January + the new year has finally arrived — and to help you kick-off 2021, 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.

Friday January 1 – Sunday January 3

Friday January 1

Active
○ New Year's Day Hike | Fri., Jan. 1 | 2–4:30 p.m. | 5229 Awls Haven Drive | Free | A naturalist will lead attendees on a hike through the Wilkerson Nature Preserve trails and point out significant winter environmental features. The barcode to access the event is 266877.

Dish
○ New Year's Day Brunch on the Roof | Fri., Jan. 1 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | 315 E. Chapel Hill Street, Durham | Menu prices | The Durham Hotel is holding a New Years Brunch on its heated rooftop restaurant with special menu items such as grass-fed steak, bloody marys, and pecan french toast. 🍽️

Saturday January 2

Sunday January 3

Cause
○ Winter Clothing Drive | Sun., Jan. 3 | 12–4 p.m. | 400 South West Street | Free | WKNC 88.1, Healing Transitions, and the Women's Center of the Triangle have teamed up to host a winter clothing drive to help keep vulnerable populations warm + safe across the city during the colder months.

Monday January 4 – Sunday January 10

Monday January 4

FeaturedEvent
○ Campbell University Adult & Online Education Spring Session | Mon., Jan. 4 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 225 Hillsborough St., Suite 118, Raleigh | Free | It’s never too early to start thinking about your education. Students can choose between 30 programs offered online or on our campus located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Ⓟ

Tuesday January 5

Dish
○ Charcuterie Design 101 with Raleigh Cheesy | Tues., Jan. 5 | 5:30–7 p.m. | 1053 East Whitaker Mill Road #115 | $59 | Raleigh Cheesy and Joy Worthy Co. are teaching a class on making charcuterie boards including presentation, ingredient pairing, and wine selection. 🧀

Film
○ PBS's IL Pop-up Preview Screening of 9to5: The Story of a Movement | Tues., Jan. 5 | 7–9 p.m. | Virtual | Free | UNC-TV PBS North Carolina is doing a virtual screening of 9to5: The Story of a Movement about secretaries in the 1970s advocating for equal treatment and pay in the workplace.

Wednesday January 6

Learn
○ Bluegrass Fiddle Etiquette with Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw | Wed., Jan. 6 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $10 suggested donation | Bluegrass music players + enthusiasts will get the chance to learn jamming skills such as improvisation and keeping a melody from professional fiddler Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw. 🎶

Thursday January 7

Civic
○ Stormwater Management Advisory Commission | Thurs., Jan. 7 | 3–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Raleigh’s Stormwater Management Advisory Commission will be making recommendations to the City Council on the topics related to stormwater + flooding with consideration to the environmental protection of the Neuse River.

Friday January 8

Outdoors
○ Find it Fridays - Citizen Science | Fri., Jan. 8 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | 5611 Jaguar Park Drive | Free | Raleigh Parks is seeking volunteers to use the free smartphone application iNaturalist to document flora + fauna at Lake Johnson Park. The data will be used to further conservation efforts and preserve natural resources. 🌸

Biz
○ New Year, New Marketing Plan. Workshop to Plan out Marketing Activities for 2021 | Fri., Jan. 8 | 12–1:15 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Wake Technical Community College Small Business Center and Cary Chamber of Commerce are working together to help small businesses create strategic marketing plans to improve their businesses in 2021. The workshop facilitator will provide a template and additional guidance while people are developing their plans.

Saturday January 9

Learn
○ Studio Workshop: Paint Like an Egyptian | Sat., Jan. 9 + Jan. 16 | 1:30–3 p.m. | Virtual | $47.19+ | NCMA is hosting a two-part workshop on Ancient Egyptian art and how that can be applied to current creative endeavors. Participants will be instructed on how to create their very own Egyptian–influenced paintings. 🖌️

Active
○ Mutts & Marshmallows | Sat., Jan. 9 | 8:30 a.m. | 201 Soccer Park Drive, Cary | $15+ | The Wake County SPCA is raising money through its 8th annual Mutts & Marshmallows event. There are 4 different races to choose from including the 5K Doggie Dash, an 8K race, +a 1-mile fun run. 🐕

FeaturedEvent
○ First Time Homebuyers Webinar | Sat., Jan. 9 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Ready to buy for the first time in the Wake County area? Join Veronica Saccoh as she shares her guide to buying your first home including negotiation tactics and housing assistance programs. Ⓟ

Sunday January 10

Monday January 11 – Sunday January 17

Monday January 11

Learn
○ The Carolina Wetlands Association, Protecting the Wetland | Mon., Jan. 11 | 6–7 p.m. | 5611 Jaguar Park Drive | Free | The president of the Carolina Wetlands Association Rick Savage will speak to the environmental value + significance of wetlands while diving into the association’s preservation work across NC. The barcode to access the event is 263962. 🌳

Edu
○ Grants and Scholarships for College with CFNC | Mon., Jan. 11 | 4–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A representative from the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) will lead a session about finding the right grants + scholarships for college students.

Tuesday January 12

Biz
○ Launch 2021 | Tues., Jan. 12 | 9–11:30 a.m. | Virtual | $45 | Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is hosting Launch 2021 for local businesses + organizations to network, make economic predictions, + receive advice from professionals across business sectors.

Learn
○ Online Course for Educators: Exploring Global Learning through Art | Tues., Jan. 12 | Opens at 12 a.m. | Virtual | $49.34+ | NCMA is offering a self-paced course for those in teaching professions that is centered around multicultural understanding and the exploration of global issues through art-related means. 🎨

Wednesday January 13

Learn
○ Lunchtime Discovery: The View From Mount Mitchell | Wed., Jan. 13 | 12–1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Public Affairs Officer in the US Fish and Wildlife Service Gary Peeples will discuss his research on the rare and endangered species of wildlife found in NC’s Appalachia region.

Thursday January 14

Tech
○ Business Education Lunch & Learn: Cyber Security | Thurs., Jan. 14 | 12–1:30 p.m. | 300 Prestonwood Parkway, Cary | $35+ | James Evans of American Frontier will speak on the topic of cybersecurity for businesses and best practices for avoiding cyber-threats.

Learn
○ Science Tonight: Cryptic Crayfishes | Thurs., Jan. 14 | 7–8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Zoo science professional + NC Museum of Natural Sciences research associate Dr. Zachary Loughman will present his findings on crayfishes and their scientifically enlightening behaviors.🦞

Friday January 15

Saturday January 16

Health
○ Rainbow Embrace Physical Therapy Info Session | Sat., Jan. 16 | 4–6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | LGBTQ+ people and allies are invited to learn more about Rainbow Embrace Physical Therapy — an intersectional clinic that caters to the community and is a safe space for those with concerns about traditional physical therapy clinics.

Sunday January 17

Active
○ Living Arts Virtual Dancewave | Sun., Jan. 17 | 11:15 a.m.–1:40 p.m. | Virtual | $12 suggested donation | The Living Arts Collective is inviting people to come together virtually, dance to DJ-curated playlists, and have creative discussions in the sharing circle.

Monday January 18 – Sunday January 24

Monday January 18

Tuesday January 19

Wednesday January 20

Learn
○ Lunchtime Discovery: Are Toxic Cyanobacteria In The Air We Breathe? | Wed., Jan. 20 | 12–1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Attendees will learn about naturally-formed toxins poisonous to humans found in NC freshwater with Haley Elizabeth Plaas, a Ph.D. student in Environmental Science & Engineering at the UNC-Institute of Marine Sciences.

Family
○ History Hunters: Museum Sleuths | Wed., Jan. 20 | 1–2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A curator at the NC Museum of History will show some mystery items from the museum’s collection and participants will work to guess what those objects are while learning more about them. 🖼️

Thursday January 21

Biz
○ Grow With Google Series–Reach Customers Online With Google: How to Attract Your Ideal Customer in 2021 | Thurs., Jan. 21 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Participants will learn straight from the source how to effectively use Google and its programs such as Analytics + Trends to grow their businesses.

Civic
○ Chapel Hill Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board | Thurs., Jan. 21 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Chapel Hill Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board provides suggestions for the Town Council on policies + changes related to preserving environmental quality across the town.

Learn
○ Preserving the Past: Discussion with Joe McGill, the Slave Dwelling Project | Thu., Jan. 21 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The City of Raleigh Museum director Ernest Dollar will be speaking with the director of the Slave Dwelling Project Joe McGill about the importance of preserving the historical homes of once enslaved people + its impact on American history.

Friday January 22

Dish
○ Wine & Cheese Pairing Class | Fri., Jan. 22 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | $70 | The Wine Feed is holding a class for those wanting to learn how to create the perfect wine and cheese combination. The price includes 3 bottles of wine, a cheese sampler, and a live class where participants can speak with the instructor in real-time. 🍷

Biz
○ Relationship Marketing-The Ground Game That Works Without Spending Marketing Dollars | Fri., Jan. 22 | 12–1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Attendees will learn about relationship marketing which works to enhance a business’s social media + online presence while not breaking the bank.

Saturday January 23

Sunday January 24

Active
○ Cole Mill To Bobbitt Nature Hike | Sun., Jan. 24 | 2–4 p.m. | 4390 Old Cole Mill Road, Durham | Free | A state park employee will lead a 2.6 mile, moderate difficulty hike along the Eno River to Bobbitt Hole, the deepest known spot of the river. 🥾

Family
○ Dance into Kusama’s World | Sun., Jan. 24 | 2–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This family-friendly program through the Ackland Art Museum is all about Yayoi Kusama who is best known for her art style of using polka dots. There will be storytime, polka dot crafts, + a closer look at Kusama’s work on display at the museum.

Monday January 25 – Sunday January 31

Learn
○ Astronomy Days | Mon., Jan. 25–Sun., Jan. 31 | Various times | Virtual | Free | The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is dedicating an entire week to astrology-related programming including classes like Constellation Yoga, Planet Building 101, and Being a TV Station Scientist. 🪐

Monday January 25

Tuesday January 26

Learn
○ Notary Public Class | Tues., Jan. 26 | 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | 307 North Academy Street, Cary | $150 - $170 | The Cary Chamber of Commerce is hosting a class for anyone wanting to become a Notary Public for NC. Those in attendance will learn the basic requirements of the job and complete the application and exam for the position.

Biz
○ Setting up Business Accounting | Tues., Jan. 26 | 6:30–8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | If you are a business owner or operator who needs guidance on how to handle the finances this session can provide you with some key information on basic accounting principles and using QuickBooks.

Wednesday January 27

Learn
○ Make it Take it: Blue Bird Boxes | Wed., Jan. 27 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | 2100 Old North Carolina 98 Highway, Wake Forest | $15 | This class at Forest Ridge Park will provide participants with the materials + instruction for making their very own bluebird box. The barcode to access the event is 263418.

TryThis
○ Take a Break! Beginning to Solo on Guitar with Billie Feather | Wed., Jan. 27 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $10 suggested donation | Professional musician + guitar instructor Billie Marie Feather will teach participants about the basics of soloing while helping them improve skills like improvisation and chord progression. 🎸

Thursday January 28

Biz
○ Information Session: State Certification for Minority, Women-Owned Businesses | Thurs., Jan. 28 | 2:30–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The City of Raleigh's Minority and Women-Owned Business (MWBE) Program was created to uplift and empower businesses owned by minority populations. Eligible owners are invited to attend this information session to learn more about the MWBE Program.

Friday January 29

ForKids
○ Geology–Rock Out! | Fri., Jan. 29 | 2–3:30 p.m. | 5229 Awls Haven Drive | $3 | Using rocks found in the Wilkerson Nature Preserve, attendees will learn about Raleigh’s history of stone quarries and unique flatrock habitats. The barcode to access this event is 266895.

Show
○ In Hindsight, 2020 | Fri., Jan. 29–Sat., Jan. 30 | Virtual | Free | Raleigh Little Theatre is presenting two nights of community stories centered around peoples’ experiences living through the year 2020.

Saturday January 30

TryThis

○ 20th Annual African American Cultural Celebration | Sat., Jan. 30 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The City of Raleigh is kicking off the start of Black History Month with virtual programming centered around the Black experience + culture. Attendees can choose from sessions on topics such as Mental Health and the African American Community and the Halifax Underground Railroad.

Sunday January 31

Outdoors
○ Winter Tree ID | Sun., Jan. 31 | 2–5 p.m. | 950 Peterson Street | $10 | A naturalist specializing in forestry will teach people how to identify trees in the winter without their leaves by examining bark + other evidence. The barcode to access the event is 268423. 🌳