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
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
| 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 Original Grand Slam Breakfast for rewards members | All Day | FREE | Denny’s, 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 |
| Zebulon Veterans Day Celebration | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Zebulon Town Hall |
| 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 |
| Drive-thru and walk-thru grocery distribution | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Durham Rescue Mission |
| Board Game Night | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Incredible Science | 1:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Window on Animal Health | 1:30 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| Market Bunch Kids' Activities | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Carrboro Farmers’ Market |
| Board Game Night | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh |
| Free Acro Yoga at Method Road Park (indoors) | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh |
| Bring Your Own Craft Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Method Road Park, Raleigh |
| Astronomy on Tap | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Hammered Trivia | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Stitch N' Bitch Craft Night | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| The Oak City Salsa Social -- Live Band Music and Dance Series | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Transfer Co. Food Hall, Raleigh |
| Karaoke Night at The Backyard Bar | 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | The Backyard Bar, Apex |
| Weekly Skee Ball Tournament | 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
| Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery | 8:00 pm to 11:45 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Open Mic Week | 8:00 pm | FREE | Abbey Road Cary |
| Beer Pong Tournament | 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
Thursday, November 6, 2025
| 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 Original Grand Slam Breakfast for rewards members | All Day | FREE | Denny’s, participating locations |
| Visions of Sugarplums 51st Annual Holiday Art & Gift Show | 9:00 am to 6:30 pm | FREE | Quail Hollow Swim Club |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Plein Air Drawing and Painting at Historic Oakwood Cemetery | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh |
| Free food giveaway with Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church, Zebulon |
| Siler City History Club | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Siler City Center for Active Living |
| Bilingual Storytime | 10:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| Incredible Science | 1:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Crafting at the Cinema: Watch Casablanca while crafting | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Garner Performing Arts Center |
| Open Mic (music and poetry) | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Level Up and Sip | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham |
| Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Karaoke with JV Jams | 7:00 pm | FREE | Red Moose Brewing Company, Pittsboro |
| 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, November 7, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belk's Charity Sale: buy a $5 ticket, apply it to your purchase and get additional 25% off | All Day | $5.00 | Belk, multiple locations |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Free Original Grand Slam Breakfast for rewards members | All Day | FREE | Denny’s, participating locations |
| Morrisville's Veterans Day Breakfast | 8:00 am to 9:30 am | FREE | Cedar Fork Community Center, Morrisville |
| First Friday Bird Walk | 8:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Lake Benson Park, Garner |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Visions of Sugarplums 51st Annual Holiday Art & Gift Show | 9:00 am to 6:30 pm | FREE | Quail Hollow Swim Club |
| Nature Tales for children at North Carolina Botanical Garden | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| 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 |
| Lunch for the Brave -- free lunch for veterans in Cary (registration required by Oct. 28) | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | |
| Incredible Science | 1:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Sensory-Friendly Hour at Artspace's First Friday | 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| First Friday Market & Movie Night: The Princess Diaries | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Fridays at Sweetwater Apex -- live music, vendor market, more... | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Sweetwater Apex |
| Apex Night Market | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | IONNA Rechargery, Apex |
| First Friday in Downtown Fuquay-Varina | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Fuquay-Varina |
| Urban Sketching at Downtown Cary Park | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Bike Night | 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Red Moose Brewing Company, Pittsboro |
| First Friday Under the Stars -- Skywatching Event | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Three Bears Acres, Creedmoor |
| TGIF: Family Game Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Durham Hotel |
| Downtown Cary Park Movie series: Big Hero 6 | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| First Friday at CoLab: Words | 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | CoLab, Raleigh |
| Teen Science Café at Daily Planet | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| First Friday Gallery Walk in Raleigh | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Artspace First Friday: Live painting, art-making, live music, more... | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Free Wine Tasting | 6:00 pm | FREE | Local 919, Raleigh |
| First Friday Bourbon and Blues Jam Session | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
| Annual Day of the Dead Celebration at City of Raleigh Museum | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | City of Raleigh Museum |
| Plant Bingo | 6:30 pm | $5.00 | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| Live Music: Forest Rising Band | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lonerider Brewing Company |
| Bounce and Brews DJ Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Friday Night Neon Lights Party -- 80s themed | 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
| 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, November 8, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Belk's Charity Sale: buy a $5 ticket, apply it to your purchase and get additional 25% off | All Day | $5.00 | Belk, multiple locations |
| Free Original Grand Slam Breakfast for rewards members | All Day | FREE | Denny’s, participating locations |
| Durham Craft Market | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Visions of Sugarplums 51st Annual Holiday Art & Gift Show | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Quail Hollow Swim Club |
| 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 |
| NC Collector's Roadshow | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair at Wakefield High School | 9:00 am to 4:30 pm | $6.00 | Wakefield High School |
| 41st Annual Raleigh Fall Train Show | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | $10.00 | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Explore Horton Grove Nature Preserve | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Horton Grove Nature Preserve |
| Fall Arts Fair at Fred Fletcher Park | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Bluegrass Jam at Bynum Front Porch | 10:00 am | FREE | Bynum Front Porch, Pittsboro |
| Family Fun Day at City of Raleigh Museum: Fall Fair! | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | City of Raleigh Museum |
| 9th Annual Autism Acceptance Day in Holly Springs | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Holly Springs Law Enforcement Center |
| Veterans Celebration at John Chavis Memorial Park | 11:00 am to 2:30 pm | FREE | John Chavis Memorial Park (Raleigh) |
| Waverly Place Pop-Up | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Waverly Place, Cary |
| 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 |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Thanksgiving: History & Legacy Tours | 11:00 am | $1.00-2.00 | Bennett Place State Historic Site |
| Story Time at the State Capitol (3 start times) | 11:30 am to 2:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Free tasting at Umbrella Dry Bar | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Self Care Marketplace, Raleigh |
| Get $15 in free groceries at Durham Co-op (learn how here!) | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Durham Co-Op Market |
| Swimsgiving in Smithfield: Donate food and go swimming! | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center |
| Fool's Faire -- Renaissance Festival | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Pluck Farm (Mebane) |
| Alley Cats & Ales | 12:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Magnificent Mums -- flower show | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Saturday Comedy Improv Jam Meetup | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Incredible Science | 2:00 pm | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh | |
| Incredible Science | 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Thanksgiving: History & Legacy Tours | 3:00 pm | $1.00-2.00 | Bennett Place State Historic Site |
| Live Music: Josh Rhyne & The Silvertones | 6:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| Free improv comedy: Funniest Person in the Triangle | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Lune Spark Holly Springs |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest |
| Live Music: Turtle Smash | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| The Games Show hosted by Brett Williams | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm | FREE | Old North State Food Hall, Selma |
| Live music: Tim Fast (donations welcome) | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham |
| Cold Brew Comedy Series | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.16 | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
Sunday, November 9, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Belk's Charity Sale: buy a $5 ticket, apply it to your purchase and get additional 25% off | All Day | $5.00 | Belk, multiple locations |
| Free Original Grand Slam Breakfast for rewards members | All Day | FREE | Denny’s, 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 |
| 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 |
| Magnificent Mums -- flower show | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds |
| NC Collector's Roadshow | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| 41st Annual Raleigh Fall Train Show | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $10.00 | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| The Woodland Critter Holiday Market with Haven Farm | 10:30 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Haven Farm, Knightdale |
| Raleigh Really Really Free Market | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Eliza Pool Park, Raleigh |
| Raleigh Underground Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Midtown Park, Raleigh |
| PORCH: Emergency food distribution in Chapel Hill | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | McDougle Middle School, Chapel Hill |
| Bazaar Craft & Art Market in Carrboro | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Carrboro Town Commons |
| Sunday NFL Football Watch Party | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Sunday Funday Market at The Plant | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | The Plant, Pittsboro |
| Triangle’s Train: New Hope Valley Railway offering free rides for military service members | 1:00 pm | FREE | New Hope Valley Railway |
| Black Farmers' Market | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Southeast Raleigh YMCA |
| Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Knightdale Veterans Day Tribute | 2:00 pm | FREE | Knightdale Station Park |
| Secret Cinema Sundays | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| African American Walking Tour in Raleigh's Third Ward | 2:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Pope House, Raleigh |
| Durham Community Concert Band Veterans Day Concert | 2:30 pm | FREE | Southern Village, Chapel Hill |
| Holy Trinity Concert Series: Corey Leak, tenor | 3:00 pm | FREE | Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Raleigh |
| Sunday Sound Bath | 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Kids' Movie Night Mania | 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Grove Park Chapel, Durham |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Bach Cantata Series: Bach & Vivaldi | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Duke University Chapel |
| Comedy Open Mic Food Drive (admission is 2 non-perishable food items) | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | The Comedy Dojo and Event Space, Durham | |
| 250th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration | 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary |
| Sunday Open Mic at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
