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
Saturday, November 30, 2024
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Hewitt Pottery (Pittsboro) |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Hulu deal: 99¢/month for a year | All Day | $1.99 | Virtual |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Amazon's Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale | All Day | Virtual | |
| Black Friday Sale:Max for $2.99/month for 6 months | All Day | $2.99 | Virtual |
| Shop Small Saturday: Lakewood Passport Event | All Day | Lakewood Shopping Center, Durham | |
| Pecan Pickin' Month at Historic Oak View County Park | 8:30 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Historic Oak View County Park |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Home Depot Kids' Workshop: Cocoa Ornament | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Durham Craft Market Small Saturday | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| The Raleigh Market | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Market (at N.C. State Fairgrounds) |
| Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market | 9:00 am to 6:00 pm | $0-10.00 | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds |
| Christmas Festival in Smithfield Day 1 | 9:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Historic Downtown Smithfield |
| Santa's Workshop in Smithfield -- free pictures with Santa | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield |
| Pet-a-Cow at Brajboro Cow Sanctuary in Chapel Hill | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Bynum Front Porch Holiday Bazaar | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Bynum Front Porch, Pittsboro |
| Open Farm Visit to Sunrise Community Farm | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $8.00 | Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill |
| Free movie: Polar Express | 10:00 am | FREE | Howell Theatre, Smithfield |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Small Business Saturday Vendor Market | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary |
| College Game Day Watch Party | 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Red Moose Brewing Company, Pittsboro |
| Christmas Campfire with Santa | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | Planet Peace Affiliates, Raleigh |
| Raleigh City of Oaks Walking Tour (pay what you want) | 2:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Convention Center |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| No Shave November Mustache and Beard Contest | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
| A Small Town Family Holiday in Hillsborough: tree lighting, Santa visit, more... | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Hillsborough Visitors Center |
| Live Music: Ashley Virginia | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Pluck Farm (Mebane) |
| Hill Ridge Farms' Festival of Lights (hayride, train ride, Christmas lights, farm activities) | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $19.95 | Hill Ridge Farms, Youngsville |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Franklinton Tree Lighting and Christmas Market | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Franklinton |
| Christmas Plugged -- Synchronized Light Show | 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Durham |
| Santa at Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $5.00 | 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 |
| Christmas Lights on the Farm | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $12.00 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex |
| Karaoke Night with Top Shelf Trivia | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00-26.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Live Music: Ari Pappalardo | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest |
| 8th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting | 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery |
| Live Music | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Growler Grlz, Durham |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Geek and Grub Game Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Beer Company |
| Live Music: Cross Tie Band | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| Holiday Music on the Roof: Bell Durham | 7:30 pm | FREE | The Durham Hotel |
| Karoake Night | 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh |
Sunday, December 1, 2024
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Hewitt Pottery (Pittsboro) |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Hulu deal: 99¢/month for a year | All Day | $1.99 | Virtual |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Amazon's Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale | All Day | Virtual | |
| Shake Shack: Get a free Chicken Shack on Sundays with $10 purchase | All Day | Shake Shack, participating locations | |
| Black Friday Sale:Max for $2.99/month for 6 months | All Day | $2.99 | Virtual |
| The Raleigh Market | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Market (at N.C. State Fairgrounds) |
| Sunday Yoga | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | $0-10.00 | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds |
| NC Air Hockey Tournament | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Triangle Vegfest Raleigh -- Holiday Market and Fundraiser for WNC | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Free Ice Skating at Downtown Cary Park | 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Rolesville Christmas Parade | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Main Street, Rolesville |
| TeenSpace at Dix Park: Media Swap Picnic | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Stone Houses at Dix Park, Raleigh |
| Durham City of Medicine Walking Tour (pay what you want) | 2:00 pm | FREE | Major the Bull |
| Open-Mic Night | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Open Mic | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| Beer, Bacon, and Bluegrass | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| Live Music: SaxLovesMoney | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Live Music: Julia Golden | 4:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Taproom, Fuquay-Varina |
| Hill Ridge Farms' Festival of Lights (hayride, train ride, Christmas lights, farm activities) | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $19.95 | Hill Ridge Farms, Youngsville |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Christmas Plugged -- Synchronized Light Show | 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Durham |
| Music Bingo at D's Bottle Shop | 5:00 pm | FREE | D’s Bottle Shop and Craft Beer College |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| Santa at Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $5.00 | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Christmas Lights on the Farm | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $12.00 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00-26.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
Monday, December 2, 2024
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Hulu deal: 99¢/month for a year | All Day | $1.99 | Virtual |
| Discount Monday at Fenton Skate the Square -- get $3 off (check for times) | All Day | $15.00 | Fenton, Cary |
| Sonic Drive-In: Half price shakes | All Day | Discounted | Sonic Drive-In (multiple locations) |
| Amazon's Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale | All Day | Virtual | |
| Black Friday Sale:Max for $2.99/month for 6 months | All Day | $2.99 | Virtual |
| Military Monday: Save 10% Every Monday | 7:00 am to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Old North State Food Hall, Selma |
| Christmas Venezuelan Market (including Santa visit!) | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Free Ice Skating at Downtown Cary Park | 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Sip & Spin Mondays | 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Christmas Plugged -- Synchronized Light Show | 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Durham |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Euchre | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | bmc brewing, Pittsboro |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00-26.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Holiday Tree Lighting at JB Duke Hotel | 6:00 pm | FREE | JB Duke Hotel, Durham |
| Mondays Are For the Dogs | 6:30 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Monthly Mingle Singles Event | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Sanford Christmas Parade | 7:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Sanford |
| Karaoke on the roof at Raleigh Beer Garden | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Beer Garden |
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Movie tickets at Alamo Drafthouse: $7 | All Day | Discounted | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema |
| Walgreens Senior Day: 20% off for rewards members age 55+ | All Day | Walgreens (multiple locations) | |
| Topgolf: Half-price bays on Tuesdays | All Day | $15.00-30.00 | Topgolf Durham |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Toddler Tuesday at Downtown Cary Park Ice Skating Rink (kids 6 and under) | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Hello, Winter! A Winter themed art session for little ones (ages 3-5) | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Gregg Museum, Raleigh |
| Free Yoga at Frontier RTP | 12:00 pm | FREE | The Frontier, RTP |
| Storytime and Pet Therapy with Kyn the Cockatiel (plus free cake) | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Book Harvest, Durham |
| Sensory Friendly Ice Skating at Downtown Cary Park | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Family Game Night | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Christmas Plugged -- Synchronized Light Show | 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Durham |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Durham Chess Enthusiasts | 5:30 pm | FREE | Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps, Durham |
| Carolina Science Café | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Haw River Tap & Table, Carrboro |
| Santa at Ruckus Pizza Cary - Tryon Village (no cost, just pay for food) | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Ruckus Pizza, Cary Tryon Village |
| Southern Peak Book Club: The Favorite Girl by Monica Arya | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery |
| Taco Tuesday Bike Ride | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00-26.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Stitch & Sip at Ment Beverage Co. | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Ment Beverage Co., Durham |
| Adult Coloring Night | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham |
| Tartar Sauce: Working Artist Drop-In | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner |
| Selma Tree Lighting | 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Selma |
| Bond Brothers Run Club | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Beer Company |
| Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club | 6:00 pm | FREE | Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, Durham |
| Winter Wreath Making (registration required) | 6:00 pm | FREE | The Chapel at Dix Park |
| Beer & Banjos in Raleigh | 6:30 pm | FREE | Transfer Co. Food Hall, Raleigh |
| Bingo Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| King Trivia Tuesdays | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
| Ruckus Open Mic with Brian Jones | 7:00 pm | FREE | Ruckus Pizza — Mission Valley Raleigh |
| Selma Christmas Parade | 7:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Selma |
| In a Nutshell: A Live Band Improv Jam | 8:30 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Neptune’s Parlour, Raleigh |
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Free Fitness Demo Class: Barre | 8:30 am to 9:30 am | FREE | Abbotts Creek Community Center, Raleigh |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Free Fitness Demo Class: WARRIOR Rhythm ROOTS | 9:45 am to 10:45 am | FREE | Abbotts Creek Community Center, Raleigh |
| Wilson Ukulele Band meetup -- all are welcome | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Wilson County Senior Activities Center |
| Grand Menorah Lighting in The Pit at UNC | 11:45 am | FREE | The Pit UNC |
| Sounds of Christmas Concert | 12:00 pm | FREE | First United Methodist Church, Cary |
| Free Ice Skating at Downtown Cary Park | 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Christmas at Oak View --reservations required | 2:00 pm | FREE | Historic Oak View County Park |
| Free wine tasting at Bailey's Fine Jewelry, Fenton | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Fenton (Cary) |
| Hill Ridge Farms' Festival of Lights (hayride, train ride, Christmas lights, farm activities) | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $19.95 | Hill Ridge Farms, Youngsville |
| Contentnea Fire Department's Christmas Light Display | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson |
| Christmas Plugged -- Synchronized Light Show | 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Durham |
| Game Night at Boxyard RTP | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Boxyard RTP |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell |
| Free Acro Yoga at Method Park | 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Method Road Park |
| RBC Cary/Arb Umstead Gravel Bike Ride | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Arboretum, Cary |
| Poker Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.00-26.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Silent Book Club | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Christmas Tree Lighting at Neuse Country Club | 6:00 pm | FREE | The Neuse Country Club, Clayton |
| Plant Pals: Living Ornaments (registration required) | 6:00 pm | FREE | The Chapel at Dix Park |
| Beer & Banjos Carrboro | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | 401 Main, Carrboro |
| Live Jazz with Grewen & Griffanzo | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Imbibe, Chapel Hill |
| Cornhole Tournament | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| 20th Annual American Tobacco Tower Lighting | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | American Tobacco Campus |
| Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Method Road Park |
| Trivia at the Airstream at Raleigh Beer Garden | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Beer Garden |
| Ballroom Dancing with Live Music | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $8.00 | Pullen Community Center |
| Durham-Chapel Hill International Folk Dancers Weekly Dance | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Carol Woods Retirement Community Fitness Center, Chapel Hill |
| Stitch 'N Bitch | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| Singer/Songwriter Open Mic | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Comedy on Tap Open-Mic | 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Tap Yard, Raleigh |
