Triangle Event Guide Weekend Edition October 9–11, 2026
Looking for things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Cary and the Triangle this weekend? The October 9–11, 2026 Triangle Event Guide brings together fall festivals, cultural celebrations, live music, markets, outdoor activities and early Halloween fun.
Saturday highlights include Hum Sub Diwali in Cary, Fall for Five Points in Raleigh, Wake Forest Pride Fest and Apex Oktoberfest. Families can explore Kids in Nature Day in Garner, PoeFest in Raleigh or Trick or Treat on Main Street in downtown Garner. Sunday offers farmers’ markets, jazz, museum activities and seasonal celebrations.
Many listings feature free admission. Parking, food, drinks, purchases and individual activities may cost extra. Donation-based events and ticketed attractions are identified below. Confirm schedules, registration requirements and availability with organizers before traveling.
Weekend Highlights Around the Triangle
● Hum Sub Diwali: Saturday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. Free admission; $10 parking.
● Fall for Five Points Festival: Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 2000 Fairview Road, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Wake Forest Pride Fest: Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Brooks Street, Wake Forest. Free admission.
● Apex Oktoberfest: Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Apex Town Hall. Free admission.
● A Taste of Greece: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. Free admission; food purchases may cost extra.
● FlushFest: Friday through Sunday in Hillsborough. Admission by donation; Sunday’s program moves to Eno House and includes a silent film.
● Trick or Treat on Main Street: Saturday, 5–9 p.m., downtown Garner. Free admission, with Touch-a-Truck and a food truck rodeo among the listed activities.
● Triangle Barkitecture: Saturday, 1–5 p.m., Downtown Cary Park. Free admission to the pet architecture and design competition.
Friday, October 9: ArtWalks, Live Music and Fall Fun
Morning and Afternoon
● Sculpture in the Garden: Opens at 9 a.m., North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. Free admission; $5 suggested donation. Confirm closing time with the garden.
● Hike with a Naturalist: 9:30–11 a.m., Historic Yates Mill County Park. Free.
● Counter Culture Coffee Tasting at Ten: 10 a.m., Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center, Durham. Free.
● Scented Storytime: 11 a.m.–noon, North Regional Library, Durham. Free.
● The Witch’s Haunted Barn — No-Actor Version: Noon–5 p.m., Firefly Farm, Hillsborough. $13.
● Reflections: Virtual Tour: 2–3 p.m., Nasher Museum of Art virtual program. Free; confirm access instructions.
● FlushFest: 3:30–10 p.m., Eno River Brewing, Hillsborough. Admission by donation.
● Free Wine Tastings: 4:30–6:30 p.m., Bottle Theory, Apex.
Festivals, Art and Early Evening Events
● Hargraves Fall Carnival: 5–7 p.m., Hargraves Community Center, Chapel Hill. Free.
● Wake Forest Free Market: 5–7 p.m., Olive Branch Baptist Church. Free.
● Charter Community Fall Festival: 5–7:30 p.m., Cardinal Charter Academy of Wendell Falls, Wendell. Free admission.
● Octoberfest at Mason Jar: Starts at 5 p.m., The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina. Free admission.
● Fridays on the Front Porch: 5–8 p.m., Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill. Free admission.
● For Friday’s Sake: 5–8 p.m., For Garden’s Sake, Durham. Free admission, with live music and a food truck.
● Ackland Art Museum Extended Hours: 5–9 p.m., Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill, during the 2nd Friday ArtWalk. Free.
● Sip, Savor, and Sample: 5:30–7 p.m., Taylor’s Wine Shop. Free sampling event featuring Uroz Wines and MawMaw’s Chicken Pies.
● Salsa at the Park: 6–8:30 p.m., Knightdale Station Park. Free, with live music by Orquesta K’che.
● Wilson Jazz Festival: 6–10 p.m., various locations in Wilson. Friday events are listed as free. Wilson is an option for a trip beyond the Triangle.
● Friday Family Flicks — Toy Story 5: Listed start time of 6 p.m., Garner Recreation Center. Free; confirm screening time.
● 2nd Friday ArtWalk: 6–9 p.m., Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Free admission.
● Front Porch Friday: 6–10 p.m., Haven Farm, Knightdale. Free admission.
● Cirque Kikasse: SANTÉ!: 6:30 p.m., Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham. Free circus performance on a food truck.
● Raleigh International Folk Dancers: 6:30–10 p.m., Glen Eden Pilot Park, Raleigh. Free.
Music, Comedy and Halloween After Dark
● Crones of Anarchy: 6–9 p.m., The Glass Jug Beer Lab, RTP. Free.
● Chime In Open Mic: 6–9 p.m., Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro. Free; poetry, storytelling and songwriting.
● Live Music at Gizmo Brew Works: 6–9 p.m., Raleigh. Free.
● Pop Up Music at North Hills: 6–9 p.m., The Commons at North Hills, Raleigh. Free.
● The Unintentionals: Improv All-Stars: 7–9 p.m., TR Studio, Raleigh. $3–$10.
● Jim DiBattista: 7–9:30 p.m., White Street Brewing, Wake Forest. Free.
● Holly Springs Haunted Trail: 7–10:30 p.m., Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park. $10.
● Deadford Manor: 7–8:30 p.m., Raleigh. Free animatronic singing skeleton show in a front yard; confirm the address before visiting.
● Family Feud: House Party Edition: 7–8:30 p.m., The Common Market, Durham. Free.
● Nightmare Weekend Welcome Party: Starts at 8 p.m., Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Pub Karaoke: 10–11:59 p.m., West 94th Street Pub, Durham. Free admission.
Saturday, October 10: Cultural Celebrations, Markets and Family Activities
Morning Markets, Nature and Museums
● Durham Craft Market: 8 a.m.–noon, Durham Central Park. Free admission.
● Raleigh Little Theatre Costume Sale: 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Raleigh Little Theatre. Free entry; costumes are available for purchase.
● Hum Sub Diwali: 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. Free admission; $10 parking.
● Sculpture in the Garden: Opens at 9 a.m., North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. Free; $5 suggested donation. Confirm closing time.
● Truck Day at Bright Horizons: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Bright Horizons at Harrison Park, Cary. Donation of any amount requested.
● Lowe’s DIY-U Kids’ Workshop — Firefighting Plane: 10 a.m.–1 p.m., multiple Lowe’s stores. Free; confirm participation and registration with the selected store.
● Lowe’s Giveaway Event: Starts at 10 a.m., multiple stores, with listed gifts including MyLowe’s Money. Confirm offer terms and availability locally.
● Fletcher Field Day: 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh. Free.
● Millbrook United Methodist Church Food Pantry: 10 a.m.–noon, Raleigh. Free food assistance; confirm distribution procedures.
● Visit Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill. Listed pricing: $0–$25; confirm applicable admission options.
● Raleigh Fire Museum: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free second-Saturday visit.
● Open Farm: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill. $8.
● Nature Journaling: Fall: 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Historic Yates Mill County Park. Free.
● Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours: Four departures within the listed 11 a.m.–3 p.m. window, Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh. One-hour tours; $6–$10. Confirm departure availability.
● N.C. State Capitol Guided Tours: Departures at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh. Free.
● JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Clemmons Educational State Forest, Clayton. Listed as discounted; confirm the price.
Festivals and Shopping
● Mitchell Mill Animal Hospital Rescue Pup-kin Fall Event: 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Mitchell Mill Animal Hospital Rescue, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Wake Forest Pride Fest: 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Brooks Street, Wake Forest. Free admission.
● Fall for Five Points Festival: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 2000 Fairview Road, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Apex Oktoberfest: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Apex Town Hall. Free admission.
● A Taste of Greece: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. Free admission.
● Wilson Jazz Festival: 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m., various locations in Wilson. Main stage ticketed; other events listed as free.
● JCPenney Kids Zone: 11 a.m.–noon, participating locations. Free children’s crafts.
● Apex Underground Market: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Sweetwater Apex. Free admission.
● The Market at Raleigh Iron Works: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission.
● The Witch’s Haunted Barn: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Firefly Farm, Hillsborough. $13.
● Blessing of the Animals: Noon–3 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, Fuquay-Varina. Free admission, with music, face painting and food trucks among the listed activities.
● Smithfield Oktoberfest: Noon–4 p.m., historic downtown Smithfield. Free admission.
● Harvest of Wax Record Show: Noon–5 p.m., The Glass Jug Beer Lab, RTP. Free admission.
● FlushFest: Noon–10 p.m., Eno River Brewing, Hillsborough. Admission by donation.
● Second Saturday Plant Swap: 12:30–3:30 p.m., Durham Beer Garden. Free.
Afternoon Family Fun and Cultural Events
● Kids in Nature Day: 1–4 p.m., Lake Benson Park, Garner. Free.
● West & Woodall Fall Festival: 1–4 p.m., West & Woodall Real Estate, Durham. Free admission, with a listed appearance by Wool E. Bull.
● PoeFest Community Festival: 1–4 p.m., Poe Center for Health Education. Free admission; listed activities include dental screenings and a bike giveaway.
● Triangle Barkitecture: 1–5 p.m., Downtown Cary Park. Free pet architecture and design competition.
● Mill Open House: 1–4 p.m., Historic Yates Mill County Park. Free.
● Pumpkin Painting: 1–4 p.m., For Garden’s Sake, Durham. Painting is free with the purchase of a pumpkin.
● Oak & Ink Bookish Boutique: 2–5 p.m., Studio 71 Gallery, Hillsborough. Free admission.
● Southern Village’s Fallfest: 2–5 p.m., Southern Village, Chapel Hill. Free admission.
● Track ’n’ Treat Halloween Train Ride: Five departures within the listed 2:15–8:45 p.m. window, New Hope Valley Railway. $18.61; confirm the selected departure.
● Classical Music in the Park: 3–6 p.m., North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh. Free.
● Texas Exes Watch Party — Texas vs. Oklahoma: 3:30–7 p.m., Edit Beer Co., Raleigh. Free admission.
● Free Beer Tasting with Trophy Brewing: 4–6 p.m., Taylor’s Wine Shop.
● October Session: A Celebration of Filipino-American History: Starts at 4 p.m., Clouds Brewing Taproom, Raleigh. Free admission.
Evening Markets, Music and Comedy
● Trick or Treat on Main Street: 5–9 p.m., downtown Garner. Free admission, with Touch-a-Truck and a food truck rodeo.
● Glow Market: 5–9 p.m., PourWorks Beer and Wine Shop, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Felines and Fungi Night Market: 6–9 p.m., The Backyard Bar, Apex. Free admission.
● Loon & Crow: Starts at 2 p.m., Slim’s, Raleigh. Free.
● The Irish Session: 2–5 p.m., Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary. Free.
● Live Music at Gizmo Brew Works: 5–8 p.m., Raleigh and Durham locations. Free.
● The Unintentionals: Mini-Showdown: 5:30–6:15 p.m., TR Studio, Raleigh. $0–$5.
● Live Music at Carolina Brewery: 5:30–8:30 p.m., Pittsboro. Free.
● Live Music at Fortnight Brewing: 6–9 p.m., Wake Forest. Free.
● Live Music at Southern Peak Brewery: 6:30–9 p.m., Apex. Free.
● The Unintentionals: The Return of Improvmaster: 7–9 p.m., TR Studio, Raleigh. $3–$10.
● Lady May and Redd: 7–9:30 p.m., White Street Brewing, Wake Forest. Free.
● Mac & Juice: 7–10 p.m., Growler Grlz, Durham. Free.
● Music on Mangum — Taxicab Preacher: 7–10 p.m., Durham Beer Garden. Free.
● Paint Rock + Cogs: Starts at 7 p.m., Ponysaurus, Durham. Free.
● Deadford Manor: 7–8:30 p.m., Raleigh. Free animatronic singing skeleton show.
● A Stand-Up Comedy Game Show: 7–9 p.m., The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner. Free.
● Live Music Saturdays: 7–10 p.m., Bombshell Beer Company, Holly Springs. Free.
● Karaoke: 7–10 p.m., Crank Arm Brewing, Durham. Free.
● Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse Concert: Starts at 7:30 p.m., Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham. Free.
● A Good Time Comedy Showcase: Starts at 8 p.m., Incendiary Brewing Raleigh. Free.
● Open Mic/Karaoke Night: 8–11 p.m., Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh. Free.
Sunday, October 11: Markets, Jazz and a Relaxed Fall Finish
Morning and Midday
● Sculpture in the Garden: Opens at 9 a.m., North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. Free; $5 suggested donation. Confirm Sunday opening and closing hours before visiting.
● Sunday Morning Yoga: 10–11 a.m., Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh. Free.
● Visit Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill. Listed pricing: $0–$25.
● Lowe’s Giveaway Event: Starts at 10 a.m., multiple stores. Confirm local participation, terms and availability.
● A Taste of Greece: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. Free admission.
● Farmers Market: Starts at 11 a.m., Oak City Brewing Company, Knightdale. Free admission.
● Raleigh Really Really Free Market: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Eliza Pool Park, Raleigh. Free.
● Sunday Brunch Music: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Weaver Street Market lawn, Carrboro. Free music; food purchases are separate.
● Raleigh Underground Market: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Midtown Park, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Bull City Treasure Hunt: 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Durham Bottling Company. Free admission.
● 2026 Oktrophyfest: Starts at noon, Trophy on Maywood, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Morgan Street Sessions: Noon–4 p.m., Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh. Free admission.
Afternoon Activities
● FlushFest: 1–9 p.m., Eno House, Hillsborough. Admission by donation; includes a silent film.
● Second Sundays: Open Studio: 1–3 p.m., Nasher Museum of Art, Durham. Free.
● Open Play American Mahjong: 1–3:30 p.m., Hops & Flower, Durham. Free.
● Black Farmers’ Market: 1–4 p.m., Southeast Raleigh YMCA. Free admission; market purchases are separate.
● Mill Open House: 1–4 p.m., Historic Yates Mill County Park. Free.
● Pumpkin Painting: 1–4 p.m., For Garden’s Sake, Durham. Painting is free with the purchase of a pumpkin.
● Free Air Hockey Tournament: Starts at 1 p.m., Super Rad Retro Lounge Arcade Bar, Raleigh.
● The Dan Davis Group — Jazz: 2–5 p.m., Incendiary Brewing Raleigh. Free.
● Fall Farm Day with Rocking JH Farms: 2–5 p.m., Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh. Free admission.
● Hillsborough Classic Film Society — Singin’ in the Rain: Starts at 2 p.m., Jerry M. Passmore Senior Center, Hillsborough. Free.
● Cirque Kikasse: SANTÉ!: Starts at 2 p.m., Woodcrest Farm & Forge, Hillsborough. Free circus performance on a food truck.
● Open Mic: 2–5 p.m., Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina. Free.
● Michael Jones and Ellis Merlin — Jazz: 3–6 p.m., Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest. Free.
● Open Mic Night: 3–6 p.m., Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh. Free.
● Bluegrass Open Jam: 4–7 p.m., Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary. Free.
● The Unintentionals: Fall Stand-Up Showcase: 5–7:30 p.m., TR Studio, Raleigh. $3–$10.
● Deadford Manor: 7–8:30 p.m., Raleigh. Free animatronic singing skeleton show.
Plan Your Triangle Weekend
For a family outing, consider Kids in Nature Day, Fletcher Field Day, PoeFest or Garner’s Trick or Treat on Main Street. Art lovers can pair Friday’s Chapel Hill and Carrboro ArtWalk with a garden visit or Sunday’s Nasher Open Studio. Music fans have options throughout the weekend, from salsa in Knightdale to jazz in Raleigh and Wake Forest.
For Halloween activities, compare the listed no-actor session at The Witch’s Haunted Barn with the Holly Springs Haunted Trail, Track ’n’ Treat train rides and Deadford Manor. Ask organizers about age suitability, accessibility and ticket availability before making plans.
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