Things To Do in October 2025 | The Raleighwood Monthly

Welcome to the October Monthly! Thanks again for being here on a Sunday. Check out our Google calendar, local newsletter, and more below if you enjoy this content.

— October 1st —

Oak City Salsa Social: Free Dancing + Live Music — Link

When & Where: 7:30PM for Lessons, 8PM Dancing, Transfer Co. Ballroom

• Live Salsa & Latin Ensembles play Raleigh once a month for one of the largest salsa dancing events in the area. It runs through November so only two chances left to go.

• The event is free and family friendly, grab a bite at the food hall while there too!

— October 3rd —

Spooky First Fright-Day (Friday) — Details

When & Where: 5-8PM, Smoky Hollow, Downtown Raleigh

• Smoky Hollow turns Sleepy Hollow in this monthly event series, this time with a spooky twist. See Circus Performers, Vintage Pop-Up Markets, Specialty Food, and more.

• Stop by one of our Discount Card vendors in Smoky Hollow, Hause of Dogs, and bring your pet by for some spooky photo ops in the area.

— October 3rd & 4th —

Raleigh Wide Open: Music Festival — Event Info

When & Where: 3rd & 4th, Show Times Vary, Downtown Raleigh

• This FREE event takes the place of the long running IBMA Music Festival and is operated this year by PineCone, a non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting folk and dance in NC.

• The event will feature a few main stages but being a folk festival, you will see jam sessions break out across the festival + there is a kickoff night over on Centennial Campus Thursday night as well, if interested.

Below is a highlight video from last year’s festival:

— October 4th —

Falling for Local: Market & Festival — Event Info

When & Where: 11AM-6PM, The Big Field @ Dix Park

• Over 50 food trucks, 100+ makers, and a ton of craft beer and ciders to enjoy as you take a hay ride and play in the pumpkin patch — great family friendly event!

— October 9th —

Carolina Hurricanes Hockey: Home Opener — Calendar

When & Where: 7PM Puck Drop, Lenovo Center

• Your Carolina Hurricanes take on the New Jersey Devils in the home opener on Thursday, October 9th. They had some great signings in the off-season as they look to continue their playoff streak (and hopefully make it past the conference final).

— October 11th —

Triangle Barkitecture 2025: Event & Competition — Website

When & Where: 1-5PM, Downtown Cary Park

• Triangle Barkitecture is a pet architecture competition and event featuring over 20 unique builds by architects & designers from the Triangle, all in support of local rescues.

• Enjoy activities like the Kitten Cuddle Room, Pet Costume Contest, live music, local vendors, and adoptable pets from over seven rescues. Admission is FREE, and leashed pets are welcome to join the fun!

— October 15th —

Oak City Comedy Festival (through 19th) — Calendar

When & Where: Dates, Times, AND Locations Vary, see link above.

• A Raleigh Independent Comedy Festival starts on the 15th and runs through the 19th. Each day has multiple showcases at a variety of different locations around Raleigh.

• Locations include: Goodnights Comedy Club, The Davie, Comedy Worx, The Longleaf Hotel, The Rialto, Vault Craft Beer, Slim’s Dive Bar, Good Trip Gallery, & Juiced.

— October 16th —

The N.C. State Fair Begins (through 26th) — Website

When & Where: Times Vary, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh

• It’s the best time of the year! The state fair returns for a whole week and like always, there is so much to do — view the entire schedule here. Carnival rides, wacky exhibits, agricultural showcases, prize winning foods, all of it and more on the 16th.

• In general, Monday-Wednesday tend to be the slowest days, along with opening night according to their stats, so plan accordingly.

— October 19th —

Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat 2025 — Info

When & Where: 2-5PM, 2300-2600 blocks of Hillsborough Street

• In partnership with The Portal HQ, Live It Up is hosting a spellbinding comic book adventure from 2-5PM. Join magical games, collect treats, and join for some family friendly fun (costumes encourage but not required).

— October 25th —

Day of the Dead 5k & Street Festival 2025 — Info

When & Where: 9AM for 5K, 12PM for Festival, Wilmington Street

• A community celebration benefiting the Boys & Girls Club, join this 5k that runs through Oakwood Cemetery and come back for free beer and festival in front of Centro as they celebrate the Day of the Dead, costume contest + dance off afterwards.

— October 25th —

Halloween Spooktacular: Spooky Symphony — Details

When & Where: 1PM, Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh

• Celebrate the season with family friendly spooky favorites and show up a bit early to participate in the Halloween costume contest before the show.

— October 31st —

Halloween Night: On a Friday!

When & Where: Everywhere!

• It’s always fun when big holidays fall on a weekend, enjoy it! Looks like people are still announcing events for the evening (we’ll be trick or treating) but keep in touch with the weekly newsletter below to see what’s coming up — details below.

Thanks for reading! Let us know which events you’re going to be heading out to this month! Our inbox is always open.

— Mason @ The Raleighwood Inbox