Love coffee and local culture? You’ll get your fill of both on this guided 1.2-mile walking tour through the west side of downtown Raleigh. Hosted by edutainer, vibe curator, and friend of Raleigh Weekend Greg Whitt, you’ll sip samples at local gems, hear stories from Raleigh’s past, and meet fellow coffee lovers along the way. It kicks off Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. sharp in front of Videri Chocolate Factory. Rain or shine—this one’s always a crowd-pleaser and always sells out. Tickets are $25.
Save the Date and Grab Your Tickets for Berry Fine Dining: Mandolin’s Strawberry Soirée Returns
Save the date for one of Raleigh’s sweetest spring traditions! Mandolin’s annual Strawberry Dinner is back on Sunday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. with a stunning six-course tasting menu that showcases strawberries in ways you’ve never imagined. From inventive cocktails to optional wine pairings, it’s a night that celebrates the season’s star ingredient in full flavor. Only one seating, so reservations are essential. Tickets are a splurge at $105 for food and gratuity, $150 with wine pairings, but for strawberry lovers like myself it’s a sweet opportunity to treat yourself.
Featured Getaway: Time Travel to a Centennial Celebration at Carolina Beach
The Carolina Beach Centennial brings a wave of exciting events now through September! Don’t miss the Gatsby-themed Bar Crawl, self-guided sculpture and history tours, Centennial Flotilla, and more. If you’re ready to soak up the laid-back traditions of Carolina Beach like never before, then you just have to be there.
This feature is brought to you by Raleigh Weekend and Raleigh Food & Wine as part of a paid promotion with Wilmington and Beaches CVB. We work with partners we trust and value and are excited to share these updates with you! These partners help us deliver our weekly newsletters at no cost to you.
Friday Five: We’re Eggs-tremely Excited for This Weekend!
You see what we did there… This weekend’s lineup is crackin’ with goodness—egg hunts, Swiftie singalongs, BBQ bliss, bluegrass bops, and meaningful moments for Good Friday. Whether you’re filling your basket with vintage finds or belting out All Too Well at DPAC, we have got you covered.
Before we dive into the lineup, let’s talk about two special Good Friday events happening at local churches:
Good Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes offers spiritual reflection with Stations of the Cross at noon, 3 p.m. (Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion), and 4:30 p.m. (Live Stations of the Cross in Spanish). Or, head to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for Women of the Cross at 6:00 p.m., a unique Stations of the Cross service that explores Biblical women’s relationships with Jesus.
P.S. Don’t forget your friendship bracelets, your Sunday best, and maybe a wet wipe or two… sticky Peeps happen. Now, without further ado, here’s your Friday Five—on a Thursday, because I know you’ll be checked out by then.
The Bunny is Calling—And WRAL Did the Leg Work!
Easter is hopping our way, and if you’re looking for egg hunts, spring flings, or bunny sightings across the Triangle, WRAL has rounded up all the ways to celebrate in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and beyond. From free community events to ticketed family outings, there’s something for every bunny. Have an egg-cellent time!
Are You Ready for It? Let’s Sing Taylor Lights Up DPAC! 🎤✨
Calling all Swifties! On Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience brings the ultimate Taylor Swift tribute night to DPAC in Durham. (Going to DPAC is always worth the UBER ride.) This high-energy, fan-fueled concert delivers the most faithful and lively covers of Taylor’s catalog—and a chance to sing every word with fellow fans.
Whether you’re in your Midnights era or rocking Reputation vibes, show up in your best Taylor-inspired look and get ready to dance, scream, and trade bracelets like it’s Eras all over again.
This event is fan-sponsored and not affiliated with Taylor Swift or her team—but it’s 100% Swiftie approved.
Cue the ‘Cue: Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ Take Over Downtown Raleigh!
Downtown Raleigh is turning up the flavor and the volume for the 15th Annual ‘Cuegrass Festival! This beloved spring tradition brings together mouthwatering barbecue, ice-cold local brews, and a full lineup of toe-tappin’ bluegrass music, all taking over Fayetteville Street for one unforgettable day.
The fun kicks off at noon on Saturday, April 19, and it’s all for a good cause—100% of proceeds will support SAFEchild, Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Freedom Ride Rescue, and Western North Carolina Hurricane Relief.
Delicious bites, toe-tappin’ tunes, and a whole lot of heart—now that’s a Saturday well spent.
Shine Bright, Shop Bold: A Celebration of Autism Acceptance at Boxyard RTP!
Join Disco Differences for its inaugural Autism Acceptance Mini Market at Boxyard RTP on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will celebrate neurodiversity while showcasing local small businesses and community networks in Boxyard’s vibrant retail setting in the heart of Research Triangle Park.
Browse unique vintage and thrifted home goods, clothing, and limited-edition autism posters from Disco Differences, and enjoy a mix of electric vibes from DJ Maxsunlove. Vibes, vendors, and visibility—it does not get much better than that!