Events for October 2, 2026
First Friday is celebrated on the first Friday of each month throughout Downtown Raleigh to showcase the best of our city's creative community. Thousands venture downtown to visit art galleries & studios open late to host exhibits, artist talks, and creative activities. Retailers and restaurants also get in on the fun with live music, vendor markets, specials/discounts, and more. There's something for everyone each First Friday.
Create your own First Friday itinerary by selecting the hearts for events and experiences you don't want to miss. Receive a custom map and itinerary to guide your First Friday evening!
Get into the Halloween spirit and embrace autumn at Spooky Hollow First Friday!
This annual First Fright-day tradition is downtown’s official kick-off to the fall season with Halloween-themed activities, a free tarot card reading, face painting, live performers, and exclusive specials offered by Smoky Hollow businesses.
For all the fall fanatics who can’t wait for crisp air, colorful leaves, and Halloween fun, break out that costume you’ve been dying to debut and join us at Spooky Hollow First Friday.
Join artist Vera Weinfield for a discussion about her solo exhibition on view at Artspace.
Join 2025 NC Emerging Artist in Residence Vera Weinfield and Artspace's Artist Programs Manager Alexandra Jane for a discussion related to Vera's solo exhibition Whatever Happened to Luba's Twin? on view at Artspace from October 1-November 1.
Whatever Happened to Luba's Twin? explores the interwoven and malleable nature of family history and how our stories get told by future generations. The artworks in the exhibition have been made through a visual game of telephone between artist Vera Weinfield and her mother, Joyce Block, both passing and painting images of Vera's grandmother, Luba, simultaneously constructing and uncovering a family history.
Rather than being a lecture, our artist discussions invite the audience in for a shared small-group conversation. We will take a careful look at Vera's works, use visual thinking strategies to interpret, and discuss topics of legacy, history, family, and memory.
We welcome anyone to the discussion, regardless of your knowledge of art or the exhibition's themes.
About Vera Weinfield
Vera Weinfield is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. Through performance, video, sculpture, drawing and painting, Vera mines the slippages between history, memory and myth for narratives that reveal desire more than truth. Vera graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts with a BFA in 2014 and received her MFA at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2024. Since 2018, Vera has been a community artist with Los Muralistas de El Puente, an intergenerational mural collective based in Brooklyn, NY. Her murals inhabit community centers, schools, public housing, and city streets across New York City. Vera attended the Yale Norfolk summer residency in 2013, SOMA summer residency, Tlaxcala, MX in 2023, the Emerging Artist residency at ArtSpace in Raleigh, NC in 2025, and was the 2024 recipient of the American Austrian Foundation’s Seebacher Fine Arts Award. She has presented her work at ArtSpace, Raleigh, NC, CAM Raleigh, NC, The Ackland Museum, Chapel Hill, NC, Little Berlin, Philadelphia, PA, and at PAFA, Philadelphia, PA.
About Artspace
Artspace is a non-profit visual arts center located in Downtown Raleigh. Visit Artspace to explore exhibitions featuring national and community artists, engage with more than 30 artists working in their studios, and enjoy art classes and community events for all ages and abilities. To learn more about Artspace, visit artspacenc.org
Parking and Accessibility
Free street parking is available on Davie Street. Free parking is also available at the following parking decks:
City Center Deck, 429 S. Wilmington St.
Moore Square Deck, 233 S. Wilmington St.
Municipal Complex Deck, 201 W. Morgan St.
Wilmington Street Station Deck, 117 S. Wilmington St.
Explore accessibility information with our Know Before You Go Guide.
PLEASE NOTE: This event takes place at Artspace in downtown Raleigh, NOT at William Peace University.
Join the Raleigh Film & Art Festival for its 2026 Opening Celebration on Friday, October 2, from 6:00–9:30 PM at Artspace. Kick off the 14th annual festival with an evening celebrating independent film, visual art, and Raleigh’s creative community.
The Raleigh Film & Art Festival continues October 3–4 with screenings, panels, performances, workshops, and other programming throughout the weekend.
Join us at the Bike Library Cafe for First Friday! There will be art for sale by local artists, full espresso bar with additional beverages, music by a local DJ, and vibes. Bring a friend and spread the word!
Dinner & a Show every weekend. Experience intimate performances from local and touring artists. Every Friday and Saturday.
What haunts you? For the month of October, we're showcasing work inspired by the monsters that torment us all, whether they stalk you from the shadows, dwell in the dark recesses of your mind, or walk in plain sight. Monsters are all around us, come see them at CoLab!
DJ JVRGON will be waking the dead with a variety of bass heavy EDM. CoLab also hosts the amazing Five Dollar Sketch Wall- a novel way to build your art collection (even if you're broke) and help support CoLab at the same time, thanks to generous donations from our artists!
The Carter Building will be hopping Friday! While you're here, visit our awesome neighbors throughout the building!
We are getting excited for Raleigh Wide Open!
The Music Festival will take over Fayetteville Street, including the museum!
We will be hosting interviews and book events on Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3. We hope to see you there!
Friday, Oct. 2 - Interviews
Jim Lauderdale. 4 - 4:30 p.m.
The Fairfield Four. 4:30 - 5 p.m.
Brek. 5 - 5:30 p.m.
Earl White. 5:30 - 6 p.m.
Location: City of Raleigh Museum
Ages: All
Cost: Free
Join us for a First Friday Pop Up with our friend and local tattoo artist Gabbu Tattoo! Gabi will be taking walk-ins at a first come first serve basis. Keep an eye out for special flash tattoos just for this from @gabbutattoo on Instagram!
The shop will be open late until 9PM, so swing by while you celebrate First Friday!
Hop on the mic every Friday night at Crank Arm Brewing for Karaoke Night! Bring your crew, start with some "liquid courage", and warm up those vocal cords. Whether you’re here to belt it out or just sip and cheer, it’s the perfect way to roll into the weekend.
Crank Arm offers craft beers, wine, cider, seltzer, and cocktails, as well as THC-infused beverages & non-alcoholic options.
So pedal over, raise a glass, and let’s turn those Friday nights into full-throttle sing-alongs!
To welcome the Fall season, The Cupcake Shoppe is debuting an ALL pumpkin menu at the bakery on First Friday 10/2 from 3pm-8pm.
Menu includes drinks and pastries like Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Maple Cupcakes, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Rice Krispy Treats, decorate sugar cookies, and so much more!
Spooky season is here and what better way to celebrate than getting a fun tattoo! Mary Hannah and Tiny Ghost Tattoo will be popping up at Curate from 5-9pm on Friday October 2nd with flash tattoos. There will also be complimentary refreshments as well as over 40 local vendors to shop from! Stop by and have a ghoulish good time with us!
First Friday, and downtown's going all out. Hit the gallery walk, cruise Fayetteville Street, stop and chat with every neighbor you pass. Then swing over to Blount Street and close the night out right.
Michael Parker and Storm Adams play The Davie at 8PM with millennial jams and 20th century classics. The kind of set where the whole room ends up on the chorus. Free to get in, hard to leave.
Gallery 20 presents Celebrate: An Exhibition of Gallery 20 Artists, its inaugural exhibition. Bringing together the work of sixteen new gallery artists as well as Carter Studio Building artists, it is a dynamic exhibition that reflects the gallery’s renewed vision and artist-led approach. An artist reception on First Friday, October 2, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. is free and open to the public. You’re invited to check out the art, meet the new artists, and enjoy light refreshments.
Join Le Dive and Old Ghosts Tattoo for a unique experience every First Friday in Raleigh! Le Dive, teams up with Old Ghosts Tattoo for an exciting night of flash tattoos, good vibes, drinks and food and creative energy!
Are you ready to create and connect with your improv community?
Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a curious first-timer, this is the perfect place to jump in, have fun, and discover the joy of improv. Hosted by our skilled and experienced Leela faculty, our intention is to foster a welcoming space where improv artists of all experience levels can take risks and build community.
Whether you want to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, or just laugh your heart out, our Improv Community Jam has something for everyone. So grab your friends, bring your Yes And! attitude, and come join the FUN! Let’s play!
When: First Fridays, at 7:00 PM, on-going, monthly
Where: Leela Improv Theatre, 309 N Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
Why Join Our Improv Jam?
* Mindful Intent: Our jams promote mutual respect, collaboration, and joyful play.
* No Experience Needed: Everyone is welcome! Just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to try something new.
* Instant Fun: Jump right into games and scenes, and let your imagination run wild.
* Supportive Community: Meet fellow improv lovers, make new friends, and share the stage with people who love to play.
* FREE to Join: Register on Eventbrite (below), then show up and play!
* Dry Jam: Let’s allow improv be the mind-altering substance that brings us together. We’ll celebrate with optional drinks at nearby watering holes AFTER we jam.
* This is an 18+ event.
What to Expect:
* A warm-up session to connect with your play mates and get that energy flowing.
* A Leela host facilitating a kind, structured, and supportive jam experience.
* A chance to perform, watch, and cheer on your fellow improvisors- all experience levels welcome and encouraged (even if none!)
* Laughter, surprises, and unforgettable moments.
* Sign-ups begin at 7 pm for solos (open mic), improv pairs, and improv groups (5+). Sign up for one, none, or all of these categories and the host will curate an evening of entertainment on the fly
* Jam goes from 7:30-9:30 pm
Free outdoor movie and market! Bring a blanket or chair to relax on the lawn, enjoy the music, watch the movie, grab a bite from the food trucks and explore the market!
This is a monthly First Friday series.
Our May 1 event features:
🔹Food trucks & local vendors: 5:00-9:00 pm
🔹Free lives music: 5:30 pm
🔹Free movie on the lawn: 7:17 pm, Ghostbusters (1984)
Note: The lawn fills up quickly for the movie. Arrive early to secure your spot!
This event is presented by Get 2 Know Raleigh, the Raleigh Parks team at Moore Square. We thank our sponsor, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, for supporting this series.
Stay updated: Follow @Get2KnowRaleigh and subscribe to our newsletter.
Party at Neptunes with us late night! Dance to some of the most talented Djs in the local area! Playing house music to hip-hop, top 40's blends over the decades and everything in between!
FIRST FRIDAYS 2026—LET’S GO!
Join us every First Friday from 7–11 PM at The Times!
What’s on deck?
- BEER
- LIVE MUSIC
- MORNING TIMES GALLERY ARTIST & VENDOR MARKET
Exhibition Dates: Oct 2-Oct 3
Get ready to uncover the dark secrets and ghostly tales that lurk within the city of Raleigh's historic streets! Your tour guide will lead you to some of the most haunted places in Raleigh, including the Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol Building. You will hear stories of paranormal encounters and unexplained phenomena. Brace yourself for a chilling journey into the unknown!
This walking tour is not your typical “ghost tour” with special effects, and we will not be looking for ghosts. Instead, it is a historical tour that discusses some alleged hauntings resulting from past events.
This tour is pay-what-you-want, and advance registration through Eventbrite is REQUIRED. Please click the link in this listing to sign up!
First Friday at The Raleigh Wine Shop: Jeff Bramwell’s Piemonte Takeover
One of The Raleigh Wine Shop’s founders is back - and he’s taking over First Friday.
Join us for a special evening with Jeff Bramwell celebrating his two-volume book, 'On the Road in Piemonte with Winemakers, Farmers & Chefs', which documents his travels through one of Italy’s most important and impressive wine regions.
For the night, we’ll be pouring wines from winemakers featured in the book, alongside Jeff’s photography from his travels - vineyards, meals, producers, friends, and everyday life throughout Piemonte.
Chefs Drew Hannon & Aaron Hopp and the team from Alimentari at Left Bank will also take over our kitchen with a menu inspired by recipes and dishes featured in the book.
You’ll also have the chance to be among the first to purchase this beautiful collector’s edition - an impressive two-volume set focused on the winemakers, farmers, chefs, food, and places Jeff encountered along the way.
Come taste the wines, check out the photography, eat some great food, and welcome Jeff back to the shop for a very special First Friday.
No reservations needed - everything is first come, first served.
Definitely one not to miss.
First Friday at Slim’s! Gage Saylor and the Creekside Boys on October 2nd, 8:00-10:00pm, with Malort tasting from 4:30-9:00pm, and late night hang 10:00pm-2:00am on the back patio!
Art you say? You got it! Every game at super rad has been fully restored to be time period accurate - new paint, new art, all original game hardware. These are not just arcade games, they are a throwback to another era. Come and check out our games and get 8 free tokens to try them for FREE! We know you will love them.