The best things to do in Raleigh this weekend, Aug. 28-30
ABC11 is teaming up with Offline to help you avoid average weekends. Stay updated about the best things to do in your city with Offline and ABC11!
A curated list of the best things to do the weekend of August 14th - August 16th. You've worked hard this week-go have a little fun.
Pickin' in the Plaza: Raleigh's Relaxed Bluegrass
Raleigh Bluegrass anyone? Pickin' in the Plaza is downtown Raleigh's free summer bluegrass series. Featuring two live bands in the heart of downtown, you'll also find food trucks and local beers!
Bring your blankets, chairs, and pets to downtown Raleigh and experience this incredible live and free bluegrass music series. The series is a collaboration between Pinecone (the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music) and the producers of Oak City 7, which brought over 30,000 people to downtown Raleigh's City Plaza in 2013. Pickin' in the Plaza looks to be the tamer version of Oak CIty 7, offering a nice opportunity for downtowners to relax and blow off some after-work steam. Enjoy beer from Aviator, Big Boss, Lonerider, Natty Greene's, Starr Hill, and White Street, as well as food trucks including Baguettaboutit, The Humble Pig, Sweetwater Ices, Tarheel Creamery, House of Swank, The Record Krate, Oak City Collective, Bordeaux Lane Studio, Chirba Chirba, Hibachi Xpress.
Pro Tip: With a more relaxed atmosphere and a smaller crowd, this is a nice opportunity to take advantage of shorter food truck lines for trucks like Chirba Chirba. (Photo via @oak_city_7)
An incomparable roots-rock and country band with a Latin twist, the Mavericks have released two critically acclaimed albums since 2013, thrilling audiences with the rhythmic fervor and Latin influences that reflect their south Florida origins.
Each year when summer draws near, the NCMA amphitheater plays host to a summer-long music festival that features some of the world's finest singer-songwriters and outstanding musical ensembles from around the world. Throughout the series, thousands will grab a seat on the beautiful stone or in the surrounding woods, soak in the setting sun, and enjoy the sounds wafting from the nation's largest museum venue. From June until September, you'll find a variety of well curated acts, and occasionally, NCMA will show a movie afterwards that complements the show.
Tickets are normally less than $30 and can be found online through the Museum Box Office at (919) 715-5923, or in person during regular hours. Doors open 90 minutes before the show starts, get there early to secure a good seat!
Location::North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh. (Photo via @andreavillanes)
Get the Giggles at RLT's SPAMALOT
Hit Raleigh Little Theatre for their musical theater spin on the classic comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Raleigh Little Theatre is presenting SPAMALOT, a musical ""lovingly ripped off"" (their words, not ours!) from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Just as the film parodies the Arthurian Legend, SPAMALOT does too, but it's not an exact replica of the film. The original Broadway production won three Tony's and was nominated for 14, and RLT's presentation will be the first all-local production.
The show will run on Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8/28 to 9/13. Show starts at 8p (Sunday at 3p) and tickets start at $20." (Photo via @maisonloup)
Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge, Brothers Osborne & A Thousand Horses
The 77-acre Walnut Creek Amphitheatre offers fresh air and fabulous acoustics while hosting everyone from country all-stars to Wiz Khalifa.
Since 1991, this venue has brought some of the biggest and baddest names in the music biz to Raleigh. The lawn is incredible-lay down a blanket, lounge and listen to the excellent sounds of this amphitheater space. Pre-show picnicking is encouraged, and there are tons of drinks and yummy snacks for sale inside.
Rain or shine, the show always goes on at Walnut Creek! They only schedule performances in the warmer months, though, so don't miss your chance to check out their awesome line-up this year. Tickets are available online! (Photo via @aclimbingvine)
Kings 5th Year Anniversary Show
Kings Barcade brings together local music enthusiasts, beer lovers, dance-floor heroes and humorists alike. Kings is the quirky music staple of DTR par excellence. Steep and winding stairs, a full bar with local beers on tap, string lights and dim lights, graffiti, random art, and muppets Statler & Waldorf begrudgingly looking down upon everyone from the balconies. This venue is known to have brought both international touring acts and smaller local acts on the rise. If you're looking for good and diverse music, here it is. But music isn't all they specialize in-they also host comedy shows, dog shows, spelling bees, dance parties, game shows, McCaulay Culkin's weirdo band, beard competitions and much much more. It's kinda safe to say that you haven't really experienced Raleigh until you've moshed at Kings. (Photo via @dscvryrdu)
There may be no better cheap summer experience in all of Raleigh. Recline under the stars with friends, family, or your SO while you enjoy a movie in the expansive and beautiful NCMA campus. Each year when summer draws near, thousands flock to the NCMA lawn to grab a seat, soak in the setting sun, and enjoy one of the best outdoor movie series in the state. From June until September, you'll find a variety of well curated flicks featuring recent Oscar winners, family favorites, and timeless classics. Though the crowds get large, the lawn itself provides and intimate vibe, and with a sizable projections screen for viewing, it's easy to get a seat towards the back. Occasionally, NCMA will bring in a band to complement the genre of the movie. Coolers and picnics are welcome, though alcoholic beverages must be purchased from the vendors themselves. We suggest coming early to avoid the crowds, and get a good seat. Once you've claimed your turf, take a brief stroll through the outdoor park. Movies are $5 and begin just after dark, at 9 pm through mid-August, 8:30 thereafter. Gates open 90 minutes before showtime and tickets can be purchased at the gate or online.
Location: North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh. (Photo via @andreavillanes)
Order a PBR and listen to live music. You're guaranteed to have a great night at Lincoln Theatre jamming to your favorite band with a drink in your hand.
Lincoln Theatre is one of the most intimate music venues Raleigh has to offer. If you want to see your favorite musician up close and personal, this is your spot. The musical energy and intimate fan-performer connections are inexplicably life-changing.
Lincoln Theatre's bar and foyer are killer, too. You can grab a PBR on the cheap or a well drink, and the bartenders are always attentive. Usually, you can meet your favorite band in the foyer after the show and purchase merchandise.
Make sure to check Lincoln Theatre's show schedule online and purchase tickets in advance. Many bands sell out quickly and you don't want to miss your chance! (Photo via @a_bags9)
The Saturday Market at Rebus Works
Stroll on over to the Saturday Market at Rebus Works to shop farm fresh produce, food truck delights and local crafts. The Saturday Market at Rebus Works occurs every Saturday morning behind the shop. This mini farmer's market features rotating local farmers, brewers, artisans, dog biscuit bakers and food trucks, as well as a few steady staples such as the LoMo Market. Free. (Photo via @jaxelise)
Under The Sun Tour featuring Sugar Ray, Better Than Ezra, Uncle Kracker and Eve 6
Red Hat brings top notch performers to a conveniently located outdoor amphitheater brimming with energy, local beer and good eats.
Red Hat opened its doors in the summer of 2010, and since it's become a beacon for live entertainment in the Southeast. Located right on the outskirts of downtown Raleigh, it's just steps from a hub of bars, clubs, galleries and restaurants. The venue holds about 5,500 in a mix of lawn seating and traditional seating.
What's a good summer concert without a good beer? Not as fun. Thankfully, Red Hat stocks local brews from Lonerider and Carolina Brewery, as well as food from Empire Eats. (Photo via @dickiemoe)
Forage Your Food at Wild History Walk
If you're an adventurous foodie, then take a walk with Piedmont Picnic as they show you how to pick and cook your own food straight from the wilderness.
Get in touch with nature by walking, learning and eating it. Piedmont Picnic will take you on a guided tour of the natural resources surrounding Raleigh City Farm, give ya a lil' history lesson about the area, and then show you how to pick out what's edible. This walk and picnic combo's theme is Foraging Three Ways, where you'll get in touch with the trifecta of foraging: one, how to find the right thing to eat; two, how to pick excess edible plants from your neighbors (take heed from Fullsteam for inspiration); three, how to cook and prepare all of the above for eating! When the foraging is done, you'll enjoy a light picnic of local teas, cheeses, bread jams, wild greens and even wilder desserts! And if you're digging the area, stick around till 12p to learn more about Raleigh City Farm.
Remember, you're going out and about in nature, so you'll be required to bring appropriate kicks, sign a waiver and come tagalong with an adult if you're a young'un. Tickets are $20 online and $25 day-of on site. (Photo via @nnnoemiii)
Get Sweet at the Two Roosters Ice Cream Social
You've probably seen the Two Roosters turquoise truck driving around town. Here's your chance to finally chase them down! Join 'em at Sola for an ice cream social filled with tasty, creative flavors. "Gather friends or family and head to the Two Roosters Ice Cream Social at Sola for a scoop or two. They'll be serving up several signature flavors, including their Sola inspired Mini-Donut with cinnamon sugar syrup. Yeah, we'll be having two scoops, too.
Two Roosters sources their milk and cream from Homeland Creamery in Julian, NC, a family dairy farm where they ensure their cows are treated with care and mindfulness. (Photo via @tworoosters)
The New Hope Valley Railway is teaming up with Fortnight Brewing Co. and Iron Gate Vineyards so that you can hop on a choo-choo with your little one and enjoy some excellent hops in the process. Whether you're a young train enthusiast or have been traveling on steam engines for quite some time, there's a place for you at New Hope Valley Railroad's Brew 'n' Choo. For the 21 and over crowd, there will be craft beer from Fortnight Brewing Company and wine from the folks at Iron Gate Vineyards. Local faves Three Jack Jenny and Last Band Standing will keep the tunes pumping all evening.
Trains leave every hour on the hour from 4 PM to 7 PM. Get yo' tickets online to make sure you and the whole fam have seats! A spot on the train is $20 for adults and $16 for kiddies. Children's tickets include two large zpizza slices (yum!) and a non-alcoholic drink.
When you're not chugging down the track, enjoy eats from the County Line Sweets food truck or check out the museum's miniature train collection.
Location: North Carolina Railway Museum, New Hill. (Photo via @smitty_jac)
Ride Around Raleigh for the Radio
around Raleigh on your bike for this scavenger hunt and fundraiser for WKNC, your favorite local radio station. You don't have to wait until February to support your favorite college radio station. WKNC is hosting its first ever alleycat bike ride featuring a scavenger hunt across Raleigh and gives prizes for the top three finishers. If you're ready to compete, register here and get ready to ride 15 to 20 miles around Raleigh seeking out clues and hitting checkpoints. If you're feeling competitive, rewards will be waiting from local businesses like Fyxation, Flythe Cyclery, Raleigh Denim, Merge Records, Negative Fun Records and Sugar Magnolia for the top finishers.
Check-in at the Raleigh Arts Collective opens at 12 and the ride begins at 1 p.m. Rain date Aug. 30th, same time and place. (Photo via @arsenii_23)
WANT MORE THINGS TO DO?
Offline helps you avoid average weekends.
Tired of searching for "things to do? Offline's app and website keeps thousands of the Triangle's best events, places, dates ideas and adventures in your pocket at all times.
