Looking for things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill this weekend? The Triangle’s November 6–8 lineup includes First Friday art walks, outdoor movies, cultural celebrations, holiday shopping, farmers’ markets and family activities.

Whether you’re planning a Friday date night, a Saturday outing with the kids or a relaxed Sunday afternoon, this Triangle weekend events guide offers plenty of free and affordable options.

Before you go: This guide is based on the supplied event listings. Confirm dates, hours, registration and admission with organizers. “Free” generally refers to entry or the listed activity; food, drinks, shopping and extras may cost more. All times are Eastern.

Weekend Highlights

● Friday: Explore Raleigh’s First Friday events, celebrate Diwali or catch an outdoor movie in Raleigh or Cary.

● Saturday: Shop the Fall Arts Fair, visit Taste of China in Cary or explore Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Day.

● Sunday: Browse the Black Farmers’ Market, try instruments at Dix Park or attend a Veterans Day tribute.

● Throughout the weekend: Explore art, gardens, seasonal shopping and EgyptFest.

Friday, November 6: First Friday, Movies and Cultural Celebrations

First Friday Art and Downtown Events

Raleigh First Friday Gallery Walk
6–9 p.m. | Various locations | Free
Explore downtown’s gallery scene and make an evening of art, dining and local shopping.

More First Friday options:

● Artspace First Friday: Live art-making and more, 5–10 p.m. at Artspace, Raleigh. Free.

● First Friday at CoLab: Camp!: 6–11 p.m. at CoLab, Raleigh. Free.

● First Friday at Eno Arts Mill: Studio tours, live music and children’s activities, 6–9 p.m. in Hillsborough. Free.

● First Friday in Downtown Fuquay-Varina: 5–9 p.m. Free.

Free Outdoor Movies

● First Friday Market & Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox: 5–9 p.m. at Moore Square, Raleigh. Free.

● Movie Night: Minions: 6–10 p.m. at Downtown Cary Park. Free.

● Movies on the Bloc: Zootopia 2: 7 p.m. at 321 Coffee in downtown Raleigh. Free.

Times may include activities before the screening. Check the organizer’s movie start time.

Diwali, Day of the Dead and EgyptFest

● A Celebration of Diwali: Begins at 5 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh. Free.

● Diwali Celebration: 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Greystone Community Center. Free.

● Annual Day of the Dead Celebration: 6:30–9 p.m. at the City of Raleigh Museum. Free.

● EgyptFest: 4–8 p.m. at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Free admission.

Nature, Music and Evening Activities

● Birds & Breakfast: Birdwatching: 8:30–10:30 a.m. at Hub RTP. Free.

● Festival of Fabulous Mums: Noon–4 p.m. at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Free.

● One Tribe Drum Circle: 5:30–7 p.m. at the Stone Houses at Dix Park, Raleigh. Free.

● First Friday Under the Stars: Skywatching, 6–9 p.m. at Three Bears Acres, Creedmoor. Free.

● Live Music: 6–9 p.m. at Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh. Free.

● Raleigh International Folk Dancers: 6:30–10 p.m. at Glen Eden Pilot Park, Raleigh. Free.

● UNC Music: “To BEethoven Rather Than To Seem,” Part II: Gut Instinct Chamber Music Project, 7:30 p.m. at Person Recital Hall, Chapel Hill. Free.

● Pub Karaoke: 10–11:59 p.m. at West 94th Street Pub, Durham. Free.

Shopping, Tastings and Community Resources

● Visions of Sugarplums 52nd Annual Holiday Art & Gift Show: 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. at Quail Hollow Swim Club. Free admission.

● Tasting at Ten: Free coffee tasting at 10 a.m. at Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center, Durham.

● CARI Food Pantry Giveaway: 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Church of the Apostolic Revival International, Durham. Free.

● Lunch for the Brave: Free lunch for veterans, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Prestonwood Country Club, Cary. Registration required.

● Wine Tasting with Michael Bostick of 3 Keys Dist.: 5–7:30 p.m. at Taylor’s Wine Shop. Free.

Saturday, November 7: Festivals, Markets and Family Fun

Raleigh Festivals and Outdoor Shopping

Fall Arts Fair at Fred Fletcher Park
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Raleigh | Free admission
Add this arts-focused outing to your Saturday plans.

More Raleigh festival and market listings:

● Raleigh’s International Wine & Beer Festival: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at Moore Square. Listed as free admission; confirm tasting costs.

● Love Raleigh Festival & Market: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at Moore Square. Free admission.

● The Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo: Noon–6 p.m. on Fayetteville Street. Free admission; food purchases extra.

● The Market at NCMA: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Free admission.

● Glow Market: 3–7 p.m. at PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop. Free admission.

Cultural Celebrations and Fall Festivals

● Taste of China Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. in downtown Cary. Free admission.

● EgyptFest: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Free admission.

● Root Fest: 9 a.m.–noon at Carrboro Farmers’ Market. Free admission.

● Festifall Arts Market: Noon–5 p.m. at the parking lot at Rosemary and Columbia streets, Chapel Hill. Free admission.

● First Grateful Harvest Festival: 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at Beech Bluff County Park, Willow Spring. Free.

● 10th Annual Chestnut Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Strouds Creek Farm, Hillsborough. Listed admission: $0–$10.

● Fall Harvest Festival: 2–4 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, Durham. Free.

● North Carolina Whirligig Festival: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in historic downtown Wilson. Free admission. A day-trip option beyond the Triangle.

Free and Affordable Family Activities

Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Day
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Nature Research Center, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh | Free

Additional family outings:

● Home Depot Kids Workshop: Dump Truck: 9 a.m.–noon at participating locations. Free; check registration and availability.

● Youth Aviation Academy: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at John Chavis Memorial Park, Raleigh. $10; registration required.

● Kickball for Kids: 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Piney Wood Park, Durham. Free; registration required.

● 10th Annual Autism Acceptance Day: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, Holly Springs. Free.

● Family Saturday: North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble: 11 a.m. at The Carolina Theatre, Durham. $5.

● Eco Kids Tree Planting: 1–3 p.m. at Crowder County Park, Apex. Free.

● Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History Open House: 1–4 p.m. in Durham. Free. This listing is for the museum open house; confirm its location and access details.

● Santa Arrival Parade and Tree Lighting: Begins at 5 p.m. at participating Bass Pro Shops. Free.

Art, History and Community

● Orange County Artists Guild 32nd Annual Open Studio Tour: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at participating studios. Free.

● Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours: Four departure times between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Mordecai Historic Park. One-hour tours; $6–$10.

● Guided N.C. State Capitol Tours: Departures at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Raleigh. Free.

● Shiloh-Weaver Legacy Project Community Day: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Free.

● Hymns for Salted Bones: A Re-membering of Hayti Walking Tour: 2–3:30 p.m., starting at 1201 Fayetteville Street, Durham. Free; limited space and registration required.

● More Than War: Staged Reading and Community Conversation: 2:30 p.m. at Burning Coal Theater Company, Raleigh. Free.

Shopping, Cars and Collector Events

● Pre-Owned Christmas Decorations Sale: 7 a.m.–noon at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Durham. Free admission; purchases extra.

● Cars and Coffee Morrisville: 8–11 a.m. at Imperial Center, Durham. Free.

● Durham Craft Market: 9 a.m.–noon at Durham Central Park. Free admission.

● Visions of Sugarplums Holiday Art & Gift Show: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Quail Hollow Swim Club. Free admission.

● NC Collector’s Roadshow: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., listed at the Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds. $0–$5.

● 42nd Annual Raleigh Fall Train Show: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., also listed at the Jim Graham Building. $10. Confirm the venue details for both fairgrounds listings.

● Christmas Open House at Collected Treasures: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in Garner. Free admission.

● Carrboro Really Really Free Market: 2–4 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons. Free.

Gardens, Farms and Animals

● Saturday Slowdown Market and Open Farm Day: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at RambleRill Farm, Hillsborough. Free admission.

● Visit Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill. Listed admission: $0–$25.

● Open Farm: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill. $8.

● Festival of Fabulous Mums: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Free.

● Wanted: Forever Homes PIPs Adoption Event: 1–3 p.m. at Lonerider Wake Forest Hideout & Distillery. Free admission; adoption requirements and fees may apply separately.

Saturday Night Music, Movies and Sports

● Carolina Roller Derby Fall Double Header: 5–9 p.m. at SoFive Soccer and Sports Center, Apex. $8–$20.

● Live Music at Gizmo Brew Works: 5–8 p.m. at the Raleigh location.

● Live Music Saturdays: 5–8 p.m. at Gizmo Brew Works, Durham.

● Sufi Roots & Rhythms with Diali Cissokho Trio: 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Boxyard RTP. Free.

● Live Music: 6–9 p.m. at Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest. Free.

● Karaoke: 7–10 p.m. at Crank Arm Brewing, Durham. Free.

● Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse Concert: 7:30 p.m. in Durham. Free.

● Fall Film Series: Best in Show: 7:30 p.m. at Durham Central Park. Free.

● UNC Opera Fall Scenes Program: 8 p.m. at Hill Hall, Chapel Hill. Free.

The two Gizmo music listings also show free admission.

Saturday Food Resources

● Millbrook United Methodist Church Food Pantry: 10 a.m.–noon in Raleigh. Free.

● Hillside Church Drive-Thru Food Pantry: 11 a.m.–noon in Chapel Hill. Free.

Check each pantry’s distribution procedures and availability before traveling.

Sunday, November 8: Markets, Music and Veterans Tributes

Sunday Markets and Local Shopping

Black Farmers’ Market in Raleigh
1–4 p.m. | Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School | Free admission
Make room in your Sunday plans to shop and support participating vendors.

More Sunday markets:

● Raleigh Really Really Free Market: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Eliza Pool Park. Free.

● Raleigh Underground Market: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Midtown Park. Free admission.

● Bazaar Craft & Art Market: Noon–5 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons. Free admission.

● Oak & Ink Bookish Boutique: 1–4 p.m. at Botanist and Barrel, Cedar Grove. Free admission.

Museums, Art and Family Outings

● Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free admission for Durham County residents; confirm proof-of-residency and entry requirements.

● Second Sundays: Open Studio: 1–3 p.m. at the Nasher Museum of Art, Durham. Free.

● Instrument Petting Zoo: 2–4 p.m. at Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park, Raleigh. Free.

● Orange County Artists Guild Open Studio Tour: Noon–5 p.m. at participating studios. Free.

● Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland: Free Santa photos and activities at participating locations. Check appointment availability and store hours.

● NC Collector’s Roadshow: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., listed at the Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds. $0–$5.

● Raleigh Fall Train Show: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., also listed at the Jim Graham Building. $10; confirm venue details.

Festivals and Garden Visits

● EgyptFest: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Free admission.

● Festival of Fabulous Mums: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Free.

● Diwali Mela at Brier Creek: Noon–2 p.m. at Brier Creek Commons. Free.

● North Carolina Whirligig Festival: Noon–5 p.m. in historic downtown Wilson. Free admission.

● Visit Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill. Listed admission: $0–$25.

Veterans Day Tributes

With Veterans Day approaching on November 11, the supplied weekend listings include:

● Knightdale Veterans Day Tribute: 2 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park. Free.

● Veterans Day Celebration Concert: Durham Community Concert Band performs at 2 p.m. in Southern Village, Chapel Hill. Free.

Sunday Music, Games and Social Activities

● Sunday Morning Yoga: 10–11 a.m. at Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh. Free.

● Morgan Street Sessions: Noon–4 p.m. at Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh. Free.

● Open Play American Mahjong: 1–3:30 p.m. at Hops & Flower, Durham. Free.

● Panthers Watch Party: 1–4 p.m. at Tap Yard, Raleigh. Free admission; confirm the game schedule.

● Air Hockey Tournament: Begins at 1 p.m. at Super Rad Retro Lounge Arcade Bar, Raleigh. Free.

● Paws and Pints Group Dog Walk: 2–4 p.m. at Crank Arm Brewing, Durham. Free.

● Open Mic: 2–5 p.m. at Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina. Free.

● UNC Opera Fall Scenes Program: 3 p.m. at Hill Hall, Chapel Hill. Free.

● Open Mic Night: 3–6 p.m. at Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh. Free.

● Bluegrass Open Jam: 4–7 p.m. at Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary. Free.

Additional Weekend Listings to Confirm

These supplied listings need an extra check before you make plans:

● Durham Fringe Festival: Listed throughout November 6–8 at various Durham locations, with free and ticketed performances and art installations. Confirm the festival dates and individual performance schedule.

● Sculpture in the Garden: Listed each day at North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, starting at 9 a.m. Free with a suggested $5 donation. The supplied closing time says “5 a.m.” and needs confirmation.

● World Market Golden Santa Scavenger Hunt: Listed throughout the weekend at participating stores, with rewards up to $100. Confirm participating locations, hunt times and promotion rules.

● Military Appreciation Week at North Carolina Zoo: Listed Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with free admission for a military member and one guest. Confirm eligible dates, identification requirements and entry conditions. The zoo is in Asheboro, outside the Triangle.

● Marbles Kids Museum Museums on Us: The supplied listing places this Bank of America customer and employee benefit on November 7–8 and describes it as a first-weekend offer. Because November 1 falls on a Sunday, confirm the program’s designated November dates and eligibility before relying on free admission.

Plan Your Triangle Weekend

For a Friday evening outing, pair an art stop with a downtown movie or cultural celebration. On Saturday, choose a festival or market and leave time for a family activity. Sunday offers opportunities to shop locally, enjoy live music and honor veterans.

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