Adoptable pups at Tap Yard, food trucks, Tamil culture fest, new Chipotle, pastel overload, and more. 
Happy Friday, Raleigh. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Raleigh Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Pool party vibes 💦
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Adoptable pups 🐶
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Chipotle opening 🌯
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Chipotle replacing Qdoba: Chipotle is set to take over the former Qdoba spot at Olde Raleigh Village shopping center, marking its latest Triangle location — get the details.
Future of Raleigh DMV: Staff unveiled concepts for the old New Bern Avenue DMV site, which the city plans to demolish next summer — take a look.
Tamil culture takes center stage: The 38th Annual FeTNA Convention will bring cinema, cuisine, sports, and a celebrity Star Night to Raleigh from July 3–5, with over 4,000 attendees expected — learn more.
Is your bank underperforming? If you’re earning less than 3.80% APY with your current savings account (the national average is 0.41% 👀)… the answer is yes. Do yourself a favor and take the time to open a SoFi savings accounts. It could earn you up to 9x more in interest on top of no fees and a $300 bonus with eligible direct deposits — what are you waiting for?
Highlights this week
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Hemp & THC regulation bill advances
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Lawmakers may reclaim $500M in research funds
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Celebrate two decades at Kids Museum
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Local fundraiser showcases three bands
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$5 Sunday brunch drink specials at Flying Saucer
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Endurance’s auto warranty is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pom-pour perfection: When life gives you apples, East Bower Cider Company turns them into sparkling, spiced sips you didn’t know you needed—whether you’re into crisp and dry or sweet and cinnamon-kissed, they’ve got the pour to match your fall-in-love mood.
Last bite, best bite: Tiny towers of frosting, molten center marvels, and a sugar swagger that’ll keep you guessing what’s coming next—Bittersweet is where your sweet tooth (and your Instagram feed) both get their moment in the spotlight.
Mic drop central: From shower-stall solos to power-ballad bravado and the occasional “sorry, not sorry” encore, Neptunes Parlour hands you the mic, cranks up the neon, and dares even the most tone-deaf among us to steal the show.
Bolt action: Hunting for bold florals, buttery satins, or that perfect canvas for your next DIY masterpiece? Mill Outlet Village stocks bolts of fabric so good you’ll actually look forward to hemming, quilting, or just petting every. single. yard.
Plot twist (AARP is actually amazing): It’s packed with perks that actually matter — discounts at hotels, restaurants, flights, even car rentals. Plus, you’ll unlock a second membership for free for someone else in your house. At just $15 per year… it’s kind of a no-brainer.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Raleigh happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎈 Play It Forward – 20th Anniversary Celebration @ Marbles Kids Museum | Friday (6/27) at 6:30 pm – Two decades of community impact deserve a party—dessert stations from local bakers, games that spark your competitive spirit, and a toast (or two) to 20 years of doing good. Explore the first floor of Marbles Children’s Museum before the kiddos hit the dance floor. Awards ceremony highlights our changemakers, so pack your business cards and your best smiles. Kids score in at $20, adults at $40 (but hurry—prices jump 25% after May 15).
🦅 On The Border – The Ultimate Eagles Tribute @ Lincoln Theatre | Friday (6/27) at 8 pm – If you’ve got a peaceful, easy feeling just thinking about “Hotel California,” this one’s for you. On The Border, one of the most authentic Eagles tribute bands in the game, is rolling into Lincoln for a night of pitch-perfect harmonies and nostalgia. Grab your tickets early—this show’s known to fly.
🕵️ Raleigh True Crime Tour @ Moore Square | Friday (6/27) at 8 pm – Grab your bravest friend and step into Raleigh’s darker past on this immersive walking tour. Hear chilling tales of serial killers, violent oligarchs and the city’s own “Ripper.” Book your spot online—spaces are as limited as our collective sense of safety. Warning: you may never look at those historic brick streets the same way again.
This weekend
🚚 Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo – the Downtown Rodeo returns! @ Fayetteville St. | Saturday (6/28) at 12 pm – Roll into summer with the ultimate foodie playground on Fayetteville Street. Over a dozen local trucks are lining up to serve everything from gourmet burgers to sweet treats. Bring your appetite, grab a seat on the curb, and prepare to taste-test your way through Raleigh’s best. No admission fee, just serious flavor.
🎨 Pop Art Paint Your Pet Fundraiser for Perfectly Imperfect Pups @ Edit Beer Co. | Saturday (6/28) at 1 pm – Unleash your inner artist and pup parent all in one go. Grab a pre-drawn canvas, sip a brew (on you), and follow step-by-step guidance to immortalize your furry friend in pop-art glory. Best part? Twenty bucks from every ticket helps at-risk pups find forever homes, plus you get plenty of puppy cuddles between brush strokes.
💦 Fun in the Sun “The Wet & Wild Experience” @ Private Location | Saturday (6/28) at 3 pm – Dive headfirst into RDU’s splash-iest pool party of the year. Expect epic water games, DJ beats, and more cannonball contests than you can count. BYO swimsuit and sunscreen, and get ready to make a big splash. Tickets move fast—soak it up while you can.
🐶 FurEver Love @ Tap Yard Raleigh | Saturday (6/28) at 3 pm – Puppy lovers, assemble! Meet adoptable dogs under the big backyard tent and support the Local Love Market. It’s equal parts tail wags and local craft brews, with plenty of chances to fall head over paws. Who knows—your new best friend could be waiting on tap.
💜 Kawaii Summer Fest @ Anime Paradaisu | Sunday (6/29) at 11 am – This one’s for the pastel-loving, Sanrio-stanning, J-fashion-wearing crowd. Kawaii Summer Fest is turning up the cuteness with a full-on overload: think themed vendors, a maid café, fashion show, food trucks, and even a Pokemon & Animal Crossing swap. Wear your best frills and fluff for the photo op corner—because this isn’t just an event, it’s a whole aesthetic.
🏛️ Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour @ Raleigh Sheraton Downtown | Sunday (6/29) at 2 pm – Lace up your walking shoes and let a local history buff spill the tea on Raleigh’s hidden gems. From colonial corners to modern marvels, this stroll packs insider stories you won’t find in textbooks. Tickets are digital-only, so book ahead and get ready to geek out on our city’s past.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/27 Shwayze and more @ Bowstring – 7 pm
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6/27 Hauser @ Red Hat Amphitheater – 7:30 pm
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6/27 On The Border @ Lincoln Theatre – 8 pm
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6/27 Midnight Special Band @ O’Malley’s Pub – 8:30 pm
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6/28 Joe Hero @ Raleigh Brewing Company – 3 pm
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6/28 The Ridge Band and more @ Bowstring Pizza – 3:30 pm
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6/28 Kansas and more @ Red Hat Amphitheater – 6:15 pm
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6/28 Faster Than Boys @ Tap Yard – 8 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Raleigh edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Debbie England (Triangle Midtown Realty) – 3 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms | Built in 2001 | 5404 sqft
Three heat pumps, two water heaters, and a sunroom that’s basically a greenhouse for humans—climate control is the name of the game here. The kitchen’s got shiny new quartz, the floors gleam, and the appliances are ready to do your bidding (yes, even the washer and dryer are sticking around). The primary suite’s bathroom is practically a spa, with a whirlpool tub that laughs in the face of stress.
Out back, the gazebo’s outdoor kitchen and stone fireplace are primed for legendary cookouts, while the treehouse and playground keep the little ones out of your hair. Four garages mean there’s room for your entire fleet, and a detached 1,500-square-foot building is ready for your next big idea—or just a killer home office. Toss in butler’s pantries, an intercom system, and a 13-zone irrigation setup, and this place is showing off.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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