Triangle on the Cheap

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

Home and garden

Raulston Blooms — Garden Festival April 25, including 24th Annual Birdhouse Competition

The JC Raulston Arboretum, at 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, is hosting Raulston Blooms  on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Raulston Blooms is a garden festival for people of all ages. It features garden and nature activities, plant sales, outdoor fun, and more. Tickets are only $5, or $10 per family. Admission is free for garden members and for college students. Proceeds benefit … [Read more...] about Raulston Blooms — Garden Festival April 25, including 24th Annual Birdhouse Competition

Valentine’s Day at Sunshine Lavender Farm Feb. 14

Sunshine Lavender Farm is opening for Valentine's Day for the first time. Stop by on February 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunshine Lavender Farm is at 4104 Millstone Road, Hurdle Mills. Hurdlle Mills is an unincorporated community in southern Person County and northern Orange County, North Carolina. The cost to RSVP is $3, which is a donation to the Caswell County Animal Shelter. … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day at Sunshine Lavender Farm Feb. 14

Downtown Raleigh Home Show canceled due to weather

UPDATE: This event has been canceled due to the weather. Downtown Raleigh Home Show will be at Raleigh Convention Center from January 23 to 25, 2026. Save 50% on tickets with promo code CHEAP. Three days only to shop, compare & save on kitchens, baths, flooring & more! Hundreds of local experts under one roof & ready to consult with you on all of the home improvement … [Read more...] about Downtown Raleigh Home Show canceled due to weather

Right-Sizing Your Stuff: How to Use Your Space Better — free organization workshop Jan. 10

Organize NC is offering a free program, Right-Sizing Your Stuff: How to Organize Your Space Better on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Laurel Hill Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, North Carolina. Register for this free event. At Right-Sizing Your Stuff learn practical strategies for creating a more organized home and lifestyle. Professional Organizers … [Read more...] about Right-Sizing Your Stuff: How to Use Your Space Better — free organization workshop Jan. 10

Posted by Jody Mace Filed Under: Home and garden

Seed Swap at Durham Co-Op Market Jan 10

Durham Co-op Market is a cooperative grocery store at 1111 W Chapel Hill Street, Durham.  The market schedules some events throughout the year. Here's one upcoming event: Seed SwapSaturday, January 10, 202612 to 2:30 p.m.Free This is a free community event. Swap seeds and growing tips with other plant lovers and community partners. Bring your own seeds from home or purchase seed … [Read more...] about Seed Swap at Durham Co-Op Market Jan 10

Posted by Jody Mace Filed Under: Home and garden

Magnificent Mums — flower show at NC State Fairgrounds Nov. 8-9

Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society presents Magnificent Mums on November 8 and 9, 2025, at the James Martin Building of the NC State Fairgrounds (Gate 9). Admission is free. Welcome Fall with a family friendly exhibition of the most amazing flowers you have ever seen. This is a flower competition and show of rare and enormous heirloom chrysanthemums, complete with judges, ribbons and … [Read more...] about Magnificent Mums — flower show at NC State Fairgrounds Nov. 8-9

Posted by Jody Mace Filed Under: Home and garden

Festival of Fabulous Mums at Duke Gardens Nov 1 and 2

Duke Gardens and Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society are presenting Festival of Fabulous Mums on November 1 and 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. It takes place at at Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson Street, Durham, North Carolina, outside in the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden. It's free to attend, but parking fees apply. Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society members will be on … [Read more...] about Festival of Fabulous Mums at Duke Gardens Nov 1 and 2

Fall Tea for All at Camellia Forest Nursery & Tea Gardens Oct. 26

Camellia Forest Nursery & Tea Gardens, at 620 NC Hwy 54 W, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is hosting Fall Tea for All on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free event. Celebrate the end of the 2025 harvest -- enjoy garden tours and tea tastings. Join the growing tea community at Camellia Forest! Tours begin at 10:15 a.m. and repeat hourly until 3:15 p.m. Tea, … [Read more...] about Fall Tea for All at Camellia Forest Nursery & Tea Gardens Oct. 26

Harvest Festival at Duke Gardens Oct. 19

Sarah P. Duke Gardens, at 420 Anderson Street, Durham, North Carolina, is presenting its Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. This is a free, drop-in event, and no registration is required. Parking fees apply. Suggested parking location is in the H lot near the 2000 Lewis Street entrance. This festival takes place outdoors, at Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden (D3 … [Read more...] about Harvest Festival at Duke Gardens Oct. 19

Harvest Fest at Good Hope Farm in Cary Oct. 18

Cary's historic organic teaching farm, Good Hope Farm, 1580 Morrisville Carpenter Road, Cary, is hosting Harvest Fest on two dates this fall, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., on each: These are free events for all ages. Enjoy live music, kids' activities, a food truck and beer vendor, shopping booths from sustainable sellers and chatting with local environmental experts. Harvest Fest Vendors There … [Read more...] about Harvest Fest at Good Hope Farm in Cary Oct. 18

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