Oct. 17-27
The largest annual event in the state, the N.C. State Fair draws one million visitors through the gates each October. Eleven days of high-flying rides, deep-fried foods, live music, stunt shows and other entertainment (including nightly fireworks) has been a can't-miss event for generations of families—the 2024 version of the N.C. State Fair marks the 156th year of the event!
Oct. 17-Nov. 3
What better way to get in the spirit of the spooky season than an evening of chills and thrills? Carolina Ballet artist director Zalman Raffael's world premier ballet of Jekyll & Hyde explores the shadowy depths of human nature through the haunting duality of the civilized Dr. Jekyll and his monstrous alter ego, Mr. Hyde.
Oct. 11-13
See some of golf's best at the SAS Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event, held annually at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. The event is widely recognized as one of the most important events of the year, and also features a Pro-Am event, the ever-popular Food Truck Friday and a 5k Saturday race for the whole community to get involved.
Fresh off of six straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes return to the Lenovo Center (formerly named PNC Arena) in October for a new year with high expectations. They'll open up a new season schedule with a home game against Tampa Bay and will play an additional 10 home games during the months of October and November (be there and be loud!).
- vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 11
- vs. New Jersey, Oct. 25
- vs. Boston, Oct. 31
- vs. Washington, Nov. 3
- vs. Philadelphia, Nov. 5
- vs. Pittsburgh, Nov. 7
- vs. Ottawa, Nov. 16
- vs. St. Louis, Nov. 17
- vs. Dallas, Nov. 25
- vs. New York Rangers, Nov. 27
- vs. Florida, Nov. 29
Oct. 19
For more than 20 years the North Carolina Wine Festival has delivered local wineries, artisans, music, food and fun. This year's ticketed event—held at Koka Booth Amphitheatre—will provide more than 30 Tar Heel State wineries to sample from, plus have live music on hand from local favorite group Chairmen of the Board.
Oct. 26
This annual, family-friendly event held at the beautiful Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake celebrates the town of Holly Springs, featuring local artists, businesses, food vendors, children’s activities and local entertainment.
Oct. 26
Looking for a culinary adventure? Taste, sip and savor great flavors for an afternoon at Dorothea Dix Park, where some of the Raleigh area's most acclaimed chefs, mixologists and sommeliers will gather for mingling, sampling, music, demonstrations and more.
Oct. 26
A day for reflection and honoring the memories of loved ones, the Day of the Dead 5k—hosted by Centro and raising money for the Boys & Girls Club—expects hundreds of attendees to participate in the run, bike rides, altar offerings and live music. Later in the day, Dia de Oakwood kicks off with music, dance, food vendors, face painting and more.
Nov. 2; 8-9 and 14-16
A magical lighting exhibition that's suited for the entire family, Moonlight in the Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University is a once-per-year opportunity to see the nationally acclaimed gardens artfully illuminated by colorful lights. Each evening of the ticketed event is paired with live music, food trucks, hot apple cider, fire pits and marshmallows to roast!
Women's: Semifinals, Nov. 7; Final, Nov. 10
Women's: Semifinals, Nov. 14; Final, Nov. 17
Two champions will be crowned at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary in November. The Atlantic Coast Conference, perennially one of America's top conferences in the women's and men's soccer world, will host the semifinals and finals matchups on back to back weekends.
Related: Both the women's and men's NCAA championship soccer events will also take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in early December!
Nov. 9
The event name says it all! Spend a day discovering Fuquay-Varina while tasting delicious 'cue from local competitors, enjoying live blues music and tasting a selection of locally brewed craft beverages.
Nov. 16 through Jan. 12, 2025
The beloved North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, now a holiday tradition for many Raleigh area residents and visitors alike, will return to Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre in November. This is the ninth year the event will light up the amphitheater for the holiday season—look forward to more than 20 new glowing displays, each including thousands of LED lights, plus nightly performances on the main stage and food and beverages on hand. More than 200,000 attendees are expected again this year—don't miss it!
Nov. 23 through Jan. 20, 2024
This downtown Raleigh holiday activity was a smashing success over the last three years and is back and better than ever for another year of action! Come enjoy the thrill of ice skating in a winter wonderland at Red Hat Amphitheater, where THE RINK features a natural ice skating rink with stunning views of the downtown Raleigh skyline, plus offers cozy fire pits, holiday decor, selfie stations, a snack bar and more.
Note that this is a ticketed event that includes skate rental, and it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance (tickets are for specific day and are limited).
Nov. 18
A Raleigh tradition for 80 years now, the Raleigh Christmas Parade is the largest parade of its kind between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. The parade—filled with marching bands, dancers, super heroes and more—marches through downtown Raleigh for two hours along a 1.4-mile route that draws a crowd of 60,000 spectators.
