From free ice cream to rooftop jazz, this weekend in the Triangle has something for everyone—yes, even your dog (just bring them to a brewery with live music).

☀️ THURSDAY, JULY 17: Freebies, Flavors & First Notes of Summer

Start your weekend early with a smorgasbord of free events and community vibes across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and beyond.

🍵 Free Tea Day at McAlister’s Deli

Quench your thirst and your wallet. Sweet, unsweet, green—whatever your vibe, it’s free all day at all locations.

🍦 Free Dilly Bar at Dairy Queen

With just a $1 purchase, walk away with a classic Dilly Bar. Cool nostalgia on a stick.

🎶 Free Live Music, Everywhere

Rooftop jazz & wine tasting (Westin + 10th & Terrace in Raleigh) Dorian & Lou at Chatham Community Library (1–2pm) Cameron Tate in Wendell (6pm) Beer & Banjos at Old Mill Farm in Durham (6:30–8:30pm) Summer Jazz Jam at Missy Lane’s in Durham (7–10pm)

🧠 Science, Trivia & Art Talks

Cetacean Fascination – whales, y’all! (NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 7pm) Find Your Glimmer Artist Talk (Artspace, 6–8pm) Triangle Trivia Tournament (Raleigh Brewing, 7–10pm)

🍷 Evening Mood Boosters

Game Night in Garner Vinyl Night in Durham Irish Music in Pittsboro Open Mic Poetry at The Common Market, Durham Comedy, Karaoke, and Jazz Jams from Raleigh to Cary

This isn’t a Thursday. It’s a sampler platter of Triangle soul—served free.

🌿 FRIDAY, JULY 18: Feel-Good Friday, Fueled by Donuts, Deals, and Dancing

🍩 Krispy Kreme Birthday Bash

Buy a dozen, get a dozen for 88 cents. Time to become your coworkers’ favorite human.

🌱 Garden Days + Coffee Tastings

Summer Open Nursery & Garden Days at Plant Delights Free coffee tasting at Counter Culture Coffee, Durham (10am) Calvin Jones House Tours at 11am & 2pm

🧃 Friday Feels at Night

Third Friday Durham explodes with art exhibits, drink & draw sessions, puppets, and live music on every corner (6–9pm) Crowder by Night: Beetle Mania – bugs under the stars, Apex-style NCMA Film: The Wild Robot at Moore Square – pack a blanket and popcorn Christmas in July Party at Boxcar Durham? Yes please.

🎸 Live Tunes Galore

From Bad Habbott at Lonerider Brewing to Steve Holcomb at Gizmo, and Jim DiBattista at White Street Brewing in Wake Forest, your ears will be full.

💃 Dance, Draw, or Mingle

Third Friday Drink & Draw with Caleb Gray Single Mingle SPLASH! at Downtown Cary Park Folk Dancing in Raleigh for just $3 Co-Working Social at The Glass Jug Taproom in Durham

🍦 SATURDAY, JULY 19: Ice Cream, Market Magic & Outdoor Music

🧁 Birthday Week Continues at Two Roosters Ice Cream

Celebrate a new decade of flavor at each location—check out Golden Belt in Durham for some sweet surprises.

🌄 Morning Adventures

Hike with a Naturalist at Yates Mill (9am) Durham Craft Market (8am–12pm) Cow Sanctuary visit in Chapel Hill (yes, cows!)

🎨 Creative Encounters

Make Your Own Block Print Coasters (Hub RTP, $6) Pop-Up Raleigh Art & Vintage Market at Trophy Guided Tours at Dix Park and NC State Capitol

🎧 Afternoon Jams & Good Times

Raleigh Brewing Book Fair Kelly Jackson Live at Ment Beverage Christmas in July at Waverly Place Raleigh Nights at Smoky Hollow – vendors, DJs, performers & street magic

🎤 Night to Remember

Live & Local July Series at Oak City Brewing Group Psychic Readings at Fainting Goat Brewing Dueling Pianos, Open Mics, Comedy Shows Find Your Glimmer: Bring Your Own Vinyl Listening at Artspace Outdoor concerts across the Triangle – Saxapahaw, Apex, Cary, Wake Forest

🍨 SUNDAY, JULY 20: Ice Cream Day + Brunch Beats

🎉 National Ice Cream Day = Triangle Heaven

Dilly Bars for $1 at DQ Free Scoop for the 80+ crowd at Handel’s Free Dippin’ Dots at Crabtree (1–3pm) Forest Ridge Park celebration in Wake Forest Two Roosters continues its delicious birthday bash

🎶 Brunch & Breezy Music

Weaver Street Market lawn jams in Carrboro Sunday Jazz Brunch with Al Strong at Missy Lane’s Ed Kincade Live at Lanza’s Cafe Bluegrass, Irish tunes & Open Mic all afternoon

🌽 Community-Powered Events

Durham Vegan Food Fest Black Farmers’ Market Free Ice Cream Social in Fuquay The Story of the Plott Hound at Wake Forest Historical Museum

🎷 Evening Encore

Eat a Peach: Live at Pullen Park (6–8pm) Harvey Cummings & Friends: Jazz Jam at Find Your Glimmer, Raleigh Sundays at Sundown in Chapel Hill – the perfect summer sendoff

🎈 BONUS: WEEKEND PICKS FOR DIFFERENT VIBES

If You Want…

Go Here

Free Family Fun

Raleigh Market, Splash Pad Bash, Muppet Movie

Art + Creativity

Third Friday Durham, Pop-Up Raleigh, Artspace

Laid-Back Music

Southern Village, Raleigh Brewing, Gizmo

Outdoor Adventures

Hikes, nursery tours, cow sanctuaries 🌱

Date Night Energy

Rooftop wine tasting, jazz jams, vinyl nights

Something Unexpected

Psychic readings, Christmas in July, trivia

💬 Follow @DoRaleigh or visit DoRaleigh.com for the Triangle’s best weekly events and last-minute surprises.

So whether you’re swapping plants, dancing in Saxapahaw, sipping free coffee, or chasing ice cream dreams—this weekend, the Triangle is your playground.

🗓️ See you out there.