What to Do in Raleigh in September 2026
Soak up the end of summer with art exhibitions, food and drink experiences and outdoor festivals for every kind of celebration.
Blog
A Time Traveler’s Itinerary: Raleigh Destinations that Feel Like the 1950s
Raleigh is very different today than it was in the 1950s, but traces of its past remain — if you know where to look. Spend a day stepping back in time.
The Whirl: TLC Toast 2026 — Heart of Possibilities
On Apr. 23, TLC hosted its annual Toast fundraising event at the Angus Barn, with this year’s theme, Heart of Possibilities.
The Whirl: Healing Transitions Women’s Courtyard Celebration
On Apr. 7, Healing Transitions celebrated 25 years of impact with the unveiling of a new Thomas Sayre sculpture on its Women’s Campus.
The Whirl: Lichtin Plaza Unveiling
On Apr. 21, the Martin Marietta Center celebrated the newly enhanced Lichtin Plaza during an official ceremony with city leaders.
OUR TOWN 2026: WALTER’s Insider’s Guide to Raleigh
This annual insiders guide to Raleigh from the editors of WALTER will help you find the best places to dine, shop and explore.
Please Be Seated: Inside NCMA’s New Interactive Art Installation by Paul Cocksedge
Artist Paul Cocksedge’s new interactive sculpture at NCMA’s Museum Park invites visitors to sit, climb and gather on a 140-foot installation.
August Poem: Maximum Summer
Narya Rose Deckard’s poem explores the way nature provides for us through its free gifts and how we can reciprocate its care.
Life in Rabbit Land: What Generations of Backyard Rabbits Taught Me About Gardening
In Greensboro’s Starmount Forest, generations of eastern cottontail rabbits have called one family’s garden home for more than 50 years.
Diamond in the Rough: Inside Cape Lookout, North Carolina’s Historic Barrier Island
ferry ride to Cape Lookout National Seashore reveals lighthouse views, a historic Coast Guard station and North Carolina’s maritime past.
Hello, Raleigh! Uncovering the City’s First Telephone Call in a Box of Old Photos
A family photo archive reveals the 1926 World Series “playograph” outside The News & Observer and the site of Raleigh’s first telephone call.
August Garden Notes: Lovely Lycoris
Planting spider lilies can bring a pop of late-blooming color to a garden even in the hottest months of the year.
Trust & Work: Inside Raleigh Musician Chris Boerner’s Studio
Chris Boerner plays lead guitar for Hiss Golden Messenger and produces records from his home studio in Raleigh.
Lions, Tigers & Bears
Antlions — also known as doodlebugs — are quirky, ferocious larvae hiding in your North Carolina backyard