Things to do in Raleigh this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
An evening by moonlight at the JC Raulston Arboretum
By Lou P. and the Raleigh Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
On Friday evening, Moonlight in the Garden opens the JC Raulston Arboretum after dark. On Saturday there's a market at Raleigh Iron Works, Orville Peck at The Ritz, and a Fall Family Fun Day at the City of Raleigh Museum. Sunday brings a tour of Schenck Forest and Walton Farm.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Moonlight in the Garden
Moonlight in the Garden gets you into the JC Raulston Arboretum after dark on Friday evening, which doesn't happen most weeks.
The JC Raulston Arboretum after dark, with its plant collection lit up along the paths. There's live music, a food truck, fire pits and hot apple cider. Proceeds help keep the garden free to visit year round.
Friday at 5:30 pm; also Sat 5:30 pm · JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, 27606
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
Free Music at Wolfe & Porter
Friday at 7 pm
Wolfe & Porter, 905 W Morgan St., Raleigh NC, 27603
Margot Perkinson plays a free Friday night set at Wolfe & Porter. The venue books solo and duo artists every Friday, so it's an easy, no-cost way to start the weekend with live music.
WITH KIDSbring them
Fall Family Fun Day
Saturday at 8 am; also 11 am
City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh NC, NC, 27601
A family morning at the City of Raleigh Museum with a fall theme. Participants make tissue paper leaf crafts, which gives kids and grown-ups a hands-on way to see the museum.
Art of Science: Himmeli and Documenting Phenology
Saturday at 1 pm
Prairie Ridge, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, United States
An afternoon of art and science for adults at Prairie Ridge. You'll learn to document phenology as citizen science and make traditional Finnish himmeli ornaments. No experience needed, and the fee covers supplies for several.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Bunni-Lates, A "Pilates x Bunnies" Fundraising Event
Bunni-Lates is a fundraiser that combines Pilates with bunnies, in a suite on Corporation Parkway.
Saturday at 9 am · 1117 Corporation Pkwy Ste 104, Raleigh, NC 27610, USA, 1117 Corporation Pkwy, Suite 104, Raleigh, 27610
OUTSIDEfresh air
Schenck Forest & Walton Farm Tour
Sunday at 1 pm
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest, Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27607
A guided 5-mile loop through Schenck Forest and a stretch of greenway to Walton Farm, led by naturalist Julie Hall. Farm owner Mary Walton will talk about conservation easements. Free, but registration is required, and no dogs.
Exhibit Opening: The Doctor Is In
Saturday at 10 am
Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC, 27601
A new permanent exhibit at the Pope House Museum on Black physicians in the 20th-century South, built from original artifacts in the Pope Collection. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
DATE NIGHTfor two
PineCone Old Time Jam at Riparian
Thursday at 7 pm
Riparian Provision Company, 1408 S. Saunders St., Raleigh, NC, 27603
A monthly circle of fiddle tunes at Riparian Provision Company, led by strong players who make room for everyone. Open to all skill levels, and you can play along or just listen. It isn't a slow jam.
Linda Davis Evening In The Round w/ Lang Scott & Bill Whyte
Saturday at 8 pm
Auditorium - 111 E 2nd St Clayton NC 27520
An intimate acoustic night with Grammy winners Linda Davis and Lang Scott and songwriter-comedian Bill Whyte, in the Nashville songwriter-round style. Expect familiar hits, the stories behind them and some humor.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
The Market at Raleigh Iron Works
Saturday at 11 am
Raleigh Iron Works, 1101 East Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27604, 1101 East Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, 27604
A monthly market at Raleigh Iron Works with a fresh lineup of local makers each time, plus live music. Free to browse, so it's a good spot to start your holiday gift list.
Raleigh Holiday Tasting Fair
Saturday at 11 am
Weaver Street Market - Raleigh, 404 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, 27603
Weaver Street Market hosts local vendors offering free tastings of holiday meats, sides and desserts. Vendors include Sarge's Shrimp and Grits and Full Moon Teas, with a drawing for a holiday meal for four. Reserving ahead is encouraged.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- SAT 7 PMOrville Peck - Man Turned Mule Tour, The Ritz
- FRI 7:30 PM; ALSO SAT 3 PM‘How to Train Your Dragon' In Concert with the North Carolina Symphony, Meymandi Concert Hall at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Raleigh, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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