Downtown Raleigh Event Guide (Weekend Edition): Feb. 13–15th

Valentine’s Weekend Events, Live Music, Food Experiences & Cultural Things to Do Downtown Raleigh

❤️ Downtown Raleigh Weekend Overview

Downtown Raleigh is packed with Valentine’s weekend activities, live performances, tours, food experiences, nightlife, and cultural events from February 13–15, 2026. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, Galentine’s celebration, or just exploring the city, there’s something happening throughout downtown.

⭐ Friday, February 13 Highlights

🎭 Performances & Cultural Events

Bravo Broadway with the North Carolina Symphony – A musical theater celebration Solas Performance – Live performing arts experience Gallery Exhibits including Where Sunlight Lingers at Gallery C

💕 Valentine’s & Galentine’s Events

Galentine’s celebrations at Smash Social Club and Sir Walter Coffee Love-themed dining experiences like Love at First Bite at Good Day Good Night Vintage Valentine’s Party at City of Raleigh Museum

🌃 Tours, Nightlife & Entertainment

Downtown Raleigh historian-guided walking tour True crime walking tour at Moore Square Karaoke at Crank Arm Brewing Live indie rock at Slim’s Downtown Salsa night at Boatman Spirits Co. Late-night music and dancing at Neptunes Parlour

💖 Saturday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day)

🍽️ Romantic Dining & Special Experiences

Valentine’s prix fixe dinners across downtown restaurants Chocolate and cocktail pairings at Boatman Spirits Oyster tasting experiences and wellness-focused Valentine events Murder mystery dinner experiences

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

Love Notes R&B Valentine Concert featuring Donell Jones, Carl Thomas & Keke Wyatt Jazzentine’s at Hartwell Live music and DJ nights throughout downtown venues

💘 Unique Valentine Activities

Valentine’s treasure hunt walking scavenger tours Poetry showdown events Couples wellness experiences Art classes and creative workshops

🏛️ Family & Community Activities

Family Fun Day Valentine’s event at City of Raleigh Museum Fitness classes and wellness sessions

🌹 Sunday, February 15 Highlights

🎨 Arts, Markets & Culture

Artspace Open Studio events Vintage market shopping opportunities Art exhibitions including works at Gallery C

🚶 Tours & Community Activities

Raleigh African American History Tour Downtown scavenger hunts Run clubs and wellness classes

🍽️ Food & Social Events

Seafood boil and oyster roast gatherings Valentine’s weekend restaurant specials Live music brunch and evening events

Why Downtown Raleigh Is the Place to Be This Weekend

Downtown Raleigh continues to serve as a hub for:

Arts, culture, and entertainment Local dining and nightlife experiences Community connection and civic engagement Seasonal celebrations and festivals

Valentine’s weekend is especially vibrant, with events suited for couples, friends, families, and solo explorers.

Stay Connected With DoRaleigh

DoRaleigh provides ongoing coverage of:

Downtown Raleigh events Triangle cultural happenings Local government updates Community festivals and experiences

👉 Visit DoRaleigh.com regularly for new event guides, civic updates, and local highlights.

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Raleigh Photos From The Past Weekend Events

Civic Engagement, Culture, and Community Highlights Across Raleigh

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

This weekend in Raleigh showcased the city’s vibrant mix of civic engagement, arts, and community celebration. From political dialogue at Shaw University to Black History Month festivities at Chavis Park and a creative photography showcase downtown, residents showed up, stayed engaged, and celebrated Raleigh culture — even when unexpected challenges like power outages arose.

Here’s a recap of some of the most notable moments captured around the city this weekend.

Friday: Residential Urbanity Photography Showcase

Kicking off the weekend, the Residential Urbanity: A Modern Showcase of Triangle Skate Photographers event highlighted local creative talent and Raleigh’s growing arts scene.

Hosted as part of First Friday programming, the showcase featured:

Contemporary skate photography Local artist perspectives Community networking around art and culture

The exhibit reflected Raleigh’s evolving creative landscape and the importance of supporting regional artists and storytellers.

Saturday: Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum at Shaw University

Community members gathered at Shaw University for the Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum on February 7, 2026, where local voters had the opportunity to hear directly from candidates about key issues impacting Raleigh’s future.

The forum encouraged respectful discussion around:

Local economic development Infrastructure and housing priorities Public safety and transportation Community engagement and civic participation

Events like this highlight how important direct dialogue is between residents and local leadership as Raleigh continues to grow.

👉 Read more about the forum

Saturday: Celebrate Black History Month at Chavis Park

Despite a temporary power outage, the Black History Month celebration at John Chavis Memorial Park continued — demonstrating the resilience and community spirit that Raleigh is known for.

The event featured:

Cultural activities and community engagement Family-friendly programming Celebrations honoring Black history, heritage, and contributions

Attendees embraced the experience regardless of the unexpected circumstances, reinforcing how meaningful these community gatherings are.

Sunday: Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh — Event Recap

The Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh event brought together community members, leaders, and supporters for an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring individuals actively uplifting the Black community in Raleigh. The powerful panel discussion, Living Legends of Raleigh, featured Dr. Paul Baker, Dr. James T. Roberson Jr., Frances Lonnette Williams, Rozalyn Blair-Sanders, SGT Patricia Harris, and SFC Elree Smith—each recognized for their lasting contributions to education, faith, military service, arts, and community development. Through candid conversation and storytelling, attendees gained insight into their journeys, the challenges they overcame, and the impact they continue to make across the Triangle.

Hosted by entertainer and radio personality Les Long, the evening blended reflection, celebration, and culture with live music from the Phenix Fire Jazz Band adding energy and soul to the gathering. Themes like Roots & Rise, Breaking Barriers, Building the Future, and Legacy & Love resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing the importance of honoring leaders while they are still shaping the community. Events like this continue to highlight Raleigh’s rich Black history, cultural resilience, and the ongoing work of those building stronger futures for the next generation.

Raleigh Community Snapshot

This weekend’s events reflect what makes Raleigh unique:

✔ Strong civic engagement

✔ Vibrant arts and culture scene

✔ Community resilience

✔ Celebration of diverse voices and histories

Whether through political forums, cultural celebrations, or creative exhibitions, Raleigh continues to show why community participation remains central to the city’s identity.

Stay Connected With DoRaleigh

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Local event coverage Civic engagement updates Arts and culture highlights Weekend event guides Community photo recaps

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Downtown Raleigh Event Guide — First Friday Edition

Friday, February 6, 2026 | Arts, Nightlife, Music & More

It’s First Friday in Downtown Raleigh, one of the best nights of the month to explore art, culture, nightlife, music, and community events across the city. Whether you’re gallery hopping, catching live music, exploring downtown tours, or enjoying late-night vibes — here’s your curated DoRaleigh First Friday guide.

First Friday Art Walks & Creative Events

Downtown Raleigh shines during First Friday with dozens of galleries, pop-ups, artist receptions, and cultural showcases.

Highlights include:

Artspace First Friday — 4PM–6PM Residential Urbanity Skate Photography Showcase — 6–9PM | City of Raleigh Museum First Friday at CoLab: Uncomfortable Together — 6–11PM Hartwell Artist Reception + Live Music & Pizza — 6–9PM Reflections of Us Portraiture Exhibit — 6–11PM | Fish Market Gallery Gallery C: Venice — New Paintings by Bert Sult — 6–8PM Street Frame New Artists Opening — 5–7PM Curate Raleigh First Friday with Made By Macie — 6–9PM Linda Ruth Dickinson Open Studio — 6–8PM Glenwood Fine Art First Friday Event — 6–8PM

Expect vibrant creativity, local artists, and plenty of opportunities to explore Raleigh’s growing arts scene.

Music, Performances & Entertainment

North Carolina Symphony Performances

Gershwin & More — 12PM Gershwin & Bernstein — 8PM

Live Music & Comedy Highlights:

Daddy’s Soda Live at The Davie — 8–11PM Free Improv Jam & Open Mic — Leela Improv Theatre — 7–9:30PM Karaoke Night — Crank Arm Brewing — 8–11PM Late Nights at Neptunes Parlour — 10PM–2AM

These performances make First Friday a perfect night for both culture lovers and nightlife explorers.

Tours, Experiences & Unique Activities

Looking for something different? Downtown Raleigh has plenty:

Downtown Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour — 3PM Downtown Raleigh True Crime Tour — 8PM | Moore Square Virtual Reality Beach Lounge + Mocktails — Current Wellness — 5:30–7PM Sip, Sign & Support Wine Event at DRINK — 5–7PM

These events combine education, entertainment, and social experiences.

Nightlife, Social & Late-Night Events

Downtown Raleigh keeps the energy going into the night:

Salsa Night — Boatman Spirits Co. — 10PM–2AM School Photo Day Party — Wolfe & Porter — 7–9PM First Friday Flashes Tattoo Event — Le Dive — 5–10PM

Perfect options for anyone looking to extend the First Friday fun.

Why First Friday in Raleigh Matters

First Friday isn’t just an art walk — it’s a community tradition that:

✔ Supports local artists and businesses

✔ Activates downtown public spaces

✔ Builds Raleigh’s creative economy

✔ Creates opportunities for community connection

It’s one of the best ways to experience Raleigh’s culture.

Stay Connected with Downtown Raleigh

For more updates on:

Downtown Raleigh events First Friday art walks Local concerts, festivals, and nightlife Community and government happenings

👉 Keep following DoRaleigh.com for daily event guides and local coverage.

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City of Raleigh Government Event Guide — Friday February 6th Edition

Raleigh Community, Arts & Government-Connected Events

Here’s your City of Raleigh Government Event Guide for Friday, February 6, 2026 — highlighting community, cultural, and civic-connected programming happening across Raleigh. These events often include partnerships with city departments, museums, parks, and cultural organizations that help shape Raleigh’s vibrant community.

🎨 Featured Event

Residential Urbanity: A Modern Showcase of Triangle Skate Photographers

🗓 Friday, February 6, 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM

📍 City of Raleigh Museum (COR Museum)

🎟 RSVP Recommended

Category: Parks, Recreation, and Athletics / Arts & Culture

This special exhibition highlights skate photography from across the Triangle, showcasing how urban landscapes, movement, and youth culture intersect through visual storytelling.

Expect:

Photography highlighting local skate culture Community engagement around urban recreation Artistic perspectives on Raleigh’s evolving city environment A unique blend of sports, culture, and creative expression

Events like this demonstrate Raleigh’s ongoing investment in arts, recreation, and community storytelling.

Why These Events Matter

City-supported programs and cultural showcases help:

Strengthen Raleigh’s creative economy Promote community connection Highlight diverse artistic voices Activate public spaces and museums

They’re also great opportunities for residents to stay connected with what’s happening locally.

Stay Connected with Raleigh

For continued updates on:

✔ City meetings and civic engagement opportunities

✔ Community workshops and public events

✔ Arts, culture, and recreation programming

✔ Local government news and initiatives

Keep checking DoRaleigh.com for regular event guides, community updates, and local coverage.

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Downtown Raleigh Event Guide — Thursday February 5th Edition

Live Music, Theatre, Trivia, Food Specials & Nightlife in Downtown Raleigh

Downtown Raleigh continues to deliver a vibrant mix of arts, culture, food, nightlife, and community experiences. Whether you’re planning a date night, group outing, or solo adventure, Thursday offers plenty of options — from ballet and theatre to trivia nights, craft events, live music, and dining specials.

Here’s what’s happening around downtown Raleigh this Thursday:

Featured Arts, Theatre & Performances

Carolina Ballet Presents Carmen Suite

2:00 PM Matinee & 7:30 PM Evening Performance

Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Experience world-class ballet inspired by the classic opera — a must-see cultural event downtown.

Little River Band — Live Concert

7:30 PM

Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Enjoy classic rock hits from the legendary band in an iconic Raleigh venue.

Red Pitch — Theatre Opening

7:30 PM (Thu–Sat) | 2:00 PM Sunday

Burning Coal Theatre Company

A compelling theatrical production exploring identity, friendship, and change.

Leela Improv Theatre Drop-In Class

7:00–9:00 PM

Leela Improv Theatre

Perfect for beginners or experienced performers looking to sharpen improv skills.

Food, Drinks & Social Events

Figulina Aperitivo Hour

5:00–6:30 PM

Figulina Pasta + Provisions

Enjoy small plates, drinks, and a relaxed early evening social vibe.

Classic Cocktails & Classic Hip Hop

8:00 PM–12:00 AM

Boatman Spirits Co.

Craft cocktails meet throwback hip hop for a laid-back nightlife experience.

Creative & Community Events

Craft Night

5:00–7:00 PM

Copperline Plant Co.

A creative evening for plant lovers and DIY enthusiasts.

Trivia with the Professor

7:00–9:00 PM

Woody’s at City Market

A fun, competitive trivia night perfect for friend groups or coworkers.

Thursday Music Karaoke

8:00–10:00 PM

Wolfe & Porter

Sing your favorites in a relaxed downtown setting.

Why Downtown Raleigh Thursdays Are Worth Exploring

Downtown Raleigh offers:

✔ Walkable entertainment districts

✔ Diverse food and nightlife options

✔ Arts and cultural programming

✔ Community-driven events

✔ Unique local venues and businesses

Whether you’re looking for live performances, casual social events, or nightlife experiences, downtown consistently delivers.

Stay Connected With DoRaleigh

Bryan — these downtown guides are core content for DoRaleigh since they:

Strengthen local SEO visibility Support small businesses Increase event awareness Position DoRaleigh as the Triangle events authority

👉 Check DoRaleigh.com regularly for daily event guides

👉 Submit events for coverage

👉 Follow local happenings across the Triangle

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City of Raleigh Saturday Event Guide Saturday January 24th Edition

Despite winter weather concerns, City of Raleigh government meetings and arts programming are still on the calendar for Saturday. If conditions allow, residents can engage in local governance and arts & culture activities across the city. As always, please verify event status before attending, especially with snow or icy conditions possible.

City of Raleigh Government & Community Events

Saturday, January 24, 2026

City Council Retreat

🕗 8:00 AM | City of Raleigh

Council & Council Committee Meetings

The Raleigh City Council will hold its annual retreat, focused on strategic planning, policy priorities, and long-term goals for the city. While retreats are typically working sessions, they play an important role in shaping Raleigh’s direction for the year ahead.

Reflecting Raleigh Civic Assembly – CANCELED

🕤 9:30 AM | CANCELED

Community & Workshops

⚠️ This event has been officially canceled.

Reflecting Raleigh Civic Assembly was scheduled as a community-focused discussion but will not take place on Saturday.

🎨 Arts & Entertainment

Closing Reception | “Then and Now” Exhibition

🕝 2:30 PM | Pullen Arts Center

Art Exhibit | Arts & Entertainment

Celebrate the closing of “Then and Now,” an exhibition showcasing artistic perspectives that connect Raleigh’s past and present. The closing reception offers a final opportunity to experience the work, meet fellow art lovers, and support local creatives at the Pullen Arts Center.

❄️ Weather Advisory: Snow & Ice Possible

Winter weather may impact travel conditions across Raleigh on Saturday. Snow or icy roads could lead to delays, cancellations, or schedule changes.

➡️ Confirm event status with the City of Raleigh or venue organizers before heading out.

➡️ Allow extra travel time and use caution if attending in person.

📌 Stay Informed

For daily City of Raleigh government meeting guides, community updates, and local events, visit DoRaleigh.comc for the latest information and real-time changes.

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