A variety of events are happening in Raleigh on First Friday, including art exhibitions, live music, holiday-themed activities, and shopping opportunities. Highlights include the Illuminate Art Walk, First Friday at Artspace, and a holiday concert with the North Carolina Symphony.

Burning Coal Presents: The Rainmaker
7:30 PM – 10 PM / Burning Coal Theatre Company

Classical Christmas with Carlos
8pm / North Carolina Symphony

Evening With Elves
6pm – 8:30pm / Marbles Kids Museum

Feel Good Fridays at The Mecca
7:30am-9pm / The Mecca Restaurant

First Friday @ Raleigh Times Bar w/ Marvin J (Holiday Special)
7-11pm / The Raleigh Times Bar

First Friday Cocktail Mixer & DJ Party
8pm – 2am / The Architect Bar and Social House

Friday Favorites: Classical Christmas with Carlos
12pm / North Carolina Symphony
6 PM – 8 PM / Glenwood Fine Art

Selfies with Santa at The Pit
6-8pm / The Pit

First Friday Ladies Night at The Merchant
5pm – 2am / The Merchant

Illuminate Artist Meet-and-Greet Reception
5pm – 7pm / Sir Walter Coffee & Kitchen

Make & Take a Raleigh Acorn Bell at Designed For Joy
5pm – 7pm / Designed For Joy

The 5th Annual Illuminate Art Walk
5pm – 11pm Best viewed beginning at sunset / Fayetteville Street Venue

Holiday Sip n Shop
5:30pm – 9pm / City of Raleigh Museum

Illuminate Art Walk Sip n’ Stroll Tour
5:30pm / Raleigh Walking Tours

Artspace December First Friday
6pm – 10pm / Artspace

First Friday & Art Book Sale
6pm – 9pm / CAM Raleigh (Contemporary Art Museum)

First Friday at CoLab: Open-Close
6pm – 11pm / The Carter Building

First Friday at Curate
6pm – 9pm / Curate Raleigh

First Friday Curated Vintage
6pm – 8pm / Origami Styling

First Friday Fiber Friends
6pm – 9pm / Parcero Studio

First Friday Music Bingo @ Clyde Cooper’s BBQ
6pm – 8pm / Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue
6pm – 8pm / Gallery C

Open painting studio
6pm – 8pm / Linda Ruth Dickinson

Live Music: The Baristas
7pm – 10pm / Sir Walter Coffee

Oak City Saxes First Friday Holiday Show
7pm – 9pm / The Green Monkey

Michael Parker Live
8pm – 11pm / The DavieUmbrella Dry Bar x Raleigh Raw
8pm – 11pm / Raleigh Raw Juice Bar and Cafe

Burning Coal Presents: The Rainmaker
7:30 PM – 10 PM / Burning Coal Theatre Company

Classical Christmas with Carlos
8pm / North Carolina Symphony

Evening With Elves
6pm – 8:30pm / Marbles Kids Museum

Feel Good Fridays at The Mecca
7:30am-9pm / The Mecca Restaurant

First Friday @ Raleigh Times Bar w/ Marvin J (Holiday Special)
7-11pm / The Raleigh Times Bar

First Friday Cocktail Mixer & DJ Party
8pm – 2am / The Architect Bar and Social House

Friday Favorites: Classical Christmas with Carlos
12pm / North Carolina Symphony

Holiday Gifts and more!
6 PM – 8 PM / Glenwood Fine Art

Selfies with Santa at The Pit
6-8pm / The Pit

First Friday Ladies Night at The Merchant
5pm – 2am / The Merchant

Illuminate Artist Meet-and-Greet Reception
5pm – 7pm / Sir Walter Coffee & Kitchen

Make & Take a Raleigh Acorn Bell at Designed For Joy
5pm – 7pm / Designed For Joy

The 5th Annual Illuminate Art Walk
5pm – 11pm Best viewed beginning at sunset / Fayetteville Street Venue

Holiday Sip n Shop
5:30pm – 9pm / City of Raleigh Museum

Illuminate Art Walk Sip n’ Stroll Tour
5:30pm / Raleigh Walking Tours

Artspace December First Friday
6pm – 10pm / Artspace
6pm – 9pm / CAM Raleigh (Contemporary Art Museum)

First Friday at CoLab: Open-Close
6pm – 11pm / The Carter Building

First Friday at Curate
6pm – 9pm / Curate Raleigh

First Friday Curated Vintage
6pm – 8pm / Origami Styling

First Friday Fiber Friends
6pm – 9pm / Parcero Studio

First Friday Music Bingo @ Clyde Cooper’s BBQ
6pm – 8pm / Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue

Le Paris de la Belle Époque: New Paintings by Fabienne Delacroix
6pm – 8pm / Gallery C

Open painting studio
6pm – 8pm / Linda Ruth Dickinson

Live Music: The Baristas
7pm – 10pm / Sir Walter Coffee

Oak City Saxes First Friday Holiday Show
7pm – 9pm / The Green Monkey

Michael Parker Live
8pm – 11pm / The DavieUmbrella Dry Bar x Raleigh Raw
8pm – 11pm / Raleigh Raw Juice Bar and Cafe