October is in full swing — and to help you get the most out of your fall, we’re rounding up some of the top local events (both virtual and in-person) to help you stay connected. 🎃

Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in the following events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.

Thursday October 1 – Sunday October 4

Thursday October 1

Raleigh Little Theatre’s Waiting for the Host Opening Night | Virtual | Thurs., Oct. 1 | 7:30-8:15 p.m. | $10 per showing | RLT actors will be performing live over video conference in this comedy play-within-a-play. The show takes place in two parts – the opening night being Part 1– but the parts can be enjoyed on their own and are showing multiple times until Oct. 10. 🎭

Friday October 2

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week | Fri., Oct. 2 – Sun., Oct 11 | The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is encouraging people to show their support for local restaurants in downtown during this week of celebration, starting today. 🍔

8th Annual Raleigh Film and Art Festival | Virtual | Fri., Oct 2 – Sun., Oct 4 | Free, general admission | The 3-day festival hosted by NC State Libraries and Centennial campus will feature over 120 films for viewing, celebrity guest Q&As, spoken word performances, and discussions with industry insiders. 🎥

Saturday October 3

Dine Out Downtown | Sat., Oct. 3 | 5-9 p.m. | Fayetteville Street | Free | The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is closing two blocks of Fayetteville Street to set up lights, art, and picnic tables all for enjoying your favorite Downtown Raleigh restaurant takeout. 🍔

Campbell Law School Bike Ride | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | 225 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603 | $50 (Save $20 off with code “RALTODAY”) | Join Campbell Law School as they host their annual Bike Ride featuring routes at 10 miles or 50 miles. There is also an option to ride virtually. 🚲 Ⓟ

Sunday October 4

Monday October 5 - Sunday October 11

Prismatica Downtown Fayetteville | Oct. 1 - 31 | All-day | Multiple locations in Downtown Fayetteville | An art installation of numerous, 6-foot tall prisicms that transform and reflect colorful light around the space while playing accompanying sounds. The pricsms can be manipulated by the audience to change the refraction of colors.

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week | Fri., Oct. 2 - Sun., Oct 11 | The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is encouraging people to show their support for local restaurants in downtown during this week of celebration, starting today.

Monday October 5

Tuesday October 6

2020 Wake County Commissioner Candidates Virtual Forum | Virtual | Tues., Oct. 6 | 6 p.m. | Free | Community members will get the chance to learn about the candidates running for county commissioner and have any pre-submitted questions for the candidates answered.

COVID-19 Claims and Lawsuits Webinar | Virtual | Tues., Oct. 6 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Free | A panel of experts will discuss and advise on current legal issues businesses may be facing amidst the pandemic. Topics include evaluating business insurance coverage, employer negligence, wage/hour claims against employers, and employee protection.

Wednesday October 7

RTPfit: Yoga | Virtual | Wed., Oct. 7 | 12 - 12:50 p.m. | Free | Take a mid-day break from your work and relax at RTPfit’s professionally-instructed yoga session. The class is welcoming of all skill-levels and will incorporate a mixture of balance, stretching, and strength-building poses.

Thursday October 8

Joseph: All The Songs We’ve Ever Played Livestream Series | Virtual | Thurs-Sat., Oct. 8, 9, 10 | 8 p.m. | $15 per show | Cat’s Cradle is teaming up with the band Joseph to host a 3-night virtual concert series of their entire discography where each livestream will be dedicated to one of Joseph’s albums.

Campbell University MBA Program Virtual Information Session | Thurs., Oct. 8 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join a virtual information session to learn more about Campbell’s MBA program, currently offered at 3 locations -- downtown Raleigh, 100% online and on the main campus in Buies Creek. They’ll cover the features, benefits, and application process, and also allow time for Q + A. Ⓟ

Friday October 9

RTP Food Truck Rodeo | Fri., Oct. 9 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | 800 Park Offices Drive, Morrisville | Free | This week’s rodeo will host Doherty’s Paddy Wagon and Trash Talk in the parking lot of Frontier RTP Campus. Guests can order ahead or onsite and are welcome to eat at socially-distanced tables, in their cars, or take it home.

Saturday October 10

Dine Out Downtown | Sat., Oct. 10 | 5 - 9 p.m. | Fayetteville Street | Free | The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is closing two blocks of Fayetteville Street to set up lights, art, and picnic tables all for enjoying your favorite Downtown Raleigh restaurant takeout.

Sunday October 11

The Black Farmers Market | Sun., Oct. 11 | 1 - 4 p.m. | 411 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham | Free | If you are looking for some fresh produce to add to your weekly groceries and maybe want to grab a bite to eat, consider stopping by and checking out the market’s Black farmers, vendors, and entrepreneurs.

Prismatica Downtown Fayetteville | Oct. 1 - 31 | All-day | Multiple locations in Downtown Fayetteville | An art installation of numerous, 6-foot tall prisms that transform and reflect colorful light around the space while playing accompanying sounds. The pricsms can be manipulated by the audience to change the refraction of colors.

Monday October 12 - Sunday October 18

Monday October 12

Tuesday October 13

The Impact of COVID-19 on Racial Equity in Education | Virtual | Tues., Oct. 13 | 4 - 6 p.m. | $30, free if experiencing financial hardship | The 2020 Color of Education Virtual Summit continues with its second session of the month on the connections between the pandemic, race, and education.

Wednesday October 14

2020 Candidates Forum for Wake County School Board | Virtual | Wed., Oct. 14 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Free | Cary candidates for Wake County School School Board from the 7th, 8th, and 9th districts will have their second candidate forum of the election and speak to why people should vote for them.

From Gaels to Garth: An Historical Journey Through Western Ballad Tradition | Virtual | Wed., Oct. 14 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. | $10 suggested donation | Singer, songwriter, and composer Stevan Jackson will inform viewers on the tradition of telling stories through song, beginning in early Gaelic culture, and its evolution into the modern ballad we know today.

Thursday October 15

RTP180: Relationships | Virtual | Thurs., Oct. 15 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Free | Five experts will address navigating relationships--romantic, platonic, or otherwise-- in 2020. Specific topics include workplace relationships, using astrology for communication, and sibling bonds.

Appearance Commission Public Meeting | Virtual | Thurs., Oct. 15 | 4:30 p.m. | Free | Raleigh’s Appearance Commission meeting is open to the public and will discuss matters related to the visual quality and aesthetics of the city. The commission hears requests for Design Alternates from the City’s Unified Development Ordinance and will be conducting evidentiary hearings on requests at the meeting.

Free Speech and Education Webinar | Virtual | Thurs., Oct. 15 | 4 p.m. | Free | EdNC is hosting a virtual discussion on exercising free speech in an educational setting with relevant panelists such as the Halifax County Superintendent, a UNC law professor, a lawyer, and the director of We Are Open Co-op.

FeaturedEvent
Onward Reserve Raleigh Sidewalk Sale | Thurs., Oct. 15-Sun., Oct. 18 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Cameron Village, 404 Daniels Street | Cost of purchase | Stop by Onward Reserve this weekend for markdowns up to 70% off on men’s clothing. Shop button downs, performance polos, pants, shoes and more. Ⓟ

Friday October 16

Family Naturalists: Nocturnal Nature at Walnut Creek Wetland Center | Fri., Oct. 16 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | 960 Peterson Street | $5 per family | Walnut Creek Wetland Center is hosting this family-friendly night hike for those who are interested in finding out about the creatures going bump in the night around their wetlands.

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Real Men Wear Pink Fashion Show | Fri., Oct. 16 | 7-10 p.m. | The Laurelbrook, 2319 Laurelbrook Street or Virtual | $100-$200 | Come out for an evening of fun, food and fashion as Catering Works and other partners join forces to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Ticket packages and prices vary. See here for more details. Ⓟ

Saturday October 17

Barktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 17 | 1 - 4 p.m. | 3201 Northside Drive | Free | Bring your dog down to Compass Rose Brewery for Barktoberfest to hangout, drink + eat, participate in a raffle, and maybe even sign your dog up for the canine costume contest. Barktoberfest will benefit Love Mutts Rescue in an effort to help dogs find their forever homes.

FeaturedEvent
CAR-NO-WEEN | Sat., Oct. 17 | 2-6 p.m. | 2319 Laurelbrook Street, Raleigh | Prices vary per menu | Join Catering Works for a drive-thru fair with Halloween flare. They’ll be serving carnival style food to satisfy those fall fair food cravings. Pre-order is required. Ⓟ

Food Truck Flix: The Greatest Showman | Sat., Oct. 17 | 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. | 205 West Lenoir Street | $35 per car | Raleigh Convention Center is bringing drive-in movies to Downtown Raleigh along with a selection of local food trucks so viewers can enjoy dinner and a movie.

Sunday October 18

Harvest Dinner with Chef Coleen Speaks | Sun., Oct. 18 | Pickup 4 - 6 p.m. | $75 | Chef Coleen Speaks of Raleigh-restaurant Hummingbird is making take-home dinners available for pickup. The dinner will have multiple courses including chicken liver mousse paté and greens straight from Raleigh City Farm, plus curated alcoholic beverages and even surprise gifts.

Night Market at The Plant | Sun., Oct. 18 | 1 - 6 p.m. | 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro | Free | Triangle Pop-Up is having its first vendor market at the eco-industrial, small business park in the Chatham Beverage District, The Plant. Not only can visitors shop from various artisans, but they can eat at the farm-to-table kitchen + grab a drink at the brewery, cidery, or meadery.

Monday October 19 - Sunday October 25

Monday October 19

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting | Virtual | Mon., Oct. 19 | 6 p.m. | Free | The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission meets to address policies, issues, and programs related to biking and walking in Raleigh. The commission will open the floor to public comment at the beginning of the meeting and then talk through matters such as sidewalk petitions and bikelane implementation.

Tuesday October 20

Offstage Live: Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba | Virtual and In-Person | Tues., Oct. 20 | 8 p.m. |

2110 Blue Ridge Road | Free | Tune into the NCMA Youtube channel or get comfy at the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Amphitheater to watch Diali Cissokho + Kaira Ba perform live from the museum.

Wednesday October 21

Moore Square Market: Fall Edition | Wed., Oct. 21 | 3 - 6 p.m. | 200 S. Blount Street | Free | This week’s market is fall-themed and will feature special autumn products, But--like usual--you will find farm fresh produce, baked goods, art, live music, and handmade items. The Market accepts SNAP through its Double Bucks program as well.

Thursday October 22

Haunted Carolina Q&A | Virtual | Thurs., Oct. 22 | 7 - 8 p.m. | Free | Explore the haunted side of NC with Wake County Public Libraries. WCPL will be bringing in experts from The Ghost Guild Inc. and National Society of Paranormal Investigation and Research Inc. to answer particpant’s questions about their paranormal work.

FeaturedEvent
○ Campbell University MBA Program Virtual Information Session | Virtual | Thurs., Oct. 22 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Free | Join a virtual information session to learn more about Campbell’s MBA program, currently offered at 3 locations -- downtown Raleigh, 100% online and on the main campus in Buies Creek. They’ll cover the features, benefits, and application process, and also allow time for Q + A. Ⓟ

Friday October 23

Saturday October 24

Non-Binary Tea Time | Virtual | Sat., Oct. 24 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Free | The LGBT Center of Raleigh is hosting their monthly gathering for non-binary, gender-nonconfirming people (and those who may be exploring their identity) to socialize and make connections over a cup of tea.

Raleigh Zombie Walk | Sat., Oct. 24 | 12 p.m. - Sun., 1 a.m. | Start at 200 S. Blount Street | Free | The annual Raleigh Zombie Walk looks a little different this year as organizers are asking for people to lurch around Downtown in small groups throughout the day rather than one mass precession.

Sunday October 25

Harvest Dinner with Chef Caroline Morrison | Sun., Oct. 25 | Pickup 4 - 6 p.m. | $75 | Chef Caroline Morrison of Raleigh-restaurant The Fiction Kitchen is making take-home dinners available for pickup. The dinner will have multiple including cabbage collard rolls and sesame-orange tempeh, plus curated alcoholic beverages and even surprise gifts.