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: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Tomorrow: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Friday, November 13, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| World Market Golden Santa Scavenger Hunt -- find hidden Santa, win up to $100 reward | FREE | World Market, participating locations | |
| The Little Engine That Could (two start times) | 9:00 am to 11:15 am | $8.00 | Vault Theatre, Durham |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Military Appreciation Week at North Carolina Zoo - free admission for military member plus a guest | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Zoo |
| Tasting at Ten -- free coffee tasting at Counter Culture Coffee | 10:00 am | FREE | Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center, Durham |
| Scented Storytime | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Durham County Library – Stanford L. Warren |
| CARI Food Pantry Free Food Giveaway | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Church of the Apostolic Revival International, Durham |
| Reflections: Virtual Tour | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| Chipotle: BOGO entrée if you're "tatted like a Chipotle bag" (drawn-on is fine!) | 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Discounted | Chipotle, participating locations |
| Live Music: Bobby Frith (On the Patio) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Oak City Brewing Company, Knightdale |
| Free Wine Tasting with Michael Bostick of 3 Keys Dist. | 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop |
| Ackland Art Museum: Extended hours during 2nd Friday ArtWalk | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill |
| Live Music: Too Much Fun | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00 | Sonark Farms, Hillsborough |
| Chime In Open Mic (poetry, storytelling songwriting) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
| 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill and Carrboro | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Dance with Raleigh International Folk Dancers | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Glen Eden Pilot Park, Raleigh |
| Live Music: Grace Lucia | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | White Street Brewing, Wake Forest |
| Family Feud: House Party Edition | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham |
| Veterans and Active-Duty Military get Free Tickets to Universoul Circus, while supplies last | 7:00 pm | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek |
| Pub Karaoke | 10:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | West 94th Street Pub, Durham |
Saturday, November 14, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| World Market Golden Santa Scavenger Hunt -- find hidden Santa, win up to $100 reward | FREE | World Market, participating locations | |
| The Little Engine That Could (four start times) | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm | $8.00 | Vault Theatre, Durham |
| Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair at Wakefield High School | 9:00 am to 4:30 pm | $6.00 | Wakefield High School |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Durham Craft Market | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids' Workshop: Holiday Engine | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Quail Hollow Neighborhoods Art Walk & Sale | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Quail Hollow Neighborhood |
| Wake Forest Guild of Artists Fall Studio Tour | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Various locations, Wake Forest |
| Retro Video Game Expo | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Triangle Town Center |
| Durham Pottery Tour | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Multiple Locations, Durham |
| Millbrook United Methodist Church Food Pantry | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Millbrook United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Visit Raleigh Fire Museum 2nd Saturday of month (for free) | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Fire Museum |
| Open Farm at Sunrise Community Farm Center | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $8.00 | Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill |
| Orange County Artists Guild 32nd Annual Open Studio Tour | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Fall Family Fun Day | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | City of Raleigh Museum |
| Synergy Creative Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Synergy Fitness For Her, Durham |
| Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway with Wake County Sheriff's Office and Mt. Moriah Community Church | 11:00 am | FREE | Mount Moriah Community Church, Raleigh |
| JCPenney Kids Zone: free crafts for kids | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | JCPenney, participating locations |
| 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 |
| Apex Underground Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Sweetwater Apex |
| Free Guided Tour of N.C. State Capitol (three start times: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.) | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| The Market at Raleigh Iron Works | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Iron Works |
| Mountains to Sea Showcase: Beer, Wine, and Cider Tasting | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, RTP |
| Fool's Faire 2026 Renaissance Festival | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Pluck Farm (Mebane) |
| Oaklyn Springs 4-Year Anniversary Party | 12:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Taproom, Fuquay-Varina |
| Second Saturday Plant Swap | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Durham Beer Garden |
| "The Comeback of Blue-Throated Macaws" talk | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| Carolina Gayniacs Hurricanes Hockey Watch Parties | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom |
| Repair Café in Hillsborough | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Whitted Building, Hillsborough |
| Hymns for Salted Bones: A Re-membering of Hayti Walking Tour (space is limited and registration is required) | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | 1201 Fayetteville Street, Durham |
| The Irish Session | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Lighting of the Tree at Lafayette Village | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Lafayette Village Raleigh |
| Sparkle Night at Parkside Town Commons in Cary: train rides, Santa, snow, more... | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Parkside Town Commons, Cary |
| Liberty Arts Iron Pour at Durham Central Park | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Live Music | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Live Music Saturdays | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Live Music: Stone Age Romeos | 6:00 pm | FREE | The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest |
| Saturday Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Live Music Saturdays | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| A Stand-Up Comedy Game Show | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner |
| Karaoke | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham |
| The Minutes, by Bulldog Ensemble Theater | 7:30 pm | FREE | Chapel Hill Public Library |
| Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse Concert | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham |
Sunday, November 15, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| World Market Golden Santa Scavenger Hunt -- find hidden Santa, win up to $100 reward | FREE | World Market, participating locations | |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Sunday Morning Yoga | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Retro Video Game Expo | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Triangle Town Center |
| Handmade Hanukkah Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Temple Beth Or, Raleigh |
| Big Trucks, Bright Future: Touch-a-Truck | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Chapel Hill High School |
| Durham Pottery Tour | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Multiple Locations, Durham |
| Chestnut Carnival | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | The Plant, Pittsboro |
| Veterans and Active-Duty Military get Free Tickets to Universoul Circus, while supplies last | 12:00 pm | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek |
| Hillsborough Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Gold Park, Hillsborough |
| Morgan Street Sessions | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh |
| Orange County Artists Guild 32nd Annual Open Studio Tour | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| MUM's Kitchen: Free Meal, Bingo and more | 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Millbrook United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| The Little Engine That Could (two start times) | 12:45 pm to 3:00 pm | $8.00 | Vault Theatre, Durham |
| Raleigh's Jewish History Trolley Tour (three start times) | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| Kanikapila Ukulele Meetup | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Open Play American Mahjong | 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Hops & Flower, Durham |
| Black Farmers' Market in Durham | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Durham Technical Community College, main campus |
| Panthers Watch Party | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Tap Yard, Raleigh |
| Free air hockey tournament | 1:00 pm | FREE | Super Rad Retro Lounge Arcade Bar, Raleigh |
| The Sound of Giving: Musical Variety Show Fundraiser (free, but donations collected) | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | The Woman’s Club of Raleigh |
| Paws and Pints Group Dog Walk | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham |
| Open Mic | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| Open Mic hosted by Adam Lee Decker | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Veterans and Active-Duty Military get Free Tickets to Universoul Circus, while supplies last | 3:00 pm | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek |
| Open Mic Night | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Veterans and Active-Duty Military get Free Tickets to Universoul Circus, while supplies last | 6:30 pm | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek |
| Free Concert at Binkley Baptist Church: Musical Icons for Cello and Piano | 7:00 pm | FREE | Binkley Baptist Church, Chapel Hill |
