Embrace October with cozy outdoor movies, hearty fundraising meals and some fun and spooky festivities.
by Addie Ladner

They’re Gourd-geous!

Getting a jack-o’-lantern just right takes a certain amount of skill — and the right pumpkin to begin with. “You want a flat bottom and a nice, long stem for that classic look,” says Kenny Krause, a local pumpkin-carving wizard known for his extremely detailed celebrity portraits. He suggests visiting the NC State Farmers Market early on Tuesday mornings for the best selection of pumpkins (open Mondays – Saturdays 5 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 1201 Agriculture Street; ncagr.gov). If you’re feeling inspired to show off your creation, bring it to Cary’s Fred G. Bond Metro Park on Oct. 25 to get it in place for the annual Pumpkin Flotilla, a quirky event where lighted pumpkins float above Bond Lake at sunset. On Oct. 26 from 4 – 7 p.m., the lake will be aglow with jack-o’-lanterns for the public to enjoy, with live music and food trucks to enhance the festivities (801 High House Road, Cary; carync.gov/events). And, for other non-necessarily-pumpkin related things to enjoy in October, read on.

Head to Blackbird Coffee and Books for Birdsong Poetry Night

City Market’s Blackbird Coffee and Books is hosting a poetry night featuring Charlotte-based comedian, storyteller and writer Adrian McQueen Parrish. Get there early to grab one of the shop’s seasonal coffee drinks or teas and browse their reading selection. In addition to offering classics, mystery and romance, the coffee shop and bookstore prides itself on lifting Indigenous, female and LGBTQ+ voices.
Oct. 4 | 7:30 p.m. Free; 323 Blake Street; blackbirdbooksandcoffee.com

Experience Carrie Marshall’s A Twist of Jazz

Jazz artist Carrie Marshall is combining two of her worlds for a special evening to raise money for the nonprofit 1 of Us. Marshall started this show three years ago, following a breast cancer diagnosis, to raise money for other women going through the same thing. Marshall will offer a jazzy spin on a range of new and classic songs — like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” — and perform alongside guest musicians including Al Strong, Carter Minor and Estes Tarver.
Oct. 4 & 5 | 7:30 p.m.From $40; 6638 Old Wake Forest Road; theatreraleigh.com

Tackle some autumnal garden projects

October brings a reenergized spirit in the yard, says Tami Purdue of Sweet Peas Urban Gardens: “The weather is nice and you can get so much done.” She shares some garden projects to try like starting a compost pile and collecting seeds for next year in these tips.

Head to Fred Fletcher Park for the Fall Arts Fair

Get to know area makers at the Fall Arts Fair, a daylong celebration of the City of Oaks’ rich culture. Curated by the City of Raleigh’s Sertoma and Pullen Art Centers and hosted at Fred Fletcher Park, you’ll find artisans selling handmade ceramics, jewelry, textiles, candles and more. Entertainment will include Poetry Fox writing verse and Wayne Schindler Music playing folk tunes. Food trucks Paris Delight Bakery and Corner Boys BBQ will be serving bites for purchase.
Oct. 5 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Free admission; 820 Clay Street; raleighnc.gov

Take Advantage of Raleigh’s Fall Music Scene

Whether you’re looking to catch big-name pop stars with high energy crowds at PNC or underground bands at intimate venues like Lincoln Theatre, there’s something for everyone in Raleigh’s live music scene and its awesome venues. Check out this Fall 2024 guide to live music in the Triangle to have handy so you don’t.

Bring to Big Kids to NCMA Teen Day

Bring your teen to the North Carolina Museum of Art for a day of hands-on art projects, programming, games, discounted refreshments at the Cafe and more.
Oct. 5 | 12 – 4 p.m.; Free; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org

Listen to the NC Symphony’s To Space & Beyond!

This month, the North Carolina Symphony is producing a family-friendly, hour-long show with music from English composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets, which includes a different tune inspired by each planet, plus songs from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and compositions with otherworldly sounds. Before the show, check out the costume contest and the interactive Instrument Zoo in the lobby.
Oct. 5 | 1 & 4 p.m. From $29; 2 E. South Street; ncsymphony.org

Sip and Savor at The Oak’s Bourbon & Bites Pairing Event

Do you crave warming cocktails when the temperatures drop? Treat yourself to the Bourbon & Bites experience at The Oak restaurant. The event includes a private bourbon pairing and food tasting. General manager Hali Haught says the restaurant prides itself on its passion for the spirit. “We run an education-based program, so every team member knows all 182 bottles on our shelf and attends classes weekly,” Haught says. The bourbon is selected day-of based on the season, weather and what’s on the menu. Last month, participants got to try Old Tub, Russell’s Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch Select, alongside dishes like beef and bourbon sliders and birria tacos.
Oct. 5 | 1:30 – 3 p.m.; $60; 4035 Lake Boone Trail; theoakraleigh.com

Celebrate NC’s Great Trails Day

In honor of North Carolina’s Great Trails State Day this month, here are three official state trails to explore around the Triangle that you don’t have to go to far.

Watch Hocus Pocus at RLT’s Amphitheater

“Come, little children!” Don your best witch costume and round up a group to head to Raleigh Little Theatre’s Stephenson Amphitheatre for this outdoor showing of the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler. The movie starts at 7 p.m., but get there early to scope out your seat and have a little dinner before the show. On-site bites will include food trucks Berto’s Chimis, Uncle Dave’s Kettle Corn and JAM Soft Serve Ice Cream.
Oct. 10 |  7 p.m.$5; 301 Pogue Street; raleighlittletheatre.org

See Copenhagen at Burning Coal

Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr were two renowned physicists active in the early 1940s, Heisenberg in Germany and Bohr in Denmark. Their work overlapped in various ways but became contentious during World War II. To this day, mystery surrounds an unexpected meeting the two had in the middle of World War II in Copenhagen and how that may have led to the creation of atomic bombs. That meeting is the premise of Burning Coal Theatre’s Copenhagen, a fictional play that touches on themes of personal struggles, war, risk and scientific achievement, directed by Jerome Davis. “I’ve always wanted to do the play because of its simplicity,” Davis says. “Essentially, it asks the question: ‘How did that happen?’” The ‘that’ in question is the fact that Heisenberg, one of the world’s greatest mathematicians and physicists of the time, seems to have made a simple error in arithmetic that led to the Nazis failing to develop the atom bomb in time to use it in World War II. The play offers an opportunity to contemplate these scenarios, Davis says: “Did Heisenberg fail deliberately? Did he really just make a mistake? And if neither of those things are true, then what is the other option?”
Oct. 10 – 27 | Various times; From $30; 224 Polk Street; burningcoal.org

Hear Kwame Mbalia Speak on His Latest Book at Quail Ridge

Kids of all backgrounds love Raleighite Kwame Mbalia’s best-selling graphic novel trilogy, Tristan Strong, which follows the protagonist through a mythological world infused by West African folktales. This month, he’ll be at Quail Ridge Books to read from his middle-grade fantasy novel, Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek. The book follows 11-year-old Jackson when he’s sent to Chicago from Raleigh — and adventure ensues. Jax Freeman also marks an important milestone for the writer: Disney selected him to help launch Freedom Fire, a first-of-its-kind middle reader imprint focusing on Black stories. In addition to reading from the book, Mbalia will discuss this next chapter in his career and talk about the significance of his stories.
Oct. 11 | 6 p.m.; Free; 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road; kwamembalia.com

Experience Material Messages: The Tales Textiles Tell

Textile artist Precious D. Lovell will discuss an exhibit she curated, Material Messages: The Tales Textiles Tell, at NC State’s Gregg Museum of Art + Design. It explores how different cultures communicate both similar and distinct artistic visions through their particular cloth-making traditions. As a designer and maker, Lovell’s mixed-media sociocultural creative practice explores the narrative potential of cloth and clothing, particularly those of the African diaspora.
Oct. 17 | 6 p.m.; Free; 1903 Hillsborough Street; gregg.arts.ncsu.edu

Head to the NC State Fair

Enjoy all the forms of Home Grown Happiness — the theme of this year’s NC State Fair — over 10 days at this quintessential fall outing. Wander the exhibition halls to check out the state’s largest pumpkins, watermelons, sweet potatoes and more, and to see local farm clubs show off their prize livestock. Step back in time at the Village of Yesteryear to see heritage crafts like pottery, woodworking or fiddle making, explore the food vendors for this year’s wildest concoctions, enjoy performances by a range of musicians, and much more. There are plenty of ticket options whether you’re just going for lunch, bringing a group or wanting to soak up the hype for multiple days.
Oct. 17 – 27 | Various times; From $10; 4285 Trinity Road; ncstatefair.org

Feast at Now Serving Food + Wine in Smoky Hollow

Local hospitality folks will come together to raise funds for the community at a rollicking food and wine festival benefiting Now Serving. The nonprofit got started in 2016, drawing on the resources of restaurants and chefs to aid in Hurricane Matthew’s aftermath. It has since evolved into an organization to combat food insecurity across North Carolina. Standard Beer + Food, Trophy on Morgan, Native Fine Diner, Oak Steakhouse, Figulina and Lawrence Barbecue, among others, will be dishing up their specialties at the festival. Funds raised from this event will go toward preparing and delivering meals to partner organizations like The Women’s Center and Durham Children’s Initiative. Enjoy music curated by local DJ Jermainia and drink options like wine from Sojourn Cellars, beers from R&D Brewing and coffee from Pine State, all served up block-party-style in Smoky Hollow.
Oct. 19 | 2 – 5:30 p.m.; From $100; 421 N. Harrington Street; nowservingnc.org

Support Healing Transitions at Scott Crawford’s Freedom Harvest Dinner

On Oct. 20, Scott Crawford will host a fundraising dinner to support Healing Transitions, a nonprofit that provides recovery services to homeless and underserved individuals with alcoholism and other substance use disorders. Crawford is on the board of the nonprofit, and the evening honors his 20 years of sobriety. “I’m celebrating freedom from addiction; we want to give this gift to others,” says Crawford. He will prepare an intimate, family-style dinner, which will be held at Healing Transitions’ Women’s Campus.
Oct. 20 | 5 – 7 p.m.; From $195; 3304 Glen Royal Road; healing-transitions.org

Make a Raleigh-Inspired Halloween Costume

Between beloved Raleigh-famous dishes, to carnival food at our North Carolina State Fair to City of Oaks landmarks, we have plenty of hyper-local costume inspiration for you!

Take the Kids to Dix Park for a Library Pop-Up

Enjoy a pop-up public library program at Dorothea Dix Park’s new Visitor Center and Outdoor Classroom within one of the recently renovated Stone Houses. Hosted by the Wake County Library system, librarians will be on site accepting books to return, handing out new library cards and offering books to check out! At 10:30, little ones can enjoy an interactive story time.
Oct. 22 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Free; 830 Umstead Drive; dixpark.org

Run the Day of the Dead 5k for the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club

Benefitting the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club, this celebratory family fun run raises money for after-school programs for its community. The route weaves from S. Wilmington Street through Oakwood Cemetery and back, passing by two community altars on the course for people to place mementos, flowers and written words for their late loved ones. Before and after the race, enjoy a street celebration outside Centro Mexican Restaurant with Latin American music, face painting, kids’ crafts and, of course, food!
Oct. 26 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; From $40; 106 S. Wilmington Street; wakebgc.org/dod

Watch The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at The Gregg

Head to NC State’s Gregg Museum of Art + Design dressed in costume for a spooky film screening the night before Halloween. The museum will be showing the mind-bending silent horror flick The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a German film made in 1920. The plot line follows a brainwashed chronic sleepwalker who is repeatedly convinced to commit murders by a psychotic hypnotist.
Oct. 30 | 6:30 – 8 p.m. Free; 1903 Hillsborough Street; gregg.arts.ncsu.edu 

This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of WALTER magazine