Welcome to 2025! 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 18 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, 2025
Time: 12 to 6 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 3, 2025
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 Friday at Eno Arts Mill: Coalesce
First Friday at Eno Arts Mill: Coalesce
Date: Friday, January 3, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Eno Arts Mill, 437 Dimmocks Mill Road, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Open artist studios, a local food truck, and free art-making activities for all ages. This month’s First Friday features the show, Coalesce, in which ten selected Orange County poets and ten selected Orange County visual artists create works inspired by their paired counterpart.
First Fridays Under the Stars
First Friday Under the Stars
Date: Friday, January 3, 2025
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 4, 2025
Time: Various times
Place: Pope House, and City of Raleigh Museum, in Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Varies. Some are 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, a trolley tour and a concert.
Raleigh’s Largest Sport Card, Toys and Collectibles Show
Raleigh’s Largest Sport Card, Toys and Collectibles Show
Date: January 4 and 5, 2025
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 400 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 5, 2025
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Art Out Loud Park, 110 Raiford Street, Selma, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The Three Kings Day festival features music, folkloric dancers, crafts for kids, Rosca de Reyes, and more. In addition, enjoy free s’mores at Coffee on Raiford, and make a vision board at Vibe Central Events.
Libba Cotten Day Celebration in Carrboro
Libba Cotten Day
Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Carrboro Century Center, 100 N Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This is a day to celebrate Libba Cotten, the renowned songwriter and guitarist from Carrboro. The celebration features music and remembrances, including performances by her great grand daughter, and great-great grandchildren.
Repair Café Workshop
Repair Café Workshop
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Holton Career and Resource Center, 401 N Driver Street, Durham, 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 11, 2025
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.
Downtown Raleigh Home Show
Raleigh Downtown Home Show
Date: January 10 to 12, 2025
Time: Friday and Satuday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $12 (but save half with promo code CHEAP.)
Features: Shop, compare and save with over 200 experts in areas like kitchens and baths, flooring, windows, décor and more. Features the stars of HGTV’s 100 Day dream Home on Friday and Saturday.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrations
MLK Day Celebrations, Parades and more
Date: Dates vary — January 11 to 20, 2025
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, a book giveaway and more.
Tet Vietnamese New Year Festival
Tet Vietnamese New Year Festival
Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
Time: 12 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: NC State Fairgrounds
Cost: $10. 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 24 to 26, 2025
Time: Time varies
Place: Drakeford Library Complex, 203 Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC
Cost: $8 for individual films, $35 for a festival pass, $20 for a Saturday pass, and $12 for a Sunday pass
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 25, 2025
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
24th Annual African American Cultural Celebration
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum o fNatural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, 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 Natural Sciences this year because NC Museum of History is closed for renovations.)
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Date: From January 16, 2025, into February
Time: Various
Place: Varioius
Cost: Most are free
Features: Celebrate the Year of the Snake with one of many Lunar New Year events.
Triangle Restaurant Week
Triangle Restaurant Week
Date: January 27 to February 2, 2025
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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