March brings the beginning of spring activities in the Triangle. Plan March 2026 with this list of the top things to do this month in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas.
We’re highlighting several major events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in the Triangle in March. This calendar will be updated all the time. Or jump right to the calendar.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so many of these events are absolutely free.
March Highlights in the Triangle
Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science
Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science
Date: March 1 and 17, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: 433 W Murray Avenue, Durham, NC
Cost: Free for residents of Durham County
Features: Two times a month this popular museum opens its doors to Durham and Durham County residents for free. Each adult needs proof of residency and can bring up to 5 kids.
Winter Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Winter Open Nursery and Garden Days
Date: March 1, 6, 7 and 8, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery, at 9241 Sauls Rd, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 28 acres of more than 30,000 kinds of plants, including native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights, and an array of unusual trees and shrubs that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
School BreakOUT!
School BreakOUT!
Date: March 3 and 31, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Fun activities for kids on scheduled days off from school. Not a drop-off event.
Feminist First Friday
Feminist First Friday
Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Place: Hartwell, 620 W South Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Vendor market, free head shots from professional photographer, with hear and makeup touch-ups, local art and music, more.
Free Line Dancing Classes in Hillsborough
Free line dancing with KatMoves
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Place: The Snow Approach Foundation, 129 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free, but donations are accepted
Features: Free line dancing class
Holi Celebration with Hindu Society of North Carolina
Holi Celebration
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: HSNC, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free admission. $5 for parking.
Features: Handicrafts, free Holi colors, cultural performances, music, shopping, more.
Movie Night at Downtown Cary Park: The Dark Knight
Movie Night
Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Before the movie there will be related activities. Kids can make Bat Masks.
Carrboro Annual Kite Fly
Carrboro Annual Kite Fly
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Place: Hank Anderson Community Park, 302 NC Hwy 54 West, Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Join the community and fill the sky with color. Bring your own kite, but there will be a few to borrow.
Carolina FiberFest
Carolina FiberFest
Date: March 13 and 14, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: The Expo Center at NC State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $7 for one day or $12 for both days. Youth age 16 and under are admitted for free.
Features: A marketplace full of fiber, fleeces, hand-dyed yarn, crafting tools and more. In addition, there will be workshops, demonstrations, and spinning and weaving competitions.
Lunar New Year Festival
Lunar New Year Festival with TACAS
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Dorton Arena at NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $10 in advance and $13 at teh 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, more.
Morrisville Holi Festival
Town of Morrisville Holi Festival
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Dancing, Holi powders, artisan vendors, food for purchase
Apex Holi Festival
Apex Holi Festival
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Salem Middle School, 6150 Old Jenks Road, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate the Festival of Colors with dancing, music and dancing, face painting, free Holi colors, food trucks and vendors.
Celebrate Smithfield — International Culture Fair
Celebrate Smithfield — International Culture Fair
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Historic Downtown Smithfield, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Entertainment, art, food and vendors from all over the world.
Women’s History Trolley
Women’s History Trolley Tour
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2026
Time: Four start times: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Place: Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $12 (reserve ahead of time)
Features: Celebrate the influential women who shaped Raleigh’s history and explore their stories throughout the city, from the women who broke barriers in North Carolina politics to those who fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement.
St. Patrick’s Day Events
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Dates: Many
Times: Many
Places: Many
Features: Parades, parties, festivals, green beer and more! Follow the above link for a huge day-by-day list of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations throughout the Triangle.
Away With the Fairies
Away with the Fairies
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This family event features a market full of fairies, dragons, mischief and more. Free crafts and activities too.
Nuv Yug Indian Fest
Nuv Yug Indian Fest
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Place: Jim Graham Building at State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Bollywood dance, classical dance, traditional crafts, culinary delicacies, more.
Triangle Lebanese Festival
Triangle Lebanese Festival
Date: March 21 and 22, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: 241 Horizon Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Music, dance, kids’ activities, Lebanese food and drink, fortune teller.
NC State Veterinary Medicine Open House
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Open House
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Learn about the operations and facilities at the Veterinary Hospital and check out the classrooms and laboratories. There will be a lot of hands-on activities and plenty of demonstrations. Kids are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to be repaired at the Surgery Club’s Teddy Bear Clinic.
Raleigh Roasts
Raleigh Roasts
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $14.40
Features: A morning of coffee and pastry tasting, as well as live music.
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.
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