North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Astronomy Days will take place February 7 and 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. These are rescheduled dates, due to the winter weather on the scheduled dates. The theme of Astronomy Days this years is Passport to the Moon. The two days will be packed with lunar-focused programming. The festival takes place at North Carolina Museum of Natural … [Read more...] about Astronomy Days at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences rescheduled to Feb. 7 and 8
Museums and attractions
Museum of Life and Science free for Durham residents Feb. 7 and 18
Museum of Life and Science, 433 W Murray Avenue, Durham, is one of the most popular attractions in Durham. It features indoor and outdoor exhibits that encourage children to learn about the world around them. The exhibits explore a wide range of scientific fields -- physics, zoology, aerospace, weather, sound, and more -- all in a fun, hands-on way. Read on to learn all about the museum, or … [Read more...] about Museum of Life and Science free for Durham residents Feb. 7 and 18
Teen Science Café at Daily Planet Cafe Feb. 6
Once a month, N.C. Museum of Natural sciences holds a free event for teens, Teen Science Café. These events usually take place the first Friday of the month (with a couple of exceptions; see below) during the school year, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the Daily Planet Cafe, the coffee shop within the Nature Research Center, at 121 W Jones Street, Raleigh. Each cafe will includes a science … [Read more...] about Teen Science Café at Daily Planet Cafe Feb. 6
Free Field and Factory Tour at Duke Homestead Saturdays in February
Duke Homestead, at 2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham, North Carolina, is presenting a special guided tour, "Field & Factory: Tobacco's Laborers" every Saturday in February, 2026. To learn a fuller story of the people who worked in tobacco, join Duke Homestead staff on site for a special program, “Field & Factory: A Look at Tobacco’s Laborers.” These walks will highlight the contributions … [Read more...] about Free Field and Factory Tour at Duke Homestead Saturdays in February
Free Fireside History Chat at Museum of Durham History on Feb. 5
Museum of Durham History, at 500 W. Main Street between Downtown Durham and Brightleaf Square, is free to visit. It's open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. It's open late for Durham Third Friday. Events at Museum of Durham History Fireside Chat: The Early History of Research Triangle ParkThursday, February 5, 20266 p.m.Free Go behind the scenes of one … [Read more...] about Free Fireside History Chat at Museum of Durham History on Feb. 5
Free Outdoor Art Programs for Kids at NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Prairie Ridge, and more
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences always offers free admission, but you might not be aware of the free and inexpensive events, beyond the exhibits, that it offers. You can view all their events here. Some are free and some have fees associated with them. Here are a few upcoming free and cheap events. Please follow the links to see if you need to register, and to see if there are any … [Read more...] about Free Outdoor Art Programs for Kids at NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Prairie Ridge, and more
25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration — held at North Carolina Museum of Art rescheduled to Feb. 28
North Carolina Museum of History's 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration will take place at North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, since the NC Museum of History is closed for renovation. The festival takes place Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a rescheduled date, due to the weather forecast for January 31. This … [Read more...] about 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration — held at North Carolina Museum of Art rescheduled to Feb. 28
Working on the Railroad Day at New Hope Valley Railway April 25
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill North Carolina, is bringing back a favorite event from years past: Working on the Railroad Day. It takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This special event invites guests of all ages to step back in time and explore the history of railroading. Meet the volunteers, explore real railroad equipment, and learn about … [Read more...] about Working on the Railroad Day at New Hope Valley Railway April 25
Free Drawing in the Galleries Event at Ackland Art Museum, Jan. 24, and more
Ackland Art Museum, on the University of North Carolina campus, at 101 South Columbia Street, is always free to visit. The Ackland's permanent collection features more than 19,000 works of art, including Asian art, North Carolina pottery, collections of European masterworks, and more. Visiting Ackland Art Museum Hours Ackland Art Museum is free to visit. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday … [Read more...] about Free Drawing in the Galleries Event at Ackland Art Museum, Jan. 24, and more
Free Friday at Mordecai Historic Park Jan. 23
Mordecai Historic Park, at 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, includes the Mordecai House, which is the oldest house in Raleigh in its original location. It was built in 1785. It became a public park in 1972. The park also includes: The park encompasses 3.2 acres in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Tours cost $7 for adults, $3 for seniors, $4 for youth. Kids 6 and under are free. Upcoming … [Read more...] about Free Friday at Mordecai Historic Park Jan. 23
