Your go-to weekend cheat sheet for Raleigh. Think of it like having a well-informed friend pointing out the coolest shows, food popups, and reason-to-get-out-of-bed plans — all tailored to what’s happening locally this weekend.
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! 💘 This week’s Friday Five has a little bit of everything—date nights, girls’ nights, cats (yes, really), and we’re wrapping it all up with a special guest appearance from my Galentine, Lisa Jeffries Nobling.
So, without further ado… will you be my Raleigh Weekend reader?
We are doing things a little differently this month and showing some love by teaming up with one of our favorite restaurants in Raleigh, Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar, for our February contest. They are hosting their annual Love Story Contest and giving away a $50 gift card to one lucky storyteller. Have a lovable memory from Mulino? Share your story by Friday, Feb. 28, for your chance to win!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sip (or three) at Dram & Draught on Friday, Feb. 14! Whether you’re raising a glass with your Galentines or toasting with your Valentine, they have a selection of special flights to commemorate the occasion. I can’t wait to try the Espresso Martini Flight but if you are not a coffee fan, they also have red, white, and sparkling wine flights and a whiskey flight. However you celebrate, make it a night to remember—one delicious sip at a time.
Celebrate love at Downtown Cary Park’s free Valentine’s Date Night in the Park on Friday, Feb. 14! This cozy and creative evening is perfect for couples looking to connect and have fun. Enjoy the enchanting live music of guitarist Alex Gordez, who will set the mood with a blend of classical, Latin, Tango, Flamenco, Gypsy, and Jazz tunes. Get hands-on with mini terrarium building led by Izzy Hall of Garden & Gather, or take on the fun ‘Paint Your Partner’ challenge with Lauren Likes. Couples will also be able to enjoy a variety of free crafts together. Empanadas and More food truck will also be onsite to satisfy your cravings.
Not feeling the Valentine’s Day vibes? Killjoy’s got you covered with an Anti-Valentine’s Day Party on Saturday, Feb. 15! From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., drown out the heartache with non-stop breakup anthems, sip on killer cocktails, and belt out your feelings. Whether you’re celebrating your independence or just here for the drama, this is the perfect place to let it all out! #NoLoveSongsAllowed
Get ready to purr-use some of the finest felines around—It’s TICA Time is bringing its annual cat show to the NC State Fairgrounds! On Saturday, Feb. 15, head to the Holshouser Building to watch majestic pedigreed cats and fabulous household kitties compete for top titles.
Meet breeders and exhibitors, cheer on your favorite feline, shop with vendors, and even adopt a cat or kitten from local shelters. Whether you’re a cat connoisseur or just looking for a paws-itively fun day, this is the purr-fect event for you! (P.S. Sorry for all the puns, but I had to.)
Ever find yourself holding onto a special bottle of wine for just the right occasion—only for that occasion to never quite come or you just let the bottle go to waste before savoring it? That’s exactly why “Open That Bottle Night” exists! This annual celebration, created by two Wall Street Journal wine columnists, is all about making the moment special instead of waiting for one to come along.
This year, Open That Bottle Night falls on Saturday, Feb. 22, making it the perfect excuse to gather friends, visit a favorite restaurant, or finally uncork that vintage you’ve been saving solo in some well-deserved downtime. Over on Raleigh Food & Wine, I took a deeper dive into the history of the event, plus shared some fantastic local spots where you can make the most of it.
Hey Raleigh! It’s no ordinary weekend—Super Bowl LIX is here this Sunday! Whether you’re rooting for the Chiefs, the Eagles, or just in it for the snacks, we’ve got the best spots to catch all the action. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s plenty of love and fun to be had. Let’s make this weekend one for the books!
