First Friday Raleigh
Friday, February 2
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown Raleigh

Downtown Raleigh showcases its art, music and food at their monthly gallery walk. Dozens of venues will be hosting art receptions. You’ll also find lots of deals on food and drinks. Also, visit CAM Raleigh for free, and stop by the North Carolina Museum of History for beer samples, while they last.

Groundhog Day
Friday, February 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh

Sir Walter Wally is appearing right outside the front entrance of the museum at noon to make his prediction about whether winter is over. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will also be various groundhog related crafts and games.

Triangle Russian Festival
Saturday, February 3
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Halle Cultural Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex

This free festival features Russian music, dancing, vendors and more.

16th Annual NC MLK and Black History Month Block Party and Parade in Durham
Saturday, February 3
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Durham, on Fayetteville Street between Cornwallis and Lawson

This annual event features a parade at 12 p.m. and a block party taking place on four blocks. There will be marching bands, step teams, dance groups, school and church groups, DJs, food trucks, bounce houses, face painters and more.

Folk Art Spectacular Opening
Saturday, February 3
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The NC Arts Incubator, at 223 North Chatham Avenue, Siler City

The NC Arts Incubator is presenting a Folk Art Spectacular, featuring varied work from 16 North Carolina artists. The work ranges from traditional to outsider, with media including paint, metal, ceramics and more. Check it all out at the opening Saturday night, where you can also enjoy guitar and vocal stylings from Sheamus “Skyebaby” Davey, of Winston-Salem, and refreshments.

Friday, January 26, through Sunday, January 28

Astronomy Days
Saturday, January 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, January 28, noon to 5 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh

The museum is partnering with NASA and Raleigh Astronomy Club to bring you a full weekend of learning about space. Astronaut Doug Wheelock, who logged 178 days on Space Shuttle Discovery, the International Space Station, and Russian Soyuz, and went on four space walks, will be speaking both days. There will also be comet crafts, solar observing, lectures, rocket launches and more.

17th Annual African-American Cultural Celebration
Saturday, January 27, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh

Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the 17th annual African American Cultural Celebration will feature more than 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, re-enactors, and more.

Southern Village Wellfest
Saturday, January 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill / Southern Village, 1090 US Highway 15 501 South, Chapel Hill

Meet more than 15 health and wellness practitioners and try out free Yoga, some food, a free run and more.

Meredith College Documentary Film Festival
Sunday, January 28,
Carswell Auditorium in Wrainwright Building, Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

The 5th Annual Documentary Film Festival, presented by the Meredith College English Department, will feature seven short documentary films, as well as discussion led by filmmakers.

The Big Game Food Sampling Event
Saturday, January 27, and Sunday, January 28, noon to 4 p.m. both days
The Fresh Market (locations in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham)

Plan your Super Bowl menu, but maybe with a little more focus on health than usual, by sampling many healthy party foods at The Fresh Market. Taste chicken fajita soup, savory swirl breads, veggie noodles, cauliflower bacon salad and more.