The Triangle events calendar features free and cheap things to do every day in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and elsewhere in the Triangle. Think there's nothing to do? Look at this list to get some ideas. You'll find concerts, festivals, fitness events, and much more.
Click each title to see more information about the event or deal. You can also view the whole month (click "By Month") or see a specific date (click By Day).
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Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in one of these more specific calendars:
- Free things to do this week in the Triangle
- Free and cheap kids' events in the Triangle
- Live music around the Triangle
- Free museum days
- Triangle brewery calendar
Today: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Tomorrow: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: Free Croissan'wich with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| North Carolina Zoo Just $5 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | North Carolina Zoo |
| Free food giveaway with Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Central Carolina Community Campus — Center for Workforce Innovation, Sanford |
| Winter Clothing Giveaway and Free Vaccine Clinic | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | GoRaleigh Bus Station |
| Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science: free admission for Durham County residents | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Life+Science, Durham |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Chanukah Celebration at 1870 Farm | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $13.00 | 1870 Farm, Chapel Hill |
| Bricks & Brews | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Toy giveaway at Dorothy N. Johnson Community Center in Hillsborough | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Dorothy N. Johnson Community Center, Hillsborough |
| Toy Giveaway at Peach Road Cultural Center | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Peach Road Cultural Center, Raleigh |
| Phillips Farms of Cary's Walk-Through Christmas Light Show | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Phillips Farms of Cary |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Get free technology help with a Raleigh Digital Ambassador | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Marsh Creek Community Center, Raleigh |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Live Music: Sterling Scott | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| Irish Music at the Plant | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Fair Game Beverage Co., Pittsboro |
| Game Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner |
| Vinyl Nights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell |
| Five Points Christmas Concert at Emmanuel Baptist Church | 6:30 pm | FREE | Emmanuel Baptist Church, Raleigh |
| Free Santa Selfies | 6:30 pm | FREE | West 94th Street Pub, Durham |
| Holiday Cookie Bake-Off | 6:30 pm | FREE | West 94th Street Pub, Durham |
| Bell Durham Concert at First Cary United Methodist Church | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | First United Methodist Church, Cary |
| Raleigh Uke Jam | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Church of the Nativity, Raleigh |
| Music Bingo | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary |
| Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Comedy Night | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Air Hockey Tournament | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
| Jazz Jam Open Mic | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Thursday Karaoke | 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Tap Yard, Raleigh |
| Skee Ball Tournament | 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
Friday, December 19, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: Free French Toast Sticks with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| North Carolina Zoo Just $5 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | North Carolina Zoo |
| Park Tales: Time to Sleep | 10:00 am to 10:45 am | FREE | Historic Yates Mill County Park |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Free cookies and cider at Museum of Durham History | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Durham History |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Winter Market -- Le Marché de Noël at L'école French International School of Raleigh | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | L’école- French International School of Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Festive Fridays: Silent Disco Night | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park, Raleigh |
| Photos with Santa at Downtown Cary Park | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Santa's Workshop in Smithfield | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield |
| Cary Night Market -- Holiday Market | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Phillips Farms of Cary's Walk-Through Christmas Light Show | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Phillips Farms of Cary |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Durham Foodie Fare | 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| The Live Nativity at The Reality Center | 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | The Reality Center, Durham |
| Teen Science Cafe at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill |
| Third Friday Durham -- art receptions, exhibits and performances | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durham City Center |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| Third Friday Art Event at Loose Leaf Gallery | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Loose Leaf Gallery, Durham Food Hall |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Free Wine Tasting | 6:00 pm | FREE | Local 919, Raleigh |
| Live Music: Paige King Johnson | 6:30 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Taproom, Fuquay-Varina |
| Live Music: Aaron Pelsue | 6:30 pm | FREE | The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina |
| Christmas Lights on the Farm | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex |
| The Live Nativity at The Reality Center | 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm | FREE | The Reality Center, Durham |
| Live Music: Mind the Gap | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Santa Social, including free Santa Selfies | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
| Aching Back Sunday: A Pop-Punk Holiday Party | 7:00 pm to 11:55 pm | FREE | Kings |
| Third Space Music Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
| Bounce and Brews DJ Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Hoppy Hour Cinema Movie Series | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom |
| Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Black Nativity Durham | 8:00 pm | $15.00-20.00 | Hillside High School, Durham |
| Stand-up Comedy Open Mic | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Karaoke with Mega Mike | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| A Good Time: Stand-Up Comedy Showcase | 8:00 pm | FREE | Vault Craft Beer, Raleigh |
| Karaoke Bingo Nights | 9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
Saturday, December 20, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: Free Jalapenõ Cheddar Bites with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| African American Walking Tour in Raleigh's Third Ward (3 times) | All Day | $5.00-10.00 | Pope House, Raleigh |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, The Streets at Southpoint |
| Durham Craft Market | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Meet Santa and Get Free Seedlings at Western Wake Farmers Market | 9:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Western Wake Farmers’ Market, Morrisville |
| Santa Express at New Hope Valley Railway (several start times each day) | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | $18.61 | New Hope Valley Railway |
| Breakfast with Santa and Toy Giveaway | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Tarboro Road Center, Raleigh |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids Workshop: Sleigh Ride | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Holidays with the Popes | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Pope House, Raleigh |
| Handcrafted Holiday Market | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $5.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| NCMA Loves Anime Winter Bazaar | 10:00 am to 7:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Holiday at the Farm | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | $12.00-25.00 | 1870 Farm, Chapel Hill |
| Free cookies and cider at Museum of Durham History | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Durham History |
| Sensory-Friendly Film Series: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs | 11:00 am | FREE | The Carolina Theatre, Durham |
| Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours (1-hour long; 4 start times) | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | $6.00-10.00 | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Fenton Makers Market | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Fenton, Cary |
| Magic of Christmas with Santa | 11:30 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Boxyard RTP |
| Toy Giveaway at SGT. Courtney T. Johnson Community Center | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Sgt. Courtney T. Johnson Community Center |
| Last Minute Gift Market | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | The Fruit, Durham |
| Holiday S'mores & Firepit Social | 12:00 pm | FREE | Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson, Raleigh |
| Durham Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham |
| Pop-Up Raleigh Art & Vintage Market | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Trophy on Maywood |
| Free pictures with Santa at Compare Foods of Clayton | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Compare Foods of Clayton |
| Christmas at Fortnight | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary |
| Tailgate Watch Party: Canes vs. Lightning | 1:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| 3rd Saturday Vintage + Maker Market | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Ugly Sweater Party at Boxyard Raleigh | 3:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
| Irish Music Jam | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Bonfire Nights | 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Pluck Farm (Mebane) |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk and Market ($5-$10 donation suggested) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Eno River Farmers Market, Hillsborough |
| Winter Solstice Celebration | 5:00 pm | FREE | Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Durham |
| Festivus | 5:00 pm | FREE | The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina |
| Phillips Farms of Cary's Walk-Through Christmas Light Show | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Phillips Farms of Cary |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| Good Job 2025 -- Honoring teenagers who are excelling at life | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Cate Student Center, Meredith College, Raleigh |
| Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Christmas Lights on the Farm | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex |
| Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Holiday Karaoke | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom |
| NCMA Loves Anime Film Screening and Music | 7:00 pm to 9:45 pm | $10.00 | North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh |
| Tacky Christmas Extravaganza 2025 | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| Jingle Jammies Pajama Party | 7:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Taproom, Fuquay-Varina |
| Santa at Lake Myra Christmas Lights | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Live Music | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm | FREE | Old North State Food Hall, Selma |
| Black Nativity Durham | 8:00 pm | $15.00-20.00 | Hillside High School, Durham |
