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!
Thursday, September 17
Homewood Nursery Fall Plant Sale
🗓 September 4–19 | ⏰ 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Refresh the yard for fall with 25% off hardy nursery plants, including perennials, vines, shrubs and trees.
📍 Homewood Nursery, 10809 Honeycutt Rd., Raleigh
Rooftop Wine Tasting at 10th & Terrace
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
Sample a curated selection of wines on the rooftop while a sommelier shares the stories behind each bottle and winemaker.
📍 10th & Terrace, 616 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh
🎟️ Complimentary.
Rhythm & Brews at Raleigh Iron Works
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
Grab a drink and catch live music from Butler K. in The Yard.
📍 The Yard at Raleigh Iron Works, 2200 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh
Jazz in the Square
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
Brevan Hampden y sus Hermanos bring an evening of live jazz to Moore Square, with food and drinks available nearby.
📍 Moore Square, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh
🎟️ Free and family-friendly.
Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
Choose a 3- or 5-mile route with the Ponysaurus Run Club, then celebrate the finish with a pint. Check-in starts at 6 PM and the run begins at 6:15 PM.
📍 Ponysaurus Brewing, 2221 Iron Works Dr. Suite 100, Raleigh
🎟️ Free; all paces welcome.
Igniting Hope at Angus Barn
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 6:00 PM
Dinner, dancing and a live auction support the Foundation of Hope and its work advancing mental illness research.
📍 The Pavilion at Angus Barn, Raleigh
🎟️ Ticketed fundraiser.
ℹ️ @walkforhope | More info.
Stitched in Tradition
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
Indigenous designers from across North Carolina showcase traditional regalia and contemporary runway collections in an evening centered on culture, creativity and storytelling.
📍 North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Free; registration required.
Ify Nwadiwe at Goodnights Comedy Club
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 7:30 PM
Comedian, actor and writer Ify Nwadiwe takes the stage at Goodnights for a Thursday night show.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ 18+; two-item minimum.
Alistair Ogden at Goodnights Comedy Club
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
Catch a night of stand-up from comedian Alistair Ogden in Room 861 at Goodnights.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Ticketed; 18+.
Friday, September 18
Fall Open Garden & Nursery Days at Juniper Level Botanic Garden
🗓 September 18–20 | ⏰ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Explore one of the world’s most diverse plant collections and shop rare and unusual plants during the fall open-garden weekend.
📍 Juniper Level Botanic Garden, 9241 Sauls Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Public parking is $5 and redeemable toward a plant purchase.
Kids EveryWEAR Sale
🗓 September 18–19 | ⏰ 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Shop children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, baby gear, play equipment and nursery furniture from more than 1,000 families.
📍 South Hills Mall & Plaza, 1213 Buck Jones Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Admission varies by shopping session.
ℹ️ @kidseverywear | More info.
Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show
🗓 September 18–20 | ⏰ Fri.–Sat. 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sun. 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Meet home professionals, gather renovation ideas and explore products and services for projects big and small.
📍 NC State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Adult tickets available; children 12 and under are free.
ℹ️ @RALHomeShows | More info.
Cary Night Market
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 5:00–9:00 PM
Browse locally made goods from Triangle artisans alongside food, drinks and evening entertainment.
📍 Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy St., Cary
🎟️ Open to the public; all ages.
Love Local: Fall Into Downtown – Canes Hockey Night
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM
Downtown Apex gets a hockey takeover with Stormy, street hockey, inflatables, a live DJ and plenty of reasons to visit local shops and restaurants.
📍 The Depot parking lot, 220 N. Salem St., Downtown Apex
ℹ️ More info.
Earlybirds Club at Lincoln Theatre
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 6:00–10:00 PM
Dance the evening away at a party built for people who want the club energy without the late-night finish.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | More info.
Village District Patio Series
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
Joey Calderaio provides the live soundtrack for an early-evening patio hang in Village District.
📍 Village District, Raleigh
Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda at Daughter’s Soft Serve
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
Choose a ceramic piece, get creative with paint and take the finished piece home the same evening.
📍 Daughter’s Soft Serve, 6 N. Main St., Wendell
🎟️ Tickets required.
Bags & Birdies Cornhole Tournament
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 6:30–10:00 PM
Cornhole takes over Ponysaurus at Raleigh Iron Works for an evening tournament.
📍 Ponysaurus Brewing at Raleigh Iron Works, Raleigh
Oakwood Cemetery Series: From the Ground Up
🗓 September 18–27 | ⏰ Fri.–Sat. 6:30 PM; Sun. 2:00 PM
Burning Coal Theatre brings Raleigh arts history to life among the gravesites of the real people who helped shape the city’s creative scene. From the Ground Up, written and directed by Robert Kaufman, introduces audiences to the men and women who laid the groundwork for Raleigh’s vibrant arts scene that we know today!
📍 Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets available.
Deric Cahill at Goodnights Comedy Club
🗓 September 18–20 | ⏰ Fri. 7:00 & 9:15 PM; Sat. 6:00 & 8:30 PM; Sun. 6:00 PM
Comedian Deric Cahill brings his sharp observations and stand-up to Goodnights for a full weekend of shows.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ 18+; two-item minimum.
Marbles Imagination Ball
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 7:00 PM
Dive Deep at Marbles for an ocean-inspired gala benefiting access to play and hands-on learning for kids.
📍 Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh
🎟️ Ticketed fundraiser.
Taste of Lebanon Festival
🗓 September 18–20 | ⏰ Fri. 7:00–10:30 PM; Sat. 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Sun. 12:00–6:00 PM
Spend the weekend exploring Lebanese food, live entertainment, cultural dance, family activities and local vendors.
📍 600 Mount Vernon Church Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Friday kickoff is ticketed; Saturday and Sunday are free.
Hairspray at Raleigh Little Theatre
🗓 September 18–20 | ⏰ Fri.–Sat. 7:30 PM; Sun. 3:00 PM
Raleigh Little Theatre closes out its run of the Tony Award-winning musical about Tracy Turnblad’s fight to dance, belong and change Baltimore television.
📍 Cantey V. Sutton Theatre at Raleigh Little Theatre
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @rlt1936 | More info.
Erin Jackson at Goodnights Comedy Club
🗓 September 18–20 | ⏰ Fri. 7:30 & 9:45 PM; Sat. 7:30 & 9:30 PM; Sun. 7:30 PM
Comedian Erin Jackson headlines Room 861 at Goodnights for three nights of stand-up.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Ticketed; 18+.
Maple Mania at Logan’s Garden Shop
🗓 September 18–19
Shop a huge selection of Japanese maples at 20–50% off and get planting and care advice from Logan’s garden team.
📍 Logan’s Garden Shop, 1208 Farmers Market Dr., Raleigh
ℹ️ @logantrd | More info.
Saturday, September 19
Apex Farmers Market
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Shop fresh produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, cheeses, sauces and artisan products from local vendors.
📍 122 N. Salem St., Apex
Midtown Farmers’ Market at North Hills
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Shop 35+ local vendors offering produce, breads, desserts, meats, dairy, crafts and more.
📍 4191 Main at North Hills St., Raleigh
Asia Fest 2026
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Dragon boat racing anchors a full day of cultural performances, food, exhibits, games and activities celebrating Asian cultures across the Triangle.
📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary
🎟️ Tickets available.
ℹ️ @asianfocusnc | More info.
HerbFest
🗓 September 19–20 | ⏰ Sat. 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sun. 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Browse organic, non-GMO and heritage herbs plus local and native perennials, artists, vendors and entertainment in downtown Wake Forest.
📍 530 S. White St., Wake Forest
🎟️ Free admission.
ℹ️ @herbfestwf | More info.
BugFest 2026
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Celebrate 30 years of creepy-crawly fun with 100+ exhibits, crafts, games, scientist Q&As, live performances and the famously adventurous Café Insecta.
📍 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Downtown Raleigh
🎟️ Free; all ages.
Hobbit Fest at Moore Square
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Watch the complete Lord of the Rings theatrical trilogy outdoors and explore a Middle-earth-inspired festival with activities, vendors, artists and food trucks.
📍 Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh
🎟️ Free; all ages.
ℹ️ @raleighparks | More info.
Farmers Fall Festival
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Cary Farmers Market’s annual fundraiser packs Downtown Cary Park with farmers, food, crafts, kids’ activities, live music and its famous pie-eating contest.
📍 Downtown Cary Park, Cary
Festa Italiana NC
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Celebrate Italian culture with live music, food, cooking demonstrations, a kids zone and the crowd-favorite cannoli eating contest.
📍 Hunter Street and Town Hall Campus, Downtown Apex
Clouds Brewing Oktoberfest
🗓 September 19–20 | ⏰ Sat. 1:00–10:00 PM; Sun. 1:00–8:00 PM
Oktoberfest weekend brings German-inspired food, live music, stein hoisting and a Sunday Family Day with kid-friendly activities.
📍 Clouds Brewing, 1233 Front St., Raleigh
Hops For Hope
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 2:00–6:00 PM
Sample custom craft beers created by local brewery-and-company teams while enjoying live music, food trucks and a kids zone, all benefiting Children’s Flight of Hope.
📍 Midtown Park at North Hills, Raleigh
🎟️ Festival tickets available; guests under 21 may attend free.
ℹ️ @hops4hope | More info.
Nook Vintage Fest
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 3:00–7:00 PM
Shop a sunset market filled with vintage clothing, decor, jewelry, reworked pieces, vintage Coach bags and work from 30+ local artists.
📍 The Studio, Downtown Apex
ℹ️ @thestudioinapex | @thevintagenookatthestudio | @caryvintagemarket | @hummingbirdcollective_ | More info.
Taptoberfest
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 3:00–8:00 PM
Tap Yard turns its biergarten into an Oktoberfest party with seasonal beer, a stein-hoisting contest, Bavarian music, yard games and more.
📍 Tap Yard, 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets available.
Morrisville International Festival
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM
Music, dance and food from around the world come together for a celebration of the cultures that shape Morrisville.
📍 Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Dr., Morrisville
Oktoberfest at Raleigh Iron Works
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 5:00–9:00 PM
Raise a stein for German-inspired food, Oktoberfest beer, a polka band, stein-holding competitions and a dachshund race.
📍 The Yard at Raleigh Iron Works, Raleigh
919 Day: A Raleigh Celebration
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 5:00–9:30 PM
Celebrate Raleigh with live music, local flavor, vendors, food and family-friendly fun on Centennial Campus. Gates open at 5 PM and music starts at 6 PM.
📍 The Corner at NC State Centennial Campus, 941 Main Campus Dr., Raleigh
🎟️ Free admission and parking.
NC Courage vs. Gotham FC
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 6:30 PM
The Courage face Gotham FC on Local Heroes Night, with first responders, healthcare workers, educators, military members and community leaders in the spotlight.
📍 First Horizon Stadium, Cary
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @thenccourage | More info.
YogaSix Glenwood Anniversary Week – Saturday Celebration
🗓 September 19
YogaSix Glenwood celebrates its fourth birthday with a free guest pass for members, 20% off retail and ice cream from Simon Says Dip This.
📍 YogaSix Glenwood South, Raleigh
🎟️ Members can call or text (984) 297-8480 to reserve a guest spot.
Sunday, September 20
Sproktoberfest at Crank Arm Brewing
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 12:00–5:00 PM
Crank Arm’s Oktoberfest spin returns with German-inspired food, live music, beer and a stein-hoisting competition.
📍 Crank Arm Brewing, 319 W. Davie St., Raleigh
🎟️ Free and family-friendly.
La Fiesta del Pueblo
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 12:00–6:00 PM
The Triangle’s largest celebration of Latin American culture fills Downtown Raleigh with live music, dance, food, artisan vendors, educational booths and family activities.
📍 Downtown Raleigh
ℹ️ @el.pueblo.inc | More info.
Morgan Street Sessions
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 12:00–4:00 PM
Local and regional DJs bring feel-good house music to the patio alongside brunch cocktails and food from the hall’s vendors.
📍 Morgan Street Food Hall, 411 W. Morgan St., Raleigh
Cervantino Bilingual Book Fair
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 12:00–4:00 PM
Meet authors and illustrators, discover bilingual books and celebrate literature during the kickoff to the El Quixote Festival.
📍 City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
🎟️ Free; all ages.
Vintage Market at Wolfe & Porter
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 2:00–7:00 PM
Browse clothing, jewelry, housewares, records, handmade goods and more while grabbing frozen drinks and snapping photos in the booth.
📍 Wolfe & Porter, 905 W. Morgan St., Raleigh
🎟️ Free and open to the public.
Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda at Unhinged Coffee & Co.
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM
Spend the afternoon painting a ceramic piece and leave with a handmade creation of your own.
📍 Unhinged Coffee & Co., 319 N. First Ave., Knightdale
🎟️ Tickets required.
Instrument Petting Zoo at Dix Park
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 2:00–4:00 PM
Kids and families can explore sound and creativity with hands-on opportunities to discover musical instruments.
📍 Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park, Raleigh
ℹ️ @dixpark | More info.
Hands On! Kids Art & Music Day
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 2:00–6:00 PM
An interactive afternoon of DJ sets, live music, a drum circle, art projects, nature stamping, instruments, lawn games and a free K–12 book giveaway.
📍 Moore Square Park, Raleigh
Fall Harvest Wine Dinner at Zin Yoga & Wine
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
Chef John Upsal pairs a seasonal farm-to-table menu with Italian wines selected and poured by importer Emanuele “Manny” Magnani.
📍 Zin Yoga & Wine, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @zinyogawine | More info.
Tim Shropshire at Goodnights Comedy Club
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 8:15 PM
Comedian Tim Shropshire closes out the weekend with a Sunday night stand-up show at Goodnights.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Ticketed; 18+.
Live Music
Jet at Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 7:00–10:00 PM
Jet brings its rock catalog to Bowstring for a Thursday night outdoor show.
📍 Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
Tophouse w/ GoldenOak
🗓 September 17 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
Tophouse heads to Lincoln Theatre with GoldenOak opening the night.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | More info.
Minus the Bear
🗓 September 18 | ⏰ 7:00 PM
Minus the Bear brings the Menos El Oso 20th Anniversary Tour to The Ritz.
📍 The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @ritzraleigh | More info.
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 with the North Carolina Symphony
🗓 September 18–19 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
The North Carolina Symphony opens its weekend with Rachmaninoff’s towering Piano Concerto No. 3 at Meymandi Concert Hall.
📍 Meymandi Concert Hall at Martin Marietta Center, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @ncsymphony | More info.
2000’s Rave
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 7:00 PM
The Ritz turns back the clock for an 18+ night built around 2000s favorites.
📍 The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required; 18+.
ℹ️ @ritzraleigh | More info.
Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 7:00–10:00 PM
Zoso recreates the sound and energy of Led Zeppelin live at Bowstring.
📍 Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
Autumn Nights: An Evening of Soul & R&B
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 7:00–9:00 PM
Kathy Kosins and Teri Tobin bring an evening of soul and R&B to the Cary Arts Center.
📍 Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ More info.
TLC & Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 7:30 PM
TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue share the stage for a hit-packed night at Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
📍 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
Cash Money + No Limit Tour
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
Master P, Birdman, Juvenile and more bring the Cash Money + No Limit Tour to Lenovo Center.
📍 Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @lenovocenter | More info.
Young Thug Presents The New Generation Tour
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
Young Thug and special guest NAV bring The New Generation Tour to Red Hat Amphitheater.
📍 Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
Ripe
🗓 September 19 | ⏰ 8:30 PM
Ripe brings its energetic blend of pop, funk and rock to Lincoln Theatre.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | More info.
Harvey St Co at Bowstring
🗓 September 19
Harvey St Co takes the stage at Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard.
📍 Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, Raleigh
Sunday Dead on the Yard with Saturday’s Children
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 3:00–6:00 PM
Saturday’s Children bring Grateful Dead-inspired sounds to Bowstring’s Sunday Dead on the Yard.
📍 Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, Raleigh
Rainbow Kitten Surprise
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 7:00 PM
Rainbow Kitten Surprise brings the bones North American Tour to Koka Booth Amphitheatre with Cigarettes @ Sunset.
📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ More info.
Band Capricio ft. Aditi Bhavaraju
🗓 September 20 | ⏰ 8:00 PM
Band Capricio and Aditi Bhavaraju take over Lincoln Theatre for a Sunday night concert.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
🎟️ Tickets required.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | More info.
Coming Up
Book Signing with Author Christian Warren Freed
🗓 September 23 | ⏰ 12:00–3:00 PM
Meet local author Christian Warren Freed during the grand opening of Barnes & Noble at University Place and pick up signed copies of his Raleigh-set urban fantasy and new military sci-fi release.
📍 Barnes & Noble at University Place, 201 S. Estes Dr. #200A, Chapel Hill
