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
Friday, October 9, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Tasting at Ten -- free coffee tasting at Counter Culture Coffee | 10:00 am | FREE | Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center, Durham |
| Scented Storytime | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | North Regional Library, Durham |
| The Witch's Haunted Barn (No actor version) | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $13.00 | Firefly Farm, Hillsborough |
| Reflections: Virtual Tour | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| FlushFest -- Hillsborough's Homemade Music Festival (admission by donation) | 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Eno River Brewing, Hillsborough |
| Free Wine Tastings | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Bottle Theory, Apex |
| Fridays on the Front Porch | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill |
| For Friday's Sake -- live music and food truck | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | For Garden’s Sake, Durham |
| Ackland Art Museum: Extended hours during 2nd Friday ArtWalk | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill |
| Sip, Savor, and Sample: Uroz Wines and MawMaw's Chicken Pies | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop |
| Salsa at the Park with live music by Orquesta K'che | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Knightdale Station Park |
| Wilson Jazz Festival (Events this day are free) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Various locations in Wilson, NC |
| Friday Family Flicks in Garner -- Toy Story 5 | 6:00 pm | FREE | Garner Recreation Center |
| 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 |
| Pop Up Music at North Hills | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Commons at North Hills, Raleigh |
| Front Porch Friday at Haven Farm | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Haven Farm, Knightdale |
| Dance with Raleigh International Folk Dancers | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Glen Eden Pilot Park, Raleigh |
| Holly Springs Haunted Trail | 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm | $10.00 | Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park |
| Deadford Manor -- animatronic singing skeleton show in a Raleigh front yard | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Deadford Manor, Raleigh |
| Family Feud: House Party Edition | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham |
| Stand-up Comedy Open Mic | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Pub Karaoke | 10:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | West 94th Street Pub, Durham |
Saturday, October 10, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Taste of Greece | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church |
| Kids in Nature Day | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Lake Benson Park, Garner |
| 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 |
| Raleigh Little Theatre Costume Sale | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Little Theatre |
| Hum Sub Diwali (free admission, $10 parking) | 9:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids' Workshop: Firefighting Plane | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Millbrook United Methodist Church Food Pantry | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Millbrook United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| Apex Oktoberfest | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Apex Town Hall |
| Wilson Jazz Festival (Main stage is ticketed and the rest is free) | 11:00 am to 11:30 pm | Various locations in Wilson, NC | |
| 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 |
| The Witch's Haunted Barn | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | $13.00 | Firefly Farm, Hillsborough |
| Blessing of the Animals at Trinity Episcopal Church, including food trucks, music, face painting, more... | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Trinity Episcopal Church, Fuquay-Varina |
| Smithfield Oktoberfest | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Historic Downtown Smithfield |
| FlushFest -- Hillsborough's Homemade Music Festival (admission by donation) | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Eno River Brewing, Hillsborough |
| Second Saturday Plant Swap | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Durham Beer Garden |
| PoeFest Community Festival -- free dental screenings, bike giveaway, more... | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Poe Center for Health Education |
| Triangle Barkitecture -- pet architecture and design competition | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Free pumpkin painting (with purchase of pumpkin) | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | For Garden’s Sake, Durham | |
| Live Music: Loon & Crow | 2:00 pm | FREE | Slims, Raleigh |
| The Irish Session | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Track 'n' Treat Halloween Train Ride (5 start times) | 2:15 pm to 8:45 pm | $18.61 | New Hope Valley Railway |
| Free Beer Tasting with Trophy Brewing | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop |
| Glow Market | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh |
| 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 | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Carolina Brewery Pittsboro |
| Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Deadford Manor -- animatronic singing skeleton show in a Raleigh front yard | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Deadford Manor, Raleigh |
| A Stand-Up Comedy Game Show | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner |
| Live Music Saturdays | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| Karaoke | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham |
| Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse Concert | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham |
| Open Mic/Karaoke Night | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
Sunday, October 11, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Taste of Greece | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| 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 |
| Farmers Market | 11:00 am | FREE | Oak City Brewing Company, Knightdale |
| Raleigh Really Really Free Market | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Eliza Pool Park, Raleigh |
| Sunday Brunch Music on the lawn of Weaver Street Market in Carrboro | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Weaver Street Market Carrboro |
| Raleigh Underground Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Midtown Park, Raleigh |
| Bull City Treasure Hunt | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham Bottling Company |
| Morgan Street Sessions | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh |
| Bazaar Craft & Art Market in Carrboro | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Carrboro Town Commons |
| FlushFest -- Hillsborough's Homemade Music Festival, including silent film (admission by donation) | 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Eno House, Hillsborough |
| Second Sundays: Open Studio | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| Open Play American Mahjong | 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Hops & Flower, Durham |
| Black Farmers' Market in Raleigh | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Southeast Raleigh YMCA |
| Free pumpkin painting (with purchase of pumpkin) | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | For Garden’s Sake, Durham | |
| Free air hockey tournament | 1:00 pm | FREE | Super Rad Retro Lounge Arcade Bar, Raleigh |
| Hillsborough Classic Film Society: Singing in the Rain | 2:00 pm | FREE | Jerry M. Passmore Senior Center, Hillsborough |
| Open Mic | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| 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 |
| Deadford Manor -- animatronic singing skeleton show in a Raleigh front yard | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Deadford Manor, Raleigh |
Monday, October 12, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-pack for $12 | All Day | Discounted | Carolina Brewery Pittsboro |
| 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 |
| Coloring Vinyl Night | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Eudora Welty’s Words and World — Talk & Reception | 5:00 pm | FREE | Love House and Hutchins Forum |
| Free Zumba with Crunch Fitness | 5:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh |
| Silent Reading Club | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom |
| Democracy Unfiltered: A Voter Education Series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Board Game Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Bottle Theory, Apex |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| Early Karaoke | 6:00 pm | FREE | The Northside District |
| Smut Book Club | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Cosmic Chuckles: Weekly Comedy Show | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Flying Saucer Raleigh |
| Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Carrboro Open Mic | 7:30 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
| Air Hockey Tournament | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh |
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lumina Theater in Southern Village: All Tuesday tickets are $6.25 | All Day | $6.25 | The Lumina Theater, Chapel Hill |
| Tuesday Toss: Roll the dice to decide your $5 draft fate | All Day | Discounted | Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps, Durham |
| 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 11:00 am | FREE | The Commons at North Hills, Raleigh |
| Computer Refresher for Mature Adults -- free course (registration is required and space is limited) | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | FREE | W.D. Hill Recreation Center, Durham |
| Reflections: Public Tour | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| Durham Chess Enthusiasts | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps, Durham |
| Free line dancing class | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | The Snow Approach, Hillsborough |
| Run, Sweat, Beers RUN CLUB | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Growler Grlz, Durham |
| Adult Coloring Night | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham |
| Poker Night | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Bond Brothers Run Club | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Beer Company |
| Artist in Residence Series at JB Duke Hotel: Live artmaking | 6:00 pm | FREE | JB Duke Hotel, Durham |
| Chess Club | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell |
| Craft and Draft Tuesdays | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Beer & Banjos in Raleigh | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, Raleigh |
| Beginner Square Dance Lessons | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | St. James United Methodist Church, Raleigh |
| Bounce and Brews DJ Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Jeopardy! Bar League Trivia | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Edit Beer Co., Raleigh |
| Beer & Banjos Carrboro | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
| BEERthoven: Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle with guest artists (optional donation) | 7:30 pm | Atomic Clock Brewing Co., Durham | |
| Karaoke Night | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham |
