Each month we send out a newsletter that includes the best of the best upcoming events. If you sign up for our E-magazine, you'll get those, plus all the best new content (a guide to visiting pumpkin patches, for example, or the details on an important new park that just opened in downtown Raleigh).
It's so long to summer, hello to fall! The month of October is shaping up to be a big one—hockey games, cultural festivals, holiday shopping, pumpkin pies, lots of ways to experience the arts and (last but not least!) the N.C. State Fair are coming right up!
Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week
Oct. 2-8
Who doesn't love a good meal for a good deal? Back for an autumn edition while outdoor dining is still a viable (and wonderful) option, Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week kicks off seven days of celebrating culinary excellence, typically featuring more than 20 restaurants offering low-priced lunch specials along with $20 and $30 dinner options. Participating restaurants are here!
Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony puts on an incredible 175 concerts and events per year across the state. They'll take center stage at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh five times this month.
- The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John, Oct. 6-7
- Piazzolla Four Seasons, Oct. 13-14
- Rachmaninoff Rhapsody an a Theme of Paganini, Oct. 20-21
- Friday Favorites: Mozart & Bizet, Oct. 27
- Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 28
Theatre In The Park presents The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Oct. 5-15
In this final production of the 2023 season before Theatre In The Park gets into the Christmas spirit, humble schoolteacher Ichabod Crane's visit to Sleepy Hollow has him fitting in better with the women than the men. Crane vies for the hand of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, but it's ultimately the Headless Horseman that decides his fate.
World Cup In Their Own Words
Oct. 5
A chance to hear from five superstars that play for the North Carolina Courage—winners of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup—that also represented their countries at this summer's World Cup in Australia/New Zealand. Event will also include a meet-and-greet and silent auction with World Cup items up for bid.
The Courage also play their final home game of the regular season this month, Oct. 7 vs. San Diego, before the NWSL playoffs begin.
Oct. 6
Pack your blankets and lawn chairs for this monthly affair at downtown Raleigh's Moore Square, where food trucks, live music, a local market, free games and an outdoor movie ("The Mummy" at 7:30pm) will take place.
More outdoor movies this month:
Triangle Oktoberfest
Oct. 6-7
The ninth annual Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary is a two-day affair, with plenty of family-friendly activities including live music, storytelling, dancing, the beloved wiener dog races and traditional Bavarian food and fare from Capital Club 16, The Butcher's Market and Annelore's German Bakery—strudels, kuchen, bier pretzels, bratwurst, German chocolate and more!—plus of course both local and traditional German beers on hand.
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival
Oct. 7
A celebration of all things Fuquay-Varina (a fast-growing town just outside of Raleigh with beer, barbecue, shopping and more), Celebrate Fuquay-Varina provides live music, craft beer, food trucks, BMX show, art vendors, kids games and more for a day full of family fun.
Oct. 7
A tradition dating back to 1927, the Wendell Harvest Festival features a parade, more than 100 craft vendors, a beer garden, games for kids and adults and live music from local favorite The Main Event (fun for the entire family!).
Oct. 7
A festival for autumn lovers at Dorothea Dix Park, Falling for Local will feature live music, local makers and vendors, craft beer, food trucks, games for kids, hay rides, free pumpkins and more for what's expected to be a big crowd on hand.
North Carolina Theatre presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Oct. 10-15
Featuring Elena Ricardo as Carole King, this musical—winner of two Tony and Grammy awards—tells the story of one of America's most talented and successful songwriters (and dazzles audiences with more than two dozen pop classics including "You've Got a Friend").
Fresh off of five straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes return to PNC Arena for a new year with high expectations. They'll open up a new season schedule with three home games in October, including the season opener vs. Ottawa on Oct. 11.
2023 N.C. State Fair
Oct. 12-22
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 2023 version of the N.C. State Fair marks the 155th year of the event!
Carolina Ballet presents Frankenstein
Oct. 12-29
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 hauntingly theatrical and seductively beautiful interpretation of Mary Shelly's story takes center stage this Halloween season!
Burning Coal Theatre presents Arcadia
Oct. 12-29
Written by five-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard, this sharp comedy centers around a young mathematical genius—Thomasina Coverly—and the researchers that uncover the details of her life nearly 200 years later.
A new way to travel—discover a curated collection of tours, hands-on workshops and experiences led by local experts in the Raleigh area (the October calendar is filled with new events!).
SAS Championship
Oct. 13-15
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.
The Justice Theatre Project presents 12 Angry Jurors
Oct. 13-29
Based on the 1954 work of Reginald Rose, 12 Angry Jurors—one of the greatest courtroom dramas ever produced—follows a jury as they prepare to deliberate the case of an impoverished 18-year-old accused of stabbing his abusive father to death. Prejudice and peer pressure keep both the characters and the viewers on edge the entire time.
Dave Chappelle (plus more stand-up comedy)
Comedy legend Dave Chappelle—embarking on his "It's a Celebration" tour (in honor of his career in entertainment, plus his 50th birthday this summer)—comes to Raleigh's PNC Arena for one special night of guaranteed laughs on Oct. 25. More big name acts performing at two of the area's biggest clubs this month:
At Goodnights Comedy Club:
- Kevin Nealon, Oct. 5-7
- Majah Hype, Oct. 8
- Will Burkart, Oct. 10
- Michael Palascak, Oct. 11
- Michael Blackson, Oct. 13-14
- Luenell, Oct. 20-21
- Chris Distefano, Oct. 26-28
- Orlando Jones, Oct. 29
At Raleigh Improv:
Exhibit: Dutch Art in a Global Age
Through Jan. 7, 2024
The biggest fall exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Dutch Art in a Global Age presents highlights from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, with an innovative focus. Arranged thematically, the exhibition explores how international travel and trade transformed Dutch art and society, featuring renowned works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Gerrit Dou, Jacob van Ruisdael, Rachel Ruysch and other celebrated artists.
Tickets to this exhibit are $20 for non-members. Other galleries at the museum remain open with free admission as always.
Hum Sub Diwali
Oct. 14
Diwali is the most widely-celebrated religious and cultural event in India, and marks the victory of good over evil, light over dark and the beginning of the New Year. Each year the free-admission Hum Sub Diwali includes music, dance, theater performances, a handicraft bazaar, Indian food vendors, sponsor booths, an exhibition of Indian art and culture, activities for children, demonstrations and so much more at Koka Booth Amphitheatre!
Oak and Smoke 2023
Oct. 14
Oak City Brewing Company is teaming up with Redneck BBQ Lab for a full day of a beer-drinking, BBQ-slinging and banjo-pickin' good time in Knightdale.
Oktrophyfest
Oct. 14
An Oktoberfest celebration at Trophy Brewery + Taproom with German food served by Capital Club 16, music from The Little German Band plus Mosul Franzi and the JaJaJa's, vendors from the Pop-Up Raleigh market and the release of the Trophy Brewing's Oktrophyfest beer. Prost!
Raleigh's International Wine Festival
Oct. 21
In downtown Raleigh's City Plaza, more than 25 international wine suppliers—from Armenia to New Zealand—will gather to provide sample tastings (food trucks, desserts, a dance party and more will also keep you busy!).
Fall Festival at City Market
Oct. 22
In partnership with Raleigh Night Market, shop from local vendors, grab grub from food trucks and pick your pumpkin at the pop-up patch at City Market's Fall Festival. Carriage rides (for a fee) will also be available!
Fall Festival at Park West Village
Oct. 26
At Morrisville's Park West Village, join in on the fun for trick-or-treating, hay rides, costume contests, entertainment, food trucks and more!
Adult Night: Nocturnal by Nature
Oct. 27
Dance among dinosaurs, meet creepy-crawlies up close and face your fears with a ride on a mechanical shark at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' spookiest adult night of the year! Interactive science stations, music, games, food and drink and more will be on hand.
North Carolina Opera presents La Traviata
Oct. 27 and 29
Opening a new season for North Carolina Opera, this three-act story by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi is renowned for its soaring arias and heart-wrenching ending (and is the romantic story that inspired both "Moulin Rouge" and "Pretty Woman").
Cloudstoberfest
Oct. 28
German music, dancing, beer and food—plus traditional games and contests—at Clouds Brewing's annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Admission is $10 in advance ($15 at door) and includes a commemorative glass.
HollyFest
Oct. 28
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.
North Carolina Wine Festival
Oct. 28
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.
Day of the Dead 5k
Oct. 28
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.
Are you ready to rock? There's tons of great live music to see in the Raleigh area this month!
- Hozier, Oct. 3
- Paige King Johnson, Oct. 4
- Zac Brown Band, Oct. 5
- The Blue Ridge Girls, Oct. 6
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Oct. 7
- Neighbor, Oct. 7
- Travis Larson Band, Oct. 8
- Johnnyswim, Oct. 9
- Kirk Franklin, Oct. 10
- The Midnight, Oct. 10
- Sneezy, Oct. 11
- Sun Room, Oct. 12
- Travis Scott, Oct. 13-14
- Band of Horses, Oct. 15
- Shania Twain, Oct. 18
- Nessa Barrett, Oct. 18
- RAYE, Oct. 19
- The Soap Girls, Oct. 19
- Larry Stephenson, Oct. 20
- Warren Zeiders, Oct. 20
- Hiromi's Sonicwonder, Oct. 20
- Clozee, Oct. 21
- Yam Yam, Oct. 23
- Café Tacvba, Oct. 24
- The Cat Empire, Oct. 25
- Luke Bryan, Oct. 26
- Lettuce, Oct. 29
- Chris Renzema, Oct. 30
- NC Eat & Play's Fall Hootenany at Haven Farm, Oct. 5
- North Carolina State Capitol Oyster Roast, Oct. 6
- Cary Players present A Murder is Announced, Oct. 6-8
- College football: Saint Augustine's vs. Fayetteville St., Oct. 7
- College football: N.C. State vs. Marshall, Oct. 7
- Evening Garden Stroll at JC Raulston Arboretum, Oct. 10
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, Oct. 10 and 18
- BOO-ze Halloween Wine Walk, Oct. 13
- Apex Oktoberfest, Oct. 14
- Track or Treat: Halloween Express, Oct. 14, 21 and 28
- Creating with Cocktails Class, Oct. 15
- Painting The Legacy: A Conversation & Celebration, Oct. 15
- Theatre Raleigh presents Barbecue, Oct. 18-29
- Raleigh Little Theatre presents Misery, Oct. 20-Nov. 5
- East Bower Cider Co. One Year Celebration, Oct. 21
- Raleigh Zombie Walk, Oct. 21
- Tappin' The Gourd Pumpkin Fest, Oct. 22
- Film: "The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)", Oct. 26
- Halloween Boo Bash, Oct. 26
- Kooky Spooky Halloween Party at Marbles, Oct. 27
- Halloween Raleigh DIY Punk Rock Flea Market, Oct. 28-29
- QDR Halloween Harvest Ball, Oct. 28
- Town of Rolesville Fall Fun Fest, Oct. 28
Header photo of the N.C. State Fair by Justin Kase Conder
