Mark your calendars. Here are more than 55 things to do in the Triangle this fall.
After a recent brush with fall temperatures, followed by a return to humid highs, we’re starting to settle into what we like to call Actual Fall.
You know, when the days are shorter, the nights are longer and you can feel the leaves crunch beneath your feet while you grab a lightweight jacket.
We’re excited about fall for more than the change in weather. Summer concert season gives way to fall festival season and the time of year when performing arts groups, museums and more launch their lineups of fresh new programming.
This fall entertainment guide gives a taste of what the Triangle has to offer across venues large and small. From new theater companies to established museums reinventing themselves, from legendary comics to indie musicians on the rise, the Triangle has it all. Did we mention the delightfully imaginative and whimsical mimes?
Get your calendars out and start making plans. Whether it’s Actual Fall or some other season, there’s plenty to do to keep your days and nights entertained.
SEPTEMBER
‘Roy Lichtenstein: History in the Making 1948-1960’
Details: Runs through Jan. 8. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Drive, Durham. Free. nasher.duke.edu
Set at Duke’s Nasher Art Museum, this exhibit brings to life the work of the highly celebrated, 20th-century artist Roy Lichtenstein. Known for his pop art and deep sense of humor, Lichtenstein’s art was heavily influenced by the pop culture of the late 1950s and early 1960s. This exhibit, with about 90 works, aims to explore Lichtenstein’s early career, with many on public view for the first time, according to the museum.
‘Drawn to Life: Drawings from the Age of Rembrandt’
Details: Sept. 23-Dec. 31, Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill. Free. ackland.org
The Ackland Museum is opening its doors to over 70 Dutch drawings from the 17th century. Images include landscapes, seascapes, portraits, biblical scenes and much more. Ackland is also offering a series of events designed to complement this exhibit throughout September and October. The art from the Dutch master is the first major exhibition of the Peck Collection, which was donated to the university art museum by the late Drs. Sheldon and Leena Peck.
Carolina Hurricanes
Details: Preseason begins Sept. 27, PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
The Carolina Hurricanes start their 25th NHL season this year, and the throngs of Caniacs seem to continue to grow. This is the first home game of the season — a preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who competed in the Stanley Cup finals each of the past three seasons. Also mark your calendars for Oct. 12, the first home game of the regular season. And don’t miss the Canes in the NHL’s Stadium Series outdoor game on Feb. 18 against the Washington Capitals at N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.
IBMA World of Bluegrass
Details: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Downtown Raleigh, worldofbluegrass.org.
Thousands are set to descend on downtown Raleigh for the annual World of Bluegrass Festival from the International Bluegrass Music Association. This year’s lineup includes Twisted Pine, The Jerry Douglas Band, Sierra Hull and The Infamous Stringdusters, among dozens of others. Fayetteville Street will close for the free street festival and open-air market while headline acts will perform at ticketed shows at the Red Hat Amphitheater stage. Head inside the Raleigh Convention Center for impromptu music jams and an exhibit hall with music vendors. Tickets to Red Hat shows include one-day and two-day passes.
Siempre Puente
Details: Sept. 28, The Fruit, 305 S. Dillard St., Durham. Tickets at durhamfruit.com.
The Argentine duo, who blend a folksy style with classic South American sounds, is taking the stage at Durham’s Fruit Warehouse. This laid-back music venue offers an intimate experience to take in this acoustic duet.
Oakwood Cemetery Plays
Details: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh. Ticket info at burningcoal.org.
Burning Coal Theatre offers audiences a unique theatrical experience with plays set among the cemetery’s headstones and rolling green lawn. The short plays, written by local playwrights, are “based on the lives of people buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, their partners, neighbors, associates and nemeses.” This year’s production includes six plays and serves as a fundraiser for the theater company.
OCTOBER
Triangle Oktoberfest
Details: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. Tickets at triangleoktoberfest.org.
Described as the “largest and most authentic German festival in North Carolina,” the Triangle Oktoberfest is returning to its longtime home at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Visitors will have access to the best of German food, beer and cultural activities, all while benefiting the Meg’s Smile Foundation, a local nonprofit helping children with serious illnesses in NC. In addition to live music, don’t miss the wiener dog races with, you guessed it, racing dachshunds. Note that the races are on Saturday only.
Click Photography Festival
Details: Oct. 1-30, Venues around the Triangle. clickphotofest.org
Triangle venues will become home to a number of photography exhibits throughout October. The N.C. Museum of Art, the Nasher Museum of Art, the Durham Arts Council and smaller galleries will be part of this month-long celebration of photography. Plus, there will be a photo fair Oct. 2 at Durham Central Park with photos and supplies for sale along with food trucks and workshops.
‘Liberté: I Will Have Inhabited Your Dream Until the Last Evening’
Details: Oct. 1, Page Auditorium at Duke University, Durham. Tickets at dukeperformances.duke.edu.
With a blend of song and spoken word, Liberté seeks to connect audiences with the beauty of a light-filled world. The text for this original performance art is based on the work of three resistance writers from across the globe as they tackle themes of anti-colonialism and anti-fascism in the face of community. One of the writers is Felwine Sarr, a Duke professor who was named in Time 100: The Most Influential People in 2021.
Puccini’s ‘Manon Lescaut’
Details: Oct. 2, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Tickets at ncopera.org.
This traditional four-act Italian opera is sure to delight Puccini purists. With stunning arias, this story of love, lust and wealth has been performed frequently since its original staging in 1893. The North Carolina Opera notes that this performance doesn’t have sets, costumes or props. It’s all about the music, with the orchestra and conductor on stage with the soloists and chorus.
Panic! at the Disco
Details: Oct. 2, PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
The pop-rock sensation from the mind of Brandon Urie is headed to PNC Arena this fall. With long-time fan favorites like “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” and “Say Amen (Saturday Night),” Panic! is back on tour to show off their latest album “Viva Las Vengeance.” Marina and Jake Wesley Rogers are opening acts.
Lucy Dacus
Details: Oct. 3, The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh. Tickets at livenation.com.
An indie fan favorite, Lucy Dacus’ vivid lyricism and dark humor will be on full display at the Ritz. While not a show for anyone looking for ABBA-like joy, her scathing honesty takes audiences on a cathartic journey through the uncomfortable trials of life as a young queer woman.
Wanda Sykes
Details: Oct. 6, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
After decades in the spotlight, the Emmy winner, actress, Oscar host and standup is household name. This fall, she is bringing her stand-up tour to the DPAC. Phones are prohibited at this evening of laughs. Guests who bring them will be required to secure them in a locked pouch provided by the venue.
Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
Details: Oct. 6-9, Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, Pittsboro. Tickets at shakorihillsgrassroots.org.
This family-friendly festival features a full weekend of music, dance and camping in Pittsboro. This year’s lineup includes Hiss Golden Messenger, Andy Fresco & The U.N., Eric Krasno Trio and dozens more. Camping options are available.
Brandi Carlile
Details: Oct. 7, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com.
High-energy may be the rage for some shows, but the Grammy Award-winner is bringing an intimate evening concert to Durham. The recent writing and release of her debut book “Broken Horses” inspired her new 10-song album. Audiences can join Carlile as she channels her heroes and icons on Oct. 7.
Slingshot Festival
Details: Oct. 7-9, Durham. The Fruit, 305 S. Dillard St., Durham. Tickets at slingshotfestival.com.
For electronic music lovers, Slingshot Festival in Durham is the perfect place to catch new and exciting acts “highlighting a range of dance, electronic, forward-thinking pop, and experimental music,” according to the festival website. This three-day festival, which got its start in Athens, Ga., will feature performances from Leon Vynehall, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Julianna Huxtable and plenty more.
N.C. Symphony presents Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo
Details: Oct. 7-8, Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. ncsymphony.org
Troupe Vertigo is pairing up with the North Carolina Symphony to create a spell-binding evening of aerial acts, acrobatics, contortions and beloved classical music. Set to scores of Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky, among others, this performance is sure to wow audiences with seemingly impossible stunts.
Inter-Tribal Pow Wow
Details: Oct. 8, The Big Field at Dix Park, 101 Blair Drive, Raleigh. Admission is free, but visitors are requested to RSVP on https://bit.ly/dixparkbowwowtickets
Visitors will be treated to music, vendors and a tribal dance competition featuring tribes from across North Carolina.The event is hosted in partnership with indigenous community organizers, Triangle Native American Society, NC Museum of History, City of Raleigh Museum, Dix Park Conservancy and the City of Raleigh.
N.C. Museum of Art Reimagined
Details: Oct. 8-9, North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. ncartmuseum.org
The North Carolina Museum of Art is reopening with a whole new look. After an extended closure, the museum’s permanent collection, known as the People’s Collection, has been shuffled and reorganized in new ways. Organized by theme, rather than geography, the galleries aim to offer visitors new ways of interpreting art. That includes ways to better understand the cultures and artistic influences. The museum will host a weekend of events to celebrate the reopening, including a block party, tours, workshops and more. The Music at the Museum Festival on Oct. 8 will showcase Chatham County Line, Rissi Palmer, Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba, Lakota John and ¡Tumbao!.
The opening exhibit, on display through Jan. 22, is “ A Modern Vision: European Masterworks from The Phillips Collection” with works from some of the most acclaimed artists of recent history, including Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Paul Cézanne.
Hum Sub Diwali Festival
Details: Oct. 8, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. Free. boothamphitheatre.com
To commemorate the Hindu festival of lights, Booth Amphitheatre will host the annual Diwali celebration. Visitors can expect delicious food and plenty of entertainment.
‘Sister Act’
Details: Oct. 11-16, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Tickets at nctheatre.com
This hilarious feel-good musical, complete with disco tunes and Catholic humor, is taking over the NC Theater stage. In a slight reimagining of the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, audiences follow the story of a Reno lounge singer who is forced to go into hiding as a nun in the local convent. In adjusting to her new life, she resurrects the failing convent choir.
‘Dracula’
Details: Oct. 13-30, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Tickets at carolinaballet.com
Join the Carolina Ballet for a treat during the Halloween season. In a balletic retelling of a classic tale, Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Dracula is filled with spooky imagery perfect for a chilly October night.
North Carolina State Fair
Details: Oct. 13-23. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Tickets at ncstatefair.org.
An event that needs no introduction, the NC State Fair is back for another year of deep-fried food, fun and fantastic people-watching. Visitors will be treated to a slew of competitions, rides, live music, animals and shows all week long.
‘James Cameron — Challenging the Deep’
Details: Oct. 15-May 7. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. Tickets at naturalsciences.org. Free for museum members.
Journey into the depths of the ocean for a look at one of history’s most famous ships. This exhibit will take visitors through the sinking of the Titanic and the rediscovery of its wreckage that eventually led to the iconic James Cameron film of the same name. Beyond the Titanic, the exhibit offers an immersive look at how Cameron used special technology to explore a world beneath the surface. As a bonus, there are film props and costumes from “Titanic,” (including the Heart of Ocean diamond) and “The Abyss.”
Steve Martin and Martin Short
Details: Oct. 16, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Tickets at dpacnc.com.
Recently seen together in their Emmy-nominated hit Hulu ‘whodunnit’ series “Only Murders in the Building,” comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short are headed to the Triangle. With decades of experience and an even longer friendship, the iconic pair will do what they do best: riff off each other and make us laugh. This performance will feature frequent Martin collaborator, The Steep Canyon Rangers, and musician Jeff Babko.
‘Annie’
Details: Oct. 18-23. Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Tickets at dpacnc.com.
The popular national tour of “Annie,” the wholesome story of the optimistic orphan seeking a permanent home, is ideal for the whole family. In a time marked by uncertainty and loss, this show is a perfect reminder that the sun will indeed come out tomorrow.
Film Fest 919
Details: Oct. 19-23, Silverspot Cinema, 201 South Estes Drive, and The Lumina Theater, 620 Market St., Chapel Hill. filmfest919.com.
Planning for the fifth Film Fest 919 is well underway. While films have not been announced as of press time, the annual event is known for showcasing prestige movies hot off the film festival circuit, but before they hit wide release. Previous festival films have gone on to win Academy Awards and other prizes, including “Spencer,” “King Richard,” “Nomadland” and “Minari.”
DakhaBrakha
Details: Oct. 21, Stewart Theatre at Talley Student Union, 2610 Cates Ave., Raleigh, on NC State campus. Tickets at live.arts.ncsu.edu.
From Kyiv, Ukraine, this folk band loves to blend tradition and theatricality. The quartet’s name, DakhaBrakha, is a Ukrainian phrase meaning “give-take.” Their culturally diverse music takes on new relevance as war continues to rage in their homeland. The group first came to Raleigh in 2014. A Ukrainian-inspired meal will be offered before the concert for an additional fee. Reservations are required.
Blacktoberfest
Details: Oct. 22, Suite Four at Durham Bottling Co., 506 Ramseur St., Durham. Tickets are $55 at blacktober-fest.com
This beer festival is coming to Durham to celebrate Black-owned breweries, wineries and distilleries, including Durham’s Melanated Wine. Look for all kinds of craft beer, food and music.
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic
Details: Oct. 23, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
Fueled by satire, humor and a taste for the peculiar, long-time comic “Weird Al” Yankovic is returning to live performances, not long after the release of his biopic “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” (Daniel Radcliffe plays the entertainer.) His love of the accordion, upbeat songs and clever wordplay have drawn crowds for years. Yes, he’s been around for decades, but Weird Al is also having a moment where he can be the star that he is.
‘Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812’
Details: Oct. 26-Nov. 6. Theatre Raleigh Arts Center, 6638 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. Tickets at theatreraleigh.com
Set in 19th century Russia, this musical reimagines a 70-page segment of “War and Peace” with a stunning operatic and EDM score. Yes, those are opposite genres but it works. The story follows the life of two aristocratic families as they navigate love, lust, adultery and death. This hauntingly beautiful piece will be presented at Theatre Raleigh’s North Raleigh location, launched in 2020, on a new stage that opened this summer.
‘The Power of Women in Country Music’
Details: Oct. 28-Feb. 26, N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Tickets at ncmuseumofhistory.org.
This new exhibit, curated by the Grammy Museum, shines the spotlight on women in country music — its past, present and future. Using clothing, memorabilia and instruments, visitors will learn how country music’s most famous women — Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, among others — transcended Nashville to become icons. Throughout the run of the exhibit, look for Southern Songbirds concerts with some of North Carolina’s country, roots and Americana crooners, including Tift Merritt, Rissi Palmer, Alice Gerrard, Charly Lowry, Caitlin Cary and H.C. McEntire.
Marcus Mumford
Details: Oct. 28, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
Fresh off the release of his new solo album, the Mumford & Sons frontman is stepping out for his first solo tour. And while he may not be with the rest of his band, his signature sound is instantly recognizable.
Moonchild: Celebrating the Life & Music of Yusuf Salim
Details: Oct. 28-29, Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St., Durham. Tickets at dukeperformances.duke.edu.
Join Duke students and faculty as visitors celebrate the life of jazz pianist and composer Yusuf Salim. The long-time Durham resident was widely known for his contributions to the jazz community in North Carolina and beyond. Grammy-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon is scheduled to perform both nights, first with a big band, then with a smaller ensemble with other Triangle-based artists. The weekend also includes a panel talk about “Moonchild,” a documentary in production about Salim’s life.
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company: ‘What Problem?’
Details: Oct. 28-29, Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave., on UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Tickets at carolinaperformingarts.org.
With the power of dance and movement theater, “What Problem?” seeks to explore themes of identity, class struggles, community and sexual politics. This performance is unique to the Triangle and will include locally based performers.
Jonathan Van Ness
Details: Oct. 29, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Tickets at dpacnc.com.
Known for his overwhelming positivity and quick wit on Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” Jonathan Van Ness is now wowing audiences with cheerful, honest stand-up comedy. He blends his storied upbringing with a late-in-life love for gymnastics in his show-stopping act.
Mummenschanz
Details: Oct. 30, Page Auditorium at Duke University, Durham. Tickets at dukeperformances.duke.edu.
This troupe of Swiss mimes has been bringing its whimsical act to audiences across the globe for over 50 years. Armed with bizarre, yet mostly friendly puppets, these performers truly will present something out of the ordinary.
NOVEMBER
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Details: Nov. 1-6, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. dpacnc.com
Fresh off the close of a wildly successful Broadway run, “Dear Evan Hansen” is coming to DPAC. With an original pop score from the team behind the Oscar-winning film, “La La Land,” “Dear Evan Hansen” tells the story of a teenage boy as he grapples with social anxiety in the age of social media. This show is witty and exciting while daring to tackle difficult themes of suicide and isolation. Not appropriate for young children.
Reba McEntire
Details: Nov. 3, PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
Country music lovers will be seeing red if they miss out on a ticket to see Reba McEntire. The country legend and TV star (now appearing in ABC’s “Big Sky) will be performing fan favorites, likely some of her many No. 1 hits, on her latest tour.
‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’
Details: Nov. 11-19, Durham Bottling Co., 506 Ramseur St., Durham. redbirdtheatercompany.com
RedBirdTheater Company is one of Durham’s newest theater companies and is making Durham Bottling Company its unconventional home space for its inaugural season. “A Doll’s House, Part 2” launches the season as a sequel of sorts to the classic by Henrik Ibsen. It takes place 15 years after the events of the original with “bristling confrontations between genders, generations, and social classes.”
Adam Sandler
Details: Nov. 13, PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh. pncarena.com
The former “Saturday Night Live” star is no stranger to the spotlight. After a decades-long career in film, TV and comedy, he is bringing his first stand-up tour in years to the Triangle. His one-night stint at PNC Arena is likely to be one of the most coveted tickets of the season.
Fuse* Dökk
Details: Nov. 13. Page Auditorium at Duke University, Durham. Tickets at dukeperformances.duke.edu.
Dökk may be an Icelandic word for “darkness,” but this performance, which can best be described as dance meets “The Matrix,” will have the audience focusing on the light. No two performances are alike. The production notes that each show is “data driven in real time and synthesized from four sources: the show’s score, the movement of the performer, her heartbeat, and the emotional analysis of what people around the world are posting at that moment on social media.”
N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival
Details: Nov. 18-Jan. 8, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. Tickets at boothamphitheatre.com.
This is the eighth year of this colorful and vibrant festival with new displays lighting up the picturesque Booth Amphitheatre each year. In 2021, a record 200,000 people came to catch the expansive lantern displays, and while they may vary from year to year, the huge dragon reflecting on Symphony Lake is a constant and a must-stop spot for photos. Bundle up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and see what new displays will light up the park.
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Details: Nov. 19, Downtown Raleigh. Free. grma.org/christmas-parade
In the Triangle, it’s never too early to kick off the Christmas season, and Raleigh is ready to do its part. Organizers boast that it’s the largest holiday parade between Atlanta and Washington, DC. And it attracts thousands to sidewalks over 1.4 miles in Downtown Raleigh who hope to catch a glimpse of local marching bands, floats, and of course, Santa Claus. The event is also televised for those who prefer to watch from their couches. For those who venture out, downtown merchants offer opportunities for some early holiday shopping.
Harry Connick Jr.
Details: Nov. 22-23, Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Tickets at dpacnc.com.
By now, Harry Connick Jr. is becoming a regular on the Triangle concert circuit. He brought the world premiere of his Broadway show, “Harry Connick Jr. — A Celebration of Cole Porter,” to DPAC in 2019. In 2021, he returned to the area with a concert to promote “Alone With My Faith,” an album he recorded during the pandemic. This year, he’ll croon holiday favorites over two concerts, offering a smooth soundtrack to start the holiday season.
N.C. Symphony presents ‘The Polar Express’
Details: Nov. 23 and Nov. 25, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Tickets at ncsymphony.org.
This family-friendly concert will feature large-scale illustrations from “The Polar Express” as a backdrop to the Symphony and a children’s chorus. Now you just have to see to believe.
‘Dirty Dancing’ in Concert
Details: Nov. 25, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Tickets at dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
Get ready for the time of your life at Dirty Dancing in Concert. As the film plays on a full-size movie screen, a live band and singers will perform the iconic tunes from the hit film. While dancing in the aisles is not guaranteed, though it’s a strong possibility, images of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s lift will be sambaing through the audience members’ minds all evening.
A Drag Queen Christmas
Details: Nov. 26, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Tickets at dukeenergycenterraleigh.com.
Nothing says Christmas quite like the magic of drag. Filled with pageantry, glamour and killer moves, A Drag Queen Christmas is voguing onto the Memorial Auditorium stage this holiday season.
DECEMBER
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Dianne Reeves: Big Band Holidays
Details: Dec. 2, Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave., on UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Ticket info at carolinaperformingarts.org.
The holiday season gets into full swing when Reeves, a five-time Grammy Award-winner, joins the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for “soulful renditions of holiday classics, playful improvisation and entertaining storytelling.” Note that JLCO Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis will not be performing.
2022 NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s College Cup
Details: Women, Dec. 2 and 5. Men, Dec. 9 and 12. WakeMed Soccer Park, 940 E. Chatham St., Cary. ncaatickets.com
The best of men’s and women’s college soccer comes to Cary as teams play for the NCAA national championship. After months of playing, it will come down to two single-elimination semifinal games. The two winners will advance to compete in the title game. The women play first, followed by the men the next weekend. While it’s early in the season now, there’s a good chance that top-ranked UNC or Duke could be in the playoffs for the women while the men’s top-ranked Wake Forest and Duke teams could go far, too. Tickets are on sale now.
‘A Christmas Carol’
Details: Dec. 9-11 at Duke Energy Center for The Performing Arts, Raleigh. Dec. 14-18 at Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham. Tickets on sale for Raleigh shows starting Oct. 16. Tickets on sale now for DPAC. Theatreinthepark.com
Consider seeing “A Christmas Carol” as one of your Triangle Bucket List experiences. Theatre in the Park has presented this production since 1974, and it’s become an annual tradition for generations of families. Ira David Wood III has played Scrooge going on 49 years in what’s described as a “musical comedy adaptation” of the Charles Dickens story. There are two places to see it — Raleigh and Durham.
N.C. Symphony presents Holiday Pops
Details: Dec. 9-10. Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh. Tickets at ncsymphony.org.
The North Carolina Symphony, with conductor Michelle Di Russo and vocalist Scarlett Strallen, will present holiday classics and traditional carols over three concerts.
‘The Nutcracker’ by Carolina Ballet
Details: Dec. 10-24. Durham Performing Arts Center and Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. Tickets at carolinaballet.com.
Just like “A Christmas Carol,” “The Nutcracker” is a staple of the season. The Carolina Ballet has presented its version for years. This season, the ballet says it will “re-envision” the classic while “staying true to its historic roots” with choreography by Artistic Director Zalman Raffael. That means new costumes and new sets. Carolina Ballet notes that after 20 years and over 400 shows, it’s time for new costumes. They will be co-designed by Terry Baker, Carolina Ballet’s Costume Director and Victor Lytvinenko, co-founder and designer at Raleigh Denim Workshop.
‘The Hip-Hop Nutcracker’
Details: Dec. 23, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham. Tickets at dpacnc.com.
This show takes the aforementioned holiday classic, and gives it a modern twist. “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” features the music of Tchaikovsky and the story of Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, but also features hip-hop choreography, violinist and MC Kurtis Blow. Blow is considered a rap and hip-hop pioneer and hitmaker.
First Night
Details: Dec. 31, Downtown Raleigh. firstnightraleigh.com
First Night has become an annual tradition in Raleigh, thanks to its family-friendly programming, lively arts and entertainment and two acorn drops. Yes, Raleigh has an acorn drop to ring in the new year. That first acorn drop happens a few hours before midnight so that kids (and their early-to-bed parents) can enjoy the symbolic turning of the calendar page.
This story was originally published September 23, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Mark your calendars. Here are more than 55 things to do in the Triangle this fall.."