30 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week, Nov. 5–11
Through 11/8
Dracula
Sink your teeth into Theatre Raleigh’s Comedy of Terrors, during which Bram Stoker’s bloodsucker gets a ridiculous makeover. … And the stakes have never been higher. theatreraleigh.com
Through 11/8
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Talk about main-character energy. Hamlet’s perpetually sidelined duo finally takes center stage in this fast-talking comedy packed with royalty, pirates and rapid-fire wordplay. raleighlittletheatre.org
11/5–7
Blair Socci
Prepare to cackle about dating dictators, social absurdities and her own eccentric observations over three nights of stomach-clutching stand-up. goodnightscomedy.com
11/5–7, 13–14, 20–21
Moonlight in the Garden
The JC Raulston Arboretum is getting a garden glow-up. See the plant collection in a whole new light as thousands of lights illuminate the grounds after dark—and don’t sleep on the s’mores, food trucks and live music. jcra.ncsu.edu
11/6
A Celebration of Diwali
Diwali deserves more than a little sparkle. Music, dance, art and cultural traditions fill the NCMA for a luminous Festival of Lights celebration. ncartmuseum.org
11/6
Día de Los Muertos
Honor the lives and legacies of loved ones through traditional Mexican dance, poetry and an altar celebrating the artist behind the iconic calaveras José Guadalupe Posada. raleighnc.gov
11/6
First Friday Market and Movie
You’re in for a fantastic Friday, Mr. Fox. Shop the First Friday market and grab a bite from a food truck before settling in for an outdoor movie under the stars at Moore Square. raleighnc.gov
11/6
Nightrain
Oh, sweet child of mine, take yourself to Lincoln Theatre for a rockin’ night of Guns N’ Roses tribute hits. lincolntheatre.com
11/6
Perceiving Otherwise
Real or fake? Transdisciplinary artist Nancy Baker Cahill blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds via a brain-bending talk. ncartmuseum.org
11/6–7
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Bring on the drama. The NC Symphony unleashes the soaring melodies and full-force emotion of Tchaikovsky at Meymandi Concert Hall. ncsymphony.org
11/6–2/7
Skate the Square
The coolest spot in Cary just got colder. Fenton Square opens its seasonal outdoor skating rink for 75-minute spins on the ice, with skate rentals and winter fun included. fentonnc.com
11/7
Canes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Canes blow the Blackhawks back to Windy City. lenovocenter.com
11/7
Fall Arts Fair
Your next conversation piece awaits. Hunt through 60 tents of pottery, paintings, jewelry, prints and more at Fred Fletcher Park. raleighnc.gov
11/7
Grounded Opening Celebration
Some art goes in frames—this art is everywhere. Step into an immersive world of delicate tissue paper and Carolina red clay as Maya Freelon explores memory, resilience and the meaning of sanctuary. calendar.ncsu.edu
11/7
Mountain Grass Unit
The ~mountains~ are calling. Let the strings fly with lightning-fast bluegrass, jam-band sounds and Southern swagger. lincolntheatre.com
11/7
NCSU vs. Duke 🏈
Those Blue Devils are seeing red. gopack.com
11/7
Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo
One lunch, dozens of possibilities. Come hungry as a fleet of food trucks takes over Fayetteville Street. shoplocalraleigh.org
11/7
Rawleigh Oyster Fest
The coast is coming to Raleigh as five oyster chefs, four pit masters and six NC oyster farms team up for an afternoon collab of smokin’ and shuckin’ at Raleigh Iron Works. tickettailor.com
11/7
Vaultboy
Has heartbreak always been this catchy? The viral singer-songwriter turns sad-boy thoughts into sing-along hits. kingsraleigh.com
11/7–8
DC Young Fly
Front row? Brave choice. The Wild ’n Out favorite, actor, producer and musician hits the Improv stage to roast, impress and work the crowd—without a filter. improv.com
11/7–8
DIY/Punk Rock Flea Market
Have a pre-holiday meltdown (in the best way) via ~weird~ vendors selling everything from local gifts and art to records—coffee, beer and snacks for sale as well. rebusworks.us
11/7–8
Fall Train Show
All aboard! Locomotive loot takes over the NC State Fairgrounds with 500+ tables of model railroading, 16 operating layouts, displays, judging and more. nmra.org
11/8
Funkraiser
We like our philanthropy with some funk on top. Trade your Sunday best for dancing shoes as the Holt Brothers Foundation throws a feel-good fundraiser benefiting children whose families are facing cancer. holtbrothersfoundation.org
11/8
Modern Calligraphy & Place Card Lettering
They aren’t teaching calligraphy anymore, who? Put a little flourish into your fall hosting as Sip & Script takes over Flour & Barrel for beginner-friendly calligraphy lessons set to impress your holiday crowd. sipandscript.com
11/8
Raleigh Underground Market
Fifty vendors walk into North Hills… and the rest is history. Shop art, vintage and handmade goods with The Hoots as your retail soundtrack at Midtown Park. makrs.com
11/8
Skip the Small Talk Night
So the weather today, am I right? Kidding—it’s time to get deeper. Trade tired icebreakers for conversations that actually go somewhere during an evening of guided stranger-to-stranger connections. skipthesmalltalk.com
11/8
The Teacher’s Lounge
Ever wonder what being a teacher is really like? Three educators turn students, parents and classroom chaos into a comedy show worth staying after class for. improv.com
11/8
TEDxRaleigh Salon Experience
Feed your brain—and your stomach. A live TEDx talk meets dinner, drinks and conversation during an intimate ideas-filled evening at Vidrio. tedxraleigh.com
11/8
Yebba
That voice—in the same room as you. Grammy-winning Yebba pours grief, love, rage and healing into powerhouse vocals at The Ritz. livenation.com
11/10
Roots of Discovery: Festival of Lights
Turns out, zero is a pretty big deal! Trace India’s world-changing contributions to mathematics and astronomy alongside henna, dance and illuminating traditions at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. naturalsciences.org