Emancipation Day, a long-standing North Carolina Tradition, is a commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Traditionally this was celebrated on January 1st, and included a parade and program, followed by singing, poetry reading, and speeches by both black and white leaders. The City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting an Emancipation Day … [Read more...] about Emancipation Day: Breakfast and Lecture at City of Raleigh Museum January 3
Museums and attractions
Emancipation Day: Fighting for Freedom: Black Civil War Reenactors at Pope House Museum Jan. 3
For Emancipation Day, the Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, will be presenting Fighting for Freedom: Black Civil War Reenactors. This free event takes place on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No registration is required. Travel back in time to see United States Colored Troops and allies as they tell stories of real-life Black soldiers … [Read more...] about Emancipation Day: Fighting for Freedom: Black Civil War Reenactors at Pope House Museum Jan. 3
Marbles Kids Museum Noon Year’s Eve Party
Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E Hargett Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting Noon Year's Eve on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrate the New Year' with crafts, games, music and a special bubble wrap pop. Count down together as the ball drops at noon in Curiosity Square. Noon Year's Eve is included with museum admission: … [Read more...] about Marbles Kids Museum Noon Year’s Eve Party
Plant Swap at City of Raleigh Museum Jan. 17
City of Raleigh Museum's mission is to "Preserve Raleigh's Past for the Future." It debuted its first exhibit in 1993, and operated as a nonprofit until 2012, when the City of Raleigh assumed operational control. It's supported by the nonprofit Friends of the COR Museum. It's at 220 Fayetteville Street, in the 1874 Briggs Building in historic downtown Raleigh. Admission is free, although a … [Read more...] about Plant Swap at City of Raleigh Museum Jan. 17
Free open house at Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History Dec. 20
The Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History, at 1013 Broad Street, Durham, North Carolina, houses a research collection that helps us to understand our evolutionary journey as primates. The collection includes 55 million year-old, lemur-like primate fossils from Wyoming; 37 to 28 million year-old anthropoid fossils from Egypt; 19 to 7 million year-old ape fossils from Egypt and India; 13 … [Read more...] about Free open house at Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History Dec. 20
Free Cookies and Cider at Museum of Durham History every weekend through Dec. 21
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 The museum will be offering FREE cookies and cider, every Friday through Sunday, through December 21, 2025. … [Read more...] about Free Cookies and Cider at Museum of Durham History every weekend through Dec. 21
North Carolina Zoo: just $5 from Dec 15 to 19
North Carolina Zoo is offering a special discount, Jingle in the Jungle, from December 15 to 19, 2025. Admission is just $5 per person. It's normally $20 at the gate for adults. Hours during these days are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last entry at 3 p.m. The promotion is available only at the gate and can not be combined with any other offers or discounts. Park and enter at the North … [Read more...] about North Carolina Zoo: just $5 from Dec 15 to 19
Museum of Life and Science free for Durham residents Dec. 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 Dec. 18
25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration — held at North Carolina Museum of Art on Jan. 31
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, January 31, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a free event. This festival is the kickoff to Black History … [Read more...] about 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration — held at North Carolina Museum of Art on Jan. 31
Teen Science Café at Daily Planet Cafe Dec. 5
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 Dec. 5
