Local Things To Do In Raleigh This Weekend – September 3, 2026

Local Things To Do In Raleigh

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 3

🎭 Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star at Raleigh Little Theatre

🗓 August 26-September 13 | ⏰ 10am, 11:15am & 12:30pm
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is an interactive children’s theatre piece for very young audiences. Join Star Keepers Glimmer and Sparkle on a search-and-rescue adventure to find Little Star and put the night sky back in order.
📍 Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St.
ℹ️ @rlt1936 | More info.
 

🏓 Veolia Pickleball National Championships

🗓 August 31-September 6
The Veolia Pickleball National Championships continue through Sunday, bringing top pickleball players and competitors from around the country to Cary.
📍 Cary Tennis Park, 2727 Louis Stephens Dr., Cary
ℹ️ @ppanationals | @ppatour | More info.
 

🐴 Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ 6-8pm
Join Ponysaurus Run Club for your choice of a 3- or 5-mile route, then reward yourself with a pint after the run. Check-in starts at 6pm, with announcements and the run kicking off at 6:15pm. All paces are welcome.
📍 Ponysaurus Brewing at Raleigh Iron Works, 2221 Iron Works Dr., Suite 100
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @ponysaurusbrewingral | @raleighironworks | More info.
 

🏒 Canes & The Cup Pickleball Pro-Am

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ 6-9pm
Carolina Hurricanes players join PPA pros for a special night of pickleball featuring the Stanley Cup. The Pro-Am takes place from 7-8pm, with additional activities throughout the evening.
📍 Cary Tennis Park, 2727 Louis Stephens Dr., Cary
ℹ️ @ppatour | @canes | More info.
 

🎸 Rhythm & Brews at Raleigh Iron Works

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ 6-9pm
Grab a brew and enjoy live music from Grey Oakes during Rhythm & Brews at The Yard.
📍 Raleigh Iron Works, 2200 Atlantic Ave.
ℹ️ @raleighironworks | More info.
 

🎭 Hairspray at Raleigh Little Theatre

🗓 August 28-September 20 | ⏰ Thursday-Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 3pm
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and teenager Tracy Turnblad has one dream: to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. The Tony Award-winning musical is packed with comedy, romance and songs as Tracy chases stardom and challenges segregation on local television.
📍 Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St.
ℹ️ @rlt1936 | More info.
 

😂 Winston Hodges at Goodnights Comedy Club

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ 7:30pm
Catch comedian Winston Hodges Thursday night at Goodnights Comedy Club.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @goodnightscomedy | More info.
 

😂 Greg Capra & Carey James at Goodnights Comedy Club

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ 8pm
Greg Capra and Carey James take the stage Thursday night at Goodnights Comedy Club.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @goodnightscomedy | More info.
 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

🏡 Homewood Nursery Fall Plant Sale

🗓 September 4-19
Fall is for planting! Save 25% on hardy plants throughout the Homewood Nursery, including perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. Fresh shipments will arrive throughout the sale.
📍 Homewood Nursery & Garden Center, 10809 Honeycutt Rd.
ℹ️ @homewoodnursery | More info.
 

🎨 Gallery 20 Grand Relaunch

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 5-8pm
Gallery 20, formerly Glenwood Fine Art, is reintroducing itself to Raleigh during First Friday. Explore original art, meet the gallery’s artists and enjoy light refreshments during the free grand relaunch celebration.
📍 Gallery 20, 20 Glenwood Ave.
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @gallery20glenwood | More info.
 

🎉 First Friday in Downtown Fuquay-Varina

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 5-9pm
Explore Downtown Fuquay-Varina during First Friday, with businesses staying open late for shopping, dining and entertainment throughout the downtown districts.
📍 Downtown Fuquay-Varina
ℹ️ @fvdowntown | More info.
 

🎶 Bands, Bites & Boats

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 5:30-7:30pm
Spend Friday evening by Bond Lake with live music from My Cousin Skinny, food trucks, Bond Brothers beer and after-hours boat rentals.
📍 Bond Park Boathouse, 197 Bond Park Dr., Cary
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @caryncgov | More info.
 

🎨 Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda at Fortnight Brewing Co.

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 6-7:30pm
Pick a ceramic piece, grab your paint and create something of your own during this laid-back pottery painting workshop with Cozy Panda Event Co. Supplies are included and finished pieces can be taken home the same day.
📍 Fortnight Brewing Co., 1006 SW Maynard Rd., Cary
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @cozypandaeventco | @fortnightbeer | More info.
 

🍿 Hamilton at Downtown Cary Park

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 7:30-10:30pm
Experience the filmed version of the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton under the stars. Bring cushions, blankets and chairs and enjoy pre-screening activities and food trucks before the free movie.
📍 Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy St., Cary
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @downtowncarypark | More info.
 

🎨 First Friday in Downtown Raleigh

🗓 September 4
Explore Downtown Raleigh’s creative community during First Friday. Galleries and studios stay open late for exhibitions, artist talks and activities, while shops, restaurants and other downtown businesses join in with live music, markets, specials and more. Hours vary by location.
📍 Downtown Raleigh
ℹ️ @downtownraleighalliance | More info.
 

😂 Tony Baker at Goodnights Comedy Club

🗓 September 4-6 | ⏰ Friday 7pm & 9:15pm; Saturday 7pm & 9:30pm; Sunday 3:30pm
Tony Baker performs throughout the weekend at Goodnights Comedy Club.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @goodnightscomedy | More info.
 

😂 Alvin Kuai at Goodnights Comedy Club

🗓 September 4-6 | ⏰ Friday 7:30pm & 9:45pm; Saturday 7:30pm & 10pm; Sunday 7pm
Catch Alvin Kuai throughout the weekend at Goodnights Comedy Club.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @goodnightscomedy | More info.
 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

👩‍🌾 Midtown Farmers’ Market

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 8am-12pm
Shop fresh produce, breads, desserts, meats, dairy, crafts and more from 35+ local vendors at the Midtown Raleigh Farmers’ Market.
📍 North Hills, 4191 Main at North Hills St.
ℹ️ @midtownfarmers | @visitnorthhills | More info.
 

👩‍🌾 Cary Farmers Market

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 8am-12pm
Shop locally grown produce, meat, artisan-made goods and more from Cary Farmers Market vendors. This week’s market has been relocated to the Cary Town Hall Campus.
📍 Cary Town Hall Campus, 316 N. Academy St., Cary
ℹ️ @caryfarmersmkt | More info.
 

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 8am-12pm
Shop locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, farm eggs, baked goods, honey, cheeses, preserves, sauces, artisan foods and crafts.
📍 122 N. Salem St., Apex
ℹ️ @Apex_farmers_market | More info.
 

👑 Raleigh Princess Day

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 10am-6pm
Meet favorite fairytale princesses during a family-friendly experience featuring photos, hugs, songs, dances, games and other activities. Individual princess experiences are 90 minutes.
📍 Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ More info.
 

🎮 Game & Geek Expo 2026

🗓 September 5-6 | ⏰ Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-4pm
Celebrate gaming and geek culture during a two-day expo featuring gaming, cosplay, tabletop games, arcade and VR experiences, panels, music and a marketplace.
📍 Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @gameandgeeknc | More info.
 

🚶 Downtown Raleigh Black History Tour

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 10-11am
Explore Raleigh’s Black history during a guided 1.4-mile walking tour featuring the Third Ward neighborhood, Black Wall Street, historic churches and more.
📍 Tour begins at the Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum, 511 S. Wilmington St.
🎟️ Registration required
ℹ️ @raleighparks | More info.
 

🎨 SuperFun Saturday at The Halle

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 10:30am-12:30pm
Bring the kids to The Halle Cultural Arts Center for a free morning of arts and crafts designed for ages 4-12. No registration is required.
📍 The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @thehalleapex | More info.
 

🎉 17th African American Cultural Festival

🗓 September 5-6 | ⏰ Saturday 11am-10pm; Sunday 1-10pm
Celebrate African American culture through visual arts, music, theatre, dance, food and more during the 17th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County. The family-friendly festival features local and national talent along with art, merchant and food vendors.
📍 Downtown Raleigh
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @aacfestival | More info.
 

🎨 Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda at South Line Brewing

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 4:30-6pm
Cozy Panda Event Co. brings its mobile pottery studio to South Line Brewing. Choose a ceramic piece, paint your own design and take your creation home the same day.
📍 South Line Brewing, 518 Old Apex Rd., Cary
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @cozypandaeventco | More info.
 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

🍳 Sunday Brunch & Live Music at Good Day Good Night

🗓 September 6 | ⏰ Brunch 7am-1pm; Live Music 9am-12pm
Enjoy brunch favorites, Champagne, Bloody Marys and rotating live music during Sunday brunch at Good Day Good Night at The Casso.
📍 Good Day Good Night, 603 W. Morgan St.
ℹ️ @gdgn_raleigh | More info.
 

🍹 Morgan Street Sessions

🗓 September 6 | ⏰ 12-4pm
Spend Sunday afternoon on the patio with local and regional DJs, feel-good house music, brunch cocktails and food from Morgan Street Food Hall vendors.
📍 Morgan Street Food Hall, 411 W. Morgan St.
ℹ️ @morganstreetfoodhall | More info.
 

🎶 Wake Forest Unplugged

🗓 September 6 | ⏰ Activities 5-7pm; Concert 5:30-7:30pm
Unplug and spend Sunday evening outdoors with games, activities and a free concert at E. Carroll Joyner Park.
📍 E. Carroll Joyner Park, Wake Forest
🎟️ Free
ℹ️ @townofwakeforest | More info.
 

😂 Karen Rontowski at Goodnights Comedy Club

🗓 September 6 | ⏰ 6pm
Catch comedian Karen Rontowski Sunday evening at Goodnights Comedy Club.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @goodnightscomedy | More info.
 

😂 2026 NC’s Funniest Final Round

🗓 September 6 | ⏰ 8:15pm
See the finalists take the stage as Goodnights crowns the winner of the 2026 North Carolina’s Funniest competition.
📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd.
🎟️ Tickets required
ℹ️ @goodnightscomedy | More info.
 

🎶 LIVE MUSIC

Lakota John at the Gregg Museum

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ 6-7:45pm
NC State LIVE and the Gregg Museum present a free outdoor performance from Lakota John, blending blues with Indigenous musical traditions from southeastern North Carolina.
📍 Gregg Museum of Art & Design, 1903 Hillsborough St.
🎟️ Free; registration required
ℹ️ @NCStateLIVE | More info.
 

Social Distortion w/ Descendents + The Chats at The Ritz

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ Doors 6:30pm; Show 7:30pm
Social Distortion performs with Descendents and The Chats.
📍 The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr.
ℹ️ @ritzraleigh | Tickets.
 

TopOppGen at Lincoln Theatre

🗓 September 3 | ⏰ Doors 7pm; Show 8pm
TopOppGen takes the stage at Lincoln Theatre.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | Tickets.
 

Bryson Tiller Presents: The Neo Trapsoul Tour

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 7:30pm
Bryson Tiller brings The Neo Trapsoul Tour to Raleigh.
📍 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd.
ℹ️ @coastalcreditunionmusicpark | Tickets.
 

Mostley Crue w/ Sickman at Lincoln Theatre

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ Doors 7:30pm; Show 8pm
Mostley Crue pays tribute to Motley Crue with Alice In Chains tribute Sickman.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | Tickets.
 

Orchestra Noir: Culture 2000 Tour II

🗓 September 4 | ⏰ 8pm
Orchestra Noir brings the Culture 2000 Tour II to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
📍 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St.
ℹ️ @mmcraleighnc | Tickets.
 

Clay Street Unit w/ Tobacco Road at Bowstring

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 7-10pm
Clay Street Unit performs with Tobacco Road at Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard.
📍 Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd.
ℹ️ @bowstringpizzabrewyard | More info.
 

Jesse & Joy – El Despecho Tour

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 8pm
Jesse & Joy bring the El Despecho Tour to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
📍 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St.
ℹ️ @mmcraleighnc | Tickets.
 

Grupo Frontera at Red Hat Amphitheater

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ 8pm
Grupo Frontera performs live in downtown Raleigh.
📍 Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. McDowell St.
ℹ️ @redhatamphitheater | Tickets.
 

HIPnotized: A Musical Celebration of All Things Classic at Lincoln Theatre

🗓 September 5 | ⏰ Doors 9pm; Show 9:30pm
HIPnotized brings a musical celebration of all things classic to Lincoln Theatre.
📍 Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St.
ℹ️ @lincoln919 | Tickets.
 

Empire of the Sun

🗓 September 6 | ⏰ 7:30pm
Empire of the Sun brings the Ask That God Tour to Raleigh.
📍 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd.
ℹ️ @coastalcreditunionmusicpark | Tickets.
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