Fun Events in Raleigh this Week
Looking for fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend? This weekly update, crafted with care, will help you plan unforgettable moments with friends, family, or even on your own. As we navigate the bittersweet moment of sending our eldest off to college, we could all use a little more joy and excitement. The English language might need a new word that captures both happiness and sadness at once!
This week, there’s plenty to look forward to in Raleigh. From the annual Lazy Days Festival to the Kirby Derby and Packapalooza, there are events that cater to every interest. Whether you’re looking for music, art, or just a chance to relax, there’s something for everyone.
Monday, August 18, 2025
- Raleigh: Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour– Explore Raleigh’s dark history on this chilling tour. Available at 6pm and 8pm. $25 per person.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
- Kidchella– A free event for young guests and their parents featuring local children’s attractions, activity classes, and kid-friendly performances in Midtown Park. North Hills Common, 9:30am – 11am.
- Raleigh: Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour– Another opportunity to uncover the city’s haunted past. $25 per person, 6pm & 8pm.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
- Live After Five– Downtown Raleigh’s monthly summer block party features Chatham Rabbits and Jack The Radio. 5-8pm, free.
- Movie Night: Wicked (Part One)– Screening at Downtown Cary Park, 6pm, free.
Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Toad the Wet Sprocket– Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
- Shinedown: Dance, Kid, Dance– Lenovo Center.
- Ben Rector – The Richest Man In The World Tour– Red Hat Amphitheater.
- Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!– DPAC.
- Jason Aldean: Full Throttle Tour 2025– Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
- Zach Dunham & Daniel Strief Live– The Raleigh Time, 7-10pm.
- Jazz in the Square: Moon Unit– Moore Square, 6pm – 8pm, free.
- Raleigh: Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour– $25 per person, 6pm & 8pm.
Friday, August 22, 2025
- Falling In Reverse: God Is A Weapon Tour– Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
- Dru Hill & Silk: R&B Rewind– Martin Marietta Center.
- The Rocket Man Show: Tribute to Elton John– DPAC.
- Raleigh: Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour– $25 per person, 6pm & 8pm.
- NCMA Outdoor Films at Moore Square: Wicked, 6-10pm, free.
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites– Historic Wakefield Barn, $43+, 9pm.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
- Packapalooza– Welcome back NC State students with live music, interactive stations, booths, vendors, and more. 2pm – 10pm, free.
- Kirby Derby– Dorothea Dix Park, 3:30pm.
- Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival– Town of Cary Hall Campus, 9am – 5pm, free.
- TEDx Raleigh 2025– Raleigh Convention Center, 1pm – 5pm, $58.05.
- CaryLive!: Squirrel Nut Zippers– Downtown Cary Park, 7:30pm – 9:30pm.
- Raleigh: Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour– $25 per person, 6pm & 8pm.
- Raleigh Princess Day– Raleigh Convention Center, 10am – 6pm, $34.97+.
- Summer Celebration 2025– Free snow cones and popcorn, 11am – 3pm, free.
- North Hills Night Market– Midtown Park, 4pm – 9pm.
- 3 Hour Guided E-Bike Tour: Tacos, Margaritas, and History– Downtown Clayton, 4pm.
- The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes– Martin Marietta Center, 7pm.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
- Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo– Fayetteville St, 12pm – 6pm.
- Raleigh: Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour– $32 per person, 6pm & 8pm.
- UB40 w/ The Fixx– Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
- Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour– 8pm, $16.
Ongoing Events
- Blue Whales Exhibition– NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 10am – 5pm.
- Yates Mill Open House– Every Saturday from 1-4pm.
- Yates Mill Heritage and Local History Tour– Sundays at 2pm & 3pm.
- Dix Park Weekly Outdoor Yoga– Mondays at 6-7pm.
- Midtown Farmers’ Market– 8am – Noon, runs until Nov 1, 2025.
- The Midweek Market– Wednesdays from 4–7 PM.
Plan Ahead: Events to Book in Advance
- Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: Chapter Two – Raleigh– September 3-4.
- Hopscotch Festival– September 4-5.
Raleigh Tours to Consider
- African American History Walking Tour– $20, 11am.
- Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Walking Tour– $20, 11am.
- Raleigh Ghost Walk– Dorothea Dix Park, Sundays at 8pm, $10.
- Free 50-minute tour of the People’s Collection at the NC Museum of Art– Thursdays and Saturdays at 1pm.
- Tour the Joel Lane House– $4-$8, various times.
- Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours– Various locations.
- Raleigh African American History Tour– Various sites.
- Burgers, Brews & Views Bike Tour– Johnston County, 10% discount with code MathHotels.com.
- Ghosts, Mysteries and History eBike Tour– Art to Heart Trail, 10% discount with code MathHotels.com.
- Trolley Pub Public Tour of Raleigh– Fri – Sun, various times.
Enjoy These Gardens for a Stroll
- Sarah P Duke Gardens in Durham
- JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State
- The Raleigh Rose Garden
- Dorothea Dix Park
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens
Want to Go for a Hike?
- 3-mile paved loop around Lake Johnson
- Loblolly Trail, Umstead State Park
- Hemlock Bluffs in Cary
- Art to Heart bike trail
- Company Mill Trail in Umstead State Park
Rain in the Forecast? Try These Indoor Activities
- NC Museum of Art– Free admission.
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences– Free, family-friendly.
- NC Sports Hall of Fame– Located in the NC Museum of History.
- Marbles Kids Museum– Perfect for younger kids.
- Movies, Bowling, and Amusement Zones– Options include Defy Gravity and Urban Air.
Looking for Places to Eat in Raleigh This Weekend?
- Brunch Spots– Great for relaxing with friends.
- Breakfast Places– Traditional options available.
- Date Night Restaurants– Crawford & Son, Second Empire Tavern, Las Ramblas.
- Lunch Spots– Best sandwiches and 40+ lunch options.
- Morning Coffees– Fount Coffee & Kitchen is a local favorite.
- Drinks– Rooftop bars and wine bars.
- Burgers– Burger Village on Glenwood Ave for gourmet burgers.
Feel Like a Day Trip?
- Johnston County– Vineyards, restaurants, and whiskey bars.
- Durham– Art, culture, and food.
- Pinehurst Area– Great for a day out.
- Greensboro– Concerts and other activities.
What About a Summer Getaway?
- Outer Banks Beaches– Sun, sand, and seclusion.
- Theme Parks & Amusement Parks– 7 fun options near Raleigh.
- Ocracoke Island– 18 fun things to do.
- Beaches in North Carolina– Less than three hours’ drive.
- Camping at Lake Kerr or Lake Gaston– Great for nature lovers.
Visiting Raleigh This Weekend for an Event?
- Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh– Great location and big suites.
- StateView Hotel– Hidden away in a forest on NC State’s campus.
- Casso Hotel– Unique boutique feel and amazing restaurant.
Getting Around Raleigh
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to explore Raleigh. Whether you’re staying overnight or just visiting for the day, there are plenty of options to make your trip memorable. Leave a comment below if you have any events this weekend in Raleigh we should know about. Tell us what you’re doing this weekend in Raleigh—anything we missed or can include next week for you!
