Downtown Raleigh First Friday

First Friday is a monthly evening event across downtown Raleigh, held on the first Friday of each month. Thousands of people come downtown to see art exhibitions, gallery openings and whatever else the city’s creative community has put together, and the mix changes from one month to the next.

Galleries and studios stay open late for exhibits, artist talks and hands-on activities. Downtown is a center of commerce and government, but it is also home to artists, musicians, chefs and makers, and this is the night that shows.

What to know

• Retailers and restaurants join in with live music, vendor markets and specials.
• Downtown is also home to innovative tech companies, award-winning chefs and independent makers.
• Spooky Hollow First Friday in October is downtown’s official start to the fall season.
• That October edition takes place in Smoky Hollow on N. Harrington Street.
• It includes Halloween activities, free tarot readings, face painting, live performers and costumes.