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: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Tomorrow: Monday, December 22, 2025
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: Free Original Chicken Sandwich 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 |
| Blades and Badges Day at Skate Fenton: first responders and military get $3 off (check website for hours) | All Day | Discounted | Fenton, Cary |
| Free food giveaway with Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Saint Augustine University Athletic Complex, 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 |
| Tequila Tuesday | 11:00 am to 8:00 pm | Discounted | bmc brewing, Pittsboro |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Window on Animal Health | 1:30 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Taylor's Wine Shop: Free wine tasting | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop |
| 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 |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Adult Coloring Night | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham |
| Bond Brothers Run Club | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Beer Company |
| Board Game Night | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell |
| Beer & Banjos in Raleigh | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, Raleigh |
| Christmas Lights on the Farm | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex |
| Beer & Banjos Carrboro | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
| Music Bingo | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Williams House Craft Taproom, Cary |
| Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Tricycle Trivia | 7:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham |
| Karaoke Night | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
| Open Mic with a Live Band | 9:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Slims, Raleigh |
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: 2 free cookies 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 |
| Free Country Ham Biscuits on Christmas Eve at Taylor's Wine Shop | 8:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop |
| Chapel Hill Food Distribution Event | 9:30 am | FREE | Eubanks Road Park and Ride Lot, Chapel Hill |
| Total Tot Time: free play program for kids up to age 5 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | W.D. Hill Recreation Center, Durham |
| Holiday at the Farm | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | $12.00-25.00 | 1870 Farm, Chapel Hill |
| Window on Animal Health | 1:30 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| A Very Chill Christmas Eve | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, RTP |
| 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 |
| Improv Theatre | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Fair Game Beverage Co., Pittsboro |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Bring Your Own Craft Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Stitch N' Bitch Craft Night | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| Open Mic Week | 8:00 pm | FREE | Abbey Road Cary |
Thursday, December 25, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown 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 |
