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 in May, 2025, 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! 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 2 to 4, 9 to 11, and 16 to 18, 2025
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 6 and 22, 2025
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.
Raleigh’s First Friday
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
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 3, 2025
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 3, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Salem Street, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, a kids’ zone and more.
Meet in the Street Festival
Meet in the Street Festival
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
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.
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 (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, including movies, markets, costume parties and more.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 (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.
Spring Chicken Festival
Spring Chicken Festival
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
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.
Durham Greek Festival
Durham Greek Festival
Date: May 3 and 4, 2025
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.
Strawberry Festival
Central Park School for Children’s Strawberry Festival
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
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 3, 2025
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 4, 2025
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: Town Commons, 301 W Main Street, Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, poetry, games, chalk art, and more
Carolina Indie Fest
Carolina Indie Fest
Date: May 23 and 24, 2025
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 11, 2025
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 5 to 11, 2025
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.
Got to be NC Festival
Got to be NC Festival
Date: May 16 to 18, 2025
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.
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival
Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival
Date: May 17, 2025
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 17, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Craft fair, chalk walk, make and take plant crafts, more
Brier Creek Spring Food Truck Festival
Brier Creek Spring Food Truck Festival
Date: May 18, 2025
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.
