Your go-to guide for free and low-cost things to do across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and beyond.

Looking for free events in the Triangle, family-friendly activities, art walks, live music, trivia, comedy, and unique nightlife experiences? The Triangle Event Guide for Friday, January 9, 2026 rounds up the best happenings across Wake, Durham, Orange, and Johnston counties. From community food giveaways and museum programs to art walks and open mic nights, there’s something for everyone tonight.

🌟 Featured Triangle Events (Friday)

🥫 Free Food & Community

Free Food Giveaway with Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | FREE Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church, Zebulon A community food distribution supporting families across Eastern North Carolina.

🖼️ Museums, Art & Culture

Reflections: Virtual Tour 2:00 pm | FREE Nasher Museum of Art, Durham 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill & Carrboro 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE Chapel Hill & Carrboro Galleries, studios, pop-ups, and live performances throughout both downtowns. CoLab: Paint, Paint, Pass — Uncomfortable Together 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE CoLab, Raleigh

🧪 Science & Learning

Teen Science Café at Daily Planet 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | FREE Nature Research Center Hosted by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

🎶 Music, Trivia & Nightlife

Acoustic Open Mic Night 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE Esmeralda’s Cafe, Durham Pitch It! PowerPoint Night 6:30 pm | FREE Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh Bounce & Brews DJ Night 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE Gizmo Brew Works, Durham Karaoke Bingo Night 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary Hoppy Hour Cinema Movie Series 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom Video Game Night 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, Durham

😂 Comedy & Games

Comedy Open Mic 7:00 pm | FREE The Common Market, Durham Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham

🎤 Karaoke & Social Fun

Karaoke with Harryoke 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE Bombshell Beer Company Karaoke with Mega Mike 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh

🌸 Special Events

Plant Bingo 6:30 pm | $5.00 Oaklyn Springs Brewery North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $16.74–$30.64 Koka Booth Amphitheatre

🔎 Plan Your Weekend with DoRaleigh

Whether you’re searching for free things to do in Raleigh, Durham nightlife, Triangle art walks, or family-friendly events, DoRaleigh has you covered.

👉 Bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily Triangle event guides

👉 Follow DoRaleigh.com on social media for last-minute updates and pop-up events

👉 Share this guide with friends and make it a night out!

Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.

Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin