24 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week · April 30–May 3, 2026

Arts & Culture

Knowing the West Exhibition at NCMA

The NC Museum of Art opens a new exhibition telling untold stories of the American West through a fresh curatorial lens.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Drag Saves the Day: Heroes & Villainz Fundraiser

A sober drag show fundraiser at Blue Ox Games raising funds for Extra Life 4 Kids, featuring a full cast of local entertainers in superhero and villain-themed acts.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Blue Ox Games, Raleigh

Jurassic Park In Concert

The NC Symphony performs the iconic Jurassic Park score live while the film plays on screen at Meymandi Concert Hall.

Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Meymandi Concert Hall, Downtown Raleigh

Ballet for Beginners

Current Wellness offers a beginner-friendly ballet workshop for adults in a welcoming, non-judgmental studio environment.

Sunday, May 3, 2026 1:00 PM · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Free Events

First Friday Market and Movie: The Incredibles

Moore Square kicks off its summer series with local vendors and food trucks starting at 5 PM, live music at 5:30 PM, and a free outdoor screening of The Incredibles at 7:15 PM.

Friday, May 1, 2026 5:00 PM · Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh

Urban Run Club Raleigh – Saturday Morning Run

Raleigh's community run club meets every Saturday at 10 AM at Moore Square for an inclusive group run in the heart of downtown.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:00 AM · Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh

Fat Positive Flow

An inclusive yoga flow class designed to celebrate and honor all bodies, hosted at Current Wellness in Downtown Raleigh.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Music & Nightlife

Drag Queen Party Bus Raleigh

The ultimate drag experience on wheels — an all-out party bus ride featuring Raleigh's finest drag performers.

Friday, May 1, 2026 8:00 PM · The Drag Queen Party Bus Raleigh

Luenell at Raleigh Improv

Stand-up comedy veteran Luenell performs four shows across Friday and Saturday at the Raleigh Improv.

Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Raleigh Improv, Raleigh

Kathy Griffin: New Face, New Tour

Comedy legend Kathy Griffin brings her brand-new tour to the Fletcher Opera Theater for one night only.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 7:00 PM · Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Road to Pangea XIX Pre-Party

An underground techno and minimal all-night warehouse party on a world-class sound system, with the secret location revealed day-of — music runs 10 PM to 4 AM.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:00 PM · Secret warehouse, Raleigh

Festivals & Special Events

Midtown Music Fest at North Hills

Visit North Hills' Midtown Music Fest returns for Derby weekend with live music, food and beverage, and a lively outdoor atmosphere in the heart of Midtown.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · North Hills, Raleigh

45th Annual Apex Peakfest

Historic Downtown Apex comes alive for its longest-running free festival with live music, art, dancing, food, and community fun.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 9:00 AM · Downtown Apex, NC

The Market at NCMA

Triangle Pop-Up brings together local artists, makers, and vendors for a Saturday pop-up market inside the NC Museum of Art.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 11:00 AM · North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Date Night

Cuyá Latin Dance Social

A beginner-friendly Latin dance social every Wednesday night with live music, classes, cocktails, and a vibrant dance floor in Glenwood South.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 8:30 PM · Glenwood, Raleigh

Artsplosure Cocktail Party & Fundraiser

An elegant evening of art, live music, curated silent auction, and live art experiences supporting Artsplosure's Art for All mission — tickets required.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 6:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh

Outdoors & Active

Bike Bonanza at Dix Park

Kick off Bike Month in Raleigh with a community celebration at Dix Park featuring rides, activities, and bike-friendly fun for all ages.

Friday, May 1, 2026 4:30 PM · Dix Park, Raleigh

Refugee Hope Partners ThriveK 5K

The 5th annual Thrive 5K invites runners and walkers along Raleigh's greenway for a meaningful morning with family-friendly activities, games, food, and community celebration.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 8:00 AM · The King's Chapel, 400 Newton Road, Raleigh

Morning Miles Run Club at North Hills

Raleigh's early-morning run club meets at Midtown Park at North Hills for 3- or 5-mile routes followed by coffee and community conversation.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 6:05 AM · Midtown Park at North Hills, Raleigh

We Run Raleigh Tuesday Run Club

Join the We Run Raleigh crew every Tuesday at 7 PM for a downtown group run followed by community and post-run recovery.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 7:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh

Family-Friendly

Troll Hunt at Dix Park

World-renowned artist Thomas Dambo's five towering trolls are hidden throughout Dix Park, waiting to be discovered by curious visitors.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Dix Park, Raleigh

Family Movie Night: James and the Giant Peach

A special family movie night screening of James and the Giant Peach with crafts and activities — described as anything but ordinary.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Raleigh

Rolling Together 2026

A community-focused rolling event at City Hall for all ages celebrating connection, movement, and Bike Month in Raleigh.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:00 AM · Raleigh

Raleigh Spring Festival – Mother's Day Tribute

A spring family celebration at Moore Square featuring food trucks, beer and wine, live music, performers, face painting, games, and local vendors.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh