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Good afternoon, Raleigh. I asked my date to meet me at the gym, but she never showed up.

I guess the two of us aren't going to work out. 🏋️

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

  • 10+ fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music

  • Where to catch fireworks on the 4th 🇺🇸

  • Crabtree Valley Mall to get a makeover

  • Downtown Raleigh hotel to become a historic landmark

  • And more!

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

Crabtree’s new owner eyes modern makeover with a nod to the past 🛍️

As The Macerich Company takes ownership of Crabtree Valley Mall in a $290 million deal, the firm is promising both preservation and transformation. Cory Scott, Macerich’s EVP of asset management, says the mall’s deep roots in the Raleigh community are a key reason they jumped at the opportunity to buy it.

The new owners plan to invest $60 million into updates like lighting, signage, new common area furniture, and a refreshed food court. Entertainment venues and local tenants are a priority for future leasing, while big brands like Coach and Dick’s House of Sport are already on the way. Though mixed-use redevelopment may be considered long-term, for now, the focus is on keeping Crabtree a vibrant and productive shopping destination.

Godfather’s Pizza returns to Raleigh after nearly 40 years 🍕

Godfather’s Pizza is making a comeback in Raleigh with a new location set to open this fall at 6429 Glenwood Avenue in a former Pizza Hut. Franchisee Don McClaren secured the space after nearly a year-long search, drawn by the area’s strong mix of homes and businesses.

This will be the city’s only Godfather’s Pizza, rekindling memories of the original location that closed in 1986. The 2,300-square-foot space will seat 30 and employ up to 50 people. If the Raleigh launch is successful, McClaren hopes to expand to Holly Springs or Fuquay-Varina.

Downtown Raleigh’s iconic round hotel getting $50M makeover

The distinctive round Holiday Inn in Downtown Raleigh is set for a major transformation. New York–based Tidal Real Estate Partners has secured $49 million in funding as part of a $71 million renovation project to rebrand the hotel as a Hotel Indigo under the IHG banner. The overhaul will include updates to the interior, ground-floor lounge, and rooftop bar, with reopening planned for late 2026.

Tidal is also pursuing historic landmark status, which could bring tax benefits and recognition for the hotel's unique circular design. If approved, it would become Raleigh’s only operating landmark hotel, preserving a piece of the city’s architectural legacy while offering a refreshed, modern experience.

Raleigh ranks among best cities for college grads in 2025 🎓

Raleigh has been named the No. 5 best city in the U.S. for new college graduates, according to Zumper’s 2025 rankings. The list highlighted the city’s job opportunities, low unemployment, and youthful population, with 18% of residents aged 20–29.

Raleigh also received top marks for education and employment metrics but scored lower on affordability and nightlife. With strong growth in tech and research industries, the Triangle continues to attract recent grads from nearby universities like NC State, UNC, and Duke.

Here are Zumper’s top 10 best cities for grads

  1. Minneapolis

  2. Knoxville, Tennessee

  3. Salt Lake City

  4. Madison, Wisconsin

  5. Raleigh

  6. Atlanta

  7. Denver

  8. Charlotte

  9. Des Moines, Iowa

  10. Gilbert, Arizona

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

🎉 Events This Weekend 🇺🇸

  • July 4th Food Truck Rodeo
    📍 Raleigh Farmers Market
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    🎟️ Free entry
    🍴 Street‑food fest with 30+ trucks and family-friendly fun

  • Star Spangled Block Party
    📍 Brier Creek Commons
    🗓️ Saturday, July 4 | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    🎟️ Free, family-friendly
    🎆 Live music, kids’ activities, and a fireworks show to end the night

  • Moore Square Movie Night: Top Gun: Maverick
    📍 Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | 5:00 PM
    🎟️ Free registration
    🎬 Outdoor screening under the stars

  • City of Raleigh Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration
    📍 Lenovo Center & Carter‑Finley Stadium
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | Gates open 6:00 PM, Fireworks begin 9:30 PM
    🎟️ Free entry
    🎆 Family‑friendly fireworks show; grab a blanket and enjoy

  • Ride the Red, White & Blue
    📍 1126 S Saunders St, Raleigh
    🗓️ Saturday, July 5 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    🎟️ Free entry, open to all ages
    🚗 Car, truck & bike show with vendors, raffles, and food trucks

  • New City Church – Sunday Worship Service

    📍5365 Bartram Place, Raleigh (Pine Hollow Middle School)
    🗓️ Sunday, July 6 | 10:00 AM
    🙌 Gospel-centered church service for the whole family.

  • Summer Concert Series
    📍 Fred Fletcher Park
    🗓️ Sunday, July 6 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    🎟️ Free, bring your blanket/chair
    🎶 Local artists performing in a relaxed outdoor setting

HAPPENING RIGHT OUTSIDE OF RALEIGH

🎉 Where to catch fireworks this weekend (without the Raleigh traffic)

Fuquay‑Varina

  • Independence Day Celebration
    📍 South Park
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    🎟️ Free admission
    🎆 Food trucks, live music, splash pad fun, and fireworks under the stars

Apex

  • Fireworks Frenzy & Old‑Fashioned Fourth
    📍 Hunter Street Park
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    🎟️ Free admission
    🎉 Kickoff with inflatables and food trucks at 5 PM, followed by a drone show and fireworks at 9:30 PM

Cary

  • Independence Day Celebration
    📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | 3:30 PM – after dark
    🎟️ Free admission
    🎺 Live music by the Cary Town Band and NC Symphony, with fireworks over Symphony Lake

Garner

  • Independence Day Celebration
    📍 Lake Benson Park
    🗓️ Thursday, July 3 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    🎟️ Free admission
    🎶 Music, food, kids' activities, and fireworks—featuring the NC Symphony

Smithfield

  • Independence Day Celebration
    📍 Neuse River Amphitheater
    🗓️ Thursday, July 3 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    🎟️ Free admission
    🎤 Food trucks, live music, and fireworks at dusk

Durham

  • 4th of July Fireworks (After Durham Bulls Game)
    📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | Post‑game (game starts at 6:35 PM)
    🎟️ Tickets vary
    ⚾ Fireworks follow the Bulls game—viewable inside the park or for free after the 7th inning

Holly Springs

  • July 5th Celebration & Fireworks
    📍 Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park
    🗓️ Saturday, July 5 | 6:00 PM – ~9:30 PM
    🎟️ Free admission
    🍔 Food trucks, live entertainment, and a fireworks show at dusk

Pittsboro

SummerFest
📍 Downtown Pittsboro
🗓️ Sunday, July 6 | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
🎶 Live music, bike parade, food vendors, and family-friendly fun

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, July 4

  • Night Brew @ Tap Yard Raleigh
    🕒 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Iron Works District

  • Tanks Tunes Debut @ Brass Tap & Billiards
    🕒 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Capital / Strickland

  • JT Parrothead @ Tonic Bar & Social Club
    🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Glenwood

  • Matt Fox Boston @ Gatehouse Tavern
    🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh NE @ Six Forks / 540

  • Music Bingo @ Foursquares
    🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh NE @ Neuse River District

  • Gatsby’s Unplugged – Open Mic @ Gatsby’s Bar Raleigh
    🕒 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Millbrook

  • Karaoke w/ DJ DC Price @ The Corner Tavern & Grill
    🕒 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM
    📍 Raleigh W @ Maynard / High House

  • Good Luck Glow Dance Party @ The Pour House Music Hall
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh DT

  • The Sad BBQ (emo, $15/$20) @ Transfer Co. Ballroom
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh DT

  • Nicolas Vemon @ Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh SE (borderline Fuquay)

  • Red, White and DJ Glow! @ Wild Wing Cafe
    🕒 9:30 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Triangle Town Center

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, July 6

  • Kevin Lee @ Salty Turtle Beer Co.
    🕒 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Wakefield

  • Midnight Thirsty w/ Amanda Peach @ ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
    🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh E @ Falls Lake

  • Karl & Dana @ The Bull & Bear
    🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks / Millbrook

  • Cole Spade @ Tonic Bar & Social Club
    🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Glenwood

  • Skyblue & Friends @ Bond Brothers Eastside
    🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    📍 Raleigh E @ Downtown East

  • Late Bloomin @ Aviator Brew Hangar Bar
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh S @ Iron Works District

  • Tangent @ Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh S @ Iron Works District

  • Sterling Scott @ The Piper’s Restaurant & Tavern
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh NE @ I-540 / Louisburg

  • Raleigh Assassins @ Hero’s Pub & Wing Café
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh E @ Triangle Town Center

  • Karaoke w/ DJ DC Price @ The Corner Tavern & Grill
    🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh W @ Maynard / High House

  • Skye Fortenberry @ The Wild Wing Café
    🕒 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM
    📍 Raleigh N @ Triangle Town Center

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Here is the earlier-mentioned Holiday Inn on Hillsborough Street in 1974.

The 19-story building cost $3 million to build and, at the time of its completion, was the highest structure in the city.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

93 🌡️ 68 | 🌤️ | 20%

Saturday

91 🌡️ 69 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

91 🌡️ 72 | ⛈️ | 30%

LOCAL SPORTS

⚾️ Baseball

  • Durham Bulls VS Norfolk Tides
    📍 Home Games - Post-game fireworks for all games this weekend
    🗓️ Friday, July 4 | 6:35 PM
    🗓️ Saturday, July 5 | 6:35 PM
    🗓️ Sunday, July 6 | 6:35 PM

⚽ Soccer

  • North Carolina FC @ Louisville City FC
    📍 Away Game
    🗓️ Sunday, July 6 | 7:30 PM

THANKS!

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