off. Go to shoplocalraleigh.org/brewgaloo for details.
• The alternative: Y’all Means All, a new pro-LGBT beer festival, will be held Saturday, April 25 at Raleigh Brewing just off Hillsborough Street. Heavy-hitters like Trophy and Fullsteam are among the participating breweries.
• If you go: Y’all Means All is free to attend, with drink tickets available for purchase. The festival is at 3709 Neil St., with beer flowing from 12 to 5 p.m. Details at facebook.com/RaleighBrewingCompany.
• What happened: In December, Shop Local Raleigh director Jennifer Martin posted anonymous Facebook comments responding to a parent seeking sports opportunities for their transgender son. The comments, once made public, drew widespread criticism for being anti-trans.
• The fallout: Martin later apologized, and Shop Local announced she would undergo human rights training. Several businesses cut ties with the organization, and many called for Martin to be fired.
• Who organized Y’all Means All: Jewelry maker Be Like Missy and Raleigh Brewing put the event together. “I think it’s really important that we show the LGBT community that they’re welcome and supported by not just me, but by a bunch of people in the community in a time that rights are being stripped away,” said Erica Vogel, the designer for Be Like Missy.
• Donations: A portion of Y’all Means All proceeds will benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
