Looking for free and affordable things to do around Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and beyond? This Triangle Event Guide for Friday, January 30, 2026, is packed with free food, live music, art openings, trivia, tastings, movie nights, and community events happening all across the region.

Whether you’re celebrating National Croissant Day, catching a Final Friday art reception, or enjoying live music and brewery events, there’s something for everyone—without breaking the bank.

Food & Drink Highlights

Free Butter Croissant for National Croissant Day

All Day | FREE | Lidl (participating locations)

Celebrate National Croissant Day with a free butter croissant at participating Lidl stores across the Triangle.

Tasting at Ten – Free Coffee Tasting

10:00 AM | FREE | Counter Culture Coffee HQ, Durham

Enjoy a guided coffee tasting at Counter Culture’s headquarters and training center.

Free Distillery Tour & Tasting

6:00 – 8:00 PM | FREE | Mystic Farm & Distillery, Durham

Daytime Events & Family-Friendly Activities

Winter Storytime at JC Raulston Arboretum

10:00 – 11:00 AM | $5 | JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh

Houseplants & Pottery Sale

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Logan’s Garden Center at the NC Farmers Market

Curator’s Tour: “Bill Bamberger: Boys Will Be Men”

3:30 – 4:30 PM | FREE | Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill

Live Music, Arts & Evening Events

Live Music: Emily Musolino & Azul

5:30 – 7:00 PM | FREE | Boxyard RTP

Final Friday Reception: “Anything Goes”

6:00 – 8:00 PM | FREE | Cary Gallery of Artists

Teen Science Café

6:00 – 8:00 PM | FREE | Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill

Free Turkish Music Concert

6:00 – 8:30 PM | FREE | Turkish House, Cary

Art Openings in Hillsborough

From the Heart – Margaret Lane Gallery (6–9 PM | FREE) Proximity – Hillsborough Gallery of Arts (6–9 PM | FREE)

Final Friday Cary Art Loop

6:00 – 9:00 PM | FREE | Downtown Cary

Breweries, Games & Nightlife

Vinyl Night

6:00 – 9:00 PM | FREE | Sneaky Penguin Brewing, Raleigh

Live DJ: Al Ski-Love

6:00 – 9:00 PM | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest

Queer Game Night

6:00 – 9:00 PM | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro

Live Music: Grace Lucia

7:00 – 9:30 PM | FREE | White Street Brewing, Wake Forest

Bombshell Beer Company 12-Year Anniversary

7:00 – 10:00 PM | FREE | Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs

Storytelling Open Mic Night

7:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh

Bounce & Brews DJ Night

7:00 – 9:00 PM | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham

Karaoke Bingo Nights

7:00 – 10:00 PM | FREE | KōMANA Brewing, Cary

Hoppy Hour Cinema Movie Series

7:00 – 10:00 PM | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown, Durham

Video Game Night

7:00 – 11:00 PM | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery, Durham

Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic

8:00 – 11:00 PM | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing, Durham

Karaoke with Mega Mike

8:00 – 11:00 PM | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Raleigh

Hypnotic Focus: Cerebral Dance & Flow

9:00 PM | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro

Make the Most of Your Friday Night

From free croissants and coffee tastings to art walks, live music, trivia, movies, and karaoke, Friday night in the Triangle offers endless ways to explore your community without spending much—or anything at all.

Check back daily on DoRaleigh.com for the latest Triangle event guides, downtown Raleigh picks, and government & community happenings.

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

Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin