The Triangle comes alive this Friday with holiday kickoffs, family activities, art walks, live music, and foodie events — most of them completely free. Whether you’re in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Morrisville, or Chapel Hill, there’s something happening from morning to late night.
Use this guide to plan your perfect Friday!
🎁 All-Day Events
Duke Promo: Free Sub at Harris Teeter
All Day | FREE | Select Harris Teeter Locations
Duke fans score big today with a free sub promo at participating Harris Teeter stores.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, Multiple Locations
Enjoy free Santa photos, activities, crafts, and festive displays — a family favorite every holiday season.
Sculpture in the Garden
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | FREE ($5 suggested donation) | NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Explore the region’s largest outdoor sculpture showcase among garden paths and fall blooms.
🌿 Afternoon Events
Calvin Jones House Guided Tour
2:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. | FREE | Wake Forest Historical Museum
Experience Wake Forest history through this docent-led museum tour.
🎄 Evening Holiday Events & Tree Lightings
Tree Lighting Celebration at Waverly Place
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | FREE | Waverly Place, Cary
A family-friendly celebration with performances, holiday vendors, treats, and Santa.
Holiday Gift Basket Tasting
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | FREE | Self Care Marketplace, Raleigh
Sample artisan holiday gift baskets and seasonal beverages.
Cary Night Market — Holiday Edition
5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Cary Park
Shop handmade goods, art, holiday décor, food trucks, and live music.
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting & Holiday Market
5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | FREE | Moore Square, Raleigh
One of the Triangle’s biggest holiday traditions — with vendors, entertainment, and free photos with Santa.
Winter Wonderland at Park West Village
5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. | FREE | Park West Village, Morrisville
Snowfall, characters, carriage rides, and glowing holiday activations.
🍽️ Food & Night Market Events
Durham Foodie Fare
5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. | FREE | Durham Central Park
A weekly favorite featuring local food vendors, desserts, beverages, and artisan pop-ups.
🔬 Science, Art & Culture
Teen Science Café — Morehead Planetarium
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | FREE | Chapel Hill
Teens explore real science topics with hands-on activities and expert speakers.
Third Friday Durham Art Walk
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | FREE | Downtown Durham
A monthly celebration of galleries, studios, performances, and public art.
Loose Leaf Gallery — Third Friday Event
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | FREE | Durham Food Hall
Pop-up art exhibitions, maker booths, and meet-the-artist sessions.
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. | $16.74–$30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
Walk through illuminated large-scale lantern displays and cultural performances.
🍷 Food & Drink Tastings
Free Wine Tasting at Local 919
6:00 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh
Explore a curated selection of seasonal wines.
🎬 Movies, Games & More
“Pay What You Can” Screening of Afloat
6:30 p.m. | Varsity Theatre, Chapel Hill
A community-based film event with flexible admission.
Speed Puzzling Night
6:30 p.m. | FREE | Raleigh Brewing
Race the clock at this fast-paced jigsaw competition.
🎵 Live Music
Grace Lucia (Live Music)
7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m. | FREE | White Street Brewing, Wake Forest
Forest Rising Band (Live Music)
7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. | FREE | Lonerider Brewing Company, Raleigh
🎤 Open Mic, Comedy & DJ Nights
Third Space Music Open Mic
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro
Bounce & Brews DJ Night
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham
Video Game Night
7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery, Durham
Rhinestone Country Night
7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing, Wendell
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic
8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham
Karaoke with Mega Mike
8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Raleigh
A Good Time: Stand-Up Comedy Showcase
8:00 p.m. | FREE | Vault Craft Beer, Raleigh
🎤 Late Night Fun
Karaoke Bingo Nights
9:00 p.m. | FREE | KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary
Sing, win prizes, and enjoy late-night brews at this crowd favorite.
Plan Your Friday in the Triangle
Whether you’re looking for holiday cheer, family fun, live music, art, or food events, the Triangle is packed with Friday options — most of them free. Bookmark this guide and explore the region one event at a time.
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