The Big List

Giant puppets, stilts, and live original music under the trees at Forest Theatre — Paperhand's 26th annual summer show runs weekends through late September.

North Carolina FC hosts Detroit City FC at WakeMed Soccer Park — professional soccer under the lights on a Friday night.

NC Courage host Houston Dash at WakeMed Soccer Park -- NWSL soccer in Cary, a solid pick for a family night out.

Duke men's soccer opens its regular home slate against Seton Hall at Koskinen Stadium — a low-key evening of college soccer in Durham.

Rows of RVs to wander through at the Fairgrounds, kids get in free, and even if you're not buying, it's a fun hour of dreaming about a life on the road.

The internet's best cat video reel is back on the big screen at Carolina Theatre, with extra Durham showtimes running through late August and proceeds helping local cats.

Old-school bluegrass with modern edges from some of the Triangle's sharpest pickers, in the cozy confines of a Garner coffee house.

Regional NASCAR racing under the lights at America's Favorite Bullring, 15 minutes south of downtown — green flag drops around 8:30 for a loud, cheap Friday night.

A quiet, intimate songwriter show — Texas storyteller Jaimee Harris and North Carolina's Wes Collins trade songs in a set built for close listening.

A documentary screening following veterans and Black Box Dance Theatre building an original piece about trust and healing, with the artists staying after for a discussion.

Raleigh death/thrash outfit Deceptor celebrates their new album at Chapel of Bones with Vigil, Blood Ritual, and Resurrector — loud, local, and a little menacing.

Raleigh's own shadow cast, the Low Down Cheap Little Punks, bring Rocky Horror to life at midnight at the Rialto. Come in costume and expect the room to get a little weird with you.

NC Courage host Boston Legacy at WakeMed Soccer Park -- NWSL soccer in Cary, a solid pick for a family night out.

Downtown Fayetteville Street fills with local food trucks for an afternoon — gourmet burgers to street tacos, every bite supports a small business.

NC Courage host Angel City at WakeMed Soccer Park -- NWSL soccer in Cary, a solid pick for a family night out.

UNC men's soccer hosts VCU at Dorrance Field — college soccer on a Friday night in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina FC closes out August at home against Hartford Athletic — a Saturday night on the pitch at WakeMed Soccer Park.

A Labor Day weekend gem, mineral, and jewelry show at the State Fairgrounds -- estate and handmade jewelry, fossils, crystals, and a gemologist doing appraisals. Runs Friday through Monday.

NC State hosts Richmond under the Friday night lights at Carter-Finley — Wolfpack Club Day, ESPNU broadcast.

Glenwood South's live-music bar: bands on the downstairs stage and a DJ up on the rooftop patio every weekend night. The chicken tenders at midnight are part of the deal.

More than 350 taps across two floors — downstairs pours only North Carolina, upstairs covers the rest of the planet — with the Guinness World Record to prove it. Weekends fill fast; go early and get the patio.

Raleigh's long-running neighborhood gay bar — free karaoke Sundays and Mondays, drag shows, country dancing, cheap drinks. Come as you are; everyone does.

Downtown's oldest music venue and proudest dive, going since 1999. Cheap beer, poster-plastered windows, and punk, rock, and shoegaze most nights of the week.

The sprawling LGBTQ+ club complex that has anchored Raleigh nightlife since 1991 — dance floor, drag stage, patio. Moving two blocks to a new home, same legendary energy.

A Warehouse District barcade packed with pinball and rows of classic cabinets next to a long craft tap list. Open 365 days a year — the easy answer for a big group night.

A retro pop-culture dance club in Coglin's old Fayetteville Street space — 80s and 90s dance parties, drag shows, and Thursday karaoke on a proper sound system.

The Southeast's biggest farmers market, open rain or shine every day of the year — peaches by the flat in July, collards and sweet potatoes all winter, and a proper biscuit at the market restaurant when you're done.

The basement hideaway under Kings — custom cocktails with handmade syrups, DJs late, karaoke on Wednesdays. You go down for one drink and surface at 2am.

A no-frills downtown rock hall that's booked national and regional acts across every genre for decades. Balcony rail upstairs or right up front on the floor — pick your ritual.

A 247-cap room above Martin Street with floating walls and two decades of Raleigh's best, weirdest bookings. Take a chance on a band you've never heard of — that's the point.

A record shop upstairs, a rock club below, and bands on stage most nights since 1997. Get there before doors to flip through the vinyl, then stay for whoever's rolling through town.