Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, many local businesses are serving as drop-off locations for donations and supplies to those impacted by the storm. | Photo via Concord-Padgett Regional Airport
Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation, especially in Western North Carolina. The region got up to 24 inches of rain, and towns like Asheville are reeling. Many are without power, cell service, and supplies. Here’s how you can help our WNC neighbors.
How to donate
The American Red Cross is in Asheville providing medical care — consider donating blood that will be immediately sent to our WNC neighbors.
The Asheville Human Society is accepting donations to take care of an influx of pets lost during the storm. Many have been transported to other shelters, but some still remain in WNC and need care.
Asheville’s Blue Ridge Public Radio has a complete list of vetted donation and volunteer opportunities on their website.
Operation Airdrop is collecting donations from across the state of NC to deliver to WNC — you can drop donations for the mission at Catering Works, Burial Beer Co., East Bower Cider Co, the future Trophy Brewing in Five Points, and more local spots — here’s a full list.
Tacos, Tequila, & Tunes — Music Bingo | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | Spend Taco Tuesday with tequila, tunes, discounted foods + bingo.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Raleigh Brewing Run Club with Fleet Feet | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Raleigh Brewing Company | Free | Make new running buddies at this free 3 to 4 mile run.
Flowers & Flannels | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The English Garden Florist Raleigh | $55 | Wear your best flannel to create an autumnal bouquet.
Thursday, Oct. 3
Silent Book Club | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oberlin Regional Library | Free | Shhh... Bring your to-be-read pile and sit among others at this communal but quiet event.
Friday, Oct. 4
First Friday: Market & Movie Night | Friday, Oct. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Moore Square | Free | Shop local vendors, watch “Twilight” under the stars, and explore downtown Raleigh to ring in October.
Raleigh Film and Art Festival | Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | NC State University Centennial Campus — Engineering Building III | Free admission | Connect with local filmmakers, watch 200+ independent films, and more at NC’s largest film and art festival.
Special Event: Zarna Garg | Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Times vary | Goodnights Comedy Club | $29+ | Laugh along with this nationally recognized comic.
Wyzant is pay-as-you-go (read: no expensive packages required), offering lessons starting as low as $10. | Photo via Pexels
With October upon us and the school year in full swing, it’s a good time to pause and reflect (ideally with a cozy drink in hand): How is the student in your life doing?
Whether you have a house full of kiddos or are going back to school yourself, Wyzant‘s vetted instructors can help with 300+ topics, from academic core subjects and foreign languages to test prep, musical instruments, and more.
Meet in person with a local tutor, or take lessons virtually. The best part? It’s pay-as-you-go and starts as low as $10/session.
One more way to help WNC — go to the Hurricanes preseason game tomorrow, Oct. 2, against the Nashville Predators. The Canes will donate all ticket revenue for the game toward relief efforts, and tickets are $10 with additional donation opportunities throughout the Lenovo Center.
Feel Good
The Canes aren’t the only local team making a difference. Wolfpack football brothers Davin and Rylan Vann are collecting supplies for WNC across from Carter-Finley to send a truck on Thursday. You can donate today and tomorrow from 12 to 8 p.m. (The News & Observer)
Coming Soon
Trophy Brewing will expand to Five Points in a bright blue warehouse next to Ajja. The space will be transformed into a full restaurant similar to the brewery’s Morgan Street outpost and is set to open in 2026. (Raleigh Magazine)
Open
A new floral shop is open at Boxyard RTP. At 1 Blossom 2 Bloom, you can create your own floral arrangement in a cozy 350-sqft space. The florist also offers floral subscriptions, custom designs, classes, and more. (The News & Observer)
Try This
On Saturday, Oct. 5, cycling nonprofit Oaks and Spokes is co-hosting a bike-themed art show at Birdland at 706 Mountford Ave. See works from 10 artists, bikes from a local custom bike fabricator, and a dozen unique + beautiful bikes. The exhibition will be at Birdland all month.
Eat
Breakfast (or dinner) just got extra special with these fluffy, naturally-sweetened, and made-from-scratch banana oat pancakes. Bonus: Sneak in some extra fruit with this tasty berry smoothie.*
Real Estate
Tour 240+ homes across eight counties (for free) during NC’s largest open house event of the year. Whether you’re in the market or looking for design inspiration, you only have two weekends left to get dreaming.*
Home
Cooler weather is (finally) heading our way — which means every home in the city is about to crank up the heat. Get ahead of the wave of repairs + keep your system running smoothly with a quick tune-up, available for $59 this month.*
Fall in love with Raleigh’s October events lineup. | Photos provided by Dix Park/City of Raleigh; RALtoday; Hum Sub, Inc.; the Carolina Hurricanes; Fall for Five Points; Angela Salamanca; and Koka Booth Amphitheatre
October is here, which means the state fair, live music, spooky activities, and more festive fall fun. And don’t worry, Raleigh’s got something fun to do each and every weekend this month. Grab your calendar: these are the top October events you won’t want to miss.
Festivals
Falling for Local, Dorothea Dix Park | Saturday, Oct. 5 | This event kicks off the season. Enjoy a free pumpkin patch, beer, local food + more Raleigh fun.
Triangle Oktoberfest, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | Friday, Oct. 4-Saturday, Oct. 5 | Raise a stein at NC’s largest Oktoberfest with traditional Bavarian food, stein hoisting, wiener dog racing + more.
Fall for Five Points, Five Points neighborhood | Saturday, Oct. 12 | Autumn is at its best in this historic, vibrant neighborhood – celebrate with a day of live music, local shopping, and more.
Geek and Grub Night Market, Fred Fletcher Park | Saturday, Oct. 12 | In addition to nerdy vendors and food truck feasts, expect a schedule of spooky happenings and a family-friendly scavenger hunt.
Hum Sub Diwali, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | Saturday, Oct. 12 | Celebrate the Indian festival of lights with cultural performances, shopping, and more — this Diwali celebration is the largest of its kind in the Southeast.
NC State Fair, NC State Fairgrounds | Thursday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 27 | You know it, you love it, and we can’t wait for it. We’re excited for the rides, fried food, and farm animals.
NC Wine Festival, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | Saturday, Oct. 19 | Un-wine-d with vino and spirits from 20 wineries.
USA Today Food & Wine Experience, Dorothea Dix Park | Saturday, Oct. 26 | The area’s best chefs, drink makers, and more will assemble for a culinary experience you won’t want to miss.
Dia de Oakwood and Day of the Dead 5K, Oakwood Cemetery | Saturday, Oct. 26 | Honor those who have died with vibrant altars + a race through Oakwood Cemetery.
Arts and music
Rissi Palmer and Miko Marks, NC Museum of History | Friday, Oct. 4 | Bid the NC Museum of History adieu with a final slate of concerts including acclaimed country artist with Raleigh roots Rissi Palmer.
Fall Arts Fair, Fred Fletcher Park | Saturday, Oct. 5 | Meet local artisans who craft everything from pottery to jewelry
Vampire Weekend, Red Hat Amphitheater | Wednesday, Oct. 9 | You know these indie rockers from hits like “A-Punk” and “Hannah Hunt” – listen to tunes from their new album “Only God Was Above Us.”
KIDZ BOP, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek | Thursday, Oct. 10 | This troupe will perform kid-friendly versions of today’s top hits.
NC Symphony: The Music of John Williams, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | Friday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 12 | The symphony will transport you to Hogwarts, Jurassic Park, and a galaxy far, far away with scores by this iconic composer.
Lainey Wilson, Red Hat Amphitheater, Friday, Oct. 18 | Jam out to this country singer.
Sabrina Carpenter, Lenovo Center | Saturday, Oct. 19 | Dance along to “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and more bops from this pop star.
Nightmare on South St., Fletcher Opera Theater | Friday, Oct. 25 | Things are getting spooky at the NC Ballet. This unique Halloween experience includes a ballet performance, a costume contest, an on-stage dance party, Halloween treats, and more.
More local fun
Marbles Imagination Ball, Marbles Kids Museum | Friday, Oct. 4 | This gala is for the grown-ups only to support the nonprofit museum’s mission to give kids a place to learn and play.
SAS Championship, Prestonwood Country Club, Cary | Monday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 13 | Watch Raleigh and the nation’s best golfers compete for charity.
Carolina Hurricanes opening night, Lenovo Center | Friday, Oct. 11 | The Canes are back and will hit the ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the newly renamed arena.
Pumpkin Flotilla, Bond Park Lake, Cary | Friday, Oct. 25 | Jack-o’-lanterns will float through Bond Lake in a stunning and spooky display. Here are nine local spots to get your pumpkins to participate.
A MagSafe Kate Spade wallet that conveniently attaches to the back of your phone. It boasts Kate Spade’s signature elegant design + can hold up to three cards and cash.
It’s been heartening to see the Carolinas come together to support our WNC neighbors — isn’t that what Southern hospitality is all about?
Let’s make this a circle of giving; send us an email with what you’ve done for our WNC neighbors, no matter how small, and we’ll give you a quick shout out in an upcoming newsletter. If you haven’t yet, take this as an opportunity to make it happen.
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