Horton Grove Nature Preserve Evening Hike

Where: Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama, NC (about 10 miles north of downtown Durham)

When: Wed, Feb 1, 6 – 7:30 pm; Wed, Mar 1, 6 – 7:30 pm

Triangle Land Conservancy guides will lead evening hikes for 1-2 miles, letting visitors into the preserve at an hour when it is usually closed. The TLC guides are knowledgeable about the preserve and can answer any questions. This is a great opportunity for those who are curious about exploring nature in our area or those that are already veterans. TLC also puts on several other events every month, check their website for more details.

NY Dog Film Festival

Where: Carolina Theatre, Downtown Durham

When: Showings from Thursday, Feb 2 to Sunday, Feb 12

Every year the New York Dog Film Festival holds a competition for short films about dogs from all over the world. The films are different types including animation, documentary and fiction and are compiled into a two-hour film program that premiered in New York and is now on the road, stopping at the Carolina Theater in Durham.

Krispy Kreme Challenge

Where: NC State Memorial Belltower to Krispy Kreme on Peace Street

When: Sat, Feb 4, race starts at 8 am

With the tagline “2400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour” the Krispy Kreme Challenge is an event unlike any other. The idea is to run 2.5 miles from the NC State belltower to Krispy Kreme, eat a dozen doughnuts, and run 2.5 miles back. While this may sound like a horrible idea, it is one of the biggest and most unique events in Downtown Raleigh. An exercise in madness originally started as a dare among a group of NC State students, the race now raises money for the UNC Children’s Hospital. Over 6,000 runners compete each year and thousands more come out to watch the race. Registration is closed but it is definitely a spectacle worth seeing.

Big Frost Beer Festival

Where: Raleigh Beer Garden

When: Saturday, Feb 4, 12 – 4 pm

The Raleigh Beer Garden will host an extensive line-up of local, regional and national breweries, offering samples and pints. There will also be plenty of live music and food. Ticket purchases include unlimited beer samples.

Carolina Jazz Festival

Where: Several show throughout Chapel Hill and Durham

When: Thursday – Saturday, Feb 16 – 18

The 46th Carolina Jazz festival will host performances by the UNC Jazz band, faculty, and featured guests Terri Lyne Carrington and Pharez Whitted. There will be several shows, some of which cost to attend and others that are free.

Downtown Raleigh Home Show

Where: Raleigh Convention Center

When: Fri-Sun, Feb 17 – 19

“The Downtown Raleigh Home Show is a vibrant marketplace where you can shop for home-related products and services, experience stunning displays to help inspire your next home project, connect with industry experts, and enjoy informative presentations from renowned local and international home professionals.” The Home Show is a great place to find new home ideas and to stay up on the latest trends.

Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest

Where: Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

When: Fri, Feb 17, 11 am – 9 pm

The Carolina Hurricanes are celebrating their 25th anniversary with an all-day festival in Downtown Raleigh. There will be live music, food and drink, a Ferris wheel, Hurricanes alumni, street hockey, fireworks and more!

Nevermore Film Festival 

Where: Carolina Theatre, Durham

When: Fri, Feb 24, – Sun, Feb 26

“Created in 1999, The Nevermore Film Festival is a juried competition festival which programs brand-new genre feature and short films from around the world. The festival seeks submissions for narrative feature and shorts with an emphasis on horror, science fiction, dark fantasy, animation, mystery/suspense, and action-thrillers.” Individual tickets are $13 and 10-passes are $105.

North Carolina Vintage Bazaar

Where: Raleigh Convention Center

When: Saturday, Feb 25

The Vintage Bazaar is billed as the biggest vintage clothing market and thrift convention in the state, and will have over 200 vendors and just about every type of clothing imaginable. Prices vary by item but many vendors have $5-$10 bins for those not looking to spend a lot.