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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

Free and cheap things to do in Raleigh–a list of upcoming events

POSTED BY
Jody Mace


Find all the free and cheap things to do in Raleigh. Free arts activities, concerts, kids’ stuff, movies and much more.

To start with, learn about some of the top attractions in Raleigh, and then scroll down for a day by day list (starting today) of free and cheap things to do in Raleigh.

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Top Raleigh Attractions

Learn about some of the top spots in Raleigh to find free and cheap things to do.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is free to visit and has exhibits and events for every age group.

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North Carolina Museum of History

North Carolina Museum of History

North Carolina Museum of History is free to visit.

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North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art is free to visit and includes both indoor exhibits and outdoor art.

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Upcoming free and cheap things to do in Raleigh

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Moore Square Market: 20+ vendors, plus entertainment and children's activities

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh

Live music: Acisse Jay

6:00 pm to 8:30 am | FREE | Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh

Get Fit at Dix--Yoga in the Park (register in advance)

6:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Free Acro Yoga every Wednesday in Pullen Park

6:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

The Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson not included)

8:00 pm | FREE | The Night Rider, Raleigh

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Customer Appreciation Night (Free Beer)

3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Brice’s Brewing Company

Science Cafe: Toxic Chemicals and Human Health

3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Midtown Beach Music Series in Raleigh

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | North Hills

Nerd Nite Raleigh

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | $3.00 | Kings

Gizmo Open Mic Thursday

7:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Outdoor Movie: Jurassic Park

8:00 pm | FREE | Back lawn of Garner Performing Arts Center

Skeeball tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Friday, June 21, 2019

Free shakes at Wayback Burgers on first day of summer

All Day | FREE

Summer Solstice Sunrise Yoga

5:45 am | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Under the Sun: A Summer Solstice Celebration

4:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Raleigh Night Market Pop-Up at Pine State Coffee

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pine State Coffee, Raleigh

Live local music

10:00 pm | FREE | The Pickled Onion 2, Raleigh (Glenwood)

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Krispy Kreme: Free Original Filled Doughnut on Saturday

All Day | FREE

Pollinator Palooza

9:00 am to 11:00 am | $4.00-6.00 | North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Free distillery tours and sampling every Saturday at Pinetop Distillery in Raleigh

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Pinetop Distillery, Raleigh

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Free Saturday Night Wine and Beer Tasting

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Pop-Up Art: Beautiful Machines--puppetry workshop with Jeghetto

9:00 am | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Fitness Series at Pullen Park: Ashtanga Yoga School

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

International SUNday at NC Museum of Natural History

12:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Summer Concert Series: Raleigh Concert Band

6:00 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Monday, June 24, 2019

Fit at Dix (register in advance)

6:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Air hockey tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nature Play Days

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Prairie Ridge Ecostation (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh

North Hills Kids in the Park: NC Soybean Producer's Association

10:00 am | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park

Big Boss Run Club

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Big Boss Brewing, Raleigh

Beer & Banjos

7:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Times Bar

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Moore Square Market: 20+ vendors, plus entertainment and children's activities

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh

Get Fit at Dix--Yoga in the Park (register in advance)

6:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Free Acro Yoga every Wednesday in Pullen Park

6:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Little Explorers: Firefly Frenzy

11:00 am | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Midtown Beach Music Series in Raleigh

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | North Hills

P(ride) Block Party

6:30 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing Company

Gizmo Open Mic Thursday

7:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Science Cafe: How to Grow Fruit in Your Backyard

7:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Outdoor Movie: Captain Marvel (tentative)

8:00 pm | FREE | Back lawn of Garner Performing Arts Center

Skeeball tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Friday, June 28, 2019

Conservation Assiatance Day

9:30 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh

Healthy Funk Music Fest

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens, Raleigh

Live music: Pat Tyler

7:00 pm | FREE | Nickelpoint Brewing Co., Raleigh

Live In-Store Performance: Michael Daughtry and the Drift

7:00 pm | FREE | Schoolkids Records Raleigh

Friday Family Flicks and Camping (free movie; small fee for camping): Smallfoot

8:45 pm | FREE | Lake Benson Park, Garner

Live local music

10:00 pm | FREE | The Pickled Onion 2, Raleigh (Glenwood)

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Southeast Raleigh Community Celebration

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Barwell Road Community Center, Raleigh

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Free distillery tours and sampling every Saturday at Pinetop Distillery in Raleigh

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Pinetop Distillery, Raleigh

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Free Saturday Night Wine and Beer Tasting

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh

Live music: Donnie Lane

7:00 pm | FREE | Nickelpoint Brewing Co., Raleigh

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Free Zumba class before summer concert

4:30 pm to 5:30 pm | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh

Summer Concert Series: Capital Transit

6:00 pm | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh

2019 Finley Freedom Festival

6:30 pm | FREE | A.E. Finley YMCA, Raleigh

Monday, July 1, 2019

Air hockey tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Nature Play Days

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Prairie Ridge Ecostation (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh

Big Boss Run Club

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Big Boss Brewing, Raleigh

Beer & Banjos

7:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Times Bar

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Moore Square Market: 20+ vendors, plus entertainment and children's activities

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh

Town of Garner's Independence Day Celebration, including fireworks and a free concert by North Carolina Symphony

5:00 pm | FREE | Lake Benson Park, Garner

Get Fit at Dix--Yoga in the Park (register in advance)

6:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Free Acro Yoga every Wednesday in Pullen Park

6:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Independence Day Celebration at North Carolina State Capitol

11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Free historical open house at Joel Lane Museum House on Independence Day

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Joel Lane Museum House, Raleigh

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Raleigh's 4th of July fireworks at PNC Arena this year

6:00 pm | FREE | PNC Arena

Gizmo Open Mic Thursday

7:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Brier Creek Commons 4th of July Fireworks Show and block party

7:00 pm | FREE | Brier Creek Commons

Skeeball tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Friday, July 5, 2019

First Friday Gallery Walk in Raleigh

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

Free admission to CAM Raleigh

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | CAM Raleigh

First Friday Market at The Morning Times

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Morning Times, Raleigh

Live local music

10:00 pm | FREE | The Pickled Onion 2, Raleigh (Glenwood)

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Living History Saturday at Mordecai Historic Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Mordecai Historic Park

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Free distillery tours and sampling every Saturday at Pinetop Distillery in Raleigh

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Pinetop Distillery, Raleigh

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Free Saturday Night Wine and Beer Tasting

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Crafternoon at Gizmo

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Summer Concert Series: Triangle Taiko

6:00 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Monday, July 8, 2019

Air hockey tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Nature Play Days

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Prairie Ridge Ecostation (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh

North Hills Kids in the Park: Kidchella

10:00 am | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park

Big Boss Run Club

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Big Boss Brewing, Raleigh

Motley Tones Pirate Sing Meetup

7:00 pm | FREE | Nickelpoint Brewing Co., Raleigh

Beer & Banjos

7:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Times Bar

Wake Audubon Monthly Program--free and open to the public

7:30 pm | FREE | Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Moore Square Market: 20+ vendors, plus entertainment and children's activities

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh

Get Fit at Dix--Yoga in the Park (register in advance)

6:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Free Acro Yoga every Wednesday in Pullen Park

6:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Midtown Beach Music Series in Raleigh

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | North Hills

Tai Chi in the Garden

6:00 pm | FREE | Gregg Museum, Raleigh

Gizmo Open Mic Thursday

7:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Movies in the Garden at Raleigh Little Theatre: TBA

7:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Little Theatre

Skeeball tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Friday, July 12, 2019

Live Music: Ally J

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh

Live music: Back to the Garden Duo

7:00 pm | FREE | Nickelpoint Brewing Co., Raleigh

Live local music

10:00 pm | FREE | The Pickled Onion 2, Raleigh (Glenwood)

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Visit Raleigh Fire Museum

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Fire Museum

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

11:00 am | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

150 Years of Gardening in America: How Does Your Garden Grow?

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh

Free distillery tours and sampling every Saturday at Pinetop Distillery in Raleigh

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Pinetop Distillery, Raleigh

Destination SunFest at Dix

2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Guided Tour of NC State Capitol

2:00 pm | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

Free Saturday Night Wine and Beer Tasting

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Second Sundays at City Market: music, food, vendors, kids' activities, more

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | City Market, Raleigh

Summer Concert Series: Raleigh Jazz Orchestra

6:00 pm | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh

Monday, July 15, 2019

Air hockey tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Nature Play Days

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Prairie Ridge Ecostation (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh

North Hills Kids in the Park: Little Professionals

10:00 am | FREE | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park

Big Boss Run Club

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Big Boss Brewing, Raleigh

Beer & Banjos

7:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh Times Bar

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Moore Square Market: 20+ vendors, plus entertainment and children's activities

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh

Get Fit at Dix--Yoga in the Park (register in advance)

6:00 pm | FREE | Dorothea Dix Park

Raleigh Drum Circle and Hoop Jam

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

Free Acro Yoga every Wednesday in Pullen Park

6:30 pm | FREE | Pullen Park, Raleigh

The Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson House Party Comedy Open Mic (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson not included)

8:00 pm | FREE | The Night Rider, Raleigh

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Family Summer Event

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabela’s

Midtown Beach Music Series in Raleigh

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | North Hills

Opening Reception: The Prints of Beauvais Lyons

6:00 pm | FREE | Gregg Museum, Raleigh

Gizmo Open Mic Thursday

7:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

Movies in the Garden at Raleigh Little Theatre: TBA

7:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh Little Theatre

Skeeball tournament

9:00 pm | FREE | Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh


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Triangle on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.