HAUNTED HISTORY. “When The Whistle Blows: A History That Haunts Cary Trolley Tour” takes place over 10 dates in October. The event transports guests back in time to relive chilling historical events heralded by the train whistle approaching town. Tours will begin and end at local “watering holes.” Transportation will be provided by trolley on the journey through Cary’s history. Tickets are available online.
Learn about the history of some of downtown Raleigh’s most important landmarks aat each stop of the Haunted History Walking Tour September 2–October 28 on Fridays and Saturdays (times vary). Admission is free, but online registration is required and tips are appreciated. Tours depart from the North Carolina Executive Mansion at 200 N. Blount Street in Raleigh. Register here.
PLANT ONE HERE. Rooted Plant Supply will bring its Plant Bus to The Mayton in Cary on Friday, September 15, 3–6 p.m. Shop for plants and plant accessories before heading to the Peck & Plume terrace for cocktails and bites. The event is free.
TAKE YOUR SHOT. The Apex Chamber of Commerce Sporting Clays Tournament is set for Drake Landing (3146 Chalybeate Springs Road, Fuquay-Varina) on Friday, September 15, noon–4 p.m. Lunch will be served, and awards and recognition will take place at 4 p.m. Admission is $150 for members and $200 for nonmembers.
GOOD TUNES. The Hopscotch Music Festival kicked off in downtown Raleigh today, September 7, and runs through Saturday, September 9. Stages are set up in the heart of Raleigh, and the festival also features day parties at bars and breweries. The headlining lineup includes Pavement, Denzel Curry, Japanese Breakfast, King Krule, Margo Price, Dinosaur Jr. and more.
Little Raleigh Radio and the Rialto Theater present a Hopscotch Jazz Showcase and Day Party at the Rialto (1620 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh) on Saturday, September 9, noon–5 p.m. Enjoy music by Thrio, Russell Favret Trio, and Peter Lamb and the Wolves at this free event.
United Arts Council will host Rock the Block on West Horton Street in Zebulon on Friday, September 8. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for an event that includes live music from Rhythm Express Band, food trucks, beer vendors and more.
Al Strong and his jazz trio will help Alley Twenty Six in downtown Durham celebrate its 11-year anniversary on Friday, September 8, 11 p.m.–1 a.m. Additionally, the cocktail bar and restaurant is offering an Island Relief cocktail to raise money for those affected by the wildfires in Maui. Three dollars of each cocktail sold through Sunday, September 10 will be donated to the Hawaii Community Foundation to assist in disaster response and recovery.
STORYTIME. Wake County Public Libraries are offering curated Sensory Storytimes to support children with autism or sensory processing challenges beginning on Saturday, September 9. Librarians are modeling the sessions after traditional library storytimes but with smaller audiences, lower volumes and sensory kits with headphones and fidgets. More than 1,000 people have participated since the pilot program was launched at Oberlin Regional Library in 2019.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. A Kid Again, a national nonprofit growing in North Carolina and currently serving more than 1,700 families throughout the region, will host its first ever Adventure Night in the Museum on Saturday, September 9, 6–9 p.m., at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. During the event, A Kid Again families will enjoy a cost-free night with special activities planned by the A Kid Again team. While registration for this event has closed, interested families who would like to register for future events can enroll in the A Kid Again program here.
TAILGATE TIME. PBR Cary hosts tailgate parties each Saturday during the college football season. Enjoy food and beverage specials, big screens, bull riding and a chance to win prizes. North Carolina State University hosts Notre Dame on Saturday, September 9 at noon, while UNC hosts Appalachian State at 5:15 p.m. and Duke hosts Lafayette at 6 p.m.
FOR TAR HEEL FANS. Classic Carolina hosts a grand reopening on Saturday, September 9 at 8 a.m. Guests at the UNC apparel store (171 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill) can spin the wheel for a chance to win prizes including Classic Carolina T-shirts, gift cards, stickers and more. The first 25 visitors will receive a $20 gift certificate. Kris Chellani, a UNC alumna, is the new owner of the store.
KIDS NIGHT OUT. Drop off your little ones at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham for Kids Night Out Friday, September 8, 5:30–8:30 p.m.—a kids-only evening of hands-on fun including pizza, games, exhibits and science experiments. Best of all, parents and guardians can enjoy a few hours to themeselves. Learn more here.
KOOKY SPOOKY. Experience Marbles Kids Museum’s Kooky Spooky Halloween Party Friday, October 27, 6–8:30 p.m. Don a costume and experience the magic of the museum after dark with Halloween activities like Mad Scientist Lab, Monster Mash Dance Party and more. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 18. Purchase tickets here in advance. Marbles Kids Museum is located at 201 E. Hargett Street in Raleigh.
SUMMER SEND-OFF. The Patio at Unscripted Durham will host Unscripted Presents: Intensity Rooftop Summer Send-off on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at 5:15 p.m. each evening. The event includes two nights of live music, dancing, food and drink specials, patio games and more. The live music will be provided by Intensity Band. VIP packages and room packages are available.
FIELD TRIP FUNDS. The North Carolina Museum of History is offering travel grants for transportation assistance for qualifying school field trips through the 2023–24 school year. Priority will be given to Title I and Title VII American Indian schools, schools with a high percentage of low-income or at-risk students, and public schools bringing a minimum of 30 students. Special transportation funding is also available for schools in Edgecombe and Nash Counties.
CARY CONCERT. The Concert Singers of Cary, a symphonic choir, kicks off its season at the Cary Arts Center on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. The program, “Our Star Will Not Wane: Celebrating Black Composers of the Americas,” will feature African American spirituals, gospels and jazz. The series will continue with a holiday pops concert and three more performances that run through April.
TENNIS CHAMPS. The second of two Atlantic Tire Championship tennis events is scheduled to take place at Cary Tennis Park September 10–17. View the schedule here and purchase tickets here.
COOKING CLASS. Flour Power Cooking Studios (244 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs) is offering a special abilities class on Saturday, September 16, 9–10 a.m. The classes are for parents/caregivers along with children. The class is free or pay-what-you-can. Registration is available online. Proceeds will be donated to a local childhood charity.
