HALLOWEEN PARTY FUN. As Halloween nears, frightfully fun events are picking up this week. Check out our fall fun guide for a roundup of Halloweenish things to do across the Triangle. Vampire’s Ball: A Live! Halloween Party is planned at Fenton’s Sport and Social in Cary on Friday, October 27 8–12 p.m. Order tickets here.  Head over to Skate Raleigh at…

HAPPY TRAILS. Great Trails State Day will be celebrated across North Carolina on Saturday, October 21. From the mountains to the coast, residents are encouraged to explore outdoor wonders by finding a trail and starting to explore. Interested in science? Experience the state through easily accessible science and nature venues through the NC Science Trail. The North Carolina General Assembly recently…

FAIR FUN! The North Carolina State Fair kicks off today and runs through Sunday, October 22 from 9 a.m.–11 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Enjoy a variety of fair food, including many new offerings this year. Grandstand shows, outdoor music stages, and rides and games are just part of the annual October fun. Free parking is available on State Fair,…

FESTIVAL SEASON. Triangle Oktoberfest takes place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Friday, October 6, 5–10 p.m. and Saturday, October 7, noon–8 p.m. Enjoy 40 German and seasonal beers, traditional Bavarian foods, live music and more. The event benefits Apex Sunrise Rotary Club, Meg’s Smile Foundation and other health, hunger and humanity causes. FOODIE NEWS. Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week…

BEST OF BLUEGRASS. IBMA World of Bluegrass 2023 is in downtown Raleigh Tuesday, September 26–Saturday, September 30. IBMA Bluegrass Live! features Friday and Saturday all-day lineups at Red Hat Amphitheater, while five street stages take over five blocks from Martin Street to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. Single day passes are $50–$70, and two-day passes are $100–$140. The…

INDY FILMS. BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival returns to The Cary Theater from Thursday, September 21–Sunday, September 24. In its sixth year, the event celebrates short films from independent filmmakers from around the world. The festival also hosts three workshops for all experience levels, including a screenwriting workshop for ages 7–16 on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available…

SPECIALTY COCKTAILS. More than 20 Triangle restaurants and bars will participate in Negroni Week from Monday, September 18–Sunday, September 24. Participating locations offer specialty Negroni cocktails to raise money for Slow Food, a global movement of local communities and activists across more than 160 countries. Cary’s Peck and Plume at The Mayton, Durham’s Alley Twenty Six, The Roof at The Durham, Raleigh’s The…

HAUNTED HISTORY. “When The Whistle Blows: A History That Haunts Cary Trolley Tour" takes place over 10 dates in October. The event transports guests back in time to relive chilling historical events heralded by the train whistle approaching town. Tours will begin and end at local “watering holes.” Transportation will be provided by trolley on the…

LABOR DAY WEEKEND FUN. There’s plenty of fun to go around for Labor Day weekend. Keep reading for our suggestions, and find more fun in our Midtown and 5 West calendars. ’CUE IT UP. The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival will offer an early bird sampling ticket to the Christopher Prieto Pitmaster Invitational in the Village of Pinehurst on Sunday, September 3 beginning at 10 a.m.…

LAZY DAZE. Since 1977, Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival has welcomed guests to downtown Cary for two days filled with art, entertainment, food and more. This year’s juried craft show takes place August 26–27, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and celebrates the “lazy daze” of summer, bringing together nearly 300 artists from 16 states across the U.S. The event…

SPIRITED FUN. Sports and Social in Cary hosts a 90s Throwback Jam on Saturday, August 19, 7 p.m.–2 a.m. Come dressed for a party that includes arcade games, hula hoops, adult juice and more. Tickets are available online. James Beard finalist Shannon Healy, the owner/bartender of Alley Twenty Six, is offering virtual interactive online cocktail classes each month. The next class, Pisco Party,…

MONTHLY MARKET. Fenton Makers Market (201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary) takes place Saturday, August 12, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Browse the Fenton stores along with 35 additional local artists’ booths in the square. KICK-OFF TO KINDERGARTEN. Speaking of going back to school, registration is underway for Kick-off to Kindergarten at Marbles Kids Museum on Saturday, August 19, 9 a.m–5 p.m. The…

BEER, BOURBON + BBQ. The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns to Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre this weekend: Friday, 6–10 p.m.; and Saturday, 2–6 p.m., with VIP access at noon. View the menu here and purchase tickets here. Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro will celebrate its 16th anniversary with a crab and shrimp boil on Saturday, August 5, noon–8 p.m. The Brewery will tap…

GOOD EATS. Downtown Cary Park, the upcoming urban park spanning 7 acres in the heart of downtown Cary, announced this week that Cary Park Ventures will serve as its exclusive food and beverage vendor upon completion of construction, prioritizing local sourcing and offering fresh seasonal menus. Cary Park Ventures will service Market 317, an elevated grab-and-go…

BARBIE PARTY. Celebrate the July 21 release of “Barbie” at Paragon Theaters in Cary’s Fenton Square on Saturday, July 22, 2–6 p.m. Dress as your favorite Ken or Barbie and win prizes. The event includes a pink carpet and DJ, along with games, activities and photos. Photo by jorge Eduardo/stock.adobe.com. NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS. Drivers will encounter a new traffic pattern…

SUMMER FESTIVALS. Looking for a fun road trip destination this summer? Check out one of the many summer festivals happening around North Carolina. Just pick one and go! Our roundup guides you to where they are and when they take place. This weekend, check out the North Carolina Blackberry Festival in Lenoir or the Canteloupe Festival in Ridgeway.  NEW PET PLACE. Veterinary…

ART ON DISPLAY. Stroll the green at Fenton Square in Cary Saturday, July 8, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. to shop the Makers Market, a pop-up event taking place the second Saturday of every month that features a new selection of local artists. Enjoy live music while you browse the vendors’ handmade items. SHOWTIME! Theatre in the Park has announced its…

LIGHT IT UP! A stunning holiday tradition in the Triangle—the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival—returns for its eighth season at Koka Booth Amphitheatre November 17–January 14. Tickets for any night of this popular event, as well as VIP and twilight experiences, go on sale July 1. Tickets for specific nights and group tickets go on sale August 4 at noon. Learn more…

SPIDY SENSES. Venture into the amazing world of spiders at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ “Spiders: Fear to Fascination,” which opened June 17. Witness the superb skills of these amazing arthropods for yourself.  BE A NATURALIST. The 2023 North Carolina Moth Week takes place Saturday, July 22 through Sunday, July 30. To participate, turn on some light…