Looking for things to do in downtown Raleigh this weekend? November 6–8 brings First Friday art openings, live music, food tours, comedy, classical performances and Sunday brunch.

Spend Friday exploring galleries, make Saturday a night out or enjoy a relaxed Sunday filled with music and local history.

Important update: First Friday Market & Movie Night at Moore Square, including the screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox, has been canceled because of weather. 

Schedules can change. Confirm tickets, reservations, age requirements and hours with venues. All times are Eastern; late-night closing times fall on the following morning.

Friday, November 6

First Friday Art, Shopping and Creative Activities

Downtown’s First Friday lineup offers gallery openings, pop-ups and opportunities to explore local creative spaces.

• A Place to Call Home: Celebrating 250 Years of the American Home: Gallery C, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., with additional evening hours from 6–8 p.m.
• Holiday Shopping at The Museum Shop: 4–7:30 p.m.
• First Friday at The Raleigh Wine Shop: Fresh pasta pop-up, free wine tasting and art, 5–8 p.m. Food is available for purchase.
• First Friday Flashes with Old Ghosts Tattoo: Le Dive, 5–10 p.m.
• First Friday Friendship Pop-Up: Blackbird Books & Coffee, 5–9 p.m.
• Small Works / BIG Treasures Exhibition Opening: Gallery 20, 5–8 p.m.
• First Friday at CoLab: Camp: The Carter Building, 6–11 p.m.
• First Friday at Curate with Made by Macie: Curate Raleigh, 6–9 p.m.
• November First Friday Open Art Studio: Linda Ruth Dickinson, beginning at 6 p.m. Confirm the closing time.
• Friendship Love Poem Workshop: Blackbird Books & Coffee, 6:30–8 p.m.
• First Friday Art Night: The Bike Library, 7–9 p.m.
• First Friday at The Times: The Raleigh Times Bar, 7–11 p.m.

Schedule clarification: The Wine Shop’s event description confirms 5–8 p.m., correcting the calendar’s “5 a.m.” start. The Linda Ruth Dickinson listing still shows an unclear “8 a.m.” closing time. 

Día de los Muertos at the City of Raleigh Museum

Location: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street
Start time: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free

The museum’s 10th annual Día de los Muertos celebration brings together music, dance, poetry, art and community traditions. This year’s program honors Mexican artist and printmaker José Guadalupe Posada.

Timing note: The City’s event page gives a 6:30 p.m. start but lists both 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. as ending times in different sections. Confirm the final schedule with the museum. 

Friday Tours, Games and Improv

• A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tours: 12:45 p.m., listed meeting location at the City of Raleigh Museum.
• Downtown Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour: 3 p.m., listed meeting location at Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar.
• Spirits & Spirits: Haunted Cocktail Rydables Tour: Raleigh Rydables, 5–7 p.m. and 7–9 p.m.
• 8 Free Tokens!: Super Rad Retro Lounge, 6–9 p.m. Check promotion terms.
• 21Marbles: PLAY ON!: Marbles Kids Museum, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
• Free First Friday Improv Jam + Open Mic: Leela Improv Theatre, 7–9:30 p.m.

Check booking and entry requirements before attending tours, workshops and special museum programs.

Friday Live Music, DJs and Nightlife

• Slim’s Patio Party — First Friday Malört Tasting: Slim’s Downtown, 4:30 p.m.–2 a.m.
• ROOTS HOUSE REGGAE!!!: Sunflower’s Café, 7–10 p.m.
• Crank Karaoke: Crank Arm Brewing, 8–11 p.m.
• Garden Grooves: Botanical Lounge, 8–11 p.m.
• First Friday: Michael Parker: The Davie, 8–11 p.m.
• Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5: North Carolina Symphony, 8 p.m. Check the Symphony’s listing for venue and tickets.
• Signature Fridays Featuring DJ Drop: Haymaker, 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
• Southeastern Sun: Slim’s Downtown, 9–11 p.m.
• Late Nights at Neptunes!: Neptunes Parlour, 10 p.m.–2 a.m.

Canceled: First Friday Market & Movie Night

The Moore Square Market & Movie Night, previously scheduled for 5–9 p.m., will not take place. This cancellation includes the planned screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

Saturday, November 7

Morning Wellness and Local History

Start Saturday with movement or a closer look at one of Raleigh’s historic neighborhoods.

• Free Yoga Class with a Canned Food Donation: YogaSix Glenwood South, 8–9 a.m. Confirm registration and donation details.
• Pilates Mat Class: Heights Pilates, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
• Historic Oakwood Walking Tour: Raleigh Walking Tours, 10–11:30 a.m.

Science, Art and Shopping

Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Day
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Add a science-focused stop to your downtown plans with this research day at the museum.

Additional daytime options:

• A Place to Call Home: Celebrating 250 Years of the American Home: Gallery C, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• No Room Records Pop-Up!: Copperline Plant Co., 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tours: 2:30 p.m., listed meeting location at the City of Raleigh Museum.

Saturday Concerts and Comedy

Choose from classical music, comedy and touring performers.

• Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5: North Carolina Symphony, 8 p.m. Confirm venue and ticket availability.
• Brincos Dieras — El Desmadre Continua Tour: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m.
• Jorge Luis Chacin — De Amor, Sueños y Cantares Tour: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m.

Check your ticket for the correct performance space when attending a show at the performing arts center.

Saturday Live Music and Nightlife

• Spirits & Spirits: Haunted Cocktail Rydables Tour: Raleigh Rydables, 5–7 p.m. and 7–9 p.m.
• TBL After Hours with The Monologue Bombs and Scivic Rivers: The Bike Library, 7–9 p.m.
• Goddamn Wolves, Lil Skritt and The Infamous Sugar: Slim’s Downtown, 8–11 p.m.
• SNL at Killjoy with DJ Deluxe and Knu Element Entertainment: Killjoy, 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
• Late Nights at Neptunes!: Neptunes Parlour, 10 p.m.–2 a.m.
• Cozy Saturday Featuring DJ JMar — The Wizard: Haymaker. Check with the venue for the start time.

Sunday, November 8

Sunday Brunch and Morning Activities

• Sunday Run Club: The Bike Library, 9–10:30 a.m.
• Sunday Brunch & Live Music: Good Day Good Night, 9 a.m.–noon.
• Sunday Half-Priced Spaghetti & Meatballs: Gravy, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Confirm offer details.

Start with a run or brunch, then build your afternoon around music, a workshop or a history tour.

Sunday Afternoon Games and Workshops

• Brazilian Grand Prix Watch Party: The Davie, noon–2 p.m. Confirm the broadcast schedule with the venue.
• Morgan Street Sessions: Morgan Street Food Hall, noon–4 p.m.
• S.O.S. My Plant Is Dying: Copperline Plant Co., noon–1:30 p.m.
• Free Air Hockey Tournament: Super Rad Retro Lounge, 1 p.m.
• Modern Calligraphy & Place Card Lettering for Beginners: Flour & Barrel, 2–3:30 p.m.

Check workshop registration and pricing before attending.

Sunday Live Music and Performances

• Jazz Sundays with Workbook: Incendiary Brewing Taproom, 2–5 p.m.
• Shed Bugs with Booster Club: Slim’s Downtown, 2–5 p.m.
• North Carolina Master Chorale: America 250: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 3 p.m.
• Radian: Slim’s Downtown, 8–11 p.m.

Sunday History and Evening Tours

• Raleigh African American History Tour: 4–5 p.m., listed meeting location at Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar.
• Spirits & Spirits: Haunted Cocktail Rydables Tour: Raleigh Rydables, 5–7 p.m. and 7–9 p.m.

Confirm reservations and meeting instructions directly with the tour operator.

Plan Your Downtown Raleigh Weekend

Reserve tickets early for performances, tours and classes. Leave time for parking, check venue age requirements and review outdoor event updates before heading out.

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