NC Vintage Bazaar is a thrifter’s dream. | Photo provided by NC Vintage Bazaar
Ready or not, January’s here, and that means a new edition of our monthly Plan Ahead guide. We bet you’ll find something fun + new in this month’s edition.
Live events
The Great Cover Up 2026 | Various dates | Kings | This annual event showcases local musicians covering iconic songs.
Learn
25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration | Saturday, Jan. 31 | North Carolina Museum of Art | Commemorate African American history + kick off Black History Month with this celebration of the contributions African American people have made in NC.
Try This
NC Vintage Bazaar | Saturday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 18 | NC State Fairgrounds | NC’s largest vintage + thrift market is back with two days of holy grail finds and hidden gems.
Triangle Restaurant Week | Monday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 1 | This week-long event is perfect for the foodie who wants to try everything, and save a little money, too. Pro tip: Make your reservations in advance.
This new doggie-centric eatery promises to be off the leash. | Image provided by Kane Realty Corp.
Eat
Fido-friendly restaurant Barking Dog is now open in the Park District of North Hills near Chuy’s. Expect brunch, lunch, and dinner with ample patio seating in the sun — and all well-trained dogs are welcome.
Community
Buddhist monks, and their dog, Aloka, will be walking through Raleigh as part of their 120-day Walk for Peace through 10 states between Jan. 20 and 30. The group asks locals to observe respectfully and not walk alongside them. (The News & Observer)
Development
Raleigh City Council voted to approves a rezoning request for the former Kmart off Western Boulevard for up to 20 stories of mixed-use development. Cityplat purchased the property for $14 million in 2025 and plans to include housing + retail geared toward active-lifestyle tenants. (Triangle Business Journal)
Coming Soon
A third Jetset Pilates location is set to open in North Hills this weekend for more full-body workouts on custom reformer machines. The new fitness studio will be between Orangetheory and Arrow Haircuts not too far from Barking Dog. (The News & Observer)
Drink
Love Raleigh tap water? The folks at Trophy Brewing do, too, and have teamed up with the City of Raleigh to offer a new sparkling Raleigh tap water at government buildings. Did you know? Even the pros love Raleigh water, and they named it No. 3 in the world. (Raleigh Magazine, ABC 11)
Development
Construction is underway at the NC Museum of History, and the $180 million renovation is just getting started. The renovation will add 40,000 sqft of gallery space, modern touches, and more for a top-notch museum experience. The museum plans to reopen in 2028 — take a look inside. (WRAL)
Biz
Kickstart the new year by expanding your business’s reach. Our business promo portal puts your message in front of our thousands of highly engaged local subscribers in as little as two days. Plus, first-time customers save 15% with code NEW15 at checkout. Get started.
Health
Did you find yourself straining to hear during holiday gatherings? Make 2026 a year of better hearing with Horizon IX. This revolutionary hearing aid delivers natural sound so real, experts are calling it a miracle. Dual processors separate speech from noise for effortless clarity so you won’t miss a single word. Start your 45-day no-risk trial.*
Wellness
Interested in a THC or CBD journey in 2026? Women-owned and operated brand TribeTokes is offering 15% off with code DRYJAN15, plus a free CBD/CBG tincture when you spend $40. Try pineapple THC gummies or mini THCA prerolls for some California sober fun during dry January.†*
The Buy
Are you resolving to drink more water this year? Set yourself up for success with a sleek, insulated water bottle that keeps liquids chilled for up to 24 hours. Bonus: It’s dishwasher safe.
I was so excited to see Seth Jarvis back on the ice for the Canes last night, but I wonder if I cursed him by getting his jersey just a few days before his injury. Catch him + the whole crew at home tomorrow against the Ducks or Saturday against the Kraken.
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