Looking for free and affordable things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and nearby communities this Thursday? The Triangle Event Guide for September 24, 2026, features outdoor art, local history, live jazz, karaoke and community events.

Highlights include Jazz in the Square with the Turnabout Players, a free Historic Oakwood Cemetery tour and Benson Mule Days. Here’s what’s happening across the Triangle and surrounding areas.

All-Day and Morning Events

Stammtisch German Community Night — Durham
All day | Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps | Drink special
Gather for German community night, featuring steins of German beers for pint prices. Beverages are purchased separately.

Sculpture in the Garden — Chapel Hill
9 a.m.–5 p.m. | North Carolina Botanical Garden | Free; $5 suggested donation
Explore outdoor sculptures displayed among the garden’s landscapes. The garden confirms a 5 p.m. closing time, correcting the supplied listing’s 5 a.m. time. 

Stroll Through History: Free Cemetery Tour — Raleigh
10–11 a.m. | Historic Oakwood Cemetery | Free
Discover local history during a morning tour of Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

Afternoon Events and Community Resources

Live Music: John Ford — Raleigh
3–6 p.m. | Blackbird Books and Coffee | Free
Catch an afternoon performance by John Ford at Blackbird Books and Coffee.

Benson Mule Days — Benson
3–11 p.m. | Downtown Benson | Listed as free
Head to downtown Benson for Thursday’s Mule Days festivities. Check the festival schedule for individual activities and any separate charges.

Parktown Food Hub Open Distribution Day — Durham
4:30–5:30 p.m. | Parktown Food Hub | Free
Parktown Food Hub hosts an open food distribution. Contact the organizer for pickup procedures and availability.

Early Evening Music, Fitness and Culture

Jazz in the Square: Turnabout Players — Raleigh
6–8 p.m. | Moore Square | Free
Enjoy live jazz with the Turnabout Players in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square.

Durham Beer and Banjos — Durham
6–8 p.m. | Old Mill Farm | Free
Spend part of Thursday evening at Old Mill Farm for Durham Beer and Banjos. Beverages are purchased separately.

Vinyl Nights — Durham
6–9 p.m. | Gizmo Brew Works | Free
Visit Gizmo Brew Works’ Durham location for an evening centered on vinyl music.

NC Run Club — Apex
6–9 p.m. | Bottle Theory | Free
Connect with fellow runners at Bottle Theory. Check with the club for the departure time, route and pace options within the listed event window.

Live Music — Wendell
Starts at 6 p.m. | Bearded Bee Brewing Company | Free
Bearded Bee Brewing Company hosts Thursday evening live music in Wendell.

Latin Rhythm, African Roots — Raleigh
6:30–8 p.m. | John P. “Top” Greene Park | $5
This drumming program adds an affordable cultural activity to Thursday’s lineup.

Music Bingo, Games and Late-Night Entertainment

Music Bingo — Cary
7–9 p.m. | Fortnight Brewing | Free
Join music bingo at Fortnight Brewing for an evening activity in Cary.

Opinionation — Raleigh
7–9 p.m. | Gizmo Brew Works | Free
Gather a group for Opinionation at Gizmo Brew Works’ Raleigh location.

Air Hockey Tournament — Durham
8–10 p.m. | Boxcar Bar + Arcade | Listed as free
Put air hockey skills to the test at Boxcar’s Durham location. Confirm tournament entry procedures with the venue.

Jazz: The Session — Cary
8–11 p.m. | Bond Brothers Eastside | Free
Keep the evening going with jazz at Bond Brothers Eastside.

Cosmic Cantina Karaoke — Chapel Hill
8–11:59 p.m. | Cosmic Cantina | Free
Step up to the microphone or enjoy the performances during Thursday karaoke.

Skee Ball Tournament — Raleigh
9–11 p.m. | Boxcar Bar and Arcade | Listed as free
Finish the night with a Skee Ball tournament at Boxcar’s Raleigh location. Check with the venue for participation details.

Karaoke Hosted by Empress — Carrboro
Starts at 9 p.m. | Speakeasy | Free
Empress hosts a late-night karaoke session at Speakeasy in Carrboro.

Plan Your Thursday in the Triangle

For a daytime outing, start with Sculpture in the Garden or the Historic Oakwood Cemetery tour. Evening options include free jazz in Raleigh and Cary, music bingo at Fortnight Brewing and karaoke in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Confirm schedules, registration requirements, age restrictions and weather updates with organizers before heading out. Free listings do not necessarily include food, beverages or other purchases. All times are local.

---

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

Connect With Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin

Share With Us: Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page.

Advertise With Us: Interested in Advertising click here.

Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |