Through 1/17 12×12 Member Showcase Get some color on those walls. Artspace’s fifth annual 12×12 Showcase gives creative connoisseurs a chance to shop over 200 works from Raleigh artists—all sized at 12”x12”. artspacenc.org
11/12–12/6 UniverSoul Circus The circus is in town. From gravity-defying acrobatics to electrifying dance and music acts, UniverSoul Circus brings a globe-spanning spectacle to Walnut Creek—audience participation encouraged. universoulcircus.com
11/13 Caitlyn Krisko & The Broadcast Introducing Southern rock’s leading lady. Krisko’s enchanting vocals collide with bluesy Southern rock for one helluva night. pourhouseraleigh.com
11/13 Shadowgrass Blink and you’ll miss a note. Shadowgrass sends bluegrass into overdrive with blistering strings and progressive Appalachian sound. lincolntheatre.com
11/13–14 Carolina Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker The Mouse King has clocked in. Clara, sugarplums and an army of young dancers kick off the holiday season at Fletcher Opera Theater. martinmariettacenter.com
11/13–14 How to Train Your Dragonin Concert Dragons soar across the sky—and across the big screen—while the NC Symphony performs John Powell’s epic score live at Meymandi Concert Hall. ncsymphony.org
11/13–15 A Vintage Noel Forget the gift receipt—go vintage. Hunt through 130+ vendors offering antiques, one-of-a-kind accessories, original art and festive finds at the NC State Fairgrounds. vintagemarketdays.com
11/14 Art Bash Forty and fabulous. Celebrate four decades of creativity at Art Bash 2026: Tomorrow, Imagined with gallery exhibitions, gourmet bites, interactive art and a live art bid. artspacenc.org
11/14 Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Thunder only happens when it’s raining. Fleetwood Mac tributes apparently happen by candlelight. Go your own way… to The Rialto for classics surrounded by a sea of flickering candles. feverup.com
11/13 The ComedyWorx Show A one-of-a-kind show—guaranteed. Two improv teams use audience suggestions to create scenes and compete for points… and your laughs. comedyworx.com
11/14 Fall Family Fun Day Leaf it to the little ones. Trade screen time for suncatchers and leaf rubbings during a free, hands-on afternoon of autumn-inspired fun at the City of Raleigh Museum. raleighnc.gov
11/14 NCSU vs. Syracuse 🏈 Red is the new orange. gopack.com
11/14 Orville Peck The mask stays on—the gloves, however… Country’s mysterious cowboy croons his way into hearts at The Ritz. livenation.com
11/14 The Cocktail Classic The party of the year is back for it’s fourth run. RM’s 10 Best Bartender noms show off their best creations during a spirited celebration of Raleigh’s cocktail scene at The Exchange—alongside exceptional Southern bites, DJ beats to set the vibe, and a front-row seat at one of two custom demo bars, where the pros will pour, talk and share the stories behind their spirited ’tails. cocktailclassicraleigh.com
11/14 Farewell Fiction Kitchen The last meal. Join Fiction Kitchen for its final night ever with a pay-what-you-can buffet, drinks, and DJs. @thefictionkitchen
11/14–15 Forest Park Art Walk Go ahead, be a nosy neighbor. Artists open their doors and turn Forest Park into a walkable weekend gallery. forestparkartwalk.com
11/15 Cocktails & Cuisine Class: Friendsgiving Leave the family drama for Thanksgiving. Shake up seasonal cocktails while snacking on holiday-ready bites with your chosen family during this hands-on Friendsgiving class. thewillardraleigh.com
11/15 Elvis: In Person A little less conversation, a little more Elvis, please. Matt Stone shakes, swivels and rocks his way through the King’s biggest hits at Martin Marietta Center. Thank you, thank you very much. martinmarietacenter.com
11/15 Theatre Raleigh Open Mic Night Are you the main character? Sing, act, tell a joke or simply watch Raleigh’s bravest take on the mic. theatreraleigh.com
11/16 WWE RAW Monday nights hit different in the ring. WWE superstars bring smack talk, rivalries and ringside chaos to the Lenny. lenovocenter.com
11/17 Tiny Habits Consider this one tiny habit worth picking up. The Boston trio stacks three dreamy voices into the kind of folk-pop harmonies that’ll make Lincoln Theatre feel downright heavenly. lincolntheatre.com
11/17–18 Humble Heart Bazaar Holiday shopping with some heart—found. Celebrate 75 years of giving back as you peruse holiday greenery, baked goods and seasonal goodies—with a silent auction benefiting local nonprofits to boot. my.onecause.com
11/18 Glow Disk Golf Who says the fun has to end after dark? Grab your glow-in-the-dark discs for a nighttime sesh at Forest Ridge Park. raleighnc.gov
11/18 Mindful Museum Your brain is loud enough. Lie back and let singing bowls do the talking during a restorative sound bath that takes art beyond the canvas. ncartmuseum.org
11/18 Turkey Ball Gobble till you wobble—and do some good. Every ticket purchase provides Thanksgiving turkeys and holiday meals for families in the community in need—and you still get to stuff your face. mulinoraleigh.com
Two local Halloween pop-up bars to get you in the ~spirits~
Spooky season is creeping into Raleigh early—and this year, it’s bringing better (boo)ze than the average cauldron punch. Two local cocktail haunts are going all in for the haunted holiday, from an apothecary dripping in herbs and candlelight to a nostalgia-fueled takeover straight out of the Halloween aisles of your childhood. Prepare to eat, drink and fall under the spell.
The Haunting
Call it a “Nightmare on North West Street”—the good kind. Killjoy is leaning all the way into over-the-top vintage decor, glowing jack-o’-lanterns and haunted-house nostalgia this Halloween as it becomes Raleigh’s only outpost for The Haunting, the inaugural Halloween pop-up from the team behind the beloved Miracle Christmas brand. Like an eerie ghost story or your favorite scary movie, the wonderfully strange environment immerses guests in a twisted realm of oddities, playful mischief and creepy secrets. The cocktails are also bewitchingly inventive: Scream-sicle mixes tequila, spiced vanilla, carrot-orange cordial and habanero, while Poison Apple layers Calvados and rye whiskey with bitter apple, sherry and miso. And for anyone who likes their booze with a little souvenir, the Pumpkin Payback shot comes with a collectible Haunting glass. Oct. 1–31, Killjoy, Glenwood South, killjoycocktail.com
Courtesy of Wye Hill
Witch, Please!
Something wicked this way comes as Wye Hill swaps its usual brewery scene for something far more spellbinding. The buzzy Boylan brewery’s first-ever Halloween pop-up, Witch, Please!, fills the taproom with flickering candles, dangling herbs, weathered spell books and ancient-apothecary energy. Behind the bar, ~spirited~ potions and elixirs get the full treatment—smoke, scorched herbs and dramatic flair included. So basically—witchy theater meets cocktail hour. Try the Wise Woman, a tequila-and-Strega concoction with cucumber, mint, lime and absinthe, or go darker with the rye whiskey- and pomegranate-laced Better Half of Hades. Even the glassware gets in costume, with specialty vessels adding to the theatrical pours, while seasonal bites complete the spell. Through Nov. 1, Wye Hill, Warehouse District, wyehill.com
Consider yourself booked and busy. As digital fatigue deepens and AI infiltrates our screen-saturated culture, the appetite for real-life connection has never been stronger. From major concerts and epic fests to theater, comedy, the arts and beyond, Raleigh’s calendar is stacked. Bookmark these bucket-list events through March 2027 worth clearing your cal for.
14 May Musts
1. CUP ACTION | NHL Playoffs Take warning: This is our year. Playoff hockey just hits different—loud, fast and a little feral. Post up in red and black, rally towel ready, as the Canes storm their way to the Stanley Cup. May, Lenovo Center
2. ROARING ’20S | The Great Gatsby Flappers, tap in. The Jazz Age roars to life Broadway-style with Champagne-soaked parties, art deco glam and drama only Gatsby can deliver. Dress the part if you dare. May 5–10, DPAC
3.HOG WILD | Gettin’ Piggy With It Ham it up for a good cause at this backyard-style bash with BBQ, drinks, music and no shortage of Southern charm—all to benefit the Frankie Lemmon School. May 17, Maywood Hall & Garden
4. HIP-HOP HOORAY | Pitbull + Lil Jon Yeah, yeah! Absolute millennial party nostalgia on lock with zero chill as Mr. Worldwide and the King of Crunk drop every thumping club anthem you screamed in 2010. Turn down for what?! May 19, Walnut Creek
5. KICK IT | The Soccer Tournament Brackets, drama and big-prize stakes. Kick back as pros, legends and underdog squads battle it out for a shot at $1 mill in the “most exciting and highest stakes” 7-on-7 soccer tourney on Earth. May 27–June 1, WakeMed Soccer Park
6. CRANK THAT | Soulja Boy “Crank That” walked so TikTok dances could run. The viral rap pioneer brings The Drip Tour to Raleigh with early internet era hits and full throwback swagger. May 6, Lincoln Theatre
7. ART ATTACK | Artsplosure Paint the town as Fayetteville Street transforms into Raleigh’s biggest open-air gallery—packed with artists, makers, live music and creative flair everywhere you turn. May 16–17, DTR
8. HOMEGROWN | Got to Be NC Festival It’s gotta be NC. Think barbecue, local brews, rides and live tunes as farmers, makers and chefs show up and show out with the best of the Tar Heel State. Stretchy pants recommended. May 15–17, NC State Fairgrounds
Courtesy of Hopscotch.com
Festival Flex
Brewgaloo Mood: Beer fest, Raleigh style—local brews, live tunes and a street party that runs on hops. April 24–25
Animazement Mood: Anime cosplay spectacle meets fan convention energy—three days of panels, gaming, art and fandom overload. May 22–24
Raleigh Film & Art Festival Mood: Indie flicks, experimental art and global storytelling collide via filmmakers, screenings and creative energy. October
Hopscotch Music Festival Mood: Indie music discovery on overload—club hopping, surprise sets and buzzy bands taking over DTR stages. September
Artsplosure Mood: Downtown-turned-massive outdoor gallery—juried artists, live music, street food and sunshine. May 16–17
Courtesy of Visit Raleigh
Out! Raleigh Pride
Courtesy of Koka Booth
Godfrey courtesy of Raleigh Improv
Randy Feltface by Dylan Woodley
8 June Calendar Locks
1. AFTER 5 ENERGY | Live After 5 Your out-of-office just wrote itself. Clock out and turn up: DTR’s free summer concert series is so back—bringing live bands, cold bevs and city streets turned open-air dance parties. Dates TBA, DTR
2. LOUD & PROUD | Out! Raleigh Pride Friday (and Saturday)—but make it gay. Bring the glitter—and the love—to drag up all the revelry via tunes, vendors, beer garden, oodles of pride and drag (natch) taking over DTR. You betta werk! June 26–27, Fayetteville Street
3. YOUNG, DUMB & BROKE | Khalid “It’s always summer somewhere”—especially at Red Hat with “lovely” tracks and throwbacks turning the night into a starlit sing-along. June 6, Red Hat Amphitheater
4. SKY CINEMA | NCMA Movies on the Lawn Series Blankets down, pinkies up. ’Tis the season for flicks on the lawn—from cult classics to crowd faves—aka the city’s most scenic theater under the stars. Dates & location TBA
5. PIANO MAN | The Music of Billy Joel, Summerfest It’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday… cue the full-throated “sing us a song!” as NC Symphony belts the Piano Man’s hits under the stars. June 27, Koka Booth
6. WAVING THROUGH A WINDOW | Dear Evan Hansen Pack the Kleenex—this one hits. The Broadway tearjerker unravels a story of anxiety, connection and finding your voice in the digital age. June 3–21, Theatre Raleigh
7 . FREEDOM FEST | Capital City Juneteenth Celebration Raleigh shows up big for this one. Let freedom ring with live beats, mobile bites, local makers and a whole lot of community pride celebrating Black culture and history. June 20, Dix Park
8. GO GOTH | Evanescence Wake me up inside! Early-2000s alt-rock drama drops full “Bring Me to Life” nostalgia and goth revival energy. Eyeliner optional—but strongly encouraged. June 17, Walnut Creek
Courtesy of Walnut Creek
Courtesy of Carter-Finley Stadium
10 Concerts Worth Queuing Up For
1. Paul Simon Vibe check: Hello darkness, my old friend. From “The Sound of Silence” to Graceland, Paul brings the poetry—fingerpicked guitars, quiet revelations and the kind of sly storytelling that makes an arena concert feel like an intimate campfire singalong. July 11, Walnut Creek
2. Wilco Vibe check: “California Stars” drifting through the DPAC rafters. Equal parts alt-country, art rock and Midwest melancholy, Jeff Tweedy and crew wander through their iconic indie catalog—striking a chord that’s both restless and right at home. July 11, DPAC
3. O.A.R. Vibe check: Everyone’s a star in this crazy game of poker. The jam-banders roll through three decades of feel-good anthems—joined by Gavin DeGraw and Lisa Loeb—for a nostalgia-packed summer night that hits just right. July 29, Red Hat Amp
4. Gladys Knight Vibe check: Powerhouse vocals drive that midnight train energy. The Empress of Soul delivers decades of timeless R&B—from “Midnight Train to Georgia” to “Neither One of Us”—one velvet note at a time, with a crowd hanging on every word. July 11, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
5. 5 Seconds of Summer Vibe check: Youngblood energy. The Aussie pop-rock hitmakers bring arena-size hooks, screaming fans and a Gen Z–meets–millennial crossover reliving its pop-rock era at full volume. Aug. 14, Walnut Creek
6. Noah Kahan Vibe check: Stick season—but make it stadium. The folk-pop breakout star of the decade brings his viral catalog to Carter-Finley—small-town feelings and heart-on-sleeve anthems built for sending you on a shouting bender. July 25, Carter-Finley Stadium
7. Phish Vibe check: Psychedelic summer unlocked. The quintessential jam-band returns with improvisational epics, devoted fans and the kind of sprawling live sets that turn one night into a full-blown experience. Lawn seats, glow sticks and good vibes included. July 17, Walnut Creek
8. Death Cab for Cutie Vibe check: Straight out of a melancholy indie 2000s flick, “I will follow you into the dark.” Soul meets body via dreamy guitars, poetic lyrics and peak sad-core nostalgia—aka the soundtrack of your feelings. July 22, Walnut Creek
9. Jack Johnson Vibe check: Casual goes concert mode. Think banana pancakes and breezy guitars under the summer stars as the laid-back surf-folker strums easygoing hits—barefoot-on-the-lawn vibes practically required. Aug. 22, Walnut Creek
10. Simple Plan Vibe check: Your high-school playlist, live. The pop-punk vets behind “Perfect” and “I’m Just a Kid” deliver pure Warped Tour nostalgia—and plenty of shout-along angst to fuel your inner pop-punk kid. Aug. 15, Red Hat Amp
Trophy Brewing
RM Media Sponsor Events Worth The Ticket
May 29 Filotimo Foundation Gala Black-tie vibes with a big heart. The Filotimo Foundation Gala’s sophomore installment takes over The Angus Barn Pavilion with its Fly Us to the Moon theme—serving cocktails, connection and a powerful mission: raising vital funds to support adults living with cystic fibrosis. filotimofoundation.org
June 6 Run for Love 5K Run proud. Party louder. Trophy Brewing and Runologie’s rainbow-splashed 5K kicks off Raleigh Pride with a scenic dash through Dix Park benefiting the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Finish hard, then party harder with DJs, food trucks, Trophy beer and a drag-show afterparty. trophybrewing.com/run-for-love
Oct. 11 Walk for Hope Raleigh rallies for research. Lace up for the Foundation of Hope’s 38th annual walk and festival at Angus Barn bringing the community together to support groundbreaking mental health research and treatment at UNC. walkforhope.com/events
November Trophy Trot Spoiler—we are the “run on Turkey Day” types—but, hey, we earn those T’giving carbs! Run, sip, repeat at Trophy Brewing’s festive annual race through Dix Park benefiting local charities—plus the real reward waiting at the finish line: Trophy beer and a post-run party. trophybrewing.com/trophy-trot
December Figgy Pudding Holiday spirit, amplified. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is still singing loud for all to hear—and this delightfully chaotic Moore Square caroling competition benefiting Wake Tech Community College is where the harmonies are big, the crowd is bigger and hot cocoa is practically mandatory. figgypuddingnc.org
Goodnights Comedy Club
NC State
9 September Standouts
1. Give Raleigh Philanthropy, but make it social. RaleighMag’s annual Give Raleigh campaign kicks off Sept. 1 with a launch party—followed by a month of pop-up happy hours across Raleigh’s Best Bars building buzz for the region’s biggest day of giving to help chip away at the housing crisis. September, giveraleigh.com
2. Hopscotch The city’s indie invasion. Hopscotch packs Raleigh’s clubs and stages with local standouts and national buzz bands for three days of genre-bending sets, late-night shows and sidewalk serendipity. September, DTR
3. NCSU vs. App State We were raised by the wolves. This down-home gridiron clash pits the Pack against the Mountaineers in a high-energy in-state battle of the ages that always brings the house down—tailgates, tension and bragging rights included. Sept. 26, Carter-Finley
4. Jaipur Literature Festival Book lovers, rejoice. The globally renowned lit fest lands in the Triangle with a caravan of thinkers, poets, storytellers and raconteurs for two days of big ideas, bold conversations and literary magic. Sept. 11–13, Meredith College + additional venues TBA
5. African American Cultural Festival DTR turns up the culture. One of the Southeast’s largest celebrations of Black art, music and heritage takes over the city core with live performances, art, food, family fun—and even puppetry. Sept. 5–6, DTR
6. BugFest Raleigh’s weirdest science party. Meet hissing cockroaches, post up for Stag Beetle Battles, cheer on the Roachingham 500 and explore 100+ exhibits celebrating the tiny creatures that keep our ecosystem buzzing. Yes, it’s creepy. Yes, it’s cool. Sept. 19, NCMNS
7. Hairspray You can’t stop the beat. Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of the beloved musical comedy brings Tracy Turnblad’s big dreams, bigger hair and irresistible ’60s soundtrack to the stage in this feel-good Broadway favorite. Aug. 28–Sept. 20, Cantey V. Sutton Theatre
8. Sommore The Queen holds court. Comedy legend Sommore—of The Queens of Comedy fame—brings her razor-sharp stand-up and fearless takes on life, love and relationships to Goodnights for a night of big laughs and bigger attitude. September, Goodnights Comedy Club
9. Fall Modapalooza Bus Tour Architecture nerds, assemble. This all-day NC Modernist tour whisks design lovers across Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough to peek inside eight stunning private modernist homes—complete with coffee, lunch, snacks and a fleet of comfy buses. Basically a midcentury dream day. Sept. 19, house selections TBA
Courtesy of bandtogethernc.org
6 October Obsessions
Sure, the NC State Fair (Oct. 15–25) has rides, livestock and fried everything. But October’s cultural calendar runs deeper. Here are five events worth leaving the midway for.
1. Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival Bluegrass is so back. IBMA’s new fest fills Fayetteville Street with six stages of pickin’, fiddlin’ and foot-stompin’ sets from local legends and national acts—all free, all Downtown—plus a Kickoff Celebration at The Corner outdoor space at NC State’s Centennial Campus with music and food trucks. Oct. 1–3, DTR
2. Evil Dead: The Musical Groovy. And gory. This campy cult-classic horror spoof brings chainsaws, singing zombies and buckets of fake blood to Theatre in the Park—where front-row seats double as the infamous “splatter zone.” Oct. 1–4 & 8–11
3. Art for Hope Art with heart. This inspiring evening pairs powerful artwork with a powerful mission—raising funds to find a cure for pediatric cancer research while celebrating the resilience of the kids and families fighting it. Oct. 1, The Maxwell
4. Carmen Opera’s ultimate femme fatale. Bizet’s fiery classic brings smoldering drama, unforgettable melodies and one of opera’s most iconic heroines—and the passions around her. Oct. 16 & 18, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
5. Moon Over Modernism Modernist magic, after dark. NCModernist’s annual benefit opens the doors to a stunning private home for cocktails, architecture and design lovers gathering under the moonlight to celebrate Raleigh’s modernist legacy. Oct. 17, location TBA
6. Band Together Band Together’s 25th anny celebration promises to be its biggest bash yet with summer shows, national acts and a blowout Oct. 10 Mighty Giveback concert—proof that live music and community impact still make the perfect duet.
The Ritz
Lincoln Theatre
In The House
When the outdoor stages go quiet, Raleigh’s indoor venues keep the amps cranked. From indie darlings to touring heavyweights, these rooms prove concert season doesn’t end—it just moves inside.
The Ritz Big room, big sound. The Ritz pulls in national touring acts across rock, hip-hop and electronic—think packed floors, booming speakers and the kind of crowd energy that turns weeknight shows into full-on mini fests.
Lincoln Theatre Historic bones, modern volume. Lincoln Theatre’s balcony views and tight crowd energy make it one of Raleigh’s most beloved stages, hosting everything from indie rock and punk to throwback tours and hip-hop legends.
The Pour House Where the jam bands live. Pulling in Americana, funk and psychedelic acts alongside local favorites, The Pour House pairs sweaty dance-floor sets downstairs with a record shop upstairs for crate-digging between shows.
Kings + Neptunes Indie cool central. Eclectic lineups span garage rock, experimental pop and underground punk at Kings, while basement bar Neptunes keeps the subterranean party going with late-night DJs and dance floors packed past midnight.
Joshua Dwight
Holiday Hits
NOVEMBER | DOWNTOWN TREE LIGHTING Consider the halls officially decked. Downtown flips the switch on its towering holiday tree, launching the season with twinkling lights, music, vendors, food trucks—basically full-on festive energy. DTR, location TBD
NOVEMBER | RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE Santa’s warm-up lap. Marching bands, giant balloons and candy flying through the air—Raleigh’s perennial holiday parade returns with festive floats, bundled-up crowds and enough cheer to make even the Grinch crack a smile. DTR
NOV. 27–28 | CIRQUE HOLIDAY POPS Peak holiday spirit. Acrobats meet orchestra as the NC Symphony pairs seasonal classics with jaw-dropping cirque-style performances—equal parts holiday concert and gravity-defying spectacle. Meymandi Concert Hall
December | A CHRISTMAS CAROL Bah, humbug—until it isn’t. Theatre in the Park’s punny Raleigh tradition returns with Dickens’ ghost-filled redemption story, Victorian costumes and enough holiday spirit to thaw even Scrooge. Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
DEC. 10–24 | THE NUTCRACKER Enter the Sugarplum era. Sweet dreams take flight as Carolina Ballet’s lavish holiday production brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, dazzling costumes and magical storytelling to the stage in Raleigh’s quintessential December tradition. Land of Sweets optional, holiday magic guaranteed. Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Cocktail Classic Courtesy of
Courtesy of Kevinnealon.com
8 Winter Worth-Its
1. THE MIX MASTER | The Cocktail Classic Raleigh’s Best Bartender nominees—one spirited showdown. Raleigh Mag’s annual party of the year brings the city’s top ’tenders and top-shelf labels together for a night of craft cocktails, elevated bites and friendly competition—with bragging rights very much on the line. Nov. 14, cocktailclassicraleigh.com
2. CAMPY CHAOS | Death Becomes Her The cult-classic dark comedy gets the Broadway treatment—immortality potions, glamorous feuds and over-the-top spectacle included. It’s fabulously twisted fun for theater lovers who prefer their musicals with a wicked sense of humor. Nov. 10–15, DPAC
3. INDIE COMEDY GOLD | Kyle Kinane Comedy nerds, you know. The gravel-voiced stand-up favorite delivers sharp, scruffy storytelling and existential absurdity that’s earned him cult status among comedy fans. Nov. 12–14, Goodnights Comedy Club
4. LEGEND STATUS | Kevin Nealon Dry wit, perfect timing. The longtime SNL cast member and Weeds scene-stealer brings decades of laid-back observational comedy to Raleigh—proof that complaining about getting older can still be hilarious. Nov. 20–22, Goodnights Comedy Club
5. UNFILTERED GENIUS | Maria Bamford Comedy’s lovable oddball. Bamford’s singular stand-up mixes absurd characters, fearless honesty and gloriously weird storytelling—equal parts hilarious and disarmingly real. Expect the unexpected. Dec. 5, Carolina Theatre
6. DRAGONS LIVE | How to Train Your Dragon Toothless takes flight. The NC Symphony performs John Powell’s soaring score live alongside the beloved animated adventure—turning Berk’s dragon-filled world into an epic big screen-meets-orchestra experience. Nov. 13–14, Meymandi Concert Hall
7. BALLET GLAM | Jewels All sparkle, no story necessary. Carolina Ballet stages Balanchine’s dazzling triptych—three distinct acts inspired by emeralds, rubies and diamonds, each showcasing a different style of classical dance. Nov. 19–22, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
8. DIVA DRAMA | The Bodyguard And I… will always love this musical. Whitney Houston’s iconic hits power this romantic stage adaptation packed with big vocals, big drama and the ultimate power ballad finale. Dec. 8–13, DPAC
Art In Bloom Courtesy of NCMA
Courtesy of Triff/shutterstock.com
Courtesy of DPAC
8 2027 Culture Cravings
1. Art in Bloom Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking indeed—as NC Museum of Art’s cult-fave spring tradition tasks florists with transforming galleries into fragrant, color-soaked interpretations of artworks on view, turning the museum into Raleigh’s most photogenic mashup of petals and paint. March, NCMA
2. Giselle Ballet’s ultimate ghost story returns. Carolina Ballet stages the haunting romantic classic of love, betrayal and supernatural spirits swirling through moonlit forests and heartbreak—proof that some love stories, much like great choreography, never die.Feb. 4–14, Fletcher Opera Theater
3. The Little Mermaid Part of your world… but make it ballet. Carolina Ballet dives under the sea with Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale, transforming Ariel’s longing, adventure and romance into a sweeping dance spectacle with shimmering choreography. March 4–21, Fletcher Opera Theater
4. Wicked Glinda walked so Elphaba could fly—and so much happened before Dorothy dropped in all tornadic style. Broadway’s blockbuster returns with gravity-defying songs, jaw-dropping spectacle and the untold story behind Oz’s most unlikely friendship. March 31–April 18, DPAC
5. Gee’s Bend Art and activism intersect. Burning Coal’s repertory revival draws inspiration from the legendary Gee’s Bend quiltmakers—an evening of Southern history, creativity and resilience stitched together onstage. Feb. 4–21, Burning Coal Theatre
6. Turandot Consider it opera’s ultimate “can you solve my riddles?” moment. Puccini’s ruthless ice princess executes suitors who fail her tests—until one fearless stranger dares to prevail—set to sweeping drama and the immortal aria “Nessun Dorma.” Feb. 5 & 7, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
7. Astronomy Days Eyes to the skies. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences turns its gaze skyward as scientists, telescopes and hands-on activities invite exploration of galaxies far, far away—no lightsaber required. Feb. 6–7 (tentative), NCMNS
8. Frozen Tales & Enchanted Trails Let it go into a world of snow-dusted magic and legendary quests. The NC Symphony brings music from Frozen, The Lord of the Rings and Narnia to life in a fantasy-packed concert spanning icy kingdoms, enchanted forests and epic adventures. Jan. 2, Meymandi Concert Hall
Game night gets a glow-up via local live game show experience.
All those nights spent bingeing classic TV game shows may finally pay off. While you might not actually make it on the big screen, a new-ish local concept gives you the chance to battle it out with your peers and flex your wealth of random facts in real time. Enter Raleigh Game Show, the city’s first and only live interactive game show experience, which hit the buzzer in Falls Village Shopping Center in mid-November.
Launched by Raleigh lifer and financial planner Caroline Vinson and husband Jeff, the fam-run, fam-friendly venture took shape after the couple first encountered the concept while visiting friends who hit the jackpot with a proof-of-concept location in Fort Wayne, Indiana—modeled after a national franchise with buzzer-beating potential.
Half-serious jokes about starting their own game show experience became real plans after Jeff’s career change in April 2024, pushing the couple to open a brick-and-mortar. “There’s something special about not just owning your own business,” says Caroline, “but a business that makes people laugh and have a good time together.”
Raising the stakes on your typical night out, Raleigh Game Show combines trivia, puzzles and physical challenges modeled after crowd faves like Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, and Deal or No Deal.
Featuring 10 glowing podiums—neon accents and all—plus a live host to amp up the entertainment, the space is perfect for competing with friends or showing up strangers for authentic Family Feud-level fun. On any given day, you’ll likely find Caroline working the bar, Jeff hosting the show, and their kids playing behind the scenes.
“It’s important to us that they see the effort we put into serving our community, to serving our family, so that one day when it’s really paying off, they know it wasn’t just by happenstance,” says Caroline—“it was with a lot of effort.”
As for what’s next? Their sights are set on taking the game show on the road, with hopes to go mobile—and eventually set up another location in or around Raleigh.
“We’re selling fun, we’re selling community, we’re selling laughs—and to me, I can’t think of anything better to sell than that,” emphasizes Caroline. Survey says… let the games begin! raleighgameshow.com
Lace up for a race in the name of cystic fibrosis.
If you don’t know Raleigh philanthropist Pete Proimos personally, you definitely know someone who does—or someone who knows someone who does. That’s according to Lewis Lovell, a captain in the Raleigh Fire Department, and Nemanja Savic, former pro golfer turned teacher.
Come December, Lovell and Savic are showing up for Proimos in a big way, running 104.8 miles to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, a disease Proimos both battles and raises awareness for.
Running four marathons in four days clearly isn’t for everyone, but the community can still support the cause by lacing up for the Lung Run, a fun run chasing a brighter future for CF patients Dec. 14 at Fenton.
Three years ago, Proimos took on a heartfelt venture and founded the Filotimo Foundation, a nonprofit raising awareness and providing resources for people with cystic fibrosis. Named after a kindness-forward Greek philosophy, the foundation revolves around an MO to do what is right, compassionate and generous—no strings attached. Proimos kept his CF diagnosis a secret for most of his life, but a few years into the project, he stopped hiding.
The day Proimos revealed his diagnosis, Savic said he knew something was up. “I don’t think he could have held it in any longer,” reminisces Savic. “We sat down and he said, ‘Okay, so, I’m sick.’”
Around the same time, Lovell and Savic were looking for their next physical challenge. They’d been running together for over a decade—first neighborhood jogs, then full-on marathons. With social media runners as their inspo, they landed on a bold idea: run 100 miles in marathon-sized chunks.
Enter the aforementioned Lung Run, the Filotimo Foundation’s second major event. From Dec. 10–14, Lovell and Savic will tackle a marathon a day, finishing strong with a fun run where locals can hop in for laps—and earn swag along the way. Afterward, the foundation is throwing down in Fenton, with food and drinks, vendors, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus and company.
While raising awareness remains top priority, Lovell has a more personal stake going into the Lung Run—to show support for his friend. “At the end of it, Proimos feels like we’re right behind him, that we’re fighting alongside him,” remarks Lovell. Even before race day, the Lung Run is making waves, as partners in Detroit and virtual teams across the country gear up for their own solidarity runs. So strap on your running shoes and gear up to take a lap for CF. filotimofoundation.org
