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
Monday, December 29, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Cheapskate Day at Skate the Square at Fenton: $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 |
| Town of Cary's Annual Kwanzaa Celebration | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Monday Night NFL Football Watch Party | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 30, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 31, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baskin Robbins: 31% off scoops | All Day | Discounted | Baskin-Robbins, multiple locations |
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| 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 |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| 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 |
| New Year's Eve: Party Like it's 2015 | 6:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| 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 |
| Stitch N' Bitch Craft Night | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro |
| 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, January 1, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| Kwanzaa Fest with the African American Dance Ensemble | 11:00 am | FREE | Durham Armory |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| Piper Lights in Wake Forest | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Piper Lights, Wake Forest |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Raleigh Uke Jam | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Church of the Nativity, Raleigh |
Friday, January 2, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The RINK: Outdoor skating at Red Hat Amphitheater (click for times) | All Day | $6.00-15.00 | Red Hat Amphitheater |
| 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 |
| Sensory-Friendly Hour at Artspace's First Friday | 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown 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 |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Live Music: Thomas Rucker | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Karaoke Bingo Nights | 9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
