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.
Seasonal
Moonlight in the Garden | Friday, Nov. 7-Saturday, Nov. 22 | 5:30-8 p.m. | JC Raulston Arboretum | $5+ | Explore NC State’s world-class arboretum at night with special exhibitions, live music, and food trucks.
21Marbles: PLAY ON! | Friday, Nov. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Marbles Kids Museum | $15+ | Play like a kid again at downtown Raleigh’s favorite 21+ event, featuring games, arts + crafts, a DJ dance party, and plenty of sips and snacks.
Skate the Square | Friday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Feb. 8 | All day | Fenton Square | $18 | Lace up your skates and glide through Fenton — visit on Mondays for a discounted rate.
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival | Saturday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Jan. 11 | Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | $16+ | This can’t-miss festival is back to celebrate a decade of dazzling lanterns with thousands of themed lanterns.
7th Annual Mulino Turkey Ball | Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar | $60+ | Every ticket purchased directly supports providing Thanksgiving meals for local families, distributed through the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. Expect a live carving station, fresh pasta, passed apps, and more.
Raleigh Tree Lighting and Holiday Market | Friday, Nov. 21 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Moore Square | Free | Ring in the holiday season with Santa Claus, a vendor market, festive music, and the downtown tree lighting.
81st Raleigh Christmas Parade | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 9:30 a.m. | Downtown Raleigh | Free | The Southeast’s largest holiday parade is back through downtown Raleigh. See local performers, businesses, and a special grand marshal parade through Oak City.
30th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | North Carolina Museum of Art | Free | This celebration highlights traditional and contemporary artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of American Indian communities in NC and brings together members of all eight state-recognized tribes.
The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater | Saturday, Nov. 22-Tuesday, March 17 | Times vary | Red Hat Amphitheater | $20+ | Skate through Red Hat, rent an igloo, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy winter in the 919.
Trophy Trot 5K | Thursday, Nov. 26 | 9 a.m. | Dorothea Dix Park | $40+ | Take a run before Thanksgiving dinner — and grab a Trophy beer after.
Live music + performing arts
Bryan Adams: Roll with the Punches | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $50+ | Dance along to this Canadian singer-songwriter with guests Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo.
Taylor Tomlinson: The Save Me Tour | Thursday, Nov. 6-Friday, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | $275+ | Laugh along with this acclaimed stand-up comedian.
NC Symphony — Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey | Thursday, Nov. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | $100+ | Listen to music inspired by this world-renowned travel writer.
Playboi Carti: Antagonist Tour | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 7 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $32+ | Rock out with this innovative hip-hop artist.
Oak City Voices Present “If Music Be the Food of Love — Let’s Eat!!” | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 5-6:15 p.m. | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh | $10+ | This pre-holiday concert with an all-woman choir will have you hungry for more.
Leon Thomas: Mutts Don’t Heel Tour | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz | $50+ | You might remember him from “Victorious” — dance along to hits like “Breaking Point.”
Yung Gravy: Voluptuous Voyage Tour | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz | $50+ | Jam out to this comedy wrapper at The Ritz.
Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony - NC Symphony | Friday, Nov. 21, + Saturday, Nov. 22 | Times vary | Meymandi Concert Hall | $56+ | You’ve never experienced Dolly’s music quite like this. This multimedia concert blends live orchestral music, vocalists, and Dolly Parton on the big screen.
Cirque Holiday Pops - NC Symphony | Wednesday, Nov. 26-Saturday, Nov. 29 | Times vary | Meymandi Concert Hall | $55+ | Kick off the festive season with spellbinding grace and daredevil feats, contortionists, and acrobats.
Sports + active
City of Oaks Marathon | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 7 a.m. | Downtown Raleigh | $65+ | Raleighites are lacing up their shoes for this race — 5K, 10K, and half marathon routes are also available.
North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 5 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary | $40+ | This playoff-deciding game is so packed that the Courage have released standing room-only tickets for passionate fans.
Wolfpack Men’s Basketball vs. North Carolina Central Eagles | Monday, Nov. 3 | 7 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $20+ | Cheer on the Pack in its first home game with new head coach Will Wade.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild | Thursday, Nov. 6 | 7 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $50+ | This game against Minnesota celebrates women in sports.
Wolfpack Women’s Basketball vs. Maine Black Bears | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum | $30+ | Back the preseason-ranked Pack at its first home game of the season.
Oakwood24 | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 8 p.m. | Lakeside Retreats | $25+ | This run supports Healing Transitions and its mission of helping those struggling with substance abuse. Runs last up to 24 hours, and spots are still open.
Governor’s Cup — UNC Tarheels v N.C. State Icepack | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 5 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $18+ | These local rivals will face off on the ice to win the Governor’s Cup.
Wolfpack Football vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Football | Saturday, Nov. 29 | Time TBA | Carter-Finley Stadium | $150+ | It’s the game of the season — the Pack and Bill Belichick’s Heels will meet at Carter-Finley for this rivalry as old as time.
Festivals + markets
Taste of China Festival | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Cary Park, Cary | Free | Celebrate Chinese culture with dancing, food, and music.
Cary Underground Market | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 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.
First Friday | Friday, Nov. 7 | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Raleigh | Free | Ring in November with a screening of “The Princess Diaries,” downtown businesses open late, and special deals throughout the city.
Raleigh Underground Market | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 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 Nights | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Smoky Hollow | Free | The fun starts when the sun sets — shop from local members, jam to a live DJ, and grab a drink.
Raleigh Foodie Fare | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Moore Square | Free | All foodies are welcome at this tasty market + food truck rodeo.
(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.