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. We even have an interactive map to keep you organized. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Seasonal
Triangle Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 4 | 5 p.m. | Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | $25 | Raise a stein at the largest Oktoberfest in NC.
Falling for Local | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Dorothea Dix Park | Free | Fall fun awaits at this festival with hay rides, a pumpkin patch, food trucks, and demos from local businesses.
Hum Sub Diwali | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 9 a.m. | Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | Free | Get a taste of Indian culture at this all-day event ending with fireworks.
2025 North Carolina State Fair | Thursday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 26 | 9 a.m.-11 p.m. | NC State Fairgrounds | It’s the best time of the year — grab a roasted corn cob, sit back on the Ferris wheel, or explore all of NC’s agricultural accomplishments.
Day of the Dead 5K | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9 a.m. | Downtown Raleigh | $50+ | Raise money for the Boys & Girls Club while celebrating Dia de los Muertos.
Morrisville Diwali Celebration | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 5-8 p.m. | Cedar Fork District Park, Morrisville | Paint diyas, watch a cultural fashion performance, and enjoy fireworks at this Diwali fest.
Live music
Alex Warren | Wednesday, Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | Red Hat Amphitheater | This concert will be anything but “Ordinary” — see this rising star live.
Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival | Friday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 4 | Times vary | Downtown Raleigh | Free | Boogie to bluegrass, Americana, gospel, and more at this free fest.
Billie Eilish | Thursday, Oct. 16-Friday, Oct. 17 | 7 p.m. | Lenovo Center | This talented performer is bringing her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour to the 919 — don’t miss it.
Band Together’s 2025 Mighty Giveback | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 5-10:30 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre Outdoor Stage | $50 | Raise money for mental health treatment and jam out to Southern rock jam-band legends Gov’t Mule.
Jonas Brothers | Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Lenovo Center | We’ve been to the year 3000, and not much has changed — but all of Raleigh is still talking about this concert.
Halloween
Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat | Sunday, Oct. 19 | 2-5 p.m. | Hillsborough Street | Free | Local businesses + locals will give kids of all ages something good to eat at this neighborhood Halloween event.
Pumpkin Flotilla | Friday, Oct. 24 | 4-7 p.m. | Bond Park, Cary | Free | Set your pumpkins afloat with this beloved local tradition.
10th Annual Zombiepalooza | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Cary Park | Free | Watch locally made zombie films and come in your best undead attire.
Adult Nights: Zombie Prom | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | NCMuseum of Natural Sciences | $15+ | Calling all ghosts and ghouls — everyone’s dying for an invite to this special adults-only night at the museum with spooky activities + cocktails.
Spellbound at Mordecai | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Mordecai Historic Park | Free | This family-friendly event features haunted walking tours, enchanting local goods, and fun for the kiddos.
Night Market @ North Hills: The Haunted Village | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 4-9 p.m. | Midtown Park, North Hills | Free | Participate in a costume contest, trick-or-treat through the shops, and get in the Halloween spirit.
Festivals and markets
Cary Underground Market | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 12-4 p.m. | Bond Brothers, Cary | Free | MAKRS Society and Oak City Music Collective present this market and concert with 50+ local vendors and bumping live music.
37th Annual Walk for Hope & Festival | Sunday, Oct. 12 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Angus Barn | $80+ | After finishing the one mile loop around the Angus Barn property to fund cancer research, enjoy bites from the legendary steakhouse, music from NC’s Band of Oz, local vendors, and much more.
Raleigh Underground Market | Sunday, Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | North Hills, Midtown Park | Free | Shop from unique vendors, jam out to local music, and grab drinks and food with your friends and family.
Raleigh Foodie Fare | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Moore Square | Free | All foodies are welcome at this tasty market + food truck rodeo.
Raleigh’s International Wine and Beer Festival | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 12-8 p.m. | Fayetteville Street | Free | Sip on 20 international wines and beers in downtown, plus live music, food trucks, and more festival must-haves.
The Great Raleigh Cleanup Birthday Bash | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Backyard at Coastal Credit Union Music Park | Pay what you want | Celebrate five years of litter pickups in Raleigh with this can’t-miss birthday party with an eco-friendly raffle, tunes, and more.
More local fun
Triangle Parade of Homes | Saturday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 19 | 12-5 p.m. | Free | Tour a beautiful selection of Raleigh’s finest homes.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $50+ | The Canes will open their season against the Devils — we’ve got a good feeling this is the year.
2025 SAS Championship | Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Prestonwood Country Club, Cary | $40+ | Watch world class golf in your own backyard at this golf tournament with a $2 million purse.
Pitch Please | Thursday, Oct. 16 6-8 p.m. | Raleigh Founded - North Street | Free | Watch companies compete in a pitch competition where you’re the judge.
(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.