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
Thursday, December 11, 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 |
| Cary's Gingerbread House Competition | All Day | FREE | Downtown Cary |
| Veteran's Coffee and Connection | 8:00 am to 9:30 am | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) | |
| Holiday Open House at Capitol | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Stroll Through History: Free Cemetery Tours at Historic Oakwood Cemetery | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh |
| Incredible Science | 1:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Parktown Food Hub Open Distribution Day | 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm | FREE | Parktown Food Hub, Durham |
| Moore Square Winterfaire | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Durham Night Market | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | American Tobacco Campus |
| State Tree Lighting | 5:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Open Mic (music and poetry) | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Friday, December 12, 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 |
| Cary's Gingerbread House Competition | All Day | FREE | Downtown Cary |
| Nature Tales for children at North Carolina Botanical Garden | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Holiday Open House at Capitol | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Incredible Science | 1:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Reflections: Virtual Tour | 2:00 pm | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham |
| Santa's Trolley at Mordecai Historic Park (3 start times) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $15.00 | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| 18th Annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Fridays at Sweetwater Apex -- live music, vendor market, more... | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Sweetwater Apex |
| Moore Square Winterfaire | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Bike Night | 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Red Moose Brewing Company, Pittsboro |
| Christmas by Candlelight | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $8.00 | Duke Homestead |
| 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill and Carrboro | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Free Wine Tasting | 6:00 pm | FREE | Local 919, Raleigh |
| Chime In Open Mic (poetry, storytelling songwriting) | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
| 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 |
| Comedy Open Mic | 7:00 pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham |
| Cary Town Band Concert: Winterfest '25 | 7:30 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| Karaoke with Harryoke | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| 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 |
| A Good Time: Stand-Up Comedy Showcase | 8:00 pm | FREE | Vault Craft Beer, Raleigh |
| Karaoke Bingo Nights | 9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
Saturday, December 13, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, The Streets at Southpoint |
| 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 |
| African American Walking Tour in Raleigh's Third Ward (3 times) | All Day | $5.00-10.00 | Pope House, Raleigh |
| Durham Craft Market | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central 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 |
| Holiday Open House at Capitol | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Mordecai Holidays Open House | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| 18th Annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| 32nd Annual Chatham Artists Guild Open Studio Tour | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Bluegrass Jam at Bynum Front Porch | 10:00 am | FREE | Bynum Front Porch, Pittsboro |
| Sip n' Shop Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| Waverly Place Pop-Up | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Waverly Place, Cary |
| Moore Square Winterfaire | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Clayton Christmas Parade | 11:00 am | FREE | 101 W. Main Street, Clayton |
| 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 |
| Free Guided Tour of North Carolina State Capitol | 11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh |
| Saturday Comedy Improv Jam Meetup | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Annual Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary |
| Olde Raleigh Village Holiday Party, with Santa meet and greet | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Olde Raleigh Village |
| 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 | |
| Incredible Science | 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Winter Lantern Walk | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh |
| Santa's Trolley at Mordecai Historic Park (3 start times) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $15.00 | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| The Games Show hosted by Brett Williams | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner |
| 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 |
| Live music: New Direction (donations welcome) | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham |
| Cold Brew Comedy Series | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $11.16 | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro |
| Skywatching at Stagville -- Geminid Meteor Shower | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Historic Stagville – Horton Grove |
| Stargazing Series at West Point on the Eno: Geminids Meteor Shower | 9:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham |
Sunday, December 14, 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 |
| Cary's Gingerbread House Competition | All Day | FREE | Downtown Cary |
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, The Streets at Southpoint |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| ArtsCenter's Elf Market | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | University Place, Chapel Hill |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Mordecai Holidays Open House | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Town of Zebulon Christmas Parade | 3:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Zebulon |
| Apex Chanukah Festival Dec 29: Gelt drop, fire show, free donuts, more... | 4:00 pm | FREE | Apex Senior Center |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| 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 |
| 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, 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
