WRAL First Night is probably the largest event going on for New Years. There are events starting as soon as 2PM and tickets are for access to activities across the board, acorn drop is free though — details here.

Clouds Brewing has a German New Year event with a family friendly vibe and Balloon Drop from 3-8PM — event info.

Living in Y2K is an Early 2000’s New Years Eve Dance Party with doors opening at 9:30PM over at The Pour House — tickets here.

Flask Cocktail Bar is promising a New Years Eve, Minus the Madness with no crowds, downtown stress, or parking woes — check it out here.

Go-Go Dancers, Champagne Toasts, & more over at Kings Raleigh with DJ’s playing all night long — details.

The NC State Men’s Basketball team take on Wake Forest for a midday New Years Eve Game — see the game at Lenovo Center at 12PM.

Tin Roof 🎸 New Year’s Eve Bash [multiple acts] 8PM - $18+

Chapel of Bones 🦴 New Years Apocalypse [varies] 8PM - Possible Cover

Cannonball Music Hall 🎤 Get Sad Y’all New Year [emo] 8PM - $12

The Flying Saucer is hosting a hangover brunch event all day downtown, stop by if you partied too hard ringing in the new year — info here.

The Canes take on the Canadiens at Lenovo Center for the first hockey game of 2026 — snag your seats or see the schedule.

Slim’s Dive 🤘 Richard Bacchus & The Luckiest Girls [rock] 9PM - FREE

Modern & Walkable 3 Bed Downtown: 3 bed, 3 bath, 1730SF | $975K

Cape Code Style, near Lake Lynn: 3 bed, 2 bath, 1430SF | $460K

Crabtree Home with Large Backyard: 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1275SF | $424K

First Friday is here for the first event of 2026! Check out Downtown for a variety of vendors — most of the action is around Fayetteville Street.

Cannonball Music Hall 🤘 The Last Sin [80s rock/sleaze] 7:30PM - $12

The Davie 🎙 Michael Parker [varies/covers] 8PM - FREE

Moon Room 🌕 The Collective Moment [jazz] 8PM - FREE

Check out the Cary Farmers Market for 2026, find it at 9AM over near Downtown Cary Park at 160 E. Park St — details and inventory.

The Festibull of Lights at Durham Bull Athletic Park ends at 9PM this weekend — catch it before it’s gone.

The not-so-kid-friendly comedy show, Teachers Gone Bad, is a show joking about school moments, family, and other related life experiences — some are even former teachers.

The NCMA buildings are closed for New Years but the park remains open and events start returning this weekend — check out their calendar.

The NC Symphony brings Harry Potter to the Concert Hall! No matter your house, come check out this performance at 1 & 4PM — robes encouraged!

Slims Dive 🎙 Brother Kent [indie/country] 9PM - FREE

Pour House 🎸 Edgewood Heavy [rock / soul] 8PM - $15

It’s back! A newsletter favorite, the Pop Shop ARTernative Market is returning after the holidays to Chapel of Bones — event at 11AM.

Stay after for a Rune Study class around 2:30PM as well — details.

Blacklight Pottery Painting! Check it out at Raleigh Brewing from 1-3PM — info over here on their Instagram.

Cannonball 🤘 Mechanical Canine [emo/punk] 7:30PM - $10

The DCP Gathering House (Downtown Cary Park) has a Cardinal stained glass workshop at 6PM — check out the class here.

Slims Dive 🪩 Lady Jane Gray [classic metal/grunge covers] 9PM - FREE

Director Mark Weathington of the JC Raulston Arboretum is giving a tour for the top 10 plants that help shape their space — from 1-2PM for their 50th.

Two juggernaut teams for this season, the Dallas Stars take on the Canes at 7PM here at Lenovo Center — calendar of games and tickets.

Bowstring 🪕 Beer & Banjos [bluegrass / folk] 6:30PM - FREE

We’re looking for new ways to keep the conversation going over on Discord, come help us grow the group with some more regular readers!

Dinner Club Social for January is coming soon, we’re working on some changes to hopefully make things a bit more friendly. So, keep an eye out as we get back into the groove after the holidays.

Beasley’s Chicken + Honey will close on the 25th of January, stop by before they close their doors after 14 years.

Zest Cafe closed effective on the 27th, they will have a going out of business sale on the 6th, after 20 years in business.

The Hurricanes sit atop the Eastern Conference, with 51 points, followed by the Red Wings at 49. The Canes sit 4th in the NHL currently.

Conference play has not fully started but NC State Men’s Basketball sits at 9-4 so far with Wake Forest, Virginia, & Boston College coming up next.

The Women’s team sits 4th after 2 conference games and 9-4 overall, having won 4 games in a row.