First Friday Raleigh

October First Friday is a night to celebrate all things local! 🧡

Our fall block party is just around the corner and we can't wait to kick-off the Spooky Season together in Downtown Raleigh.

Come out for Halloween-themed activities, a free photo-op, performances, vintage clothing, and exclusive specials offered by Smoky Hollow businesses such as...
💇‍♀️ Hush Raleigh
🍖 Midwood Smokehouse Smoky Hollow
🍻 Neighborhood Raleigh
🐕 Hause of Dogs Raleigh
🍦 Morelia Gourmet Paletas
🏃‍♀️ Jetset Pilates - Downtown Raleigh
🧋 MILK LAB

Support your favorite spots or discover new ones; First Friday is a night to explore everything downtown has to offer.

📆 Friday, October 4th 🕔 5-8pm 📍Smoky Hollow
🔗 https://bit.ly/37u84T3
Presented by LS3P

For all the fall fanatics who can’t wait for crisp air, colorful leaves, and Halloween fun, October First Friday Raleigh is the place to be! 🎃🍂

Our 2nd annual seasonal kick-off is the perfect blend of autumn vibes and spooky chills featuring exclusive offerings from local businesses along with festive activities.

📆 Friday, October 4th 🕔 5-8pm 📍Smoky Hollow
Learn more 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3
Sponsored by LS3P

Get into the Halloween spirit and embrace autumn at October First Fright-day! 🎃

Downtown’s official kick-off to the fall season is coming up in 2 weeks on October 4th, when Smoky Hollow meets Sleepy Hollow.

Break out that costume you’ve been dying to debut and join us for…
👗 The Sustainable Spirit Halloween vintage pop-up
🔮 Tarot readings
🍹 Specialty offerings from Smoky Hollow businesses
🐶 A canine costume contest
🤹 Circus performers
📸 A fall-themed photo-op
🍂 And so more!

📆 Friday, October 4th 🕔 5-8pm 📍 Smoky Hollow
🔗 https://bit.ly/3rYSvMq
Sponsored by LS3P

CALL FOR VENDORS 🎄🎁 Downtown Raleigh Alliance will host Raleigh's Annual Tree Lighting this year on Friday, November 22nd.

We're now accepting applications for the Holiday Shopping Street Market taking place during the 3-hour event. Ideal vendors are local, small businesses with a focus on art, jewelry, home decor, clothing, and other seasonal gifting items. Food trucks and tents are welcome to apply as well!

Last year, 3000+ people attended this kick-off to the holiday season across the city. 🤯

Learn more and apply by Friday, October 11th 👇
https://bit.ly/3pZULUx
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📸: J Cutt Photography

Community Event – Umbrella Dry Bar x Raleigh Raw Launch Party🥂

Starting tomorrow, Umbrella Dry Bar will take over Raleigh Raw every Friday and transform the cafe into a vibrant, non-alcoholic cocktail bar.

📍7 W Hargett St.
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Community Event – First Friday Pop-Up 🍹

Neighborhood is hosting a Hopscotch-themed celebration to keep the festival vibes going with permanent jewelry, vintage apparel, music memorabilia, and more.

📍500 N West St.
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

This week is September First Friday: Hopscotch Music Festival Edition! 🎤

Raleigh's renowned, homegrown music festival is popping up downtown this Thursday through Saturday which means the 2nd day is also September First Friday!

It'll be an electric evening where music meets art, bringing together everything that makes our city so special - all in one night, all in one place.

Find things to do this First Friday 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

The winner of our Jurassic First Friday passport giveaway is Tim Alcorn! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the giveaway.

Let's give our Downtown Dinosaurs a warm-welcome this Jurassic First Friday! 🦖

Visit the trio of topiary installations to take advantage of free photographers for your prehistoric photo-op, authentic Jurassic Park Jeeps, and other dino-themed festivities at each location.

Don't forget to swing by a DRA tent to find out how you can be entered to win 4 tickets to see TREX 3D at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the official companion T. Rex Movie Hardcover Graphic Novel.

🌿 Trish the Triceratops | Corner of Morgan & Fayetteville St.
🦴 Bex the T-Rex | Moore Square
🪽 Pterry the Pterodactyl | Exchange Plaza

📆 Friday, August 2nd 🕔 5-7pm
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Community Event – Market & Movie Night 🎥

Market and movie nights return to Moore Square tomorrow 5-9pm with a showing of "Barbie" (2023) hosted by Get 2 Know Raleigh.

FYI - One of DRA's dinosaur installations, Bex the T-Rex, lives in Moore Square so you can stop by for a professional Jurassic Park Jeep photo-op (until 7pm) while you're shopping in the park. Live your paleontologist Barbie dreams!

📍Moore Square
Find more First Friday events and exhibitions 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Community Event – CAM First Friday 🎨

Immerse yourself in captivating art exhibits, dance along to a live DJ, and soak in the creative atmosphere at CAM Raleigh: one of 10+ art galleries/studios in Downtown Raleigh open late for First Friday.

📍409 W Martin Street
Find even more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

We're bringing Jurassic Park to Downtown Raleigh this First Friday! 🦖 🚙

Whether you're an amateur paleontologist or just a big Jeff Goldblum fan, come out in your Jurassic Park gear for the ultimate free fan experience with Jurassic Park Motorpool: Carolinas Division.

Celebrate your love for this iconic film with fellow fans, enjoy dino-themed activities, and immerse yourself in the adventure with movie-authentic Jeeps located our dinosaur installations Bex and Pterry.

📆 Friday, August 2nd 🕔 5-7pm
Find more First Friday events to plan your whole evening 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3
📸: Jurassic Park Motorpool

Let's give our Downtown Dinosaurs a warm-welcome this Jurassic First Friday! 🦖

Visit the trio of topiary installations to take advantage of free photographers for your prehistoric photo-op, authentic Jurassic Park Jeeps, and other dino-themed festivities at each location.

Don't forget to swing by a DRA tent to find out how you can be entered to win 4 tickets to see TREX 3D at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the official companion T. Rex Movie Hardcover Graphic Novel.

🌿 Trish the Triceratops | Corner of Morgan & Fayetteville St.
🦴 Bex the T-Rex | Moore Square
🪽 Pterry the Pterodactyl | Exchange Plaza

📆 Friday, August 2nd 🕔 5-7pm
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

🌟 PAID CALL FOR ARTISTS 🌟 Raleigh’s premier free holiday lights event, Illuminate Art Walk, returns this December and we need you!

We’re in search of NC-based artists to create mid-to-large-scale original pieces for this month-long celebration in the heart of Downtown Raleigh.

DRA is dedicated to uplifting local artists so this is a paid opportunity that includes digital promotion and the chance to have your art seen by 70,000+ people during downtown’s busiest time of the year!

Apply by Monday, July 22 👇
https://bit.ly/2Li3KhJ
🎨: Nate Sheaffer

Today is July First Friday! ✨🎉

Head to Downtown Raleigh this evening and tour art galleries, listen to live music, go shopping, or grab a bite to eat – the options are endless.

📍 The Carter Building, 22 Glenwood Ave
Find more events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Community Event – First Friday at Good Trip Gallery 🎨

Visit Good Trip Gallery for live painting, art giveaways, and free food/drinks featuring Christopher Evans and Sketch Gamble.

📍 416 S McDowell St.
Plan your Friday evening 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Community Event – First Friday Curated Vintage 👗

Origami styling invites you to stop by and browse their 60s-90s vintage collection of apparel, furniture, and decor while you're out for First Friday.

📍 111 E Hargett St.
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Join us for an explosive 4th of July weekend First Friday 🎆

There are plenty of fun things to check out including gallery exhibitions, live music, public art, and more.

📆 Friday, July 5th
Find things to do this First Friday or submit your event 👇
https://bit.ly/3rYSvMq

Community Event — Fairy Fun First Friday 🧚

Fly on by DECO Raleigh for a magical First Friday experience with Sunny The Fun Fairy. Enjoy coloring activities, storytime readings, discounts on Jellycat toys, and more fun for all ages!

📍 207 S Salisbury St.
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Get ready for our June First Friday double-header, where creativity meets Pride 🏳️‍🌈

🌈 Downtown Raleigh Alliance's large-scale, public art installation “Rainbow River” returns for Pride Month through the end of summer!
📍 Market Plaza, 227 Fayetteville St.

🎨 Glenwood South will host an Artist Reception with muralist J. Massullo - light refreshments provided.
📍Whiskey Rose Raleigh 🕔 5-7pm

Best part is? You can cut down the walking and conveniently take the R-Line to-and-from each celebration with bus stops mere steps away.

📆 Friday, June 7th
Find even more First Friday events and plan your evening 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

DYK? — First Friday is celebrated across EVERY part of Downtown Raleigh from the Warehouse District to Moore Square 🎉

But art galleries aren't the only businesses who participate! Many restaurants, bars, and retailers take advantage of the evening's vibrant energy by staying open late, hosting creative events, or offering specials.

📍 Raleigh Denim Workshop
Find 15+ events to check out tomorrow 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

Community Event – Jean Gray Mohs "Woven Strangers" 🎨

Stop by one of Downtown Raleigh's newest art galleries, Arts Access North Carolina, to view their current exhibit “Woven Strangers” by local artist Jean Gray Mohs.

📍444 S Blount St.
Find more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3

May the market be with you at First Order Friday 🛍️💫

Uncover a treasure trove of galactic goodies at a stellar, Star Wars-themed Get 2 Know Raleigh vendor market.

Wear a costume to immerse yourself in a universe light-years away as you explore local makers, crafts, caricature drawings, photo ops, and food trucks (roasted porg not included) before the free screening of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

This event is brought to you in partnership with Get 2 Know Raleigh and Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department! 🤝

📆 Friday, May 3rd 📍Moore Square
Plan your evening 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3
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📸: Get 2 Know Raleigh

Calling all Jedi, Sith, and every Wookiee in between! 👽 Don't miss our geek-tacular First Order Friday movie and market this week.

Join us in costume and mingle with fellow fans to celebrate the impact of this nearly 50-year-old cultural phenomenon in the heart of Downtown Raleigh.

The night will end with a free screening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at 7:30pm so be sure to bring a chair or picnic blanket to stay cozy.

This event is brought to you in partnership with Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and Get 2 Know Raleigh.

📆 May 3rd, 5-9pm 📍Moore Square
Learn more and find even more First Friday events 👇
https://bit.ly/37u84T3
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📸: Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department

Travel to a galaxy far, far away in the heart of Downtown Raleigh at First Order Friday 🚀

Come out to this galactic gathering for...
🎥 A free screening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at 7:30pm
👽 Photo ops with Star Wars cosplayers (costumes encouraged!)
🌠 Star Wars caricature drawings & crafts
🛍️ Food trucks and a vendor market curated by Get 2 Know Raleigh
🤩 And more!

📆 May 3rd 📍 Moore Square
https://bit.ly/37u84T3