A new year is the perfect excuse to mix things up—and this week’s Friday Five has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re spending time with kiddos at a must-see museum exhibition, easing into 2026 with free live music, swapping last year’s puzzle for something new, or narrowing down the options for prom 2026 dresses, these picks are all about starting the year doing what feels fun, easy, and very Raleigh. Happy New Year, everyone!
Kick Off 2026 With Free Live Music Fridays at Birdie’s
If one of your resolutions is to catch more live music in 2026, start close to home. Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen is hosting free live music every Friday evening on the patio—rain or shine. Grab a drink, settle in, and make it a weekly downtown tradition.
January lineup:
Friday, January 9, 2026: Donnie Deneil
Friday, January 16, 2026: Aarik Duncan
Friday, January 23, 2026: Cam Cokas
Friday, January 30, 2026: Ben Youngblood
📍 Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen – 150 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
📅 Fridays in January 2026 | 5–8 p.m.
💸 Free
🔗 Check out the menu and plan your evening at birdiesraleigh.com
A Perfect Fit: Puzzles, Pints & a Good Cause
Low-key January friends, this one’s for you. Soroptimist International of Raleigh is teaming up with Raleigh Brewing Company for a Puzzle Swap Party—a laid-back afternoon where puzzle fans can trade puzzles, mingle, and discover their next favorite find.
While you’re there, grab raffle tickets for a chance to win themed gift baskets (each valued at over $100), including a beer-themed basket packed with goodies from Raleigh Brewing Company. Best of all, all raffle proceeds support Soroptimist’s Dream programs, which help local women and girls on their path to economic empowerment.
📍 Raleigh Brewing Company – 3709 Neil St, Raleigh
📅 Saturday, January 10 | 2–5 p.m.
💸 Puzzle swap is free; raffle tickets and beverages available for purchase
Betty & Jane’s Prom Fashion Show Is Back
Millennial Mamas: If your Friday nights once involved scouting drink specials and now include prom dress shopping, this one’s for you. The annual Betty & Jane Prom Fashion Show is back—and it’s bigger, glitzier, and more fun than ever. So, mamas, grab your girlies and make a date of it in nearby Holly Springs with this Apex-based boutique.
On Saturday, Jan. 10, watch models walk the runway and preview Betty & Jane’s new prom collection before it even hits the floor, including stunning gowns, shoes, bags, and jewelry. You’ll also learn how to reserve a dress early using their school cataloging system—because yes, that matters now.
Attendees have the chance to win a prom dress, a pair of dress shoes (up to $100 value), prom jewelry (up to $75 value), and more.
📍 Holly Springs Cultural Center Theater – 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs
📅 Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 3–4 p.m.
💸 Tickets are $10 at https://shopbettyandjane.com/
Last Call: “Blue Whales” Special Exhibition
This is your final call to experience “Blue Whales,” the special exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, closing Sunday, January 11, 2026. Dive into the fascinating biology of the largest animals to ever live—from their massive size and enormous appetites to the powerful songs that can travel up to 1,000 miles underwater.
The exhibition explores how blue whales evolved, how they survive, and why they continue to captivate scientists and visitors alike. Presented in both English and French, this immersive experience is produced by the Royal Ontario Museum and is a must-see for families, science lovers, and curious minds of all ages.
📍 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – 11 W Jones St, Raleigh
📅 Through Sunday, January 11
Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.)
💸 Tickets:
Free for Museum Members
$18 adults
$16 seniors (65+), students (13+), and military with ID
$14 children ages 3–12
Free for children 2 and under
🔗 Tickets: ncmns.net/whalestickets
ℹ️ More info: ncmns.net/bluewhales
Stay Tuned: Midweek Live Music Wednesdays at Vidrio
Keeping the live music vibes going into 2026, Vidrio—a sister restaurant to Birdie’s—hosts live music every Wednesday night in the lounge. It’s an easy midweek plan in Glenwood South, complete with handcrafted cocktails, small bites, and a rotating lineup of local talent.
January lineup:
Wednesday, January 14: Donnie Deneil
Wednesday, January 21: Elora Dash
Wednesday, January 28: Shavonna Antoinette
📍 Vidrio: 500 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
📅 Wednesdays in January 2026 | 7–10 p.m.
💸 Free
🐾 You Voted—We Gave Back
Thanks to your votes, our December reader-voted donation winner is Friends of Wake County Animal Center (FWCAC)! We’re proud to donate $100 to an organization doing incredible work for animals—and the people who love them—right here in Wake County.
FWCAC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for shelter animals and their human families by providing access to vital medical care, boarding, and placement for animals in need—helping improve outcomes and reduce euthanasia rates at the Wake County Animal Center. Their work also promotes adoption, safety, and responsible pet ownership through education and public outreach, while supporting local rescues, shelters, and adopters to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our community.
🐶🐱 Learn more (and show them some love):
👉 friendsofwakeanimals.org
Thank you to everyone who voted—and to FWCAC for the lifesaving work you do every day.
Image: Friends of Wake County Animal Center – All Photography Courtesy of Landfill Dogs
Brunch Your Way Into 2026 at Birdie’s
Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen will be serving its weekend brunch menu on Thursday, January 1, starting at 7 a.m. Start the new year downtown with cocktails, coffee, and classic brunch favorites, including Eggs Benne, the Simple Egg Sammie, French Toast, a Hippie Hash Bowl, and more.
📍 Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen – 150 Fayetteville St, Raleigh
📅 Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 7 a.m.
💸 Menu prices vary