October events 2022: What’s happening in Raleigh this Month?

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Another big month in Raleigh celebrating all the fun of Fall. There are so many things happening in Raleigh this October 2022.

We have two of Raleigh’s (and North Carolina’s) biggest events for the year, spooktacular fun for Halloween, the Carolina Hurricanes start playing hockey again, tailgating is in full swing, and we have festivals celebrating cultural diversity, wine, and music.

I just don’t know how I’m going to choose what to do and when!

woman and girl in halloween costumes
It’s Halloween Month!

As there are so many events happening in Raleigh and nearby for Halloween, I have a separate Halloween post here sharing those. I have hand selected a few for this post that I think sound really cool!

We have a Fall bucket list post that will give you a lot more tips on things to do in the Fall in Raleigh and pumpkin patches near Raleigh (and corn mazes to visit). Plus we have suggestions on where to see the Fall colors in Raleigh and road trip ideas for Fall Foliage.

Join our email community below so you don’t miss an update and to get access to our free printable Fall bucket list. It will help you keep on track for planning an awesome Fall.

Table Of Contents
  1. Week 1: Oct 1- Oct 9, 2022
  2. Week 2: Oct 10 – 16, 2022
  3. Week 3: Oct 17 – 23, 2022
  4. Week 4: Oct 24 – 31

Week 1: Oct 1- Oct 9, 2022

There is so much happening this week! We’ve included two weekends in one for this section, just for easy posting logistics. Craig is still having fun in Ireland. Follow that on ytravelblog Instagram.

And I’m figuring out how I can fit so much in around the girls – and of course Hurricane Ian could ruin many of the events this week! As long as we are all safe! Please check in with organizers of events to see how the rain will affect their event!

34th Annual Thad & Alice Eure Walk for Hope Walk & Festival, Oct 9, 2022

Paid Listing

girls in walk for hope t-shirts in the forest

We’re excited the 34th Annual Walk for Hope is back at Angus Barn. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support a great cause and enjoy a beautiful 5K walk through Umstead State Park with friends. Includes a day long family-friendly festival and a delicious lunch from Angus Barn.

100% of the money raised by participants directly funds local mental illness research at the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry. Walk for Hope helps call attention to the stigma and significance of these often-invisible illnesses, which now due to the pandemic affect as many as 1 in 3 American adults.

IBMA World Of Bluegrass Festival, Sept 30- Oct 1, 2022

People playing instruments on a stage
The Youth Stage

Are you ready for one of the most popular free events in Raleigh? The IBMA World of Bluegrass is a two-day urban bluegrass music festival that closes out the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass Week in Raleigh. NC.

Due to Hurricane Ian, events have been moved inside to the Duke Performing Arts Center and the Raleigh Convention Center. See this update for more.

The event usually includes an amazing street festival complete with delicious food, a dance tent, a BBQ cook-off, an arts & crafts market and many other activities for all ages. Read our full post sharing the World of Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh experience.

Triangle Oktoberfest, Sept 30 – Oct 1, 2022

People standing in a line holding up glasses of beer
Image by TriangleOktoberfest.org

I’m so disappointed the largest Oktoberfest in Central North Carolina conflicts with the Bluegrass. This authentic German festival focused on family fun, traditional Bavarian food and fare; and plenty of local and authentic German beers from Munich.

Of course, rest assured there will be Polka music to ramp up that Oompah vibe. And I can tell you from my Oktoberfest experience in the beer halls of Munich that it is a fun event you’ll never forget. Raise your stein and get prosting!

This event will not be disturbed by Hurricane Ian! There is plenty of shelter to keep you dry!

Read more: 13 Places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Raleigh

Celebrate Fuquay Varina, Oct 1, 2022

pizza store in Fuquay-Varina, NC

This festival is all about celebrating the vibrant community of Fuquay-Varina. It includes live entertainment, craft beer, the Downtown Chili Cook-off, food trucks, arts & crafts, a free kids zone, and more

The 94th Wendell Harvest Festival, Oct 1, 2022

Wendell is celebrating this annual Fall festival with food trucks, a kids village, a parade supporting Hometown Hunger Heroes, and a free concert with the Brickhouse Band.

Discover more Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches and corn mazes here

Jazz in the Square, Oct 6 & 13, 2022

drone aerial view of Moore Square, downtown Raleigh
Moore Square

Grab your blankets, chairs and picnic baskets for an evening of live jazz in Moore Squares. There will be food trucks and beer and wine available.

Here is the lineup:

  • Oct. 6 – Dupresha Townsend
  • Oct. 13 – Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble

Ava Gardner Festival, Oct 7-9, 2022

ava gardner museum smithfield 2
  • Where: Ava Gardner Museum, Smithfield, Johnston Co
  • When: Various times.
  • Cost: Various
  • Website:

The Ava Gardner Museum hosts an annual festival in honor of the legendary actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian Ava Gardner, a North Carolina native who grew up just 7-miles east of Smithfield .

The festival will include a multitude of exciting events including unveiling of new exhibits, heritage tours, special film and video presentations, and an opening night concert.

You can read about our previous visit to the Ava Gardner Museum here (well worth a visit!) Craig and I will be revisiting again Thurs Oct 6 on a Date experience in Johnston County. Stay tuned and follow on Instagram

Cary Diwali Festival, Oct 8, 2022

  • Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
  • Cost: Free + $5 parking
  • Website: TownOfCary.org

The Cary Diwali festival includes music, dance, theater performances, a handicraft bazaar, Indian food vendors, sponsor booths, an exhibition of Indian art and culture, and activities for children.

It’s a celebration that marks the victory of good over evil, light over dark and the beginning of the New Year. It is one of the most widely celebrated religious and cultural events in Raleigh. 

Inter-Tribal Pow Wow, October 8, 2022

Let’s celebrate the legacy and culture of our Indigenous communities living in North Carolina today. This is a day of competition dancing, music, makers, and vendors. You may bring in your own food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Haunting at Pour House Circus Show, Oct 9, 2022

  • Where: The Pour House,  224 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC
  • Time:
  • Tickets: $18 – $25 Get yours here.
  • 21+ or 18+ with parent

This is certainly one interesting sounding event. NC. You’ll be dazzled by the best circus and sideshow acts in The Triangle including burlesque, pole dance, acro yoga, hooping, juggling, LED poi and other flow arts, spoken word, clown/mime, drag king/queen, contortion, and more!

Week 2: Oct 10 – 16, 2022

SAS Championship, Oct 10-16, 2022

  • Where: Prestonwood Country Club, 2022
  • Time: (no times announced yet)
  • Cost: $25 Daily Grounds Passes. FREE public parking at Bond Park with shuttle to the tournament main entrance
  • Website: www.saschampionship.com

One of the biggest golf events in Wake County is this month’s annual PGA Tour Champions event. Some of golf’s best attend the SAS Championship. This golf event includes:

  • Pro-Am event
  • Food Truck Friday: some of the area’s best Food Trucks, plus live music, and youth entertainment
  • 5K Saturday race: Enjoy the unique experience of running, jogging or walking along the official tournament course prior to the second round of play.

N.C. State Fair, Oct. 13-23, 2022

Swinging chairs ride at the state fair
Fun at the Fair
  • Where: NC. State Fairgrounds
  • Time: 9am – 11pm with some nights closing at midnight
  • Cost: $10 adult, $5 youth entrance fee
  • Website: NCStateFair.org

The largest event in North Carolina happens this month in October in the heart of Raleigh at the State Fairgrounds, attended by a million visitors across the 11-day fair. 

It is a lot of fun with high-flying rides, deep-fried foods, live music, stunt shows and other entertainment (including nightly fireworks).

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to the North Carolina State Fair

VIDEO: NC State Fair

Falling for Local, Oct 15, 2022

Falling for Local Festival, Dorothea Dix Park

Falling for Local is a great way to welcome in Fall while still soaking up the last warm rays of summer. This Fall festival features local makers and creators stalls, beer tents, live music from local artists, and activities for the kids, such as hayrides and pumpkin patches.

Buy your drink tickets in advance as the lines can get long. And note, last year the food truck lineup was ridiculous! People were waiting for a long time, and many trucks had run out of certain foods, so it may be a good idea to bring your own picnic lunch!

NC Wine Festival, Oct 15, 2022

Did somebody say wine tasting? You may be surprised at the state of wine in North Carolina. For over 20 years, the NC Wine festival has been sharing NC wineries goodness with us all.

Paired with your chardonnay will be music, food and live entertainment from Chairmen of the Board, The Shakedown and The Patrick Rock Band. 

Red Bull Chariot Race, Oct 15, 2022

  • Where: Moore Square
  • Time: 1pm
  • Cost: Free to attend, but wine samples cost $$
  • Website: 

A unique experience in Raleigh this month is the Red Bull Chariot Race. Twenty teams of 4 will race their own chariot creation through a course. Winners take home some pretty cool prizes and you get to enjoy the spectacle.

Week 3: Oct 17 – 23, 2022

Raleigh’s International Wine Festival, Oct 22, 2022

  • Where: City Plaza Fayetteville St, Downtown Raleigh
  • Time: 12pm-9pm
  • Cost: Free to attend, but wine samples cost $$
  • Website: 

Wine tasting in Raleigh again!! Is October Wine Month?

This wine festival will feature over 25 international wine suppliers from countries such as Chile, Portugal, Italy, France and Australia. There will also be food trucks and live music performances.

Cary Live: Southern Avenue, Oct 22, 2022

  • Where: Old Cary Library Park
  • Time: 7pm
  • Cost: Free

Come down to Cary for a chilled evening of free music, food trucks and beer. Memphis-based, GRAMMY®-nominated Southern Avenue inked their first record deal with legendary Stax Records in 2016. 

Week 4: Oct 24 – 31

Clayton Harvest Festival, Oct 27 – 30, 2022

girls walking through pumpkin field
Boyette Family Farm, Clayton

As Johnston County is home to many farms, it makes sense that their Fall harvest festivals are worth visiting. The Clayton Harvest Festival features carnival rides and games, a Latin American festival, trunk or treat and movie night. 

Speaking of JoCo, we recently experienced a fantastic day trip to Johnston County you need to check that out.

Zombiepalooza, Cary, October 28,2022

outside a theater buliding
Cary Theater

We were quite surprised by the dedicated turn out for Zombiepalooza when we visited pre-COVID. The Cary Theater hosts a free event showcasing locally created zombie short films on a huge outdoor screen. Plenty of people dressed in their best zombie gear! 

The Music of Harry Potter, October 28, 2022

dobby on the big screen with orchestra below at the Harry Potter symphony
  • Where: Meymandi Concert Hall, Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts
  • Time: 8:00 pm
  • Cost: $40
  • Website: 

There’s no better time than to relieve the ghostly magic of the Hogwarts Halls. Transport yourself beyond the Muggle World with the North Carolina Symphony as they perform scores from the series’ films and bring to life the adventures of the wizards and witches we love so much.

We have experienced this at the Symphony in Nashville, where they played the Chamber of Secrets film while playing the musical score live throughout the show. It was incredible.

Pumpkin Flotilla, October 28, 2022

woman looking out over Bond Park, Cary, NC
Bond Lake, Cary

Each October, pumpkins set sail across the Bond Park Lake at twilight accompanied by local music, snacks, and Halloween activities!

Floats are limited and first come first served. If you want to show off your carved pumpkin, drop it off at the Bond Park boathouse in the days leading up to the event.

If you miss the flotilla evening, the pumpkins are typically left on the lake and they relight them for the next couple of nights.

READ MORE: 27 hair raising Halloween attractions and experiences in Raleigh (and nearby)

HollyFest, October 29, 2022

HollyFest is a celebration of the local community. This free annual event features local artists, food vendors, kids activities and entertainment. 

Oktoberfest Clouds Brewing, Oct 29, 2022

  • Where: 1233 Front St, Downtown Raleigh
  • Time: 12-8 p.m
  • Cost: $10 now | $15 at door (includes first beer and Marchtoberfest glass!)
  • Oktoberfest Tickets

The Little German Band & Dancers is back at this German inspired Raleigh brewery!

I love how Clouds is prolonging Oktoberfest with an end of October event. We’ll see you under their big tent! The party will host traditional contests, food trucks, and special beer releases including their Signature Oktoberfest beer from Clouds Brewing is Cloudstoberfest. 

There’ll also be a keg ceremony and stein holding contests.

Day of the Dead with Revista Latina 2022,  Oct 30, 2022

  • Where: Raleigh City Plaza, Fayetteville St
  • Time: 12-4 p.m.
  • Website:

The Day of the Dead is a cultural holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2 for the purposes of remembering deceased friends and family. Festivities will include Cultural Groups, Folkloric Dances, Music, Art , Gastronomy, Workshops for children and Mexican Crafts.

Comment below: Tell me what October event are you most excited for? Are there any other great ones I left off the list?

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About The Author

Caroline Makepeace is the co-founder of This is Raleigh. She loves helping people unplug from the chaos, follow their bliss, travel more and create better memories. Caz is the flighty Libran of the family, bringing harmony to the family through crystals, meditation, and downward dogs (and the odd glass of wine at 5pm). It's all about the balance, right? Follow her on Instagram.

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