Weekend best bets: Krispy Kreme Challenge, American Aquarium, Cary Lover's Market
The legendary Krispy Kreme Challenge, Garner's Groundhog Day celebration, Valentine's parties with your pups, markets and more make this a fun, frosty weekend in the Triangle!
Festivals and fun
Feb. 2: Groundhog Day - Hear Snerd the Groundhog’s official prediction for an early spring or six more weeks of winter. See live animals, visit educational booths, meet Smokey Bear, enjoy storytime on the stage and much more at White Deer Park in Garner. Snerd will deliver her prediction at the stage at 12 p.m.
Feb. 2: 80s/90s Party - Warm up and dance the night away Friday at Tap Yard Raleigh!
Feb. 3: Krispy Kreme Challenge - 12 donuts, 5 miles, 1 hour! The race will take place Saturday morning starting at the N.C. State Memorial Belltower.
Feb. 3: Big Spoon Roasters Winter Gift Market - The market in Hillsborough is the perfect opportunity to taste BSR's full catalog of nut butters, including the new Limited Batch Cowgirl Cookie Peanut Butter, plus all six nut butter bars.
Feb. 3: Family Fun Fundraiser - Come join Cary 4-H Club at Bull City Ciderworks in downtown Cary for crafts, games, raffles, master gardeners, hot apple cider and more!
Feb. 3: Cary Lover's Market - Join Fortnight Brewing for a delightful Valentine's craft fair celebrating love and creativity! Discover a charming array of handmade crafts, unique gifts, and artisanal treasures perfect for expressing your affection.
On stage
Feb. 1: Scotty McCreery at DPAC - The country artist from Garner will perform with special guests Anne Wilson and Greylan James. DPAC says tickets are going fast!
Feb. 1-3: American Aquarium - The band with N.C. ties performs at Lincoln Theatre.
Feb. 1-18: Carolina Ballet's Rhapsody in Blue - Rhapsody in Blue captures the exhilarating, heart-beating romantic pulse of George Gershwin’s iconic music.
Feb. 2: Theo Von - The comedian comes to PNC Arena in Raleigh.
Feb. 2: NC Symphony: All Strings - Enjoy an all-strings performance by the talented musicians of your North Carolina Symphony, including Mendelssohn’s lush String Symphony No. 5.
Feb. 2-3: Mitski at DPAC - The singer/songwriter comes to Durham.
Feb. 2-4: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - Get ready for a lot of family drama! The Cary Players present this Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play at the Cary Arts Center.
Feb. 4: Triangle Roast Battle - Pairs of comics from the Triangle go head-to-head in a test of wit and vigor as they sling venom and vitriol at one another. Comics will insult one another on everything from the surface level to the real-life things each of them hold close to the vest.
For the pups
Feb. 3: Doggie Date Night - Join The Dog Moms of Durham in a Valentine's-themed social meet up! Have your dog paint their own masterpiece with A Dog's Canvas. There will also be treats and goodies for both doggies and their owners.
Feb. 4: Valentine's Puppy Pawty - Get fun Valentine's-themed photos of your pups for a suggested donation of $10. Neshama Animal Rescue will be there with adoptable cats and dogs ready to meet you, and Bandit's Bistro will have their delicious homemade pup-cakes for purchase to spoil your pup.
Nerd out
Feb. 3: Soroptimist Jigsaw PuzzleMania - Watch or participate at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh as teams of four members compete to assemble the identical 500-piece jigsaw puzzle in the fastest time. There will be prizes for the top finishers. There will also be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.
Feb. 3-4: Astronomy Days - The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Astronomy Days! Go on a celestial adventure that explores the wonders of the universe through technology, telescopes, engaging talks and plenty of hands-on activities.
