Lucky you. You just found RALtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Raleigh each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Performing arts
NC Opera presents Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 2 p.m. | Raleigh Memorial Auditorium | $35+ | Watch this stunning opera live from Raleigh.
“Wicked” Sing-Along Drag Brunch | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 2 p.m. | Raleigh Improv, Cary | $25+ | This drag brunch is sure to be the most swankified place in town for “Wicked” lovers.
“The Music Man” Sr. | Monday, Feb. 9-Saturday, Feb. 14 | Times vary | Raleigh Little Theater | $18 | You know tunes from this musical like “Ya Got Trouble” and “Seventy Six Trombones” – see the musical live performed by actors of all levels.
“The Prom” | Thursday, Feb. 19-Sunday, Feb. 22 | Times vary | Stewart Theatre | $30+ | This inspiring musical celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with plenty of fun.
Live music + comedy
American Aquarium | Thursday, Feb. 5-Saturday, Feb. 7 | 8 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre | $90+ | This Raleigh-born band is bringing its Roadtrip to Raleigh tour back to Oak City with three nights of alt-country.
Katt Williams: The Golden Age Tour | Friday, Feb. 13 | 8 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $80+ | Laugh along with this world-famous comedian.
Dropkick Murphys | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6 p.m. | The Ritz | $100+ | This show is the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music and Irish-inspired tunes.
Andrea Bocelli | Friday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $100+ | The legendary Italian singer is back in the 919 with the 30th anniversary of “Romanza”
Winter Jam Tour 2026 | Friday, Feb. 27 | 7-10 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $15+ | This concert is Christian music’s largest annual tour and will feature Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, and Katy Nichole.
Seasonal
The Year of the Dragon typically forecasts new opportunities, changes, and challenges.
Photo by Khoa Võ
Lunar New Year Market | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Raleigh Iron Works | Free | Ring in the Year of the Horse with this market, featuring Asian American + Pacific Islander vendors and food trucks.
Be Mine & Design: Paint and Sip | Friday, Feb. 13 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co. | $30+ | This paint + sip class is fit for couples, besties, and singles with pre-drawn canvases and a Valentine’s Day-themed design.
Pals & Gals Vintage Valentines Party | Friday, Feb. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | $25+ | Learn more about Raleigh’s history through vintage valentines.
Black History Month
Harmonies of Heritage – Black History Month Chamber Concert | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 7 p.m. | Jones Chapel at Meredith College | Free | Honor Black History Month with this touching live music event featuring local musicians + singers.
The Future of Black History | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1-3 p.m. | Downtown Cary Park, Cary | Free | “The Brilliance of Resilience” is this year’s Future of Black History Month program theme, celebrating the power, creativity, intellect, and legacy of Black resilience throughout American history.
Sports
NC State vs. UNC Women’s Basketball | Monday, Feb. 2 | 6 p.m. | Reynolds Coliseum | $50+ | Watch these two women’s basketball titans clash here in Raleigh.
NC State vs. UNC Men’s Basketball | Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $25+ | And one more – see the men duke it out on the hardwood.
Carolina Hurricanes | Multiple dates | Lenovo Center | $50+ | The Canes will play the Kings, Senators, Lightning, and Red Wings from home this month – don’t miss your chance to see them in action.
Can’t-miss local events
Krispy Kreme Challenge | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 8 a.m. | Starts at NC State Belltower | Free to watch, $55+ to race | Students race from the Belltower to the Peace Street Krispy Kreme, eat a dozen hot donuts, and race back – all in the name of charity.
QuiltCon 2026 | Thursday, Feb. 19-Sunday, Feb. 22 | Raleigh Convention Center | $20+ | This is the largest modern quilting event in the world, making it a can’t-miss for any fiber fan.
City of Oaks ComicBook Odyssey | Friday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 22 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Sheraton Raleigh | $5+ | Shop rare + unexpected comic book finds at this fair.
Adult Nights: Anime | Friday, Feb. 20 | 6:30-10 p.m. | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | $15+ | This 21+ event celebrates all things Japanese animation with iconic soundtracks, custom cocktails, and anime-themed activities. Don’t forget your cosplay.
Body Mind Spirit Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 22 | Times vary | NC State Fairgrounds | $14+ | This annual event includes meditation, tarot card readings, crystals, and other spiritual practices.
Monster Jam | Saturday, Feb. 21 + Sunday, Feb. 22 | Times vary | Lenovo Center | $45+ | Giant monster trucks are headed to Raleigh – watch them perform amazing stunts live.
Student Short-Film Festival | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 12-8:30 p.m. | North Carolina Museum of Art | $3+ | The first iteration of this short film festival will feature student-made films throughout the day.
Re(a)d to Filth Ball | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 8-11 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | $75+ | This annual event supports the LGBT Center of Raleigh’s library, the largest collection of LGBTQ+ books in the southeast.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.