Raleigh Shop & Rock at City Plaza 🎸
Live music, street eats, and shopping all in one glorious Friday lineup.
Shannon
July 29, 2025
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Raleigh Shop & Rock is taking over City Plaza on Friday, August 1, from 2–9pm with free admission and no shortage of fun. Stroll through vendor booths full of handmade finds, snack your way through food trucks and dessert stands, sip something cold, and cheer on local bands rocking out all day long. It’s the ultimate Friday wind-down—with snacks, shopping, and a soundtrack.
This isn’t sponsored—we just firmly believe that live music and dessert in the middle of downtown is the best possible use of a Friday. (Just so you know: Sponsored content in our newsletter is always marked with “*”).
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🔥 Get The Latest Raleigh Guide:
18 Exciting Weekend Getaways Within 2 Hours of Raleigh, part of The Raleigh Bundle collection of expert guides, is packed with scenic drives, charming small towns, and unique escapes perfect for a quick reset. Even longtime locals will be surprised by what they find inside.
The 919 Deal Drop:
Don’t Miss These Happy Hour Deals at The Big Easy 🔥
Head downtown Monday through Thursday from 4–6 PM for half-off apps and drink specials—perfect excuse to clock out a little early and catch up with friends.
📍Where: The Big Easy
📅 When: Monday to Thursday, 4–6 PM
Raleigh Real Estate:
🏡 FOR SALE UNDER $300K: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 1,606 SQ FT | .03 ACRES | $299,000
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🏠 FOR SALE UNDER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHROOMS | 1,746 SQ FT | $350,000
Move-in-ready 3-bedroom townhome-style condo in Raleigh with an office or optional 4th bedroom, featuring 3.5 baths and 1,746 sqft of like-new living space.* Take a look here →
🏘️ FOR SALE OVER $400K: 4 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 2,164 SQ FT | $426,490
The Penwell is a stylish two-story floorplan at Barwell Park, offering 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,164 sq. ft. of living space, a 2-car garage, and a choice of three modern elevations that blend comfort, luxury, and style.* Take a look here →
🏰 FOR SALE OVER $1M: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 3,183 SQ FT | .31 ACRES | $1,350,000
Gorgeous Inside the Beltline 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a bonus room, featuring a chef’s kitchen, open living and dining areas, hardwood floors, and a sunroom/bar.* Take a look here →
Raleigh Overtime:
🍴 FOODIE FIND: Herons’ Blackberry Custard is a refined dessert of chilled custard, mulberry gelée, ice wine vinegar, crème fraîche, and jam sorbet.
🐾 FOR ADOPTION: VITANI | CAT | 1.5 YEARS | FEMALE
Vitani is a 1.5-year-old orange tabby with a heart full of love and a famously expressive tongue, combining affection, sociability, and just the right touch of goofiness. Check her out here →
🛍️ GARAGE SALE: Head over to Southpoint Area, Durham on August 2-3 at 8AM for a treasure trove of home goods, furniture, electronics, and more—all in support of mental health research, with lemonade and snacks on the side. More details here →
📝 LOCAL CLASS: Make Traditional Dumplings From Scratch at 6909 Glenwood Avenue on August 14 at 7PM.
Under the guidance of Chef Jenny, participants will learn a time-honored recipe for making authentic Asian dumplings. Sign up here →
🧠 UNSCRAMBLE, WIN A PRIZE: Unscramble this Raleigh-related phrase, be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a tote bag, stickers, and a magnet in the mail: OTNRH OAALRICN ETSAT AISFDRUGRNO
Local Vocals:
🎸 This Week: Roots Rock Reggae Party with DJ Robb | Reggae, Rock
DJ Robb brings a Roots Rock Reggae party to Slim’s, spinning everything from Bob Marley to The Clash with a danceable mix of vintage reggae and rock-infused beats. | Slim's Dive Bar | August 3, 9PM
🎤 Plan Ahead: Nelly with Ja Rule & Special Guests | Hip-Hop, Rap
Nelly and Ja Rule are chart-topping rappers known for blending hip-hop with pop and R&B, with Nelly's smooth, melodic hits like Hot in Herre and Ja Rule's gritty, raspy style powering early 2000s anthems. | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek | September 13, 8PM | Get tickets here →
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✔️ Auto Mechanic: King’s Auto Service has 630+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted for over 75 years for reliable, expert car care in Raleigh.
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✔️ Dentist: Russo DDS has 1,500+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted by families all over Raleigh for exceptional dental care.
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Let’s Get Laughing:
🎤 This Week: Affion Crockett at Raleigh Improv | August 1-2 | Affion Crockett is a wildly versatile entertainer known for his spot-on impressions, sketch comedy, and viral YouTube parodies, with a career spanning stand-up, acting, music, and producing alongside stars like Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, and Russell Simmons. Get tickets here →
😂 Plan Ahead: Tim Shropshire at Goodnights Comedy Club | September 7, 7PM | Tim Shropshire is a dynamic stand-up comedian, writer, and influencer known for delivering clean, refreshingly funny material across a variety of platforms and events. Get tickets here →
Find Friends in Raleigh:
Curated social events without an emphasis on alcohol or romance:
👋 Coworking @ Esteamed Coffee | July 30 | 9AM
Sip, work, and spark new friendships at this cozy coworking hangout hosted by Esteamed Coffee in downtown Raleigh. Get details here →
🤝 Potluck Cookout and Game Night @ 273 Steel Hopper Way | August 2 | 5PM
A laid-back game night with board games, arcades, and Italian comfort food—perfect for making new friends over pinball and pasta. Get details here →
There’s this tucked‑away spot behind Morgan Street Food Hall—Aunty Betty’s Gin & Absinthe Bar. No giant sign, just a discreet door. Once inside, it’s cozy, leafy, with friendly bartenders who actually know gin and mix a killer absinthe cocktail. It feels like Raleigh’s little secret hideout, low‑key but unforgettable.
—Claire, a longtime reader
Oak City Job Openings:
💻 WORK-FROM-HOME JOB HIRING IN RALEIGH: Daily Transcription is seeking a Dialogue List Transcriber.
🖥️ WORK-FROM-HOME JOB HIRING IN RALEIGH: Outschool is seeking a Social Content Creator.
🤝 RALEIGH JOB: Baker Concrete Construction, Inc is seeking a Project Superintendent.
💼 RALEIGH JOB: WTW is seeking a Director of Paid Social.
Want to work find more ways to work from home? Check out our guide to legit remote jobs hiring in Raleigh—part of The Raleigh Bundle. Find it here →
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