In the Triangle, May is the beginning of the summer season. That means that free outdoor concerts are in full swing, festivals are kicking in, and there’s tons of kid-friendly fun as well.
Plan May with this list of the top things to do this May in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding area.
We’re highlighting more than 20 events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in the Triangle in May. This calendar will be updated all the time. Every day!
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
May Highlights in the Triangle
Spring Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Spring Open Nursery and Garden Days at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Dates: May 3 to 5, and May 10 to 12, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: 9241 Sauls Rd, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: A chance to visit the 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.
Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science
Durham Community Days at Museum of Life + Science
Dates: May 3 and 21, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Museum of Life + Science, 433 W Murray Avenue, Durham, NC
Cost: Free for Durham and Durham County residents
Features: Twice a month, Museum of Life + Science hosts Community Days, where Durham and Durham County residents are admitted for free.
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 (but some events are on Friday, May 3)
Time: All day
Place: Various locations
Cost: Admission is free to most events
Features: May the Fourth be with you! Follow the above link for a collection of events to celebrate Star Wars Day, including movies, markets, costume parties and more.
Raleigh’s First Friday
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, May 3, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. (although hours vary)
Place: Various locations in Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Admission is free to most events
Features: Many art galleries and other venues are open late and have special events the first Friday of the month.
Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: All day
Place: Various locations
Cost: Free
Features: On this day, comic book stores are giving away free comic books. Some venues have special activities as well, including artists making sketches, or costume contests.
Meet in the Street Festival
Meet in the Street Festival
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Wake Forest
Cost: Free
Features: This annual festival features more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, live music, food trucks, lots of kids’ activities, and more.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Date: May 5, 2024 (but some events are on Saturday, May 4)
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Varies (most events are free)
Features: Celebrate with restaurant deals and lots of parties.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: May is prime season for outdoor concerts. They are happening everywhere, and it’s usually not too hot yet. Just follow the above link for a round-up of many concert series, as well as a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts.
Spring Chicken Festival
Spring Chicken Festival
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Siler City, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This festival features live music, vendors, inflatables, food trucks and more.
Strawberry Festival
Central Park School for Children’s Strawberry Festival
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Old North Durham Park, 310 w Geer Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, activity booths by kids and for kids, arts and crafts, local food, silent auction, vendors.
Ma & Pa Festival
Ma & Pa Festival
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 100+ vendors, food trucks, live music, family activities and more.
Carrboro Day
Carrboro Day
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: Town Commons, 301 W Main Street, Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, seedling planting, CPR training food trucks, poetry, more.
Carolina Indie Fest
Carolina Indie Fest
Date: May 10 and 11, 2024
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Hugger Mugger Brewing, 229 Wicker Street, Sanford, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 10 musical artists, local arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks.
Mother’s Day Events and Freebies
Mother’s Day in the Triangle
Date: May 12, 2024
Time: All day
Place: Everywhere
Cost: Varies
Features: Learn about specials and freebies for Mother’s Day, as well as a lot of ideas of how to celebrate.
Letterland Days
Letterland Days
Date: May 13 to 18, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Place: Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free (pay for rides)
Features: Letterland promotes literacy for young children. Kids join a scavenger hunt to locate their favorite Letterland cutouts hidden around the park. There will be live appearances by some characters as well, plus special activities.
Ritmo Latino Festival
Ritmo Latino Festival
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Cary Town Hall, 316 N Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This free festival is a celebration of many Latino/Hispanic cultures, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, West Indies, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and more. Enjoy music, dance, food, children’s activities and more.
Got to be NC Festival
Got to be NC Festival
Date: May 17 to 19, 2024
Time: 12 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday
Place: North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free admission. Pay for rides and games.
Features: Free family fun, including tractor pulls, parades, and more entertainment.
Durham Greek Festival
Durham Greek Festival
Date: May 18 and 19, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday
Place: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 NC Hwy 751, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy Greek music and dance performances, vendors and church tours. Authentic Greek food will be available for purchase.
Historic Hillsborough Excursion Day
Historic Hillsborough Excursion Day
Date: May 18, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Various places in Downtown Hillsborough
Cost: Free
Features: Explore the rich history of Hillsborough with walking tours, costumed interpreters, a kid-friendly archaeology dig and much more.
Dix Park Inter-Tribal Powwow
Dix Park Inter-Tribal Powwow
Date: May 18, 2024
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Place: Harvey Hill, Dix Park, 101 Blair Drive, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Competition dancing, music and vendors to celebrate the legacy and culture of indigenous communities in North Carolina
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival
Date: May 18, 2024
Time: 1 to 7 p.m.
Place: Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Drive, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of African and African American history, culture and arts. Live music, family fun zone, arts and crafts, community resources, ethnic food and more.
Morrisville SpringFest
Morrisville SpringFest
Date: May 18, 2024
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Games, food trucks, and fun activities.
Brier Creek Spring Food Truck Festival
Brier Creek Spring Food Truck Festival
Date: May 19, 2024
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Place: Brier Creek Commons, 8010 Arco Corporate Drive, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Choose from many local food trucks.
First Fruits Farm Memorial Balloon Festival
First Fruits Memorial Balloon Festival
Date: May 25 and 26, 2024
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Place: First Fruits Farm, 2323 E River Road, Louisburg, NC
Cost: $15 for ages 13+, and $5 for ages 5-12. (Parking is $15.)
Features: Live music, Midway rides, parachute team, Memorial Flag Garden, more. Balloon Mass Ascension. Tethered rides and are available for an extra charge.
