Hopscotch Music Festival fills the streets of Raleigh. | Photo by Garrett Poulos
August is just around the corner, and we’ve got all the best events to make sure its the best yet, from quirky festivals and live music to college football and TED talks.
Festivals
Kirby Derby 2025 | Saturday, Aug. 23 | The theme of this year’s wacky soapbox race is Metaphorical Mishaps & Wreckless Wordplay — come early to see all the racers in a parade.
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival | Saturday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 24 | Wrap up the summer and explore the work of over 250 artists from across the nation, live music + performances, and a kids section.
More local fun
TEDx Raleigh | Saturday, Aug. 23 | The theme of this year’s Oak City TEDx conference is “The Power of Small” with 12 brilliant speakers.
Mumford & Sons | 7:30 p.m. | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek | $55+ | We love this British folk rock band for songs like “Little Lion Man” and “I Will Wait” and can’t wait to see them live.
Tuesday Night Trivia | 7-10 p.m. | Wolf & Porter | Free | Test your knowledge + compete for prizes like Wolfe & Porter gift certificates.
Wednesday, July 30
Evelyn’s Book Club | 6:30-8 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | Free | Honor the legacy of historic Raleighite + avid reader Evelyn Pope by talking about “Claiming Union Widowhood: Race, Respectability, and Poverty in the Post-Emancipation South” by Brandi C. Brimmer.
Hiring Event | 3:30 p.m. | Lenovo Center | Free | Learn more about over 300 part-time positions — you could be working concessions, retail, parking, security, or setting up the arena.
Shadowbox Painting with Molly Lastra Workshop | 6-7:30 p.m. | 444 South Blount St., Ste. 115B | $40 | Join Artspace’s Universal Access Resident that will have you thinking about color and layers in contemporary painting.
Thursday, July 31
Jennifer Dasal, “The Club” | 7-8 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books | $35 | This book is about the never-before-told history of a residence for American women artists in Paris from 1893 to 1914 — meet the author.
🏡 100+ people packed this new build — and it still felt spacious
Presented by Tri Pointe Homes
We’re loving all that natural light. | Photos courtesy Tri Pointe Homes
Interior design expert, author, and Emmy Award-winning TV host Bobby Berk recently held a bustling event inside a model home at Twinleaf Townes: Showing off just how well these three-story spaces are built for entertaining.
This new Chapel Hill community (just 10 minutes from downtown Durham) has already sold 20% of its homes, thanks to stylish interiors and standout finishes.
Stop by and see
Tour Berk’s handpicked curated collections at Twinleaf Townes 7 days a week, view available virtual tours, or schedule your own self-guided tour.
You’re going to fall in love with the Indian food at a new spot coming to Raleigh Iron Works. | Photo by Tim Robison
Eat
Botiwalla by Chai Pani, a famed Indian street grill restaurant based in Asheville, is coming to Raleigh Iron Works and will open by spring 2026. If you just can’t wait, you can visit the other locations in Charlotte and Asheville to try the masala smashed potatoes, Desi salad bowls, and tikka rolls before they land in Raleigh. (Raleigh Magazine)
Community
A sinkhole opened in Village District yesterday on Cameron Street after a water main break earlier in the day. All businesses are open, but parts of Cameron Street will remain closed while the waterline + hole are fixed. (Raleigh Magazine + Raleigh Downtown)
Weather
The Triangle has been listed among the most risky regions for heat illness according to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk site. Yesterday, Raleigh was listed as having extreme risk of heat illness, and today through Friday, we’ll see major risk. We’ll cool down this weekend, I promise. (The News & Observer)
Sports
If you’ve been to a Canes game, you’ve probably noticed Canes ambassador Mike “Big Mike” Whiting hyping fans up throughout Lenovo Center with a vuvuzela. Now, he’s is asking for financial help with dental work and a double hip replacement. So far, the Canes community has contributed $42,000 — help get him over the finish line.
Gallery
Did you make it to GalaxyCon last weekend? The pop culture + fandom convention welcomed thousands of visitors and celebs to Oak City. If you missed it this year, or just want to relive the weekend, check out The News & Observer’s photo gallery featuring cosplays, panels, and more.
Health
Wake County is offering seven vaccine clinics before school starts for state-required immunizations. Certain vaccines are required for kindergarten, seventh grade, and 12th grade, and these clinics aim to prevent the last-minute scramble before school’s back in session.
Pets
Looking for a dog that’s just like your favorite Miami rapper? Meet Mr. 305, named after singer Pitbull, a charming Staffordshire Terrier that’s good on a leash and loves playing with others. His adoption fee is waived through August just like the hundreds of other pets at Wake County Animal Center.
Didn’t win last week’s Symphony Season Tickets for Two Giveaway? Don’t cut the cord just yet: You can still be there for every classical concert with a Season Subscription. Check out 3-14 classical concert packages.*
Learn
AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. Learn AI skills in three minutes a day with Superhuman AI newsletter. Subscribe for free.*
Older Adults
Did you know about these senior discounts? Aside from basics like bulk shopping and retirement accounts, here are 20 savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
Trending
Amazon Essentials just launched a new activewear collection (read: soft, comfortable gym clothes for less). We’re loving these high-waist leggings and these colorful capri-length leggings.*
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
This weekend, I tried the legendary Parker’s Barbecue out in Wilson, and it lived up to the hype. My favorite bite was the perfectly golden fried chicken — give the spot a visit when you go to Whirligig Park or see the Wilson Warbirds when the team relocates in 2026.
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