Presented by DoRaleigh.com — Your Source for Free, Fun & Local Triangle Events

The Triangle lights up this weekend with art fairs, food festivals, live music, holiday markets, and veterans celebrations across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and beyond. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy craft fair, a foodie adventure, or a day of family fun, our Triangle Entertainment Guide: Weekend Edition has you covered.

🐔 Saturday, November 8 – Weekend Kickoff

🍗 National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day Deals

📍 All Day | Discounted | Various locations

Celebrate the most delicious day of the year with specials and deals across the Triangle.

🎅 Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland

📍 All Day | FREE | Multiple locations

Free Santa photos, crafts, and holiday cheer for the whole family.

🚶🏾‍♀️ African American Walking Tour – Raleigh’s Third Ward

📍 All Day | $5–10 | Pope House Museum, Raleigh

Explore Raleigh’s rich Black history and heritage through guided tours with three start times.

🛍️ Belk’s Charity Sale

📍 All Day | $5 entry | Multiple locations

Buy a $5 ticket, apply it to your purchase, and enjoy an additional 25% off while supporting local charities.

🥞 Free Original Grand Slam Breakfast (Rewards Members)

📍 All Day | FREE | Denny’s, participating locations

🎨 Durham Craft Market

📍 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | FREE | Durham Central Park

Shop local crafts, jewelry, and art at this beloved weekly outdoor market.

🖼️ Visions of Sugarplums 51st Annual Holiday Art & Gift Show

📍 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | FREE | Quail Hollow Swim Club

A Raleigh holiday tradition filled with local makers and handcrafted gifts.

🐘 Military Appreciation Week at NC Zoo

📍 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | FREE | Asheboro

Free admission for military members plus one guest.

🧭 NC Collector’s Roadshow & 41st Annual Raleigh Fall Train Show

📍 NC State Fairgrounds

Roadshow: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | $0–5 Train Show: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | $10 Treasure hunting and train nostalgia collide in one busy weekend at the fairgrounds.

🖌️ Fall Arts Fair at Fred Fletcher Park

📍 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh

Stroll through local artists’ booths, live demonstrations, and family-friendly art zones.

🐮 Visit Cow Sanctuary

📍 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | $0–25 | Chapel Hill

Meet the rescued cows of Brajboro and learn about animal care and sustainability.

🌻 Explore Horton Grove Nature Preserve

📍 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | FREE | Bahama, NC

🐝 Family Fun Day Fall Fair!

📍 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | FREE | City of Raleigh Museum

Games, crafts, and community fun for kids and families.

🎖️ Veterans Celebration at John Chavis Memorial Park

📍 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh

Honor local veterans with ceremonies, music, and family activities.

🧺 Waverly Place Pop-Up & Person Street Plaza Block Party

📍 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | FREE | Cary & Raleigh

Two pop-up shopping experiences supporting local vendors.

🚌 Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours

📍 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | $6–10 | Mordecai Historic Park

Hop aboard a guided tour through Raleigh’s rich past.

🎄 Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair

📍 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | $6 | Wakefield High School

🛠️ JCPenney Kids Zone (Crafts for Kids)

📍 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | FREE | Participating locations

🧃 Free Tasting at Umbrella Dry Bar

📍 12 p.m.–3 p.m. | FREE | Self Care Marketplace, Raleigh

🛍️ PORCH Food Distribution & Durham Co-op Grocery Giveaway

📍 12 p.m.–4 p.m. | FREE | Chapel Hill & Durham

🛟 Swimsgiving Food Drive

📍 12 p.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Smithfield Recreation Center

🏰 Fool’s Faire – Renaissance Festival

📍 12 p.m.–8 p.m. | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Mebane

🛹 Skate Moore Square

📍 12 p.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

Moore Square transforms into a skate park for the weekend!

🎶 Evening Live Music & Comedy Highlights

Josh Rhyne & The Silvertones – Oaklyn Springs Brewery Turtle Smash – Bombshell Beer Company Tim Fast – Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham Cold Brew Comedy Series – Carrboro (7:30 p.m.) Karaoke Nights – Raleigh Brewing & Old North State Food Hall

☀️ Sunday, November 9 – The Chill Day

🍗 National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day Deals

Still hungry? Enjoy another day of deals across the Triangle.

🎅 Santa’s Wonderland Continues

📍 All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

🪴 Sculpture in the Garden

📍 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Chapel Hill

🚂 Raleigh Fall Train Show & NC Collector’s Roadshow (Day 2)

📍 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | NC State Fairgrounds

🐄 Visit Cow Sanctuary

📍 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Chapel Hill

🧶 The Woodland Critter Holiday Market

📍 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | FREE | Haven Farm, Knightdale

🌿 Raleigh Really Really Free Market

📍 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | FREE | Eliza Pool Park, Raleigh

🧺 Raleigh Underground Market & Bazaar Carrboro Craft Fair

📍 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh & Carrboro

🏈 Sunday NFL Watch Parties

📍 12 p.m.–3 p.m. | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing & Triangle Bars

🚜 Black Farmers’ Market

📍 1 p.m.–4 p.m. | FREE | Southeast Raleigh YMCA

🖌️ Artspace Open Studio

📍 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

🎖️ Knightdale Veterans Day Tribute

📍 2 p.m. | FREE | Knightdale Station Park

🎬 Secret Cinema Sundays

📍 2 p.m.–5 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh Brewing

🎻 Evening Performances & Concerts

Michael Jones Duo – Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest Holy Trinity Concert Series – Corey Leak, Raleigh Bach Cantata Series – Duke University Chapel Marine Corps 250th Birthday Celebration – Fortnight Brewing, Cary Comedy Open Mic Food Drive – Durham

🎨 Plan Your Weekend with DoRaleigh.com

From Santa photos and veterans tributes to local markets and free concerts, this weekend’s Triangle entertainment scene offers something for every taste and budget.

💡 Tip: Most city and community events are free or low-cost — and family-friendly!

📅 Find more local happenings on DoRaleigh.com

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