Looking for things to do in downtown Raleigh this weekend? November 13–15 brings holiday entertainment, live music, food tours, creative gatherings, history programs and late-night outings.

Highlights include A Magical Cirque Christmas, How to Train Your Dragon in Concert, a new Pope House Museum exhibit and Sunday’s Jewish History Trolley Tours.

Here’s your guide to Friday, Saturday and Sunday downtown.

All times are Eastern. Confirm ticket prices, reservations, registration and age requirements with organizers. Admission is not necessarily free unless stated. Events ending after midnight continue into the following calendar day.

Friday, November 13

Daytime Art, History and Food Tours

• A Place to Call Home: Celebrating 250 Years of the American Home: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Gallery C. The exhibition’s listed hours are Tuesday–Saturday.
• A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tours: 12:45 p.m., with City of Raleigh Museum listed as the starting location. Confirm booking and meeting instructions.
• Downtown Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour: 3 p.m., with Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar listed as the meeting location.

Creative Gatherings and Wellness

• Silent Book Club: 5–7 p.m. at Blackbird Books & Coffee.
• Infused Sound Bath: 6–7:30 p.m. at Current Wellness. Review the organizer’s description and registration details.
• Canopy Mixer & Writing Time: 6:30–8 p.m. at Redbud Writing Project.

Holiday Entertainment and Live Music

How to Train Your Dragon in Concert with the North Carolina Symphony
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Watch the film in HD while the North Carolina Symphony performs John Powell’s score live. A second performance is listed for Saturday at 3 p.m. 

View the Symphony’s performance information⁠.

A Magical Cirque Christmas
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Bring some holiday entertainment into your weekend. Check the venue for tickets and show details.

Impossible Creatures and South of Reno
Time: 9–11 p.m.
Location: Slim’s Downtown

Catch a Friday live-music lineup at Slim’s. Confirm tickets, cover charges and age restrictions.

Friday Nightlife and Karaoke

• Spirits & Spirits: Haunted Cocktail Rydables Tour: 5–7 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. through Raleigh Rydables.
• Friday the 13th Flash Tattoo Pop-Up: 7 p.m.–midnight at The Davie.
• Crank Karaoke: 8–11 p.m. at Crank Arm Brewing.
• Garden Grooves: 8–11 p.m. at Botanical Lounge.
• Signature Fridays featuring DJ Drop: 9 p.m.–1 a.m. Saturday at Haymaker.
• Late Nights at Neptunes: 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Saturday at Neptunes Parlour.

Calendar clarification: The Davie pop-up begins Friday evening and ends at midnight as Saturday starts. Its appearance under both dates does not indicate a second Saturday evening session. 

Saturday, November 14

Morning Movement, Art and History

Pilates Mat Class
Time: 9:30–10:15 a.m.
Location: Heights Pilates

Start Saturday with a mat class. Confirm registration, pricing and equipment needs with the studio.

Exhibit Opening: The Doctor Is In
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Pope House Museum, 511 S. Wilmington Street
Cost: Free; no registration required

Explore the experiences of Black physicians in the 20th-century South through a new permanent exhibit featuring original items from the Pope Collection. 

Read the official exhibit announcement⁠.

A Place to Call Home: Celebrating 250 Years of the American Home
Time: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Gallery C

Make a gallery visit part of your Saturday downtown.

Tastings, Food Tours and Cocktail Classes

• Holiday Tasting Fair: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Weaver Street Market Raleigh.
• A Bourbon and Cocktail Tasting with Calumet Farms: Noon–2 p.m. at The Crunkleton.
• A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tours: 2:30 p.m., with City of Raleigh Museum listed as the starting location.
• Good Day Good Night Holiday Classics Cocktail Class: 3 p.m. at Good Day Good Night.

Check reservations, pricing and availability before attending. Alcohol tastings, purchases and cocktail activities are for adults 21 and older.

The Big Dill Bash at Boxcar

Time: Noon Saturday–2 a.m. Sunday
Location: Boxcar Bar and Arcade

The Big Dill Bash starts November 14 and continues into the early hours of November 15. Its Sunday calendar appearance reflects the overnight ending, rather than a separate Sunday noon start. 

View the Big Dill Bash listing⁠.

Afternoon and Evening Entertainment

• How to Train Your Dragon in Concert: 3 p.m. with the North Carolina Symphony, at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
• Miles to Go Tour: 3–5 p.m. at Slim’s Downtown.
• Closing: Nashona Anniversary and Fashion Show: 5 p.m. at NASHONA. Check the organizer’s announcement for program details.
• Silent Book Club: 5–7 p.m. at Blackbird Books & Coffee.
• Spirits & Spirits: Haunted Cocktail Rydables Tour: 5–7 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. through Raleigh Rydables.
• TBL After Hours Live Music with David Wintermute: 7–9 p.m. at The Bike Library.
• The Bleeding Hearts with MotorGoat: 9–11 p.m. at Slim’s Downtown.

Saturday Late-Night Plans

• Cozy Saturday featuring DJ JMar — The Wizard: Haymaker. A start time was not supplied; confirm with the venue.
• SNL at Killjoy with DJ Deluxe and Knu Element Entertainment: 9 p.m.–1 a.m. Sunday at Killjoy.
• Late Nights at Neptunes: 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Sunday at Neptunes Parlour.

Sunday, November 15

Morning Run and Afternoon Sessions

Sunday Run Club
Time: 9–10:30 a.m.
Location: The Bike Library

Start Sunday with a group run. Check the organizer’s route and participation details.

Morgan Street Sessions
Time: Noon–4 p.m.
Location: Morgan Street Food Hall

Include Morgan Street Sessions in your afternoon plans, with food hall purchases available separately.

History Tours

Jewish History Trolley Tours
Departure times: 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Location: Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street
Cost: $15 per person

Explore Raleigh’s Jewish heritage on an approximately one-hour tour. Tours begin and end at Mordecai Historic Park. Arrive 15 minutes before departure to check tickets. 

View details and purchase tickets⁠.

Raleigh African American History Tour
Time: 4–5 p.m.
Meeting location: Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar

Explore local African American history during this guided outing. Confirm tickets and meeting instructions before attending.

Hands-On Classes and Games

• FREE Air Hockey Tournament: 1 p.m. at Super Rad Retro Lounge. Confirm entry procedures and venue age requirements.
• Cocktails & Cuisine Class: Friendsgiving: 2–3:30 p.m. at The Willard Rooftop Lounge. Check reservations and what is included.
• Candle Making with Usu Company Candles: 3–5 p.m. at Copperline Plant Co. Confirm registration and pricing.

Live Music, Elvis and Karaoke

• Crow with No Mouth & Ol’Joey Scrums: 4–6 p.m. at Slim’s Downtown.
• ELVIS: In Person — Starring Matt Stone: 7 p.m. at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
• Emo Karaoke!: 8 p.m.–midnight at Neptunes Parlour.

Sunday Dining and Evening Tours

Sunday Half-Priced Spaghetti & Meatballs
Time: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Location: Gravy

Plan a Sunday meal around the listed special. Confirm offer terms and reservation availability with the restaurant.

Spirits & Spirits: Haunted Cocktail Rydables Tour
Tour times: 5–7 p.m. and 7–9 p.m.
Organizer: Raleigh Rydables

Finish the weekend with a haunted cocktail-themed outing. Check availability, meeting instructions and age requirements before booking.

Plan Your Downtown Raleigh Weekend

Reserve tickets early for performances, tours and classes. Several activities overlap, especially Saturday afternoon, so choose your favorites and leave time to move between venues.

For late-night events, pay attention to the ending date: Friday outings can continue into Saturday, while Saturday nightlife can continue into Sunday.

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