26 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week · May 7–10, 2026

Arts & Culture

Knowing the West Exhibition at NCMA

A new exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Art presenting untold stories of the American West, opened May 2.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

NC Symphony: Appalachian Spring

The NC Symphony performs Copland's beloved Appalachian Spring across two evenings at Meymandi Concert Hall.

Friday, May 8 – Saturday, May 9, 2026 12:00 PM (Friday matinee); evening performances also available · Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh

Dr. M.T. Pope House Presents: Black Joy in the Springtime

A spring celebration of Black joy and community hosted at the historic Dr. M.T. Pope House.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 2:00 PM · Raleigh

Artsplosure Cocktail Party & Silent Auction

Artsplosure's annual fundraising cocktail party featuring a curated silent auction, live art experiences, and a special auction to support Art for All programming.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Birdie's Barroom & Kitchen, Downtown Raleigh

Food & Drink

La Farm Bakery Grand Opening – Glenwood South

Master Baker Lionel Vatinet celebrates the expansion of his Glenwood South location into a full-service all-day café with complimentary white chocolate baguettes.

Friday, May 8, 2026 12:00 PM · La Farm Bakery, Glenwood South, Raleigh

Outdoors & Active

Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing Co. Raleigh

A free weekly run with Fleet Feet Raleigh & Morrisville — choose a 3- or 5-mile route, then reward yourself with a post-run pint at Ponysaurus.

Thursday, May 7, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Ponysaurus Brewing Co. Raleigh, 2221 Iron Works Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh

Fat Positive Flow

An inclusive yoga class designed to celebrate all bodies, held at Current Wellness in downtown Raleigh.

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

Raleigh Historic Bike Ride

A guided bicycle tour through Raleigh's historic neighborhoods hosted by the City of Raleigh Planning department.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 10:00 AM · Raleigh

Juniper Level Botanic Garden Spring Open House

Explore one of the Southeast's most remarkable private plant collections during free open garden weekends with horticultural staff, plant sales, and educational programs.

Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10, 2026 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Juniper Level Botanic Garden, 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh

Walk at Oakwood Cemetery

A guided group walk through Raleigh's historic Oakwood Cemetery organized by the Shivers community group.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 10:00 AM · Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh

Music & Nightlife

The ComedyWorx Show

Two improv teams compete for laughs in ComedyWorx's signature competitive comedy format.

Friday, May 8, 2026 8:00 PM · ComedyWorx, Raleigh

AFROHOLIC – The Ultimate Afro Vibe Experience

An immersive Afrobeats dance party experience at Amor nightclub in Raleigh.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 10:00 PM · Amor, Raleigh

Tiffany Haddish at Raleigh Improv

Grammy-winning comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish brings her live stand-up show to the Raleigh Improv for five performances over three nights.

Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17, 2026 · Raleigh Improv, Raleigh

RITUAL. Returns to the Open Air

The first outdoor RITUAL. of the season returns to William & Company's back patio for an afternoon of curated DJ sets as the sun fades into golden hour.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 · William & Company, Raleigh

Family-Friendly

Cary Ballet Company – Peter Pan

The Cary Ballet Company takes audiences to Neverland in this enchanting production of Peter Pan at the Fletcher Opera Theater.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · Fletcher Opera Theater, Raleigh

Raleigh's Spring Mother's Day Festival

A free outdoor festival at Moore Square celebrating Mother's Day with local artists, food trucks, live music, and dessert vendors — bring your lawn chairs!

Sunday, May 10, 2026 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Moore Square, Raleigh

Teen + Me: Dance Together, Be Silly, Savor the Moment

A parent-teen dance and movement workshop at Current Wellness designed for connection, silliness, and making memories together.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Festivals & Special Events

World Oddities Expo at the Agriculture Supply Exposition Center

Taxidermy, tattoos, and strange treasures collide at the World Oddities Expo, a one-of-a-kind curiosity market at the Ag Expo Center.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · Agriculture Supply Exposition Center, Raleigh

Ma & Pa Festival

One of Raleigh's biggest free street festivals featuring 140+ vendors, food trucks, live music, beverages, and family activities on Fayetteville Street.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Artsplosure Raleigh Arts Festival – Second Wave Artists Announced

The 47th annual Artsplosure Raleigh Arts Festival returns to Downtown Raleigh on May 17th, with Sunday performers including Luke & The Cool Hands, Dreamroot, Slow Funeral, Frail Talk, and Tashi Dorji.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 · Downtown Raleigh

Free Events

The Market at Raleigh Iron Works

Shop from local artists, makers, and vendors at this pop-up market with live music and brunch-friendly vibes at Raleigh Iron Works.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Raleigh Iron Works, Raleigh

Mental Health Matters Fair

A free community fair featuring mental health providers, local artisans, food trucks, DJs, and activities for all ages at Midtown Park.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Midtown Park at North Hills, Raleigh

Live After 5 – Fireside Collective

The beloved Live After 5 outdoor concert series kicks off its season in Moore Square with newgrass-turned-eclectic jam band Fireside Collective — bring chairs, picnic blankets, and dancing shoes.

Thursday, May 14, 2026 · Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh

Open Mic Night at ComedyWorx

An open mic comedy night where anyone can take the stage for a laugh — there is a mic, and it is open.

Thursday, May 14, 2026 8:00 PM · ComedyWorx, Raleigh

Spring 2026 DTRaleigh Photo Walk

A community photo walk through Downtown Raleigh organized by the DTRaleigh Community Meetup group.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 1:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh

Date Night

Latin Dance Social at Cuya Raleigh

Latin dance classes in a beginner-friendly environment followed by a vibrant dance floor, live music, and cocktails every Wednesday night on Glenwood.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM · Cuya Raleigh, Glenwood, Raleigh