JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, at 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, aims to introduce, display, and promote plants that diversify the American landscape, as well as educate visitors and provide a living laboratory for research.
The Arboretum is free to visit. Its hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Arboretum hosts many events and activities. Some are free and some have a cost associated with them. The cost for many events is low, $5, and free for Arboretum members. You can see all of the events on the calendar.
Upcoming Events
Please make sure to follow the links for more information, and to register if required.
Come & Grow: Sensational Succulents
Saturday, July 26, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free
Explore what makes these drought-defying plants so amazing through self-guided, kid-friendly activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity. No need to arrive right at the program start time—families are welcome to come and “grow” as they please!
Plant-Lover’s Tour: The Ten Oldest Trees in the Arboretum
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
9 to 10 a.m.
Free for members; $5 for non-members
Love plants? So do we! And if you love trees with stories to tell, this tour is for you. Join our Curator, Dennis Carey, and Research Technician, Evan Villani, as they take you on a time-traveling walk through the Arboretum to meet the ten oldest trees in our collection.
Budding Explorers: Butterfly Detectives
Saturday, August 16, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
$8 per child, no cost for accompanying adult
(register here)
Youth participants, accompanied by an adult, will use their detective skills to discover the differences between butterflies and moths, learn how to identify some common butterflies, then head out into the garden to observe butterflies in their natural habitat.
Intro to Gardening in the South
Saturday, August 23, 2025
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free
Are you new to the Raleigh area or just starting your gardening journey? Join us for Intro to Gardening in the South, a valuable morning lecture series designed to help new gardeners thrive in North Carolina’s unique climate!
The Midweek Program
Wednesdays from February 26 to December 17, 2025 (except November 26)
3 to 4 p.m.
Online
Free (register at above link)
Find topic of each week here.
Evening Garden Stroll
One Tuesday a month. See below
4 to 7:30 p.m.
Free
Tuesdays April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, 14, 2025.
Take a break from your weekly grind and come out to the JC Raulston Arboretum to take advantage of this rare opportunity to stroll through the gardens after hours and enjoy our premiere collection of flowering trees, shrubs and perennials! The gardens will remain open until 7:30 pm, and a free public tour of the JCRA will depart from the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center at 5:30 pm.
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.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
