We’ve got your weekend lineup, Raleigh! Check out these local things to do to keep you busy this weekend!
Every week, we curate a list of local things to do in and around Raleigh. Our goal is to uplift local businesses and connect you with fun, community-driven experiences.
We prioritize events from our Shop Local Raleigh members, offering you the best local experiences. Want to add your event to our list? Consider becoming a Shop Local Raleigh member or contact us for collaboration opportunities.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X(Twitter) to stay in the loop on all things local. Let’s get out and show some local love to our community!
🎸 Rhythm & Brews at Iron Works 8/21
Grab a brew and listen to some tunes at Raleigh Iron Works. 6pm-9pm More info.
🎷 Jazz In The Square 8/21
This free concert series brings you live jazz performances by the hottest local musicians, right in the heart of Moore Square. Concert-goers will enjoy food trucks on-site and wine & beer for sale from: Hollywood Taco Shop, Shawerma Bowl, Lucky Tree, Raleigh Wine Shop, Wye Hill, and Raleigh Popsicle Co. Grab your friends, blankets, and chairs for an evening of great music. 6pm-8pm. More info.
📔 Back To School Sale 621 Productions 8/18-24
Help 621 Productions give back and get 25% OFF this week! For Back to School Fundraising Week (August 18-24), 621 Productions is donating 10% of all sales to the Apex Public School Foundation. Your purchases will help support local students and teachers! More info.
🌲 Pinecone Flower Wreath Workshop at Riparian 8/21
Head to Riparian Provision Co. for a fun and crafty way to decorate your home for the season! Join Kelli Nestor in creating a beautiful wreath using pinecones and flowers. 6:30-8:30pm Tickets
😂 Don’t Call Me White Girl Show at Goodnights Comedy Club 8/21
The Don’t Call Me White Girl show features rising comedian and viral social media sensation Don’t Call Me White Girl. The Philadelphia native doesn’t hold her tongue as she delivers her unique brand of insight, advice, and commentary in this highly entertaining weekly audio-visual podcast. Check it out at Goodnights Comedy Club! 7:30pm. More info. and tickets
🌷 Teacher Appreciation Sale at Homewood Nursery 8/21-23
Teachers get 20% off houseplants and houseplant pottery at Homewood Nursery! Get some plant babies for your desk or windows! Just a little appreciation for hard-working educators. More info.
🤝 4th Friday Connections at RushHour Karting 8/22
Meet us at RushHour Karting for a morning of conversation and fun. We will tour their space and get to participate in some activities before mingling with other local entrepreneurs! 1021 WCC Lane. Morrisville, NC 27560. 9:30am More info.
🍿NCMA Outdoor Films at Moore Square: Wicked 8/22
Pre-movie programming, food trucks, and a showing of “Wicked” at Moore Square. More info.
😂 Ron Funches at Goodnights 8/22-24
Check out Ron Funches at Goodnights Comedy Club this weekend! Tickets
🎨 Demo Daze at Downtown Cary Park 8/22
Inspired by the makers of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Demo Daze features live demonstrations across a variety of artistic mediums, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how masterpieces come to life. Watch featured artists in action, ask questions, and maybe even try your hand at their craft. With hands-on fun for all ages there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 6pm-9pm. More info.
😂 Steven Rogers at Goodnights Comedy Club 8/22-23
Check out Steven Rogers at Goodnights Comedy Club this weekend! Tickets
🀄 Mahjong 101 at Crank Arm Brewing 8/23
This beginner-friendly workshop is just $50 and includes a full intro lesson plus guided play, no experience needed! Hosted by Mollie J Mahjong & Oakwood Mahjong Club at Crank Arm Brewing. Sign up here
🎸 CaryLIVE!: Squirrel Nut Zippers at Downtown Cary Park 8/23
Head to Downtown Cary Park for another free CaryLive! musical experience featuring The Squirrel Nut Zippers. Formed in 1993 in the Chapel Hill area, the eclectic group of diverse local artists quickly gelled and wove together a tapestry of sounds comprising elements of early jazz, blues and southern roots. This concert series is free. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket for a comfortable viewing experience. 7:30pm-9:30pm. More info.
🛍️ Trunkshow Back To School Sale 8/23
Trunkshow is clearing out summer pieces to make room for fall, so they’re having a Back to School Sale! Come get clothes, dorm/home accessories, furniture and some of everything at 10–20% off! Tons of items marked down storewide! Saturday, August 23rd only at Trunkshow! More info.
🐱 Karma Is A Cat at Hartwell 8/23
Join Hartwell on Saturday, August 23rd at 4pm for a kitten adoption event featuring the cutest cats from Wake County Animal Shelter. All adoption fees are waived as part of Clear the Shelters! Live music, FREE face painting, pizza, popsicles, and all the cat cuddles you can handle. 4pm. More info.
🐶 Dog Days of Summer at Saving Grace Supply Co. 8/23
Join Saving Grace Supply Co. for their ‘Dog Days of Summer’ Pool Pawty and Shopping Event on Saturday, August 23rd from 10am-3pm! Swing by with your furry friend for a tail-wagging pool pawty! They’ll have several pools set up for the dogs to splash and play, and complimentary ice cream for your pup. Don’t forget to bring a towel! (leash required)
– Check out new summer products, shop locally made gifts, and stock up on your Saving Grace swag!
– The doggo treat bar will be fully stocked with all kinds of goodies and they’ll have some treats for the humans, too.
– Enter a raffle for a chance to win a basket full of goodies for you and your doggo!
– Play with some puppies! Saving Grace foster puppies will be at the party for you to snuggle and enjoy
This is a great way to shop local and support shelter animals at the same time! This event supports Saving Grace Animals for Adoption and will help continue their mission to improve the lives of dogs in need. 4016 Durham Road, Raleigh (at the corner of Six Forks Rd and 98/Durham Rd) Additional parking is available at 4004 Durham Rd. 10am-3pm. More info.
👰 The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes 8/23
Join Cary Elwes (Westley) in person for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film, The Princess Bride. After a screening of the iconic movie, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion revealing never before shared secrets and tales of inconceivable antics! Journey back to the lands of Florin and Guilder in an adventure filled with fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, miracles, and of course, true love. Don’t be a “Humperdinck”, make haste to see The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes for a night you will always “tweasure”. More info.
🎨 Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival 8/23-24
The 49th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival will showcase over 250 exceptional artists from across the country! Enjoy live entertainment on four stages, savor delicious offerings from 25+ food vendors, and relax in our beer garden & Lazy Lounge. Kids will love Kid Daze with fun activities throughout including the new Kid Collectors Market, where they can purchase pint-sized pieces created by Lazy Daze artists! Participate in interactive art activities, engage with demonstrations by professional artisans, and embrace the “Lazy Daze” of summer. Cary Town Hall Campus, Downtown Cary. More info.
🌛 Night Market at North Hills 8/23
Shop, sip, and stroll your way through a lineup of local vendors, tasty eats, and handmade finds — all in one magical evening under the lights. Hosted by Events By Heather. 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St. 4pm-9pm More info.
🧑🌾 Midtown Farmers’ Market at North Hills 8/23
Get ready for an abundance of fresh veggies, award-winning baked goods, freshly ground coffee, and much more at North Hills. More info.
🐺 Packapalooza 8/23
Packapalooza™ is NC State’s signature all-day block party and street festival, capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week on Saturday, Aug. 23. This vibrant event, held on Hillsborough Street, brings together NC State students, faculty, staff, alums, families, and the local community to kick off the academic year with music, entertainment, family-friendly activities, food, and all things Wolfpack. A cherished tradition attracting over 85,000 attendees, Packapalooza™ features more than 300 vendor booths and is supported by over 50 sponsoring organizations. Presented by Live It Up! Hillsborough Street, it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss. 2pm-10pm. More info.
🧑🌾 Farmers Market at Downtown Cary Park 8/23
Join the Cary Farmers Market for the traditional market season along East Park St., next to Downtown Cary Park. Find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally made and locally grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, humanely-raised meat, and artisan-made goods. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. 8am-12pm. More info.
🍔 Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo in Downtown 8/24
Enjoy over 45 food trucks, line dancing, live music, drinks, local vendors, and more at the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo! From savory flavors to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving and cuisine curiosity. Whether you’re a fan of gourmet burgers, delicious tacos, or decadent desserts, our food truck rodeo promises to have something for everyone! Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh. 12pm-7pm More info.
🐶 Puppy Yoga at Crank Arm Brewing 8/24
Enjoy a yoga session with adoptable puppies at Crank Arm Brewing – Raleigh! This event is $35 and covers your yoga class, some puppy love, a $20 donation to Blazin’ Trails Bottle Babies, and your beer afterwards! Blazin’ Trails Bottle Babies rescues and cares for orphaned newborn puppies, giving them the love and support they need to thrive and find forever homes. Now’s your chance to cuddle these adorable pups while enjoying a fun puppy yoga session! Stretch, smile, and soak up the puppy love—all while supporting a great cause! More info.
🌞 Summer Garden Soiree by Hummingbird Market 8/24
Hummingbird Market is hosting their Summer Garden Soirée at Atlantic Gardening this Sunday! This Bridgerton inspired market will feature over 30 talented local vendors, food and snacks from Craft Public House, sweet treats from Little Blue Macaron, Garden Bar Specials, live music, face painting, fairy hair, and more! 11am-3pm More info.
😂 Comedy N Dice at Goodnights Comedy Club 8/24
A live role playing game where Tyler Wood and his fellow nerdy comedian friends take you on a one of a kind adventure. Will they succeed? Will they perish? Either way, you’ll laugh until you 20 sided die at Goodnights Comedy Club! More info.
🐕 Dog Wash Fundraiser at Unleashed 8/24
Help greyhounds and treat your pup to a spa day at Unleashed Lake Boone. Greyhound Care and Adoption of NC (GCA-NC) is returning for another dog wash fundraiser on Sunday, August 24th, from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM! More info.
🐕 Triangle Dog of the Year Calendar Launch Party 8/24
Celebrate the launch of the 2026 Triangle Dog Of The Year Calendar benefitting Second Chance Pet Adoptions! The calendar launch party is the culmination of the 2026 Triangle Dog Of The Year Calendar Contest, hosted by Raleigh Pet Photographer, Five Freedoms Photography, that raised over $20K for Second Chance Pet Adoptions. You can also expect:
🐶 A $5 raffle for awesome prizes
🐶 Swag bags for the first 30 attendees
🐶 Cameos by some of the 2026 Triangle Dogs Of The Year, including Second Chance Alums
🐶 Vendor market for your pup
🐶 Adoptables from Second Chance Pet Adoptions
🐶 Photo ops from H Westervelt Photography
🐶 Light bites + beverages
🐶 And more!
All proceeds from calendar sales as well as raffle prizes will be donated to Second Chance Pet Adoptions. Can’t make it? Online ordering for the 2026 Triangle Dog Of The Year Calendar will go live on August 25, 2025. Get your event tickets here
Live Shows
8/21 Ben Rector at Red Hat Amphitheater – Tickets
8/21 Jason Aldean Coastal Credit Union Music Park – Tickets
8/21 Uncruel Summer – A Girly Pop Dance Party at The Pour House – Tickets
8/22 Bring Out Yer Dead w/ Idlewild South at Lincoln Theatre – Tickets
8/22 Dru Hill & Silk Martin Marietta Center – Tickets
8/22 Falling In Reverse Coastal Credit Union Music Park – Tickets
8/22 Work It!: 90s/2000s R&B and Hip Hop Night at The Pour House – Tickets
8/23 Level Up @lincoln919 at Lincoln Theatre – Tickets
8/23 The Bleeding Hearts w/ Third of Never, Erie Choir at The Pour House – Tickets
8/24 Mary Jane (Rick James tribute) at The Pour House – Tickets
8/24 Historical Fourth Ward Gospel Extravaganza (Free) at Martin Marietta Center More info.
