Events for October 3, 2025
First Friday is celebrated on the first Friday of each month throughout Downtown Raleigh to showcase the best of our city's creative community. Thousands venture downtown to visit art galleries & studios open late to host exhibits, artist talks, and creative activities. Retailers and restaurants also get in on the fun with live music, vendor markets, specials/discounts, and more. There's something for everyone each First Friday.
Create your own First Friday itinerary by selecting the hearts for events and experiences you don't want to miss. Receive a custom map and itinerary to guide your First Friday evening!
We're staying open late! Captain Cookie is extending hours to 10 PM to join the festivities at @transfercofoodhall. Enjoy art, live music, and, of course, our super-powered cookies. First Friday just got sweeter!
Celebrate Raleigh's First Friday with a unique make-and-take event! Drop-in anytime between 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Designed For Joy studio in downtown Raleigh to create your very own Raleigh Acorn Bell—a charming keepsake that symbolizes our "City of Oaks."
Join Le Dive and Old Ghosts Tattoo for a unique experience every First Friday in Raleigh! Le Dive, teams up with Old Ghosts Tattoo for an exciting night of flash tattoos, good vibes, drinks and food and creative energy!
Create and connect with your creative community! Join us for an evening fun and creativity at Leela Improv Theatre at 309 N. Boylan Avenue in Raleigh.
Start your month with laughter, creativity, and community!
Leela’s First Friday Improv Jam & Open Mic is a one-of-a-kind night where everyone is invited to play, perform, and share. Whether you’re an improvisor, musician, poet, comedian, or just someone who loves to cheer others on, this evening is all about connection, fun, and creative expression.
What to Expect:
Improv Jam – Jump on stage and play improv games with new friends. No experience necessary—everyone is welcome.
Open Mic – Share a song, poem, stand-up bit, or any short performance piece in a supportive, welcoming space.
Dry Event – This is a dry improv jam—a fun, creative night without alcohol. Let's let improv be the mind-altering substance to help us let loose and have fun. We'll celebrate with optional drinks AFTER the jam at a local Glenwood South bar.
Celebrate the power of play, try something new, and connect with Raleigh’s vibrant creative community!
When: First Friday of each month
Where: Leela Improv Theatre, Raleigh
Who: Open to all – performers, audience, and community members alike
Schedule:
7:00 PM - Sign up for the Community Jam & Open Mic, Mix & Mingle
7:30 PM - Community Jam & Open Mic begins
Join us every First Friday of the Month for a fun-filled Ladies Night at The Merchant! Gather your friends and unwind with a special evening designed just for you. Enjoy exclusive access to our Ladies Night Menu, featuring refreshing and playful cocktails in every shade of pink, from bubbly spritzers to fruity concoctions. Special offers, upbeat music, and an unforgettable vibe make it a night you won't want to miss! Come relax, mingle, and enjoy a glamorous night with the best company in town!
Join us for this Free family night out in Downtown Raleigh. Bring a blanket or chair to relax on the lawn for the movie, grab a bite from the food trucks and explore the market!
This outdoor movie night will feature:
🔸FREE outdoor movie: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
🔸Food trucks
🔸Local vendors' market
🔸Free field games for all ages
Event Info:
🔹Market & Food Trucks: 5 - 9 pm
🔹Live Music: 5:30 pm
🔹Free Movie on the Lawn: 7:00pm
This event is presented by Get 2 Know Raleigh, the Raleigh Parks team at Moore Square. We thank our sponsor, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, for supporting this series.
Note: The lawn fills up quickly for the movie. Arrive early to secure your spot!
Stay updated: Follow us @get2knowraleigh on FB and IG and subscribe to our newsletter.
The Dan Davis Group is playing a First Friday set on October 3rd at 9pm! Slim’s opens at 4:30pm so drop in to grab a drink while walking around Downtown Raleigh’s First Friday event, and come back at 9pm to see an energetic live set! The Dan Davis Group brings that smoky, soulful sound you want from a classic jazz organ trio. If you’re down for a night of New Orleans soul-jazz, funk, R&B, and Latin sounds, you won’t want to miss this. Featuring Doug Largent on the B3 Hammond, Kevin Van Sant shredding on guitar, and Dan Davis holding it down on drums, these guys know how to improvise and keep it raw and real.