Downtown Raleigh welcomes the first weekend of September with art exhibitions, First Friday celebrations, live music, cultural festivals, guided tours, nightlife and family-friendly activities.

Major weekend highlights include the 17th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County, Game and Geek Expo 2026, the First Friday Market and Movie at Moore Square and dozens of events at downtown galleries, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Here is your DoRaleigh guide to things to do in downtown Raleigh from Friday, September 4, through Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Friday, September 4

First Friday takes over downtown Raleigh with gallery openings, pop-up markets, live performances, creative workshops and a free outdoor movie.

• Watercolors by Suzanne Hetzel: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Gallery C
• A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tour: 12:45 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum
• Downtown Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour: 3 p.m. | Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar
• First Friday Malört Tasting and Live Music: 4:30–11:59 p.m. | Slim’s Downtown
• 20% Off Tasty NC Treats: 5–7:30 p.m. | The Museum Shop
• Artspace First Fridays: 5–10 p.m. | Artspace
• First Friday Flashes with Old Ghosts Tattoo: 5–10 p.m. | Le Dive
• First Friday Market and Movie—“Remember the Titans”: 5–9 p.m. | Moore Square
• First Friday Pop-Up featuring Sean Otwell, Rise Over Run and Alimentari: 5–9 p.m. | The Raleigh Wine Shop
• Gallery 20 Grand Relaunch Celebration: 5–8 p.m. | Gallery 20
• Eight Free Tokens: 6–9 p.m. | Super Rad Retro Lounge
• First Friday at CoLab—“Critters”: 6–11 p.m. | The Carter Building
• First Friday at Curate with Wearevers: 6–9 p.m. | Curate Raleigh
• September Open Studio: 6 p.m. | Linda Ruth Dickinson
• Watercolors by Suzanne Hetzel: 6–8 p.m. | Gallery C
• Redbud Writing New Headquarters Grand Opening Party: 6:30–9:30 p.m. | Redbud Writing Project
• First Friday Art Night: 7–9 p.m. | The Bike Library
• First Friday with Little Raleigh Radio featuring The Veldt: City of Raleigh Museum
• First Friday at The Times: 7–11 p.m. | The Raleigh Times Bar
• First Friday Raleigh—Your First Crochet Stitch: 7–9 p.m. | Parcero Studio
• Free First Friday Improv Jam and Open Mic: 7–9:30 p.m. | Leela Improv Theatre
• Crank Karaoke: 8–11 p.m. | Crank Arm Brewing
• Garden Grooves: 8–11 p.m. | Botanical Lounge
• First Friday Live Music with Jake Potter: 8–9 p.m. | The Davie
• Signature Fridays featuring DJ Drop: 9 p.m.–1 a.m. | Haymaker
• Late Nights at Neptunes: 10 p.m.–2 a.m. | Neptunes Parlour

Saturday, September 5

Saturday brings one of Raleigh’s largest cultural celebrations, a major gaming convention, history tours, live entertainment and downtown nightlife.

• Pilates Mat Class: 9:30–10:15 a.m. | Heights Pilates
• Downtown Raleigh Black History Tour: 10–11:30 a.m. | Pope House Museum
• Game and Geek Expo 2026: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center
• 17th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County: Fayetteville Street
• Watercolors by Suzanne Hetzel: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Gallery C
• Grand Opening of Rebellion Media: Noon–6 p.m. | Rebellion Media
• Spritz Lab: 2–3 p.m. | Crude Bitters & The Bittery
• A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tour: 2:30 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum
• Jesse & Joy—El Despecho Tour: 8 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
• Cozy Saturday featuring DJ JMar—The Wizard: Haymaker
• SNL at Killjoy with DJ Deluxe and Knu Element Entertainment: 9 p.m.–1 a.m. | Killjoy
• Late Nights at Neptunes: 10 p.m.–2 a.m. | Neptunes Parlour

Sunday, September 6

Finish the weekend with brunch, community running, gaming, live music, plant activities and a guided African American history tour.

• Sunday Brunch and Live Music: 9 a.m.–noon | Good Day Good Night
• Sunday Run Club: 9–10:30 a.m. | The Bike Library
• Game and Geek Expo 2026: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center
• 17th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County: Fayetteville Street
• Morgan Street Sessions: Noon–4 p.m. | Morgan Street Food Hall
• BYO Holiday Cactus: Noon–1 p.m. | Copperline Plant Co.
• Free Air Hockey Tournament: 1 p.m. | Super Rad Retro Lounge
• Raleigh African American History Tour: 4–5 p.m. | Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar

Plan Your Downtown Raleigh Weekend

This weekend offers something for nearly every interest. Art lovers can explore Raleigh’s First Friday galleries, families can attend the African American Cultural Festival, gamers can visit Game and Geek Expo 2026 and music fans can enjoy performances throughout downtown.

Event schedules, prices and availability may change. Check with organizers and venues for registration requirements, tickets, parking information and last-minute updates before attending.

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Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |

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