Welcome to 2026! Santa might have parked his sleigh and headed to a much-deserved vacation, but for those wintering in the Triangle, there is plenty to do in January. Art walks, Lunar New Year celebrations, Three Kings Day celebrations, Martin Luther King Day events and more all takes place in January.
We’re highlighting several major events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas in January. This calendar will be updated all the time.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
Before making plans for a restaurant, trampoline park, concert or spa treatment, make sure to check Groupon for a deal! You can often save 50% or more.
Kwanzaa Fest
Kwanzaa Fest
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2026
Time: 12 to 5:30 p.m.
Place: Durham Armory, 220 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The African American Dance Ensemble’s 39th Kwanzaa Fest features performances, a marketplace, art, food and more.
First Friday Raleigh
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Various venues in Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Free
Features: Explore art, music, and food on your walk through Downtown Raleigh. The first monthly First Friday Raleigh of the new year also includes one of the final nights to experience Illuminate Raleigh.
First Saturday Under the Stars
First Saturday Under the Stars
Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Three Bears Acres, 645 Beaver Dam Road, Creedmoor, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Raleigh Astronomy Club hosts a monthly night sky viewing session.
Emancipation Day Events
Emancipation Day Events
Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Pope House, and City of Raleigh Museum, in Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Varies. One is free.
Features: Emancipation Day, a long-standing North Carolina tradition, is a commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation. The City of Raleigh is presenting several events for Emancipation Day, including a breakfast and lecture, reenactors, and trolley tour.
Raleigh’s Largest Sport Card, Toys and Collectibles Show
Raleigh’s Largest Sport Card, Toys and Collectibles Show
Date: January 3 and 4, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Place: NC State Fairgrounds, 4825 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under
Features: Explore hundreds of tables of great finds, including sports cards, Pokémon cards, comic books, die-cast and more.
Selma’s Three Kings Day Fiesta and Winter Wonderland
Selma’s Three Kings Day Fiesta and more
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Place: 105 Raiford Street, Selma, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The Three Kings Day festival features music, folkloric dancers, crafts for kids, Rosca de Reyes, and more.
GLOW Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade
GLOW Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park
Cost: Free
Features: A community lantern parade, as well as music and entertainment.
Repair Café Workshop
Repair Café Workshop
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Bring in your broken stuff, and volunteers will help you to repair them.
Three Kings Day Parade
Three Kings Day Parade
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2026
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: North Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The highlight of the festival is the arrival of the Three Kings. The celebration also features music, dancing and food.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrations
MLK Day Celebrations, Parades and more
Date: Dates vary — January 15 to 19, 2026
Time: Times vary
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most events are free
Features: Learn about all the MLK Day celebrations in the Triangle, including parades, performances, film screenings, discussions, and more.
Tet Vietnamese New Year Festival
Tet Vietnamese New Year Festival
Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Time: 12 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Place: NC State Fairgrounds
Cost: $20. Free for those under age 7 or over age 75.
Features: Tet parade and ceremony, Lion Dance, cultural performances, martial demonstrations, children’s games, traditional Vietnamese food and more.
Carrboro Film Festival
Carrboro Film Festival
Date: January 23 to 25, 2026
Time: Time varies
Place: Drakeford Library Complex, 203 Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC
Cost: $8 for individual films/blocks
Features: This festival is a celebration of independent cinema, presenting Southern films in a non-competitive setting.
TACAS Chinese New Year Festival
Chinese New Year Festival
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Dorton Arena at N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Kids under age 6 are admitted for free. TACAS members, senior citizens (age 65+) and military with ID are $10 at the door.
Features: Dragon dance, lion dance, folk dance, Chinese painting, singing, price drawings, and more
African American Cultural Celebration
25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This festival is the kickoff to Black History Month and features performances, panels, storytelling and more. It takes place inside and outside. (It’s taking place at NC Museum of Art this year because NC Museum of History is closed for renovations.)
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Date: Mid January, into February
Time: Various
Place: Varioius
Cost: Price varies.
Features: Celebrate the Year of the Horse. We expect many events to be announced very soon!
Triangle Restaurant Week
Triangle Restaurant Week
Date: January 26 to February 1, 2026
Time: Restaurants’ hours
Place: 40+ restaurants
Cost: $15 for a 3-course lunch, or $25-$50 for a 2 or 3 course dinner
Features: Restaurants all over the Triangle are offering special menus and deals for Triangle Restaurant Week.
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