Downtown Raleigh Entertainment Guide Friday September 26th Edition
Looking for the best things to do in Downtown Raleigh this Friday? From live music and history tours to yoga, tattoo festivals, and late-night vibes, there’s no shortage of entertainment to kick off your weekend. Whether you’re into arts, culture, food, or nightlife, Downtown Raleigh has something waiting for you.
🎶 Daytime Fun & Cultural Experiences
Start your Friday afternoon at the Express Library Chess Club from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Express Library on Fayetteville Street, where community and strategy converge over the chessboard. If you’re hungry, consider grabbing an early lunch at Feel Good Fridays at The Mecca, a true Raleigh tradition available from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a dose of history, join the Downtown Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour at 3 p.m. at Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar, which offers fascinating insights into the city’s past. Meanwhile, classical music lovers can enjoy the North Carolina Symphony’s performance of Dvořák’s New World Symphony at 12 p.m. for an unforgettable experience.
🎨 Evening Arts, Tours & Festivals
As the sun sets, you have several exciting options to explore. The Villain Arts’ 4th Annual Raleigh Tattoo Arts Festival is taking place at the Raleigh Convention Center from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and continues throughout the weekend, featuring incredible tattoo artists, vendors, and entertainment. Alternatively, you can attend the Oakwood Series 2025 at Burning Coal Theatre, where the production Un/NAMED is being showcased from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you’re in the mood for an outdoor experience, head to Moore Square for NCMA Outdoor Films, where you can enjoy a family-friendly screening of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. under the stars.
🍸 Nightlife & Music
Friday nights in Raleigh are synonymous with vibrant nightlife, especially in Downtown. Visitors can enjoy specialty cocktails during Negroni Week at Figulina from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. or experience the cool vibes and crafted drinks at Frozen Fridays at Wolfe & Porter from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Music enthusiasts should not miss the energetic rock performance by Horsehead with Rebecca Porter and Dragmatic from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Slim’s Downtown. For those seeking a more relaxing evening, Yoga Nidra with Journaling and Tea is available from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at YogaSix Glenwood South, offering a calm and mindful conclusion to the day.
🕵️ Mystery & Night Tours
Finally, dive into Raleigh’s darker side with the Downtown Raleigh True Crime Tour (8 p.m., Moore Square) for an evening of storytelling and intrigue.
Your week, your city, your fun — stay connected with everything happening in the Raleigh at DoRaleigh.com
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