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).
Have you subscribed to Triangle on the Cheap yet? Subscribers get (at most) one email a day. It's free to subscribe.
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
Wednesday, November 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 |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Holly Springs Small Business Network | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs |
| Military Appreciation Week at North Carolina Zoo - free admission for military member plus a guest | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Zoo |
| Chapel Hill Food Distribution Event | 9:30 am | FREE | Eubanks Road Park and Ride Lot, Chapel Hill |
| 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 |
| Board Game Night | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham |
| Incredible Science | 1:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Window on Animal Health | 1:30 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh |
| Market Bunch Kids' Activities | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Carrboro Farmers’ Market |
| Board Game Night | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh |
| Free Acro Yoga at Method Road Park (indoors) | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh |
| Poetry at The Plant | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Fair Game Beverage Co., Pittsboro |
| Crokinole | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Bring Your Own Craft Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh |
| Adult-ish Spelling Bee | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| 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, November 13, 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 |
| Krispy Kreme: Buy dozen doughnuts, get dozen free | 6:00 am | FREE | Krispy Kreme — Multiple locations |
| Veteran's Coffee and Connection | 8:00 am to 9:30 am | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) | |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Military Appreciation Week at North Carolina Zoo - free admission for military member plus a guest | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Zoo |
| Stroll Through History: Free Cemetery Tours at Historic Oakwood Cemetery | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh |
| Triangle’s Train: New Hope Valley Railway offering free rides for military service members | 10:30 am | FREE | New Hope Valley Railway |
| 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 |
| Live Music: Grace Lucia Lee | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| Live Music: Meredith Davis | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell |
| 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 |
| 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, November 14, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $0-8.00 | Kerr-Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds |
| Duke promo: Free sub at Harris Teeter | All Day | FREE | Participating Harris Teeter locations |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Salem Baptist Preschool Holiday Market, with free pictures with Santa | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Salem Baptist Church |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Military Appreciation Week at North Carolina Zoo - free admission for military member plus a guest | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Zoo |
| 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 |
| Holiday Shrub Tasting with Umbrella Dry Bar | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Self Care Marketplace, Raleigh |
| Peel Gallery: Opening reception for "Art Lifers: Paintings, Prints, and Mixed Media by Tim Kerr & Ron Liberti" | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Peel, Carrboro | |
| Fall Clothing Swap at The Rheu Co. | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $0-10.00 | The Rheu Co. Sewing Studio, Durham |
| 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill and Carrboro | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | |
| Free Wine Tasting | 6:00 pm | FREE | Local 919, Raleigh |
| Discover India: Folklore through puppetry | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Cary Arts Center |
| 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 |
| 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, November 15, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $0-8.00 | Kerr-Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| 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 |
| Fishing Frenzy at Lake Garner (adults) | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Lake Benson Park, Garner |
| Jingle Bell Express Craft Fair | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Wendell Baptist Church |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| Salem Baptist Preschool Holiday Market, with free pictures with Santa | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Salem Baptist Church |
| Free Pictures with Santa at Salem Baptist Preschool Holiday Market | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Salem Baptist Church |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids Workshop: Letter Box | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Quail Hollow Neighborhoods Art Walk & Sale | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Quail Hollow Neighborhood |
| Magic and Mischief: A Wizard's Market at Fred Fletcher Park | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh |
| Fall Clothing Swap at The Rheu Co. | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | $0-10.00 | The Rheu Co. Sewing Studio, Durham |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Sip n' Shop Market | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| Friends of the Durham Library Holiday Bargain Bazaar | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Books Among Friends at Shoppes of Hope Valley, Durham |
| Fenton Makers Market | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Fenton, Cary |
| Parkwood Fall Festival | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Parkwood Ballfield |
| Holidays Around the World -- A Hallmark Christmas | 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Sweetwater Apex |
| Family Saturday Series: Donna Washington | 11:00 am | $5.00 | The Carolina Theatre, Durham |
| 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 |
| Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Wake Forest |
| Teen Vendor Market at Dix Park | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park |
| Pop-Up Raleigh Art & Vintage Market | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Trophy on Maywood |
| Apex Geek and Grub Market -- Viking Edition | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Optimist Club Farm, Apex |
| Durham Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham |
| Harvest Fest at Good Hope Farm in Cary | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Good Hope Farm, Cary |
| College Football Saturdays | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex |
| Pictures with Santa in Wake Forest (during Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off -- reservation required) | 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | The Graham (upstairs at The Cotton Company, Wake Forest) |
| Fishing Frenzy at Lake Garner (families) | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Lake Benson Park, Garner |
| Repair Café in Hillsborough | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Whitted Building, Hillsborough |
| Goats & Grog: Fall Petting Zoo | 1:00 pm | FREE | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina |
| Thanksgiving: History & Legacy Tours | 1:00 pm | $2.00-8.00 | Bennett Place State Historic Site |
| Get Wild! Nature Detectives with Triangle Land Conservancy | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Chapel Hill (main entrance) |
| Fall Harvest Festival | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Epworth United Methodist Church, Durham |
| Live Music: Lady May and Redd | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest |
| GOUGE Wrestling | 2:00 pm | FREE | The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina |
| 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 | |
| Live & Local! Triangle Youth Jazz Orchestra and Ensemble | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park |
| Lighting of the Tree at Lafayette Village | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Lafayette Village Raleigh |
| Irish Music Jam | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham |
| Saturday Vintage + Maker Market | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham |
| Incredible Science | 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh |
| Sparkle Night at Parkside Town Commons in Cary: train rides, Santa, snow, more... | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Parkside Town Commons, Cary |
| Liberty Arts Iron Pour at Durham Central Park | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (price varies) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $16.74-30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Free improv comedy: Funniest Person in the Triangle | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Lune Spark Holly Springs |
| Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest |
| Mill Town Yarns: NC Storytellers Showcase | 7:00 pm | FREE | Bynum Front Porch, Pittsboro |
| Live Music: Ashlar Sargent | 7:00 pm | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell |
| 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 |
| SONAM Fall Concert Supporting Peacemaking Scholarships | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | United Church of Chapel Hill |
| Live music: Blake Addison (donations welcome) | 7:30 pm | FREE | Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham |
Sunday, November 16, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $0-8.00 | Kerr-Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Sculpture in the Garden (free with $5 suggested donation) | 9:00 am to 5:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill |
| 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 |
| Visit Cow Sanctuary | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $0-25.00 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill |
| Raleigh Foodie Fare | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh |
| Walking With Wisdom -- A Mindful Journey at Maverado Gardens in Chapel Hill (donation-based) | 11:00 am | Maverick Center, Chapel Hill | |
| Chestnut Carnival | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | The Plant, Pittsboro |
| Sunday NFL Football Watch Party | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh |
| Kanikapila: FREE Ukulele Lessons | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary |
| Black Farmers' Market | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Durham Technical Community College, main campus |
| Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Artspace, Raleigh |
| Read Between the Pints Book Pop-up with Finn and Ollie's Book Trolley | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Oak City Brewing Company, Knightdale |
| Blood Drive | 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina) |
| Walking With Wisdom -- A Mindful Journey at Maverado Gardens in Chapel Hill (donation-based) | 2:00 pm | Maverick Center, Chapel Hill | |
| 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 |
| Sounds on Oberlin: Laurelyn Dossett | 3:00 pm | FREE | White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Raleigh |
| Bluegrass Open Jam | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary |
| Organ Recital Series: Maxine Thévenot | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Duke University Chapel |
| 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 |
