The “Working Class Zero” and internet sensation (also appearing on Mall Cop 2!) delivers his laundry list of peeves with a pace that’s “frenetic and holds no hostages.” improv.com
8/8–9 Five Points Short FilmFest
Put your inner film critic into action (!) by supporting Raleigh filmmakers and enjoying feature (short) flicks of all genres at The Rialto’s first-ever short-film fest. Be sure to snag some popcorn! @fivepointsshortfilmfest
8/8–11 Corteo
We aren’t clowning around here. Brought to you by the folks at Cirque du Soleil, this enchanting arena show takes you on a parade with a nostalgic clown as he juggles humanity. pncarena.com
8/8–15 OutSouth Queer Film Festival
Get loud and proud for a diverse array of shorts, documentaries and feature films—including the world premiere of Lovell Holder’s Lavender Men—at the second-largest LGBTQ+ film fest in the Southeast. carolinatheatre.org
Be serenaded by the transformational speaker and musician as he performs to benefit suicide prevention event Ignite the SPARK. facraleigh.org
8/10 Geek and Grub Night Market
Dig up your best cosplay and get ready to geek out on all things anime and Japanese pop culture with food trucks, vendors and nonalcoholic bevvys. downtownraleigh.org
8/10 Maren Morris
Meet this Grammy award-winning country gal in “the middle” for her RSVP Redux Tour at The Ritz. livenation.com
8/10 Summerween Celebration
Spooky szn came early this year. Creep it real with watermelon carving, Halloween movies (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetleju…) and spooky-themed snacks. Be sure to come in spirit and wear your fave costume. facebook.com
8/11 John Legend
All of me… wants to be in attendance at this swoonworthy crooner’s (and 12-time Grammy winner, nbd) solo performance feat. songs and stories. boothamphitheatre.com
8/11 Lucky Daye
It’s your, ahem, lucky day! Catch this Grammy award-winning R&B star during his Algorithm Tour stop at The Ritz. luckydaye.com
8/13 The Morning Grind
The grind never stops for Lindsay Wrege, co-founder of 321 Coffee. Tune in for a chat centered around inclusion, innovation and impact on NC State’s Centennial Campus. 321coffee.com
8/14 A Tribute to ABBA
Calling all dancing queens (and kings)! Bop along to a closest-to-the-real-thing tribute concert to everyone’s fave Swedish supergroup. Here we go again… martinmariettacenter.com
8/14 Beer and Banjos
Soak up Appalachian summer vibes with the twangin’ and tappin’ sounds of regional roots music and some local brews. pinecone.org
Staycation all I ever wanted! Sometimes the best getaway is a staycay. Save the gas and skip that kid kicking your seat on the plane in lieu of an OOO flex at some of the best hotels around (we see you Michelin-certified The Longleaf Hotel!). We rest our (suit)case.
Here, a dozen unrivaled must-do’s to build a staycay around during the 12 weeks of summer. We rest our (suit)case.
Dueling Dinosaurs Channel your inner Ross Geller and ~pivot~ your staycay around this epic exhibit 67 years in the making digging into the world’s duo of fave dinos. Free, ongoing, naturalsciences.org
Jaguar Bolera The long-anticipated adult playground will no doubt have you making moves like jaguar over to Raleigh Iron Works to balance Top Chef eats and a roster of duckpin bowling, darts, karaoke and more. Daily, jaguarbolera.com
Rooftop Tour Alexa, play “Rooftops” by Wiz Khalifa. … Get high in the best way by rooftop hopping across Raleigh’s elevated roster—from La Terrazza and The Willard to 10th & Terrace and beyond.
Spark Golf Happy Hour If you’re lookin’ to ~par-tee~, swing into Spark Golf—the hot new all-skill-level happy hour activity teeing up across the Triangle on the daily sans the country club membership. Ongoing, spark.golf
Food Truck Rodeo Summer fitness? More like ~fitness~ as much food in your mouth (!) via a scad of savory and sweet food trucks (and trailers!) on Fayetteville Street. Stretchy pants encouraged. Free, Aug. 25, shoplocalraleigh.org
Sarah Sherman “What, are you obsessed with me?” You will be as SNL’s quirky “Sarah Squirm” promises to make your eyes bug out as she brings her body horror comedy live. July 18–20, goodnightscomedy.com
Live After 5 Live After 5 is in her queen era (!)…. And you’re gonna wanna “kiss beneath the milky twilight… out on the moonlit floor” as ’90s alt queens Sixpence None the Richer light up the night live—NTM a roster of artists tribute-ing legends from T. Swift to the Queen of Country Dolly Parton herself. Summer lovin’ indeed. Free, July 31 & Aug. 28, downtownraleigh.org
NCSU Home Opener There’s always next this year. The Pack is BACK at Carter-Finley to cripple the Catamounts in their campaign to finally reach champ status. Aug. 29, gopack.com
Opera under the stars NCMA Skip the flight and ~rome~ to NCMA’s Museum Park for a breathtaking backdrop serving the soaring arias and enchanting melodies of opera’s most memorable masterpieces. It’s giving Italian coliseum vibes—and, baby, we’ll be counting stars. Sept. 12, ncopera.org
Bull Durham, A New Musical If you’re all about that base, prop up for this new musical bringing the Academy Award-winning classic back home (fun fact: Scenes from the film were shot at Mitch’s Tavern). Sept. 10–22, theatreraleigh.com
Hopscotch Music Festival Oh, hoppy day(s)! Venture Downtown for a rhythmic romp of jams at City Plaza and Moore Square stages—plus late-night sets, comedy shows, day parties, local vendors and more. Sept. 5–7, hopscotchmusicfest.com
