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Triangle on the Cheap

Live well in the Triangle on a budget. Find fun, free things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC

Tar Heel Downtown celebration

POSTED BY
Jody Mace

unc tar heel football chapel hill
Celebrate the beginning of the UNC Tar Heels football season at Tar Heel Downtown Friday, September 14th, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This free celebration is for the whole community and will center around 140 West Franklin Street.

Rameses UNC Tar Heels mascot

Here’s what’s going on:

  • Concert with Brooke McBride
  • Tar Heel Cheerleaders
  • Arcade games from the Baxter
  • Concessions
  • Performance by the Marching Tar Heels
  • Face painting
  • Meet Rameses!

Learn about where to eat downtown and also where to park.

More Halloween events and fall festivals in the Triangle

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Bull City Rumble

10:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Social Games and Brews, Durham

African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Sunday, September 2, 2018

African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Monday, September 3, 2018

Sri Krishna Janmashtami--Hindu Festival in Hillsborough

4:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Hopscotch Day Party Series: many venues in Raleigh

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Friday, September 7, 2018

Hopscotch Day Party Series: many venues in Raleigh

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Raleigh Greek Fest

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Raleigh Greek Fest

11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds

Hopscotch Day Party Series: many venues in Raleigh

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Hopscotch Music Festival Day Party block party: live music by Wild Child, Israel Nash, more, plus Makers Market

12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Free: Oktoberfest at Bull McCabes in Durham

2:00 pm | FREE | Bull McCabe’s

Wake Forest Trung Thu Moon Festival

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $6.00-8.00 | Wake Forest Renaissance Center

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Raleigh Greek Fest

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Jim Graham Building–NC State Fairgrounds

Hopscotch Day Party Series: many venues in Raleigh

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Friday, September 14, 2018

Oktoberfest Party at Raleigh Brewing

5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing

Tar Heel Downtown celebration

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | 140 West Franklin Street Plaza

Hillsborough Hog Day

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | River Park

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Hillsborough Hog Day

9:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | River Park

CenterFest Arts Festival in Durham (Free, with suggested $5 donation)

10:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE

Raleigh Korean Festival

10:00 am to 8:00 pm | $0-10.00 | NC State Fairgrounds

Rolesville's BBQ & Bands Festival

11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Rolesville Community School Park

Brazilian Day NC Festival + Parade in Durham

1:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

Sunday, September 16, 2018

CenterFest Arts Festival in Durham (Free, with suggested $5 donation)

11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE

Friday, September 21, 2018

Capital City BikeFest: free events

8:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Capital City BikeFest: free events

8:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson

5th Annual Dragon Boat Festival in Cary

9:00 am to 4:30 pm | $0-8.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Critter Carnival: animals, live music and a parade

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Southern Community Park

City of Oaks Pirate Fest

10:00 am to 4:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh

Capital City BikeFest at Raleigh Convention Center

10:00 am to 8:00 pm | $10.00 | Raleigh Convention Center

2018 International Food and Music Festival in Wendell

11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | J. Ashley Wall Towne Square

International Food Festival in Clayton

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | St. Ann Catholic Church

NC Jerk Food Festival

11:30 am to 7:30 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno

Oberlin Festival at Latta (includes free BBQ, hands-on activities, storytelling, more)

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Latta House and University Site

Gizmo's Oktoberfest Party

1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

POSTPONED: 17th Annual Kirby Derby--Space Oddities: May the Farce Be With You

3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Capital City BikeFest: free events

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson

Capital City BikeFest at Raleigh Convention Center

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $10.00 | Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson

La Fiesta del Pueblo

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | City Plaza, Raleigh

Friday, September 28, 2018

Wide Open Bluegrass StreetFest

12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Mumkin Fest at Knightdale Station Park

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Knightdale Station Park

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Orange County Localfest

10:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Blackwood Farm Park

Mumkin Fest at Knightdale Station Park

10:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Knightdale Station Park

36th Annual Storytelling Festival

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Historic Oak View County Park

Pride: Durham Festival and Parade

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Duke University–East Campus Main Quad

Localista's Dussehra Diwali Fest in Durham

11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Seasons at Tandoor Banquet Hall

Wide Open Bluegrass StreetFest

12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh

Free: Carrboro Music Festival

2:00 pm | FREE | Carrboro Town Commons

Free: Carrboro Music Festival

8:00 pm | FREE | Cat’s Cradle

Sunday, September 30, 2018

19th Annual Caniac Carnival

10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | PNC Arena

Duke Energy Day at North Carolina Museum of Art: Celebrate the Harvest

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Jewish Cultural Festival of Cary features bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cary Senior Center

Carnaval Latino in Garner

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE

Free: Carrboro Music Festival

1:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Apex Night Out

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Apex Friendship High School

Friday, October 5, 2018

8th Annual Korktoberfest at Raleigh Wine Shop

4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Wine Shop

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Phoenix Fest in Durham

9:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Durham

Wendell Harvest Festival

10:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Wendell Town Square

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Fuquay-Varina

Heritage Day at Oak View Park in Raleigh -- free pony rides and more

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Historic Oak View County Park

8th Annual Korktoberfest at Raleigh Wine Shop

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Wine Shop

Taste of China: Chinese Cuisine & Culture Festival

11:30 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Bicentennial Plaza, Raleigh

White Street Oktoberfest in Wake Forest

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | White Street in Wake Forest

Sunday, October 7, 2018

8th Annual Korktoberfest at Raleigh Wine Shop

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Wine Shop

46th Annual Festifall Arts Festival in Chapel Hill

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Family Night: Natural History Halloween at N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $2.00-3.00 | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Friday, October 12, 2018

Fright Night (free but please bring canned food donation)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Forest Hills Park

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Track or Treat: Halloween Express Train Ride (4 departure times)

All Day | $15.00 | New Hope Valley Railway

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

Cary Diwali Celebration

10:00 am to 8:30 pm | FREE | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Oktoberfest on the Farm ($20/family)

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $20.00 | Old Mill Farm

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

Hillsborough Handmade Parade: "Magical Menagerie on the Eno" 10/14

2:30 pm | FREE | River Park

Thursday, October 18, 2018

SPARKcon in Raleigh

All Day | FREE

Friday, October 19, 2018

SPARKcon in Raleigh

All Day | FREE

Triangle Oktoberfest at Booth Amphitheatre Oct 19-20

5:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $0-15.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

TheeDesign's 7th Annual Pumpkin Carving Party: free pumpkins and more (reserve your spot)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | TheeDesign

Haunted Trolley Rides (3 times)

6:45 pm to 9:45 pm | $10.00 | Mordecai Historic Park

Saturday, October 20, 2018

SPARKcon in Raleigh

All Day | FREE

Track or Treat: Halloween Express Train Ride (4 departure times)

All Day | $15.00 | New Hope Valley Railway

BugFest 2018 at NC Museum of Natural Sciences (rescheduled)

9:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Pumpkin Patch and Fall Fun at Coco FARM (free admission, cost for pumpkins and special activities)

9:30 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Coco FARM

Pullen Park Scarecrow Festival

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Pullen Park

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Triangle Oktoberfest at Booth Amphitheatre Oct 19-20

12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $0-20.00 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Haunted Trolley Rides (3 times)

6:45 pm to 9:45 pm | $10.00 | Mordecai Historic Park

Sunday, October 21, 2018

SPARKcon in Raleigh

All Day | FREE

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Fall Festival: trick or treating, hayrides and movie at Park West Village

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Park West Village

Halloween Spooktacular in Wake Forest

4:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Flaherty Park Community Center (Wake Forest)

Halloween Party at Fainting Goat Brewing Company

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Fainting Goat Brewing Company (Fuquay-Varina)

Friday, October 26, 2018

33rd International Festival of Raleigh (visit for free Friday for lunch)

10:30 am to 10:00 pm | $6.00-8.00 | Raleigh Convention Center

Globetrotter Lunch at International Festival of Raleigh

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Convention Center

Trick or Treat with Downtown Fuquay-Varina Businesses

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Fuquay-Varina

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Wendell Treat Trail

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Wendell Community Park

Duke Homestead's Halloween Phantasmagoria

6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Duke Homestead

Haunted Trolley Rides (3 times)

6:45 pm to 9:45 pm | $10.00 | Mordecai Historic Park

Dark Dimension Haunted Experience

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $3.00 | North Raleigh Swim Club

Zombiepalooza at The Cary Theater

7:00 pm | FREE | The Cary Theater

Herbert's Haunted House

7:30 pm to 7:30 pm | $3.00 | Herbert C. Young Community Center

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Track or Treat: Halloween Express Train Ride (4 departure times)

All Day | $15.00 | New Hope Valley Railway

Boos and Brews at Midtown Farmers' Market

8:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Midtown Farmers Market

Trunk or Treat and Safety Fair with Durham Police Department

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Walmart Supercenter, Glenn School Road, Durham

PAW Patrol Trick-or-Treat event at Target

10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE

Duke Homestead's Family Phantasmagoria ($5 per car)

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | Duke Homestead

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

Rolesville Fall Funfest

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Main Street, Rolesville

HollyFest

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park

Pittsboro Street Fair

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Pittsboro

33rd International Festival of Raleigh (visit for free Friday for lunch)

10:00 am to 10:00 pm | $6.00-8.00 | Raleigh Convention Center

FallFest at Dix Park: live music, free pony rides, pumpkins, hayrides, more

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Haunted Mordecai Festival

1:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Mordecai Historic Park

Costume Dance Party

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm | $1.00 | Cary Arts Center

Fall for Cary Festival

1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cary

Cary’s Great Pumpkin Carve

2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Cary Downtown Park

Barktoberfest in Durham Central Park

2:30 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

Halloween Mall Crawl

4:00 pm to 5:30 pm | FREE | Cary Towne Center

Durham School of the Arts’ Fall Art Festival: Día de los Muertos

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durham School of the Arts

Haunted Trolley Rides (3 times)

6:45 pm to 9:45 pm | $10.00 | Mordecai Historic Park

Ghost Walk in Downtown Cary

7:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $15.00 | Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary

Dark Dimension Haunted Experience

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $3.00 | North Raleigh Swim Club

Herbert's Haunted House

7:00 pm | $3.00 | Herbert C. Young Community Center

Halloween at Bull McCabe's

9:00 pm | FREE | Bull McCabe’s

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

33rd International Festival of Raleigh (visit for free Friday for lunch)

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | $6.00-8.00 | Raleigh Convention Center

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Fall Festival at Church of the Holy Cross (Raleigh)

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Church of the Holy Cross

Trick or Treat on Salem Street

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Apex

Monday, October 29, 2018

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Pumpkin Flotilla at Bond Park

4:00 pm | FREE | Fred G. Bond Metro Park

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Trick or Treat Street at Crossroads Plaza (Cary)

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Crossroads Plaza (Cary)

Trick-or-Treat the Trails in Garner

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | White Deer Park, Garner

Free Halloween events at Bass Pro Shops

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Free Halloween events at Cabela's

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Clayton Harvest Festival

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Horne Square (Clayton)

Hallow-Eno: celebrate Halloween at West Point on the Eno

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Clayton Harvest Festival

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Horne Square (Clayton)

Friday, November 2, 2018

8th Annual Durham Oktoberfest at Motorco

12:00 pm | FREE | Motorco Music Hall

Clayton Harvest Festival

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Horne Square (Clayton)

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Clayton Harvest Festival

10:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | Horne Square (Clayton)

The Shindig Music Festival

12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Clayton Town Square

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Clayton Harvest Festival

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Horne Square (Clayton)

140 West Franklin Street Plaza

140 W Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC

Visit Website Get Directions

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