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
Sunday, December 14, 2025
| 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 |
| Cary's Gingerbread House Competition | All Day | FREE | Downtown Cary |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, The Streets at Southpoint |
| Hike with a Naturalist | 9:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Historic Yates Mill County Park |
| Santa Express at New Hope Valley Railway (several start times each day) | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm | $18.61 | New Hope Valley Railway |
| Moore Square Winterfaire | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Durham Craft Market -- Holiday Market | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Santa at Garner Tractor Supply Market | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Garner Tractor Supply |
| Winterfest at Capital Marketplace Dec. 14 -- free hot chocolate and desserts, Santa meet and greet, and more... | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Capital Marketplace, Raleigh |
| Christmas Cantata | 10:30 am | FREE | Ephesus Baptist Church, Raleigh |
| ArtsCenter's Elf Market | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | University Place, Chapel Hill |
| Lessons and Carols | 11:00 am | FREE | Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Durham |
| 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 |
| The Annual Black Market Holiday Extravaganza Dec. 14 | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Doubletree by Hilton Raleigh Midtown |
| Durham Geek & Grub Market — Holiday Nightmare Edition | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham Armory |
| 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 |
| 32nd Annual Chatham Artists Guild Open Studio Tour | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Free cookies and cider at Museum of Durham History | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Durham History |
| 9th Annual Chocolatada de Luisito -- Luisito’s Chocolatada -- for Three Kings Day | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | City of Raleigh Museum |
| Mordecai Holidays Open House | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| Holiday Open House at West Point on the Eno | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham |
| Live Music: Sun Daze with Josh Rhyne | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Hanukah Festival with Jewish for Good | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Jewish For Good, Durham |
| Paws with Claus: Photos of your dog with Santa at Downtown Cary Park | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Clothing Swap | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | DSSOLVR Durham |
| Pets get free picture with Santa at PetSmart (reservations required) | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | PetSmart (multiple locations) |
| Weihnachtsmarkt: German Holiday Market | 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps, Durham |
| African American Walking Tour in Raleigh's Third Ward | 2:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Pope House, Raleigh |
| Chanukah Parade (arriving at Lafayette Village) | 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Pittsboro Christmas Parade | 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Pittsboro |
| Live Music: Tom Neuhauser | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Santa's Workshop in Smithfield | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield |
| Christmas Cocoa & Classics | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
| Town of Zebulon Christmas Parade | 3:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Zebulon |
| Craft Club & Supply Swap | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom |
| Sunday Chill Open Mic | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| Chanukah Celebration at Lafayette Village, with cirque performance, gelt drop and more | 3:45 pm | FREE | Lafayette Village Raleigh |
| Jazz on the Greene -- free concert | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | John P “Top” Greene Park |
| Apex Chanukah Festival Dec 29: Gelt drop, fire show, free donuts, more... | 4:00 pm | FREE | Apex Senior Center |
| Live Music: | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Santa's Trolley at Mordecai Historic Park (3 start times) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $15.00 | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| Phillips Farms of Cary's Walk-Through Christmas Light Show | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Phillips Farms of Cary |
| 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 |
| Christmas Lights on the Farm | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex |
| Triangle Jewish Chorale Presents "Season of Light" | 7:00 pm | FREE | Beth Meyer Synagogue, Raleigh |
| Sunday Open Mic at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
Monday, December 15, 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 |
| Cheapskate Day at Skate the Square at Fenton: $3 off (check website for hours) | All Day | Discounted | Fenton, Cary |
| 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 |
| Drop-in Puzzling & Puzzle Swap | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Monday Night NFL Football Watch Party | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Children's Bingo | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration at Crabtree Valley Mall | 4:30 pm | FREE | Crabtree Valley Mall |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Durham Beer Garden: 75¢ wings (dine-in only) | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $0.75 | Durham Beer Garden |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| 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 |
| Holiday Music with United Strings of Color | 6:00 pm | FREE | The Durham Hotel |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| Live Drive-Through Nativity | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Soapstone United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| Air Hockey Tournament | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
| Carrboro Open Mic at Speakeasy | 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
Tuesday, December 16, 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 |
| Blades and Badges Day at Skate Fenton: first responders and military get $3 off (check website for hours) | All Day | Discounted | Fenton, Cary |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| 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 |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Downtown Raleigh Public Menorah Lighting | 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Menorah Lighting Celebration at Downtown Cary Park | 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Live Nativity, with live music, live animals, and refreshments | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Saint Francis United Methodist Church, Cary |
| 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 |
| Book Club: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Pints & Pups | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Ponysaurus, Durham |
| 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 |
| Paradox Opera's Classical Open Mic | 6:30 pm | FREE | Huron Stage Music Venue, Durham |
| Live Drive-Through Nativity | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Soapstone United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| Beer & Banjos in Raleigh | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Tricycle Trivia | 7:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham |
| Holiday Harmonies -- A Carolina Harmony Chorus Holiday Show | 7:30 pm | FREE | St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh |
| International Jazz Open Jam: Imraan Khan Trio | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Neptune’s Parlour, Raleigh |
| 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 17, 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 |
| 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 |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Board Game Night | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| 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 |
| Board Game Night | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Menorah Lighting at Fenton | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Fenton, Cary |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Live Nativity, with live music, live animals, and refreshments | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Saint Francis United Methodist Church, Cary |
| Free Acro Yoga at Method Road Park (indoors) | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, 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 |
| 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 |
| Open Mic | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fair Game Beverage Co., Pittsboro |
| Bring Your Own Craft Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Holiday Music with Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | The Durham Hotel |
| Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Method Road Park, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| 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, December 18, 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 |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Free food giveaway with Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Central Carolina Community Campus — Center for Workforce Innovation, Sanford |
| 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 |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Chanukah Celebration at 1870 Farm | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $13.00 | 1870 Farm, Chapel Hill |
| Bricks & Brews | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Phillips Farms of Cary's Walk-Through Christmas Light Show | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00 | Phillips Farms of Cary |
| Menorah lit each night of Hanukkah at Cary Arts Center | 5:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Get free technology help with a Raleigh Digital Ambassador | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Marsh Creek Community Center, 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 |
| Live Music: Sterling Scott | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Lights on the Neuse -- take hayride to see Christmas lights | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $11.00 | Boyette Family Farms, Clayton |
| Irish Music at the Plant | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Fair Game Beverage Co., Pittsboro |
| 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 |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell |
| Five Points Christmas Concert at Emmanuel Baptist Church | 6:30 pm | FREE | Emmanuel Baptist Church, Raleigh |
| Free Santa Selfies | 6:30 pm | FREE | West 94th Street Pub, Durham |
| Bell Durham Concert at First Cary United Methodist Church | 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | First United Methodist Church, Cary |
| 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 |
| 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 |
