We are excited to present this year’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners for the 2026 Midtown Diamond Awards!
Browse the list to see if your favorites are there, and be sure to make a note of any new businesses you’d like to check out.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
- GOLD: Erica DeLong, G105
- Silver: Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry, 94.7 QDR
- Bronze: Kitty Kinnin, 96.1 BBB
BEST INFLUENCER
- GOLD: Kate Bryan (k8_smallthings)
- Silver: Allison Reynolds (raleighwanderlust)
- Bronze: Susan Murphy (experience_raleigh)
BEST LOCAL MOVIE THEATER
- GOLD: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
- Silver: Paragon Theaters Fenton
- Bronze: The Rialto
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
- GOLD: Red Hat Amphitheater
- Silver: Cat’s Cradle
- Bronze: The Ritz
BEST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
- GOLD: Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
- Silver: Theatre in the Park
- Bronze: Raleigh Little Theatre
BEST SPECIAL EVENT VENUE
- GOLD: The Maxwell
- Silver: Merrimon-Wynne
- Bronze: Heights House Hotel
BEST MUSEUM
- GOLD: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- Silver: North Carolina Museum of Art
- Bronze: Marbles Kids Museum
BEST ART GALLERY/COLLECTIVE
- GOLD: North Carolina Museum of Art
- Silver: Art by Shalimar
- Bronze: Gallery C
BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION/PARK
- GOLD: Dorothea Dix Park
- Silver: Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at NCMA
- Bronze: Gipson Play Plaza at Dorothea Dix Park
BEST GARDEN
- GOLD: Raleigh Rose Garden
- Silver: Dorothea Dix Park Sunflower Field
- Bronze: Sarah P. Duke Gardens
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL OR BED AND BREAKFAST
- GOLD: The Longleaf Hotel
- Silver: Heights House Hotel
- Bronze: The Mayton
BEST LOCAL EVENT/FESTIVAL
- GOLD: Hopscotch Music Festival
- Silver: Brewgaloo NC Craft Beer Festival
- Bronze: Girls Night Out
