Raleigh Weekend

The Local's Guide to Things to Do in Raleigh, NC

Lisa Jeffries Nobling

Saturday Score: Snag Designer Threads, Shoes, and Accessories at the Blowout Sale

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Refreshing your fall wardrobe doesn’t have to drain your weekend coffee budget.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, dress.—one of my favorite upscale consignment boutiques over in Ridgewood Shopping Center—is clearing the floor for a massive blowout event. If you love a good treasure hunt, prepare to sift through dedicated racks priced at just $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25.

Expect to find steep discounts on high-end pieces to elevate your autumn lineup. Pro tip: Wear something form-fitting like leggings and a fitted tee, as there won’t be formal dressing rooms, though mirrors will be set up around the shop for quick try-ons.

📍 dress. – 3528 Wade Ave., Raleigh, NC 27607
📅 Saturday, Oct. 24 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
💰 $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25 racks
📎 https://dressraleigh.com/

May the perfect fit odds be ever in your favor!

Sip, Savor, and Channel Your Inner Brennan at the NC Catalina Wine Mixer on Saturday

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It turns out you don’t need a helicopter charter or a Pacific breeze to experience the mother of all wine mixers this weekend.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Shop Local Raleigh is taking over The Social Lawn at The Exchange for an afternoon dedicated to North Carolina’s finest pours, bites, and homegrown talent. Whether you’re a devout local wine enthusiast or simply love an excuse to day-drink outside in crisp autumn weather, you’ll find tastings from regional wineries and craft breweries alongside a curated lineup of Triangle food vendors and artisans.

Beyond the sips and live soundtrack, the event serves as a high-energy showcase for the independent makers and small businesses that keep Raleigh vibrant. Gather your friends, wander the lawn, and be sure to pocket a little extra spending cash for the vendor booths by tapping our exclusive discount at checkout.

📍 The Social Lawn at The Exchange (across from Peregrine) – 1000 Social Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609
📅 Saturday, Oct. 24 | Noon
💰 $35.82 – Ticketed (Use promo code “Raleighwood” for $5 off)
📎 https://www.etix.com/ticket/c/5507149DAB3D0054C9A3F700E3E97E8D/raleighwood

Pow! Just remember to hydrate between tastings so you’re still standing when the live sets hit their groove.

Saturday on Glenwood: Costumes, Cocktails, and Haunted Bar Hopping

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For my fellow Halloween fanatics, I see dusting off the costume bin a week early in your future… 🔮

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Glenwood South turns into an all-out street spectacle for the Raleigh Official Halloween Pub Crawl. Check in at The Dogwood Bar & Eatery to snag your wristband, which scores you free cover, themed drink discounts, and automatic entry into the night’s costume contest at several of the strip’s liveliest spots.

The crawl runs at your own pace from 3 to 11 p.m., giving you plenty of time to track down craft pours, mingle with fellow goblins, and pose for the roving photographers before the night gets hazy. (If you already have plans, they’re running encore rounds on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, too.)

📍 The Dogwood Bar & Eatery – 610 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
📅 Saturday, Oct. 24 | 3–11 p.m.

💰 Ticketed (From $16.73; advance purchase required, 21+)
📎 Tickets and Info via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raleigh-official-halloween-pub-crawl-2026-by-bar-crawl-live-tickets-1987572378488

Cue up your rideshare app early and hydrate between stops. May your drinks stay cold and your face paint survive the night!

Cast Shadows on Sunday with Ghost Lore, Backstage Secrets, and Gothic Cocktails at Martin Marietta Center

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Wandering through backstage corridors after dark is easily the coolest way to lean into spooky season without getting chased through a corn maze.

On Sunday, Oct. 25, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts is dimming the house lights for “Curtain Call From Beyond: Theatre Haunts & History”. The 50-minute guided walking tour navigates dimly lit backstage passages and historic performance halls while guides share theatrical superstitions, local ghost stories, and the building’s hidden history.

Your ticket also opens the door to The Lounge, which is getting decked out in candlelight and moody, gothic-inspired decor for the evening. Each admission includes one complimentary signature cocktail or mocktail, making for a sophisticated Sunday nightcap. Note: The tour is recommended for ages 12 and up.

📍 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – 2 E. South St., Raleigh, NC 27601
📅 Sunday, Oct. 25 | 8 p.m. (Accessible tour at 7 p.m.)
💰 $42.35 (Includes tour and one signature beverage)
📎 Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/curtain-call-from-beyond-theatre-haunts-raleigh-north-carolina-10-25-2026/event/2D006513C63624EB

Keep your eyes peeled near the wings and hold your cocktail steady if the room suddenly turns cold. May all your phantom sightings come with five-star theatrical flair!

Take a Tuesday Field Trip to Banish Flat Hair, Sip Wine, and Master the Perfect Curl in Cary

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Admitting defeat to your curling iron well into adulthood is a surprisingly universal experience.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, venture over to Cary for a styling intervention with the pros from Roots. Salon and Wellness. They’re teaming up with the popular champagne bar RBF for a hands-on “Don’t Curl Up and Die” workshop designed specifically for those of us still mystified by irons, wands, and styling serums.

For $20, you’ll score live demonstrations, personalized help to nail those elusive waves, and light snacks to fuel your learning. The bar will be pouring up drink specials, making this the ideal excuse for a productive, glamorous midweek outing.

📍 RBF – 210 East Chatham St., Suite 10, Cary, NC 27511
📅 Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 6 p.m.
💰 $20
📎 Purchase Your Ticket: https://rbf.wine/menu/rbfchampagne/group_47b095be-deba-4677-a1e3-f90875a507d0/item-1027-dont-curl-up-and-die-curling-hair-101_1c823e52-069b-4a74-9ff6-6d03a31583d3

Grab a glass of bubbles and prepare to finally conquer your hot tools. May your new bouncy waves last well through the weekend!

Survive Haunted Mansions and Shifty Friends on Wednesday in Holly Springs

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Spooky season is prime time for tabletop drama, especially when one of your pals secretly turns against you… 😲

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, ditch the usual midweek Netflix queue and head south of Raleigh to The Perch in Holly Springs. The neighborhood board game lounge is hosting a free “Learn to Play” night featuring Betrayal at House on the Hill, a cult-classic thriller where players explore an eerie, tile-by-tile mansion.

The game starts as a cooperative effort, but the real fun begins when the inevitable “haunt” triggers and reveals one person at the table as a villain or monster. The staff will guide newcomers through every room discovery and omen roll, so you can dive right into the mystery without deciphering a 20-page rulebook first.

📍 The Perch – 1125 McChesney Hill Loop, Holly Springs, NC 27540
📅 Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 6 p.m.
💰 Free
📎 Event Details at The Perch: https://thirdperch.com/community/

Choose your game-night allies wisely and keep one eye on the exit. May the omen rolls be ever in your favor when the lights go out!

Thursday Tails: Pups, Pours, and Prizes at Boatman Spirits

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There is arguably no purer joy in this world than seeing a golden retriever dressed as a hot dog while sipping a well-crafted drink.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, grab your four-legged best friend and head over to the patio at Boatman Spirits Co. in Seaboard Station for a Halloween dog costume contest that actually gives back. As you enjoy $10 classic cocktails, a panel of judges will evaluate the furry fashionistas, awarding a $150 gift card to the top dog’s human and a $100 gift card to the runner-up.

Even if you don’t have a pup of your own to dress up, it’s worth swinging by to support the cause and boost your serotonin levels. A portion of the evening’s sales will directly benefit Freedom Ride Rescue, and they will be on-site with a few adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes.

📍 Boatman Spirits Co. – 713 Seaboard Station Dr., Raleigh, NC 27604
📅 Thursday, Oct. 29 | 6 p.m.
💰 Free to attend (Drinks and donations encouraged)
📎 Event Info at Boatman Spirits Co.: https://www.boatmanspirits.com/

Start practicing your dog’s runway walk and bribe them with treats now. May the most ridiculous canine costume win!

Friday Five: Six Non-Fair Escapes for Movies, Music, and Autumn Fun 🍂

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The aroma of powdered funnel cakes is officially blanketing West Raleigh, but braving the Blue Ridge Road traffic gridlock is far from your only option this week. Whether you prefer open-air cinema under downtown high-rises, midnight shadow casts, or an eco-friendly wardrobe overhaul, you can celebrate the mid-autumn chill without standing in an hour-long line for a turkey leg. I’ve even tossed in a bonus solid mid-week option in Cary for your consideration. Y’all have a good week/end, Raleigh!