The cast of events surrounding the Stadium Series is arguably the biggest weeklong celebration Raleigh has ever orchestrated. Whether you’re a diehard fan with tickets to the big game or don’t know what the penalty box is—there’s something for everyone. From fam-friendly FREE events to all-star ticketed games to drone shows, concerts and big-time hoops matchups, you’re gonna want to dig into our exclusive day-by-day downloadable Stadium Series Guide (presented by Charles & Colvard)—complete with deets on times, locations, features and more. Subscribe by Feb. 6 to receive the print issue to your door, featuring a must-have handy tear-out version. Also be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter, where we will continue to share updated content and news on the Series, and check back here frequently for updates. And, of course, follow us on Insta (@raleighmagazine) for up-to-the-minute news you can use.
The fan-fave fest promises to be lit again this year. Stroll 40+ awe-inspiring Chinese lantern displays and stay for the captivating cultural performances nightly. Glow on! boothamphitheatre.com
Through 1/14 Illuminate Art Walk
See DTR lit up (literally!) for the holiday season as you stroll parts of Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South taking in large-scale interactive and light-based art pieces. … And not to be missed is the new centerpiece exhibit, Sonic Runway, a special installation with the ability to convert audio into light patterns shooting down a long corridor of arches (!). #ItsLit. downtownraleigh.org
Through 1/16 THE RINK
“We’ll go ice skating; then eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can; then we’ll snuggle.” ’Tis the season to live it up like Buddy the Elf at Raleigh’s festive Rockefeller-esque ice skating rink at Red Hat. redhatamphitheater.com
1/5 Hurricanes v. Predators
Take warning, Predators… this is Canes country. nhl.com
1/6 Winter Full Moon Walk
Enjoy a moonlit walk through NCMA’s Museum Park as a guide helps you experience nature and art in the dark. Prepare to be over the moon! ncartmuseum.org
1/6–7 Donnell Rawlings
It’s getting down to “the wire” with actor, comedian and podcast host Donnell Rawlings taking the stage at Goodnights for two nights of livin’, laughin’ and lovin’ life. goodnightscomedy.com
1/6–7 Erica Rhodes
Actress, writer and comedian Erica Rhodes (Modern Family, New Girl,Veep) is back at Goodnights to tease 20-year-olds, tell personal stories and more. Watch out, millennials. goodnightscomedy.com
1/7 Running Outside the Lines for Make-A-Wish
If a jog is a wish your heart makes, grab your running shoes and run outside the lines for this 5K supporting kids with critical illnesses and their families. Run, run as fast as you can! runsignup.com
1/10, ongoing Bands at Brookside: James Vicari
Drink in cold brews and live jams at Brookside Bodega’s recurring music event. … Time to play at the patio! brooksidebodega.com
1/11 Stargazing at The Willard
Calling all super stars! Gaze at Jupiter, Mars and the constellation of Orion with the Raleigh Astronomy Club while sipping celestial-inspired cocktails. Sounds over the moon! thewillardraleigh.com
1/11 Taylor Swift Trivia
If you think you know T. Swift all too well, make your way to Chubby’s Tacos for some Swiftie trivia—from song titles and lyrics to facts about the singer herself. You’re gonna wanna stay up til midnight to study… chubbystacos.com
Through 1/1 St. Nick’s: Raleigh Jolly Pop-Up House
There’s snow place like St. Nick’s for the holidays! This decked-out Christmas pop-up bar features holiday decor galore, themed rooms, spirited cocktails, treats and a Grinch bus outside. Read: Plenty of photo opps for the ’Gram! Also don’t miss live music, DJs and comedy shows on select nights! stnicksnc.com
Through 1/8 NC Chinese Lantern Festival
The fan-fave fest promises to be lit again this year. Stroll 40+ awe-inspiring Chinese lantern displays and stay for the captivating cultural performances nightly. Glow on! boothamphitheatre.com
Through 1/14 Illuminate Art Walk
See DTR lit up (literally!) for the holiday season as you stroll parts of Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South taking in large-scale interactive and light-based art pieces. … And not to be missed is the new centerpiece exhibit, Sonic Runway, a special installation with the ability to convert audio into light patterns shooting down a long corridor of arches (!). #ItsLit. downtownraleigh.org
Through 1/16 THE RINK
“We’ll go ice skating; then eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can; then we’ll snuggle.” ’Tis the season to live it up like Buddy the Elf at Raleigh’s festive Rockefeller-esque ice skating rink at Red Hat. redhatamphitheater.com
12/29–31 Dusty Slay
You can take the boy out of the trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer park out of the boy (see Slay’s signature trucker hat). Watch as this down- home comedian riles up audiences with his jokes on growing up poor, waiting tables and more. improv.com
12/31 Adam Cayton-Holland
Ring in the New Year with national headliner Cayton-Holland, named one of Variety Magazine’s “10 comics to watch,” at Goodnights Comedy. And for “those who can’t”… you’re missing out. goodnightscomedy.com
12/31 Marcus King
Belt out tunes from singer, songwriter and guitarist Marcus King as the clock strikes midnight at The Ritz.livenation.com
12/31 New Year’s Eve
We rounded up 11 New Year’s Eve celebrations at bars/restaurants throughout Raleigh (and beyond!) that are worth toasting 2023 at. See our list here. Cheers to the new year!
1/4 NC State v. Duke
Go Devils… straight back to Durham with an L. gopack.com
Spreading holiday cheer in a North Pole-inspired igloo in Fenton is the jolly ol’ man himself—aka our favorite Santa, JD Thomas. Snap a pic with the man in red for a happy holiday mem to hold onto. … “There’s room for everyone on the nice list!” fentonnc.com
Through 12/30 Magic of Lights
Baby it’s cold outside, so stay warm in the comfort of your car as you wind through a mile of light displays at Walnut Creek. magicoflights.com
Through 12/30 Miracle at The Haymaker
Rock around the Christmas decor at The Haymaker’s annual holiday pop-up bar—and nab naughty (or nice!) cocktails to cheers to the holiday season. Deck the halls, indeed! thehaymakerraleigh.com
Through 1/1 St. Nick’s: Raleigh Jolly Pop-Up House
There’s snow place like St. Nick’s for the holidays! This decked-out Christmas pop-up bar features holiday decor galore, themed rooms, spirited cocktails, treats and a Grinch bus outside. Read: Plenty of photo opps for the ’Gram! Also don’t miss live music, DJs and comedy shows on select nights! stnicksnc.com
Through 1/8 NC Chinese Lantern Festival
The fan-fave fest promises to be lit again this year. Stroll 40+ awe-inspiring Chinese lantern displays and stay for the captivating cultural performances nightly. Glow on! boothamphitheatre.com
Through 1/14 Illuminate Art Walk
See DTR lit up (literally!) for the holiday season as you stroll parts of Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South taking in large-scale interactive and light-based art pieces. … And not to be missed is the new centerpiece exhibit, Sonic Runway, a special installation with the ability to convert audio into light patterns shooting down a long corridor of arches (!). #ItsLit. downtownraleigh.org
Through 1/16 THE RINK
“We’ll go ice skating; then eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can; then we’ll snuggle.” ’Tis the season to live it up like Buddy the Elf at Raleigh’s festive Rockefeller-esque ice skating rink at Red Hat. redhatamphitheater.com
12/22 Cream Cabaret Deco Ball
Flashback to the glitz and glam of the Roaring ’20s—and the secrecy of the prohibition era, of course—at Watts & Ward’s burlesque and live jazz soiree. Sounds like it’ll be the bees knees! wattsandward.com
12/22 NC State v. Louisville
All we want for Christmas is a Wolfpack win. gopack.com
12/22–23 Jourdain Fisher
Born-and-raised NCer (now based in NY) Jourdain Fisher is bringing his quick wit and social observations back home to the Improv stage for a weekend of stand-up sillies. improv.com
12/23
Hurricanes v. Flyers
Watch the Canes as they send Philly flying. nhl.com
12/23 Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
Everyone loves an excuse to wear an ugly Christmas sweater, so dig yours out of your closet and join Killjoy for a Christmas Eve-Eve party feat. music by Uncool Kev and spirited drinks, natch. killjoycocktail.com
12/27 Hurricanes v. Blackhawks
Cheer on the Canes as they send the Hawks squawking back to Chicago. nhl.com
Raleigh is getting its first hydroponic community garden.
A local restaurateur and his father are soon going to be able to increase food production in one area of Raleigh from 500 to 32,000 pounds (!)—and they don’t even have to use any dirt to do so. Enter Raleigh’s first indoor year-round vertical hydroponic community garden, which breaks ground today, Dec. 20.
A partnership between DTR-headquartered Green Blue Marketplace, founded by Oak City Fish and Chips owner Isaac B. Horton IV and his father, Dr. Isaac B. Horton III; and Passage Home, which works to break the cycle of poverty in Wake County, the Green Blue Community Garden will provide affordable, healthy, nutrient-rich food for all communities in Raleigh.
“This partnership will provide more than just an interesting new way to grow food,” says Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, “it will bring opportunities that will have a far-reaching impact on people’s lives—starting in Southeast Raleigh.”
The garden comes after the Green Blue Marketplace—nee 2021—developed an ag and health tech platform to produce toxic-free, nutrient-fresh and secure food following six years of research in hydroponics, health and wellness.
Research done by the Hortons found that key nutrients in fruits and vegetables can leave the plant in only three days. By producing hydroponic food right here in Raleigh, the community garden will provide the community with the most nutrient-dense fresh produce before the nutrient index is compromised.
“This is a major advance in nutrition and food security for people in Raleigh,” says Dr. Philip Brown, past president of the North Carolina Medical Society. “I look forward to scaling across NC as we use the objective of fresh food as medicine to create new levels of health in our state.” And this is just the beginning of Raleigh becoming a Green (Blue) City.
