Looking for the best things to do across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and the Triangle this weekend? From outdoor markets and film festivals to free concerts, cultural festivals, and family-friendly activities, the Triangle Entertainment Guide Weekend Edition has something for everyone.

Friday, September 12, 2025

Beyond: The Cary Film Festival — All Day | $8.53 | The Cary Theater

Krispy Kreme Special — Buy any dozen, get 50% off Chocolate Glazed Dozen | Multiple locations

Fall Open Nursery and Garden Days — 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Plant Delights Nursery & Juniper Level Botanic Garden

Nature Tales for Children — 10 a.m.–11 a.m. | FREE | NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill

Southern Ideal Home Show — 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | $6–$12 | Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds

Tasting at Ten: Free Coffee Tasting — 10 a.m. | FREE | Counter Culture Coffee HQ, Durham

Fall for Orchids — Orchid Show — 1 p.m.–6 p.m. | FREE | JC Raulston Arboretum

Incredible Science — 1:30 p.m. | FREE | NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Reflections: Virtual Art Tour — 2 p.m. | FREE | Nasher Museum of Art, Durham

Cigars & Brews — 3 p.m. | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary

Cary Night Market — 5 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Cary Park

Second Friday Market & Movie Night: E.T. — 5 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh

Free Wine Tasting (Italian Wines) — 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m. | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop

Bike Night — 5:30 p.m.–8 p.m. | FREE | Red Moose Brewing, Pittsboro

Friday Night on White: Liquid Pleasure — 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | White Street, Wake Forest

Festival Latino in Garner — 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Garner Recreation Center

Summer at the Springs — 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Holly Springs Cultural Center

Live Music: Steve Holcomb — 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh

DJ Night with DJ Al Ski-Love — 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest

Hillsborough Hog Day (Kickoff) — 6 p.m.–10 p.m. | FREE | River Park, Hillsborough

2nd Friday ArtWalk — 6 p.m.–9 p.m. | FREE | Chapel Hill & Carrboro

Free Wine Tasting — 6 p.m. | FREE | Local 919, Raleigh

Brightleaf Concert Series: Chris Sharp & Friends + Africa Unplugged — 6:30 p.m. | FREE | Brightleaf Square, Durham

Chime In Open Mic (Poetry & Music) — 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro

Weekly Dance with Raleigh International Folk Dancers — 6:30 p.m.–10 p.m. | $3 | Glen Eden Pilot Park, Raleigh

Line Dance Party — 7 p.m.–10 p.m. | $13 | Mystic Farm & Distillery, Durham

Friday Co-Working Social — 7 p.m.–10 p.m. | FREE | The Glass Jug, Durham

Video Game Night — 7 p.m.–11 p.m. | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery, Durham

Comedy Open Mic — 7 p.m. | FREE | The Common Market, Durham

Live Music — 7 p.m. | FREE | Growler Grlz, Durham

Night of Fire & Bass — 8 p.m.–11 p.m. | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, RTP

Live Music: Orange County All Stars — 8 p.m.–11 p.m. | FREE | Yonder, Hillsborough

Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic — 8 p.m.–11 p.m. | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing, Durham

A Good Time: Comedy Showcase — 8 p.m. | FREE | Vault Craft Beer, Raleigh

Karaoke Fridays — 9 p.m. | FREE | Flying Bull Beer Co., Durham

Karaoke Bingo Nights — 9 p.m. | FREE | KōMANA Brewing, Cary

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Highlights include:

Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo — Noon–6 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

International Cultural Festival — 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | FREE | Fuquay-Varina Arts Center

Family Saturday Series: Africa Unplugged — 11 a.m. | $5 | Carolina Theatre, Durham

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours — 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | $6–$10 | Mordecai Historic Park

Durham Oktoberfest at Motorco — 1–5 p.m. & 6–10 p.m. | Motorco Music Hall, Durham

Carolina Circus Festival — 3–9:30 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Cary Park

Live Music at Gizmo Brew Works — 5–8 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh

Broadway & Disney Karaoke — 7–10 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh Brewing

(Full Saturday schedule includes more than 40 free and ticketed events across the Triangle!)

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Highlights include:

Flower Making Workshop for Día de Oakwood — 10 a.m. & 12 p.m. | FREE | The Chapel at Dix Park

Durham Community Day — 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Museum of Life + Science

Triangle Vegfest — Noon–5 p.m. | FREE | Durham Central Park

17th Annual Pepperfest — Noon–5 p.m. | FREE | The Plant, Pittsboro

Raleigh Underground Market — 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | FREE | Midtown Park, Raleigh

Raleigh Concert Series: Blue Notes — 5–7 p.m. | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh

School is Such a Drag (Show) — 5–8 p.m. | FREE | Boxcar Bar & Arcade, Raleigh

Concerts in the Park (Wake Forest) — 5:30 p.m. | FREE | E. Carroll Joyner Park

Why This Weekend is Special

From E.T. under the stars in Raleigh to art walks in Carrboro, Oktoberfest celebrations in Durham, and the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo, this weekend is filled with cultural experiences, local flavors, and community fun. Whether you’re into music, family events, history tours, or just enjoying the outdoors, the Triangle has something to offer.

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