95+ events happening in October

October is a busy month in the Triangle! The North Carolina State Fair is here, and there are festivals, live music, comedy, kids' events, Halloween fun and so much more.

Looking for more events? WRAL has a guide to pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses and other seasonal events for all ages.

Oct. 1-7

Oct. 1-3: Raleigh Wide Open - The downtown festival is rooted in Raleigh and features live music, an art market and food trucks. Kickoff Celebration is Oct. 1 on NC State's Centennial Campus. Friday: 3 p.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday: Noon - 11 p.m. 

Oct. 1: Celebrate Fuquay-Varina - The “dash more” festival celebrates all things Fuquay-Varina. There will be live music, food trucks, craft beer, an artisan village, and a kid’s zone. Downtown Varina, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Oct. 1: Jazz in the Square - Free concert series in Moore Square Park, featuring the North Carolina Central University Jazz Collective. Bring a blanket and enjoy a great night of music in the park. 201 S Blount St, Raleigh, 6-8 p.m.

Oct. 1: Dylan Gossett & Charles Wesley Godwin with Max Alan - The show is at Red Hat Amphitheatre.

Oct. 1: The Jonas Brothers - See the show with Deleasa and Jamie Miller at the Lenovo Center.

Oct. 2-Nov. 5: Día de Muertos Ofrenda: This year’s Ofrenda at Duke Chapel features artwork by Ricky Armendariz, a Texas-based artist whose work explores the blend of Mexican, Indigenous, and American cultures along the U.S.-Mexico border.Duke University Chapel.

Oct. 2: Bands, Bites and Boats - The boathouse at Bond Park in Cary has live music, food trucks and boat rentals. Spend the night floating on the lake while listening to music from the Amanda Peach Duo. Enjoy food and beverages from Che Empanadas and Fortnight Brewing Company.

Oct. 2: Spooky Hollow First Friday -Get into the Halloween Spirit and celebrate autumn at Spooky Hollow. Dress up, come hungry, and start your spooky season off right.

Oct. 2: First Friday Market & Movie - Grab a blanket or chair and come to Moore Square for an outdoor movie night with games, food trucks, and a vendor market. Tonight’s movie is the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters.

Oct. 2: First Friday in Downtown Fuquay - Enjoy late-night shopping and dining through both downtown districts. 

Oct. 2: Movie Night at Downtown Cary Park - Bring the whole family to watch Frankenweenie in the park. The lawn seating opens at 5 p.m., with pre-show activities.

Oct. 3: Stand-up Comedy - Open Mic Night at Durty Bull Brewing Company. Everyone is welcome to sign up and take to the stage.

Oct. 2-3: Triangle Oktoberfest - Celebrate the authentic German festival, featuring Bavarian food and German beers at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

Oct. 3: Cars and Coffee - The event features cars from 1979 or older.

Oct. 3: Durham Craft Market - Handmade artisan market, Durham Central Park. Every Saturday from 8:00 to noon. 

Oct. 3: Wendell Harvest Festival: Celebrating 250 years of America in Ashley Wall Towne Square.

Oct. 3: Holly Springs Diwali Celebration: A day of celebration, music, and festivities for the entire family at Bass Lake Park. 

Oct. 3: Wake Forest Free Market: The event is at Olive Branch Baptist Church.

Oct. 3: Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival: Celebrate the town of Fuquay-Varina with live entertainment, craft beer, food trucks, an artist village, and a kid’s zone.

Oct. 3: Falling for Local: Lots of fall fun, including hay rides, inflatables, games, and a pumpkin patch. Enjoy live music from local talent and demos from local businesses all day at Dix Park. Dine from over 50 food trucks. 

Oct. 3: Taste of Asia: Celebrate Asian culture, food, dance, and community in Moore Square.

Oct. 3: Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village: A festival afternoon of all things fall. Live music, food trucks, and wiener dog races. Bring your dogs.

Oct. 3: Carrboro Really Really Free Market: Carrboro Town Commons, 2-4 p.m.

Oct. 3: Movie in the Park: Beetlejuice: Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and your favorite people for a fun movie night in the heart of downtown Durham. .

Oct. 4: Move-a-Bull City Open Streets: Durham’s largest open street celebration. ‘People traffic’ will replace car traffic.

Oct. 4: Dermot Kennedy: The Weight of the Woods Tour with Jonah Kagen. Red Hat Amphitheatre. 8 p.m. 

Oct. 4: Weezer: The Gathering Tour with special guests The Shins and Silversun Pickups at the Lenovo Center.

Oct. 5: Wake Forest National Night Out: Join the Wake Forest Police Department for a night of community. Enjoy a DJ, games, food, prizes, and safety displays from first responders.

Oct. 6: Movie in the Park: Dress up the whole family to watch Toy Story 5 at Pullen Park. Come early to join the costume contest before the show. The Pullen Cafe will be open to purchase popcorn and refreshments. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Festivities begin at 5 p.m.

Oct. 6: Bleachers Forever: Special guest: This is Lorelei at the Red Hat Amphitheatre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the show starts at 7 p.m.

Oct. 8-14

Oct. 8: Jazz in the Square: Free concert series in Moore Square Park, featuring the Enloe Jazz Ambassadors & Moore Square Middle School Jazz Band. Bring a blanket and enjoy a great night of music in the park. 201 S. Blount Street, Raleigh. 6-8 p.m. 

Oct. 8: Museum of Life & Science Community Day: Durham residents get in the museum for free. Each adult can bring up to five children. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Oct. 8: Movie in the Garden: Watch the 1993 Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus, in the garden of Raleigh’s Little Theatre. Enjoy games and food trucks before and during the show. Everyone is encouraged to attend in costume. 6 p.m. showtime. Early bird tickets are available for $5; tickets are $10 the day of the show.

Oct.8: Oktoberfest at Independence Village of Olde Raleigh: A lively afternoon with traditional German music, a happy hour menu, games, and raffles. 4-7 p.m. 

Oct. 8: Spooky Movie Night at Fenton: Bring your own chairs and blankets and head to the common area at Fenton to watch the beloved classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, with the whole family. Before the movie, snuggle with baby goats from Rocking JH Farms and get a custom poem by the Poetry Fox. Fenton Square, 7-9 p.m. 

Oct. 9: Farner Family Flick: Watch Toy Story 5 outside on the Garner Recreation Center lawn. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Before the movie starts, play games, get a temporary tattoo, play rec games, and enjoy a sweet treat. The event starts at 6 p.m.; the movie starts at 7 p.m. 

Oct. 9-11: FlushFest: A day of music, fun, silent film, and community. Admission to the festival is by donation. Events will take place at Eno River Brewing and at the Eno House in Hillsborough. 

Oct. 10: Durham Craft Market: Handmade artisan market every Saturday in Durham Central Park.

Oct. 10: Raleigh Little Theatre costume sale: Costumes from the theater are open to the public. There will be a wide range of costumes and props with varying prices.

Oct. 10: Hum Sub Diwali: A celebration of Diwali, including delicious food, performances, film, and a vendor market at Koka Booth Amphitheater.

Oct. 10: Oak and Smoke: Beer, BBQ, Rodeo and Bluegrass Festival. The festival returns for the 10th year. Try BBQ from five different vendors and enjoy live music.

Oct. 10: Apex Oktoberfest: Enjoy a celebration of German culture and cuisine. There’s a bounce house, face painting, karate, and crafts for the kids.

Oct. 10: Apex Underground Market: Monthly market and concert series, featuring local vendors, food trucks, and more.

Oct. 10: Fall for Five Points Festival: A fall festival with live music, vendor booths, food trucks and live performances. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Oct. 10: Smithfield Oktoberfest and Harvest Market: Enjoy an afternoon full of authentic German-inspired food, local craft beer, live music, and local vendors.

Oct. 10: Triangle Barkitecture: Pet architecture comes to the Downtown Cary Park. Check out a designer home show for your four-legged friends. Animal rescues will be on-site with adoptable pets.

Oct. 10: Moorefields Bluegrass Festival: A homegrown music festival hosted on a 70-acre Hillsborough farm. Enjoy food trucks, a bluegrass workshop, and five bluegrass bands.

Oct. 10-11: A Taste of Greece: Enjoy traditional Greek food, like gyro pita wraps and baklava. Enjoy dining in tents with Greek music or take it with you.

Oct. 11: Raleigh’s Really Really Free Market: A monthly event where people can find things they need and give to others for free.

Oct. 11: Thad & Alice Eure Walk for Hope & Festival: 38th Annual 5K Walk to raise money for mental illness awareness and treatment at Angus Barn.

Oct. 11: Beababdoobee: The Powerlines Tour with special guest Wisp.

Oct. 13: Bubbles and Books: Held by North Hills Kids, the event is designed to spark creativity, learning, and exploration for babies and toddlers. Enjoy hands-on activities, story time, sensory play and more.

Oct. 13: Artist in the Residence Series: Watch local artists paint and create masterpieces in real time while relaxing in the lobby lounge of the JB Duke Hotel. 

Oct. 14: Five Finger Death Punch: with Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

Oct. 15-21

The 2026 North Carolina State Fair is Oct. 15 to Oct. 25. Check out WRAL's NC State Fair guide for information on parking, tickets, rides, food and more. 

Oct. 12-Nov. 1: Dracula at Fletcher Opera Theater - Meet the man who came before the legend. Dracula is born out of heartbreak; this rendition blends gothic with a deeply human depiction of adoration, piety, and deception. Presented by the Carolina Ballet, matinee shows on Saturday. Fletcher Opera Theater at the Martin Marietta Center, 2 E. South Street, Raleigh. 

Oct. 15-17: West End Poetry Festival - Meet people, hang out, listen to poetry, share poetry, and celebrate poetry and those who love it—various times and locations, check out the weekend’s schedule. 

Oct. 15: Jazz in the Square - Free concert series in Moore Square Park, featuring Jasmine Best & The Jazz Xperiment. Bring a blanket and enjoy a great night of music in the park. Moore Square, 201 S. Blount Street, Raleigh. 6-8 p.m. 

Oct. 16: Fall Harvest Night - Fall has arrived in downtown Apex. Live music by Polka Time Allstars, Tour of Frights decorations, and a vendor fair, Depot Parking Lot, 220 N. Salem St, Apex. 5-8 p.m.

Oct. 16: Durham Foodie Fair - Foodie and art market at Durham Central Park. 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. 

Oct. 16: Trunk-or-Treat at Lightbridge Academy - Grab the costumes and the kids and enjoy a night of trunk-or-treating, decorative cars, live music and more. Lightbridge Academy, 1075 Newland Ave, Apex. 6-8 p.m. 

Oct. 16-17: Tar Heel Antiques Festival - A weekend celebrating the love of antiques. Vendor booths, onsite appraisals and on-site auctions., 226 North Lloyd’s Dairy Road, Efland. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oct. 17: Durham Craft Market - Handmade artisan market at Durham Central Park.Every Saturday from 8:00 to noon.

Oct. 17: Halloween Boo Bash - Children’s harvest festival for ages 12 and younger. Enjoy inflatables, food vendors, exhibits and ghostly games and activities. Costumes are optional; best costumes will be featured on social media. Downtown Wake Forest, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Oct. 17: Sarduc x Rduae Fall Festival - Celebrating Asian-owned businesses. Find live music, K-Pop mat pilates, crochet and art prints, and plenty of authentic cuisine. The Corner at NCSU Centennial, 941 Main Campus Drive, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Oct. 17: Raleigh’s International Wine & Beer Festival - Spend the day enjoying international wines and unique beer, food, live music and fall fun. City Plaza, downtown Raleigh, Noon to 8 p.m.

Oct. 17: Morrisville Diwali Festival - Cultural performances, holiday activities—including painting diyas and mandalas, live DJ, and a variety of food trucks. Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. 5-8 p.m. 

Oct. 17-18: Pittsboro Pride - Festival and parade. Saturday 6-10 p.m., ages 13+. Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., family-friendly festival. The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro. 

Oct. 18: Hillsborough Street Trick-or-Treat: Collect treats from over 50+ candy stations and explore the Trunk-or-Treat Zone, festive crafts, games and entertainment.

Oct. 18: Instrument Petting Zoo at Gipson Play Plaza: Invites all ages to explore, try instruments and make music at Dix Park. Performances by two youth quartets with the opportunity for guests to join in. Hosted by the Raleigh Music Collective.

Oct. 20: Museum of Life & Science Community Day - Durham residents get in the museum for free. Each adult can bring up to five children.

Oct. 22-28

Oct. 22-25: Clayton Harvest Festival: Enjoy the four-day festival featuring carnival rides, car and motorcycle shows, Latin American Festival, food trucks, music and fun.

Oct. 23: Pumpkin Flotilla: Watch a parade of carved pumpkins float down the lake. On Thursday, grab a spot along the edge of the lake and watch the jack-o’-lanterns float by. There will be food trucks and paddle boats available for rent before the event.

Oct. 23: Breaking Benjamin: with Chevelle, Starset and Kami Kehoe. Coastal Credit Union Park at Walnut Creek. 6 p.m.

Oct. 23: Steve Lacy: Oh Yeah Tour. Red Hat Amphitheater, 8 p.m. 

Oct. 24: Spellbound at Mordecai: Decorate pumpkins, shop for homemade items and treats, and meet mysterious characters. Family-friendly stage performers, inflatables, crafts and more.

Oct. 24: Durham Craft Market. Handmade artisan market at Durham Central Park.

Oct. 24: Encanto at Carolina Theatre: A sensory-friendly showing of Encanto in Cinema One.

Oct. 24: Halloween Double Feature: The whole family can enjoy The Haunted Mansion, then as the night continues, enjoy a scary flick with the showing of Poltergeist.

Oct. 24: Zombiepalooza: Cary’s annual zombie short film competition. Films five minutes or less, featuring family-friendly zombie themes, will be shown. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in costume and enjoy pre-film activities, contests, and food trucks. Food trucks will be on site from 4-9 p.m., activities begin at 6 p.m., and the film competition begins at 8 p.m.

Oct. 24: Halloween Spooktacular: Costume contests, pumpkin decorating, cake walks, bingo, pumpkin hunt, and inflatables.

Oct. 24: Triangle Town Market, Halloween Edition: Explore retro and modern video games, Pokémon cards, collectibles, geek art, homemade crafts. There is something for every kind of collector and fan.

Oct. 24: Pupalooza: Where your dog can dress up in costume, meet new friends and spend the day by your side. Local vendors, live music, creative activities and more.

Oct. 24: Sensory-friendly Trunk-or-Treat and Bounce House: Hosted by Bloomwell Autism Therapy. Enjoy trunk-or-treating, bounce houses, games, crafts, and an indoor play gym.

Oct. 25: Day of the Dead with Revista Latina: A celebration of living heritage, eight years honoring the Day of the Dead.

Oct. 25: Chapel Hill Dia de Muertos: Celebrate with art vendors, music and live performances.

Oct. 25: Clayton Latin American Festival: A part of the larger Clayton Harvest Festival. Celebrate Latin American heritage in Town Square.

Oct. 27: Mini Monster Mash: North Hills Kids, featuring The Bunny Hive. 

Oct. 27: Victoria Monét: Frequency of Love Tour. Red Hat Amphitheater.

Oct. 28: Sensory Friendly Playtime Spooktacular: A calmer, quieter way to experience Marbles Kids Museum.

Oct. 29-Nov. 1

Oct. 29: Lake Lynn Trunk-or-Treat: Dress in your favorite costume and trick-or-treat from car to car.

Oct. 31: Costume Contest at Carrboro’s Farmer Market: Annual vendor costume contest. Dress up in costumes and vote for the best-dressed vendor. Saturday is the last day of Carrboro Farmer’s Market.

Oct. 31: HollyFest: Celebrating 150 years of community, culture, and history of Holly Springs. Check out local artists, businesses, food vendors, activities, and live entertainment. 

Oct. 31: Trick-or-Treat the Trail: Come dressed in costume and don’t forget the candy bucket. Local businesses and organizations will be passing out treats and food trucks will be on site.

Oct. 31: Fall Festival at Rawls: Decorated vehicles, costumes, plenty of candy, free hot dogs, and friendly faces welcoming children throughout the evening.

Oct. 31: Day of the Dead 5K and Street Festival: Celebrate Día de los Muertos in a family-friendly tradition that brings together fitness, culture and community while raising funds to support the Boys & Girls Club of Wake & Johnston Counties.