October brings the beginning of cooler weather, campfires, fall foliage, spooky fun, and plenty of treats. Plan October 2024 with this list of the top things to do in the Triangle.
We’re highlighting some of the top things to do in October in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. But then, scroll down for our huge (and we do mean huge) calendar of things to do in the Triangle in October. This calendar will be updated all the time. You can also jump right to the full calendar.
We focus on the free and cheap, but we do include some great activities and events that cost a little bit more if we think readers would like to hear about them.
Top October Events in the Triangle
First Friday Raleigh
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. (although venues may have different hours)
Place: Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Free
Features: Visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more.
Haunted Trails and Houses
Haunted Trails and Houses
Date: Varies
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Varies
Features: We’ve put together a big list of haunted trails and haunted houses in the Triangle. What better way to celebrate Spooky Season?
First Friday Under the Stars
First Friday Under the Stars
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Three Bears Acres, 645 Beaver Dam Road, Creedmoor, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Raleigh Astronomy Club hosts a monthly sky viewing session at one of Triangle Land Conservancy’s private sites. Registration is required.
First Friday at Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough
First Friday at Eno Arts Mill
Date: Friday, August 2, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Eno Mill, 437 Dimmocks Mill Road, Hillsborough, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Open artist studios, live music, art activity, kids’ activities, food truck, local beer.
Fall Family Fun
Corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hayrides
Date: Varies
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Varies
Features: Check out this list of spots to fall fun! Pumpkin patches, farm activities, hayrides, corn mazes and much more.
A Taste of Greece
A Taste of Greece
Date: October 5 and 6, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 NC Hwy 751, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Delicious, authentic Greek food and desserts to enjoy in the festive dining tent or to take home. The festival also features an Attic Treasures Sale, vendors, and tours of the Byzantine-style, domed church,
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Main Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC, from Academy Street to Vance Street
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ rides, a beer garden and more. There’s also a free concert in the Varina Business District on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Selma Railroad Days
Selma Railroad Days
Date: October 4 to 6 p.m.
Time: Check back soon.
Place: Downtown Selma, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, car show, carnival, much more
Ava Gardner Festival
Ava Gardner Festival
Date: October 4 to 6, 2024
Time: Various times
Place: Most events at the Ava Gardner Museum, 325 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC
Cost: Most events have a cost and some are free. There’s a free outdoor movie on Friday.
Features: Film, tours, more.
Blessing of the Animals
Blessing of the Animals
Date: Various (mostly the first week of October)
Time: Various
Place: Various churches
Cost: Free
Features: Many churches invite people to bring their pets for the Blessing of the Animals in early October. This special event has become a much-loved part of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Falling for Local
Falling for Local
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, local businesses, inflatables, fall photo ops, much more. There’s a free pumpkin patch.
Sculpture in the Garden
Sculpture in the Garden
Date: September 15 to December 8, 2024, except Mondays and holidays
Time: 9 am. to 5 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free, but a $5 donation is suggested
Features: Nearly 90 sculptures by 66 artists are displayed throughout the display gardens.
Wendell Harvest Festival
Wendell Harvest Festival
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Wendell, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, parade, kids’ village, food trucks, much more.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Oktoberfest Festivals
Date: Various dates
Time: Varies
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: We’ve compiled a list of a ton of Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the Triangle. They take place in September and October.
Hum Sub Diwali
Hum Sub Diwali
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Recency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: Free admission. Parking is $10 (although you can park a little farther away for free, and walk)
Features: Music and dance performances, handicraft bazaar, Indian art and culture, children’s activities and fireworks.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: The fall is a great time for outdoor concerts. They are happening everywhere, and most are free. Just follow the above link for a round-up of many concert series, as well as a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts.
West End Poetry Festival
West End Poetry Festival
Date: October 17-19, 2024
Time: Various times
Place: Several locations in Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Carrboro’s annual celebration of poetry includes readings, a poetry open mic, a poetry slam and more.
North Carolina State Fair
North Carolina State Fair
Date: October 17 to 27, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Adult admission is $13, youth (6-12) is $7, military is $8, seniors (65+) is $5 and children 5 and under are admitted for free. Save money by purchasing tickets in advance. Rides and attractions have a separate cost.
Features: Rides, entertainment, agricultural shows and competitions, food and more.
Halloween Events
Halloween Events: Trick or Treat, Costume Parties, Bar Crawls, more
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Most are free
Features: This is a constantly updated list of Halloween events for all ages.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Parks, grounds of hotels, shopping centers, farms, more.
Cost: Most are free
Features: As the sun goes down, enjoy outdoor movies throughout the Triangle! Follow the above link for a day by day list.
Raleigh’s International Wine Festival
Raleigh’s International Wine Festival
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Place: City Plaza, 443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free admission (pay for food and wine)
Features: Wine from a variety of international wine suppliers. Entertainment.
Haunted Trails, Hayrides, Corn Mazes
Haunted trails, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, more
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Various
Features: This is a huge list of fall attractions in the Triangle, including haunted trails, hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and more.
Morrisville Diwali Festival
Morrisville Diwali Festival
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of Diwali, with entertainment, music, food, hands-on activities and fireworks.
Clayton Harvest Festival
Clayton Harvest Festival
Date: October 24 to 27, 2024
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, 12 to 9 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Various locations in Dowtown Clayton, NC, including Horne Square, Town Square and other locations.
Cost: Free
Features: Midway carnival rides (for a price), vendors, entertainment, much more. On Sunday, the Latin American Festival takes place at Town Square.
Barktoberfest
Barktoberfest
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Dog costume contests, agility courses, vendors
HollyFest
HollyFest
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Gribsby Avenue, Holly Springs, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Entertainment, food vendors, local businesses, children’s activities and art.
Day of the Dead Festival at Whirligig Park
Day of the Dead Festival at Whirligig Park
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S., Wilson, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, contests and Day of the Dead altar contest.
