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, October 18, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State Fair | All Day | $5.00-13.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| African American Walking Tour in Raleigh's Third Ward (3 times) | All Day | $5.00-10.00 | Pope House, Raleigh |
| Día de los Muertos Ofrenda | FREE | Duke University Chapel | |
| Shred Day in Apex | 8:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Town of Apex Public Works & Transportation |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Durham Craft Market | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Halloween Boo Bash in Downtown Wake Forest | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Wake Forest |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids Workshop: Play Firehouse | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Wag-O-Ween: Halloween event for dogs | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina |
| Edgar Allan Poedown with Carolina Roller Derby | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | $5.00-15.00 | Wheels Fun Park, Durham |
| Free fall festival at Parkside Town Commons, with pumpkin patch, trackless train, more... | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Parkside Town Commons, Cary |
| Family Saturday Series: Big Bang Boom | 11:00 am | $5.00 | 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 |
| Fenton Makers Market | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Fenton, Cary |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Pumpkin Painting on the Porch | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
| Harvest Fest at Good Hope Farm in Cary | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Good Hope Farm, Cary |
| Smithfield Oktoberfest | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Historic Downtown Smithfield |
| Festifall Arts Market: Carolina Day | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | 140 West Franklin Street Plaza, Chapel Hill |
| Won Buddhist Temple Open House in Chapel Hill: drumming, tea ceremony, kids' activities, more | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Won Buddhist Temple, Chapel Hill |
| Nasher Museum of Art's 20th Anniversary Celebration: performances, workshops, more | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| Raleigh's International Wine & Beer Festival | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | City Plaza, Raleigh |
| Oktrophyfest | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Trophy on Maywood |
| Durham Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham |
| NatureFest -- for families | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Halloween Spooktacular in Hillsborough | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Orange County Central Recreation Center, Hillsborough |
| 4th Annual Pawsitively Spooky Pet Fest | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | SportHQ, Cary |
| Lafayette Village Hosting Rock & Brew Music Festival | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Lafayette Village Raleigh |
| Live Music: Dave Hawkins | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Live Music: Peak City Band | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Witches on the Water: Costumed kayak, SUP and canoe rides | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $5.00-15.00 | Lake Wheeler Park, Raleigh |
| Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun Art Market | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, RTP |
| 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 | |
| Track 'n' Treat Halloween Train Ride (5 start times) | 2:16 pm to 8:45 pm | $18.61 | New Hope Valley Railway |
| Morrisville Boo Bash | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Morrisville Community Park |
| Alley-Ween: Small business market, trick or treating and more... | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | The Fall Line, Zebulon |
| Irish Music Jam | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Saturday Vintage + Maker Market | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Incredible Science | 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| 37th Annual Hallow-Eno: celebrate Halloween at West Point on the Eno | 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham |
| Apex Geek & Grub Market — Halloween Edition | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Optimist Club Farm, Apex |
| Bull City BOOs Fest | 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $5.00-23.18 | Durham Central Park |
| Pup-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $5.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham |
| Diwali Mela at Brier Creek, including fireworks show | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Brier Creek Commons |
| Live Music: Jake Potter | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest |
| 19th Annual Raleigh Zombie Walk | 6:30 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Spirits of Wake Forest: ghost walks in Downtown Wake Forest (multiple start times) | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | $20.00 | Wake Forest Town Hall |
| Live Music: Peyton Garrett | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| Live Music: Police and Thieves | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary |
| Karaoke Party | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Raleigh Concert Band's Fall Concert -- Portraits: A Gallery of Music | 7:00 pm | FREE | Garner Performing Arts Center |
| Haunted Trolley at Mordecai Park (3 tours) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00 | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| CaryLive! Concert Series: Tae and the Neighborly | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Live music: Todd Parrott Col(donations welcome) | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham |
Sunday, October 19, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State Fair | All Day | $5.00-13.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Día de los Muertos Ofrenda | FREE | Duke University Chapel | |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Raleigh Foodie Fare | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Hillsborough Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Gold Park, Hillsborough |
| Hidden Block Party: Halloween Edition | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gateway Plaza, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| Harvest Festival at Duke Gardens | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Sarah P. Duke Gardens |
| Kanikapila: FREE Ukulele Lessons | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Black Farmers' Market | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Durham Technical Community College, main campus |
| Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Hillsborough Street, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Live Irish Music | 4:00 pm | FREE | Red Moose Brewing Company, Pittsboro |
| Jazz'd Up Sundays: The Noel Freidline Quartet and Maria Howell | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Sunday Open Mic at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
Monday, October 20, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State Fair | All Day | $5.00-13.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Día de los Muertos Ofrenda | FREE | Duke University Chapel | |
| 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 |
| Monday Night NFL Football Watch Party | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Halloween Yappy Hour with Chatham Animal Rescue | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $10.00 | Carolina Brewery Pittsboro |
| Durham Beer Garden: 75¢ wings (dine-in only) | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $0.75 | Durham Beer Garden |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| Cornhole Tournament at Raleigh Brewing | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Cosmic Chuckles: Weekly Comedy Show | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Flying Saucer Raleigh |
| Adult Coloring Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Game Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Carrboro Open Mic at Speakeasy | 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizen Day at NC State Fair (ages 65+ get in for free) | All Day | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds |
| North Carolina State Fair | All Day | $5.00-13.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Día de los Muertos Ofrenda | FREE | Duke University Chapel | |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| North Hills Kids: Bubbles & Books | 9:30 am to 11:30 am | FREE | The Commons at North Hills, Raleigh |
| Campfire Storytime | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Blooming Daisy Homestead, Spring Hope |
| 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 |
| Book Club: The Hunting Party | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Pints & Pups | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Ponysaurus, Durham |
| 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 |
| Artful Evenings: Live Art on Tuesdays at JB Duke Hotel | 6:00 pm | FREE | JB Duke Hotel, Durham |
| Beer & Banjos in Raleigh | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, Raleigh |
| Beginner/Improver Line Dancing Classes | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00 | Mystic Farm and Distillery, Durham |
| Crafts & Drafts | 6:30 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Mystery Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Ment Beverage Co., Durham |
| Music Bingo | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Beer & Banjos Carrboro | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
| Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | Yonder: Southern Cocktails & Brew (Hillsborough) |
| Weekly Swing Dancing and Lesson at Back Studio Stomp in Durham (pay what you can) | 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | Back Studio Stomp, Durham | |
| International Jazz Open Jam: Gaston Reggio Group | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Neptune’s Parlour, Raleigh |
| Terror Tuesdays: Halloween Movie Nights | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Ponysaurus, 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, October 22, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State Fair | All Day | $5.00-13.00 | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Día de los Muertos Ofrenda | FREE | Duke University Chapel | |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, 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 |
| Storytime in the Pumpkin Patch | 10:30 am | FREE | Highland United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| "Pay What You Can" Farm Stand at Raleigh City Farm | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh City Farm |
| Board Game Night | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh |
| Wine + Weed (learn about plants and farming) | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh City Farm |
| Improv Theatre | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Fair Game Beverage Co., Pittsboro |
| Wine Down Wednesday -- live music, plus wine specials | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | La Vita Dolce at Southern Village |
| Bring Your Own Craft Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Ballroom Dancing with Live Music | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $8.00 | Pullen Community Center |
| Monthly Pinball Tournament | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
| Hammered Trivia | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Open Mic with Adam Lee Decker | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Growler Grlz, Durham |
| Stitch N' Bitch Craft Night | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| 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 |
