Triangle on the Cheap

Live well in the Triangle on a budget. Find fun, free things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC

Festival

Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village in Raleigh, including the 9th Annual Wiener Dog Races Oct. 3

Enjoy an Oktoberfest celebration at Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be live music, seasonal brews, German-inspired food, Scarecrows on the Square, and more. It's free to attend. The celebration will also feature the Annual Wiener Dog Races! All Wieners are required to be classified as a Dachshund breed to be … [Read more...] about Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village in Raleigh, including the 9th Annual Wiener Dog Races Oct. 3

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival Oct. 3

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival takes place Saturday, October 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Historic Downtown Fuquay-Varina. It features live music, carnival rides, a beer garden, artist village, kid zone, food trucks and more. Also King BMX Bike Show and The Big Dino Show! It's free to attend and draws a great crowd. Read on for details! Beer Garden Stage Local Craft … [Read more...] about Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival Oct. 3

Kids in Nature Day at Lake Benson Park Oct. 10

South Wake Conservationists' Kids in Nature Day takes place Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, North Carolina. The rain date is October 11. This is a free event. Donations are welcome, though! Please pre-register. It's very helpful for planning. Fall is a great time for outdoor events, and this event is free. All kids and families … [Read more...] about Kids in Nature Day at Lake Benson Park Oct. 10

Posted by Jody Mace Filed Under: Festival · Kids

Get ready! Pullen Park’s Holiday Express tickets go on sale Oct 15

Pullen Park Holiday Express, presented by WRAL, is back in December, 2026. Tickets will go on sale the morning of October 15, 2026, at 9 a.m. The tickets are being sold on Ticketmaster. For your best chance at getting tickets, go to the Ticketmaster page 10 minutes before 9 a.m., and make sure you're signed in to your Ticketmaster account and that you have a valid form of payment. We will add a … [Read more...] about Get ready! Pullen Park’s Holiday Express tickets go on sale Oct 15

Gather at Grace: Fall Festival with Free Cookout at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham Oct. 17

Grace Lutheran Church, 824 N Buchanan Blvd., Durham, North Carolina, is hosting Gather at Grace: Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It's free to attend. Enjoy a free family-friendly lunch of hot dogs, chips, and the usual fixings. There will be a few brats available on a first-come, first-served basis, plus veggie dogs and a sweet treat. In addition: … [Read more...] about Gather at Grace: Fall Festival with Free Cookout at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham Oct. 17

Hargraves Fall Carnival in Chapel Hill on Oct 9

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation is hosting Hargraves Fall Carnival on Friday, October 19, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. It takes place at Hargraves Community Center, 216 N Roberson Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This is a free event, and no registration is required. It will feature games, entertainment and more fun, but will skip the ghouls, goblins and gore. The event is geared toward kids ages … [Read more...] about Hargraves Fall Carnival in Chapel Hill on Oct 9

Fall Festival at Highland United Methodist Church rescheduled to Oct. 11

Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting a Fall Festival on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. This is a reschedule date, due to the weather forecast on October 4. Admission is free. Enjoy delicious food, fun games, and the chance to make new friends. And who could forget the super fun train rides? Dang Good Dogs will be on-site selling … [Read more...] about Fall Festival at Highland United Methodist Church rescheduled to Oct. 11

Day of the Dead Festival at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson Oct 24

Seeds of Hope Wilson is hosting a Day of the Dead Festival on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, North Carolina. This is a free event. Celebrate special traditions with friends and family. The festival features: … [Read more...] about Day of the Dead Festival at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson Oct 24

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