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, January 3, 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 |
| Durham Craft Market | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| Home Depot Kids' Workshop: Tow Truck | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Emancipation Day Trolley Tour (2 start times) | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | $6.00-15.00 | Pope House, Raleigh |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Carrboro Really Really Free Market | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Carrboro Town Commons |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Irish Music Jam | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm | FREE | Old North State Food Hall, Selma |
Sunday, January 4, 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 |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Kanikapila: FREE Ukulele Lessons | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Sunday Chill Open Mic | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| 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 |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Sunday Open Mic at Moon Dog Meadery | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
Monday, January 5, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham County Main Library |
| Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Cosmic Chuckles: Weekly Comedy Show | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Flying Saucer Raleigh |
| Monthly Puzzle Challenge | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, 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 and Arcade, Raleigh |
| Carrboro Open Mic at Speakeasy | 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro |
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreens Senior Day: 20% off for rewards members age 55+ | All Day | Walgreens (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 |
| Tequila Tuesday | 11:00 am to 8:00 pm | Discounted | bmc brewing, Pittsboro |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| BEERthoven: Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle with guest artists (pay what you can) | 7:30 pm | Atomic Clock Brewing Co., 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, January 7, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board Game Night | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Window on Animal Health | 1:30 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| Free Acro Yoga at Method Road Park (indoors) | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| First Friday Bourbon and Blues Jam Session | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
| Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Method Road Park, 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 |
