27 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week · September 24–27, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

NC Oktoberfest – Prost Y'all

Fayetteville Street transforms into a full Bavarian block party with 65+ NC beer varieties, 30+ food trucks, 45+ local vendors, wiener dog races, and brass music.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 · Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Benson Mule Days

For 77 years, crowds have flocked to downtown Benson for this beloved annual festival celebrating mule culture with parades, food, entertainment, and small-town charm — all free.

Thursday, September 24 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · West Main Street, Downtown Benson, NC

Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival

A free three-day festival produced by PineCone and presented by PNC Bank celebrating bluegrass, Americana, folk, food trucks, and family-friendly entertainment across downtown Raleigh.

Wednesday, October 1 – Friday, October 3, 2026 · Downtown Raleigh

Sports

Carolina Hurricanes Season Opener vs. Florida Panthers

The Stanley Cup champion Canes hit the ice for their first home game of the season, defending the Loudest House in the NHL against the Florida Panthers.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 5:00 PM · Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh

Free Events

Give Like Dolly Day Book Drive

Celebrate Dolly Parton's commitment to childhood literacy by dropping off new or gently used children's books in downtown Raleigh to benefit kids in the community.

Friday, September 25, 2026 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh

Midtown Farmers' Market at North Hills

Now in its 16th season, this beloved Saturday market features 35+ local vendors with fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts, live music, and kids' activities.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · The Commons at North Hills, 4191 Main at North Hills Street, Raleigh

Raleigh Tamale Festival

Celebrate the rich traditions and diverse flavors of tamales from local vendors alongside live music, dancing, and community activities at Moore Square.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Moore Square, 201 South Blount Street, Raleigh

Spooky Hollow First Friday at Smoky Hollow

First Friday goes full Halloween at Smoky Hollow with exclusive business specials, free face-painting, free tarot readings, and fall festivities to kick off autumn in Downtown Raleigh.

Friday, October 2, 2026 · Smoky Hollow, Downtown Raleigh

Music & Nightlife

Bruce Bruce at Goodnights Comedy Club

Stand-up legend Bruce Bruce brings his high-energy show to Goodnights for a weekend run of performances.

Friday, September 25, 2026 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM · Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

Lil Wayne at Lenovo Center

Hip-hop icon Lil Wayne brings his tour to Raleigh's Lenovo Center for a sold-out weekend show.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 · Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh

SHE-nanigans at ComedyWorx

Unscripted, unexpected, and unforgettable — SHE-nanigans is an all-women improv comedy show at ComedyWorx.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 9:00 PM · ComedyWorx, Raleigh

Portal HQ Showcase: Rising Acts from Open Mic

Portal HQ presents a hand-picked lineup of rising local acts discovered through their open mic series, live at 3801 Hillsborough Street.

Sunday, September 27, 2026 · Portal HQ, 3801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

Pop-Up Music – Savanna Bassett at Midtown Park

Local artist Savanna Bassett plays a surprise acoustic afternoon set at Midtown Park as part of North Hills' 2026 Pop-Up Music series.

Sunday, September 27, 2026 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Midtown Park, 311 Park at N Hills St, Raleigh

Arts & Culture

Meaningful Laughs: A Comedy Show About Menopause

A comedy show tackling menopause with humor, candor, and community at Current Wellness in downtown Raleigh.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Nate Jackson: Big Dog Comedy Tour at Raleigh Improv

Rising comedian Nate Jackson brings his Big Dog Comedy Tour to the Raleigh Improv for a multi-night run through the weekend.

Thursday, September 24 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 · Raleigh Improv, Raleigh

Curtain Call From Beyond: Theatre Haunts & History Tours

Spooky guided tours through Raleigh Memorial Auditorium reveal the haunted history and theatrical legends of one of Raleigh's most storied venues.

Sunday, September 27 – Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Date Night

Witch, Please Halloween Pop-Up at Wye Hill

Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing transforms into an apothecary-inspired Halloween pop-up serving intoxicating elixirs and seasonal food specials through November 1st.

Friday, September 25, 2026 · Wye Hill, 201 S Boylan Ave, Downtown Raleigh

Flowers Cottage Coffee at Dix Park

A newly opened coffee spot inside Dorothea Dix Park offers sweeping views of the downtown Raleigh skyline alongside coffee, matcha, beer, wine, and mimosas.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 · Flowers Cottage, Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh

Dolly Parton Drag Brunch at Goodnights

A glittery, rhinestone-studded drag brunch celebrating the queen of country, Dolly Parton, at Goodnights Comedy Club.

Sunday, September 27, 2026 12:00 PM · Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

Outdoors & Active

Fall Into Rhythm Program at Current Wellness

A wellness program at Current Wellness designed to help participants establish healthy rhythms and routines as the fall season begins.

Sunday, September 27, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Wellness Wednesdays – JETSET Pilates at Midtown Park

The fall Wellness Wednesdays series continues with a JETSET Pilates class on the lawn at Midtown Park, open to all ages and fitness levels.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Midtown Park, North Hills, 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh

Food & Drink

Negroni Week in Raleigh

Over a dozen Raleigh restaurants and bars are pouring classic Negronis and specialty variations all week, with proceeds benefiting Slow Food International.

Sunday, September 21 – Saturday, September 27, 2026 · Various bars and restaurants, Raleigh

PUMPKIN SPICE & EVERYTHING NICE at Current Wellness

A fall-themed wellness culinary event celebrating all things pumpkin spice at Current Wellness in downtown Raleigh.

Friday, October 2, 2026 · Current Wellness, 219 S East St, Raleigh

Family-Friendly

Ice Cream Truck Rodeo

A fun-filled gathering of ice cream trucks rolls into Raleigh for a sweet community event worth saving room for.

Friday, September 25, 2026 · Raleigh, NC

ComedyWorx Matinee

An all-ages weekend afternoon improv show where two teams compete for points and your laughs at ComedyWorx.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 4:00 PM · ComedyWorx, Raleigh

First Friday at Get 2 Know Raleigh – Outdoor Movies & Market

A free First Friday event featuring outdoor movies, food trucks, a local artisans' market, live music, and free games for all ages.

Friday, October 2, 2026 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (market); 5:30 PM (live music) · Raleigh, NC

Movies in the Garden: Hocus Pocus at Raleigh Little Theatre

Grab your broomstick and head to RLT's Stephenson Amphitheatre for a spooky outdoor screening of Disney's 1993 classic Hocus Pocus.

Thursday, October 8, 2026 · Stephenson Amphitheatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh