Looking for the best things to do this weekend in the heart of Raleigh? The Downtown Raleigh Entertainment Guide – Saturday Edition has you covered with live music, arts, food tours, festivals, and hands-on workshops. Whether you want to explore local history, catch a symphony performance, or enjoy a scavenger hunt with friends, downtown is buzzing with activity on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Featured Events

Experience a powerful night of classical music in downtown Raleigh with the North Carolina Symphony performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Dvořák’s New World Symphony at 8:00 pm. Alternatively, dance the night away with beats from local DJs at the Saturday Night DJ Showcase from 8:00 pm to midnight at Boatman Spirits Co., one of Raleigh’s most vibrant nightlife spots.

Food, Tours & Local Flavor

The “A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tour” takes place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the City of Raleigh Museum, offering a guided experience through local eateries to savor some of the best flavors downtown. Meanwhile, “All Gold Everything” is scheduled from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at On My Way Bartending + Mixology Studio, promising a golden afternoon filled with creative cocktails and mixology fun.

Arts, Culture & Creativity

Threading Memories: Text & Image as Creative Archiving (Workshop) will take place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Artspace, where adults aged 16 and above can learn to use text and imagery for creative archiving. At the same time, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at The Museum Shop, there will be a Meet & Greet with local glass artist Lisa Oakley, offering an opportunity to connect with her and explore her stunning works in person. Additionally, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at Sugar Euphoria, participants can celebrate cozy vibes and small-town charm in a “Gilmore Girls”-themed experience.

Family Fun & Community

Raleigh’s annual BugFest is set to take place from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences Store & Nature Art Gallery, offering live exhibits, hands-on learning, and family fun. Meanwhile, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, the City of Raleigh Museum hosts Family Fun Day – Zines!, a creative zine-making event for kids and families to explore art and storytelling. The Pope House Museum invites participants to delve into Raleigh’s rich African American history with guided walking tours scheduled at 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Sir Walter Coffee is the starting point for the Downtown Raleigh Treasure Hunt: Walking Team Scavenger Hunt, where teams can solve clues and uncover treasures across downtown. Finally, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, The Bend Bar offers SLAPCAT! A Close Call Distro Ride, a lively community bike ride accompanied by music and good vibes.

🎬 Film & Screenings

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Apollo 13 with an all-day screening at the Marbles IMAX Theater, where you can relive the gripping journey of this historic mission on the giant screen.

🌟 Wrap-Up

From BugFest and walking tours to food adventures, DJ nights, and symphonic performances, downtown Raleigh is packed with things to see and do this Saturday. Bring your family, friends, or just yourself and enjoy the culture, creativity, and entertainment that make downtown the heartbeat of Raleigh.

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