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, 2026, with this list of the top things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding area.
We’re highlighting more than 25 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! You can also jump right to the calendar.
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 1 to 3, 8 to 10, and 15 to 17, 2026
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.
Raleigh’s First Friday
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
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 2, 2026
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.
Apex PeakFest
PeakFest
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Apex Town Hall Campus, 73 Hunter Street, Apex, NC (new location)
Cost: Free
Features: Arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, a kids’ zone and more.
Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival
Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: Check back for confirmation of time.
Place: Downtown Smithfield, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Art, music, kids’ activities, food and more.
Meet in the Street Festival
Meet in the Street Festival
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
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.
Spring Chicken Festival
Spring Chicken Festival
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
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.
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
Date: Monday, May 4, 2026 (but some events are on other days)
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.
Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science
Durham Community Days at Museum of Life + Science
Dates: May 5 and 17, 2026
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.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (but some events are on other days)
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.
Strawberry Festival
Central Park School for Children’s Strawberry Festival
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
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 9, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 140 vendors, food trucks, live music, family activities and more.
Carolina Indie Fest
Carolina Indie Fest
Date: May 15 and 16, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 2 to 9 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 10, 2026
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 4 to 10, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 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. Also, on April 4 and 7, 2026, there will be live appearances by some characters as well, plus special activities, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Durham Greek Festival
Durham Greek Festival
Date: May 16 and 17, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 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.
Got to be NC Festival
Got to be NC Festival
Date: May 15 to 17, 2026
Time: 12 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 10 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.
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival
Date: May 16, 2026
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.
Artsplosure
Artsplosure
Date: May 16 and 17, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Raleigh’s signature arts festival, with a juried art market, several stages of performances, and kids’ activities.
Wheels on Academy
Wheels on Academy
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Along North Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Car show, touch-a-truck, Explore an EV, live music, food drink
Brier Creek Spring Food Truck Festival
Brier Creek Spring Food Truck Festival
Date: May 17, 2026
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.
Taste of Soul NC
Taste of Soul NC
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 3 to 8 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park
Cost: Free (pay for food and drink)
Features: Ultimate cookout experience, with food, merchants, DJ, live performances and bounce houses
International Children’s Day
4th Annual International Children’s Day
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, dance, storytelling, puppetry and more, for all ages.
Around the World, Raleigh
Around the World, Raleigh
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Moore Square, 201 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This festival celebrates food and cultures from around the globe. It will consist of regional “neighborhood.” Walk through Africa, Asia, South America and other areas of the world, where all food, drinks, decorations and crafts represent that region.
Pittsboro Summer Fest
Pittsboro Summer Fest
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Place: Downtown Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, festive bike parade, food trucks, artisans
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