Triangle Event Guide Weekend Edition October 23–25, 2026
Halloween Fun, Cultural Festivals, Live Music and the State Fair
Halloween celebrations, cultural festivals and the final weekend of the North Carolina State Fair fill the Triangle event calendar for October 23–25, 2026. From Raleigh and Durham to Cary, Chapel Hill and surrounding communities, there are plenty of free and affordable ways to enjoy the weekend.
This Triangle weekend event guide includes family outings, haunted attractions, markets, performances and community resources, with times, venues and listed prices.
Before heading out: Confirm schedules, tickets, registration requirements and weather updates with organizers. All times are Eastern. Free admission may not include food, drinks or optional activities.
Happening Throughout the Weekend
North Carolina State Fair — Raleigh
The North Carolina State Fair wraps up its 2026 run on Sunday, October 25, making this the final weekend to visit.
Location: North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
Dates: Friday–Sunday, October 23–25; consult the daily operating schedule.
Current gate admission:
- Adults ages 13–64: $13.
- Children ages 6–12: $7.
- Seniors ages 65 and older: $5.
- Children ages 5 and younger: Free.
- Military adults: $8.
Online ticketing fees apply. View official ticket information.
Sculpture in the Garden — Chapel Hill
Time: Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Admission: Free; donations welcome.
Explore outdoor sculpture among the garden’s native plant landscapes. The supplied listing suggests a $5 donation. The garden confirms that its hours end at 5 p.m.
Clayton Harvest Festival
Location: Horne Square, Clayton
Admission: Free entry; purchases and activities may cost extra.
- Friday: 5–11 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon–9:30 p.m.
Friday’s Family Night runs 5–9 p.m. at Clayton Town Square, featuring trick-or-treating and an outdoor movie.
Free Laundry Event and Fall Festival — Durham
Time: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Lowe’s Grove Baptist Church, Durham
Cost: Free.
The Uplift Laundry Truck event combines free laundry services with a fall festival. Contact organizers about laundry capacity and participation instructions.
Friday, October 23: Pumpkins, Performances and Haunted Adventures
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
- Trick or Treat Downtown Fuquay-Varina: 2–5 p.m. — Downtown Fuquay-Varina. Free.
- Pumpkin Flotilla: 5–7 p.m. — Fred G. Bond Metro Park, Cary. Free.
- Stories Under the Stars: 5–7:30 p.m. — Weaver Street Market, Carrboro. Costume contest, entertainment and treats. Free.
- Track ’n’ Treat Halloween Train Ride: Three departures within 5:15–8:45 p.m. — New Hope Valley Railway. $18.61.
- Trunk or Treat: 6–8 p.m. — Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. Free.
- Green Road’s Ghostly Spooktacular: 6:30–8:30 p.m. — Green Road Community Center, Raleigh. Free.
Ghost Tours, Haunted Attractions and Movies
- The Witch’s Haunted Barn — no-actor version: Noon–5 p.m. — Firefly Farm, Hillsborough. $13.
- Zombiepalooza: 6–9 p.m. — Downtown Cary Park. Zombie film festival. Free.
- Spirits of Wake Forest: Multiple departures within 6:30–9:30 p.m. — Wake Forest Town Hall. $20.
- Ghostbusters at Edward’s Battle Haunted House: 7–9 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Haunted Walk at Bond Park: 7–10 p.m. — Fred G. Bond Metro Park, Cary. $5.
- Haunted Trolley: Three tours within 7–10 p.m. — Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh. $15.
- Little Shop of Horrors outdoor movie: 7 p.m. — The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina. Free.
- Deadford Manor: 7–8:30 p.m. — Raleigh. Animatronic singing skeleton display. Free.
- Rocky Horror Picture Screening: 8 p.m. — Steel String Brewery, Carrboro. Free.
Live Music, Theater and Comedy
Two free performances take place at Hill Hall at UNC-Chapel Hill:
- Mike Wiley: One Noble Journey: 4–6 p.m. A one-person play exploring the stories of Henry “Box” Brown and Elizabeth Craft.
- Narrative of a Slave Woman: Songs of Hope, Justice, and Freedom: 7:30 p.m. Music and spoken narrative.
More Friday entertainment:
- Fridays on the Front Porch: 5–8 p.m. — Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill. Free.
- Pop Up Music at North Hills: 6–9 p.m. — The Commons at North Hills, Raleigh. Free.
- Live music: 6–9 p.m. — Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh. Free.
- Chime In Open Mic: 6–9 p.m. — Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro. Poetry, storytelling and songwriting. Free.
- Front Porch Friday: 6–10 p.m. — Haven Farm, Knightdale. Free.
- Soul Livin’ Group: 6:30–8:30 p.m. — American Tobacco Campus, Durham. Free.
- Raleigh International Folk Dancers: 6:30–10 p.m. — Glen Eden Pilot Park, Raleigh. Free.
- Late Night at the Longleaf comedy show: 9–11 p.m. — The Longleaf Hotel, Raleigh. Free.
- Pub Karaoke: 10 p.m.–11:59 p.m. — West 94th Street Pub, Durham. Free.
Tastings and Community Resources
- Tasting at Ten: 10 a.m. — Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center, Durham. Free coffee tasting.
- CARI Food Pantry giveaway: 10:30–11:30 a.m. — Church of the Apostolic Revival International, Durham. Free.
- Wine tasting: 4:30–6:30 p.m. — Bottle Theory, Apex. Free.
- Wine tasting with Michael Bostick of 3 Keys Dist.: 5–7:30 p.m. — Taylor’s Wine Shop, Raleigh. Free.
Saturday, October 24: Festivals, Markets and Halloween Fun
Spellbound at Mordecai — Raleigh
Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh
Admission: Free.
Spellbound features pumpkin decorating, crafts, performances, inflatables and a costume contest. The event also includes Haunted Mordecai presentations and tours with The Ghost Guild. Tour reservations are available in advance or first come, first served on event day.
Location clarification: The city confirms that Spellbound takes place at Mordecai Historic Park, rather than Moore Square.
View official event and registration details.
Cultural Festivals and Community Celebrations
- Day of the Dead Festival at Whirligig Park: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. — Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson. Free. This destination is outside the Triangle.
- Person Street Plaza Block Party with Raleigh City Farm: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. — Edge of Urge, Raleigh. Free.
- Raleigh Greek Festival: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. — Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Raleigh. Free admission.
- Filipino Fall Fiesta: Noon–5 p.m. — Durham Armory. $5.
- River Park Concert Series: Noon–8 p.m. — River Park, Hillsborough. Includes The Brothers Comatose and more. Free.
- Durham Fruits 2nd Pride Invitational: Noon–9 p.m. — Durham Athletic Park. Baseball and entertainment. Free.
- Durham School of the Arts Fall Art Festival: 5–9 p.m. — Durham School of the Arts. Día de los Muertos celebration beginning with a parade. Free.
Markets, Science and Family Activities
- Kids Robotics at SoDu: 8 a.m.–noon — South Durham Farmers’ Market at Hub RTP. Free.
- Durham Craft Market: 8 a.m.–noon — Durham Central Park. Free admission.
- Sensory-Friendly Film Series: Encanto: 11 a.m. — The Carolina Theatre, Durham. Free.
- Chemistry Under Construction: Noon–3 p.m. — Moore Square, Raleigh. National Chemistry Week event. Free.
- Raleigh Retro Gamer’s Triangle Town Market — Halloween Edition: Noon–5 p.m. — Triangle Town Center, Raleigh. Free admission.
- The People’s Free Market: 1–3 p.m. — Phillip R. Wright Community Park, Clayton. Free.
- PokéFest Apex: 2–5 p.m. — Apex Senior Center. Free.
- Vintage and Artisan Market: 2–6 p.m. — Edit Beer Co., Raleigh. Free admission.
- Cary Really Really Free Market: 2–4 p.m. — Walnut Street Park, Cary. Free.
Trunk-or-Treats, Pet Events and Farm Visits
- Visit Brajboro Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Chapel Hill. $0–$25.
- Open Farm: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. — Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill. $8.
- Rescue Pup-kin Fall Event: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. — Mitchell Mill Animal Hospital Rescue, Raleigh. Free.
- Durham Co-op Trunk or Treat: Noon–2 p.m. — Durham Co-op Market. Free.
- SAFEchild Trunk or Treat: 1–3 p.m. — SAFEchild, Raleigh. Free.
- Barktoberfest: 1–4 p.m. — Boxyard RTP. Free.
- Halloween Spooktacular: 1–4 p.m. — Orange County Central Recreation Center, Hillsborough. Free.
- North Raleigh Sensory-Friendly Trunk or Treat: 2–4 p.m. — Bloomwell Autism Therapy, Raleigh. Free.
- Pupalooza: 3:30–6:30 p.m. — Durham Central Park. Free.
- It’s Fall Y’all Fun Festival: 4–7 p.m. — Millbrook United Methodist Church, Raleigh. Trunk-or-treating and free food. Free.
- Wendell Baptist Trunk or Treat: 6–8 p.m. — Wendell Baptist Church. Includes free hot dogs. Free.
History and Community Programs
- The Heart of Wisdom: Trusting God at the End of Life: 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. — Advent Lutheran Church, Chapel Hill. Free.
- Millbrook UMC Food Pantry: 10 a.m.–noon — Millbrook United Methodist Church, Raleigh. Free.
- Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours: Four departures within 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; tours last one hour — Mordecai Historic Park. $6–$10.
- N.C. State Capitol guided tours: Departures at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. — North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh. Free.
- Corn Grinding Tours and Mill Open House: 1–4 p.m. — Historic Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh. Free.
Saturday Halloween After Dark
- The Witch’s Haunted Barn: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. — Firefly Farm, Hillsborough. $13.
- Downtown Scary Park: 2–10:30 p.m. — Downtown Cary Park. Free.
- Track ’n’ Treat train rides: Five departures within 2:15–8:45 p.m. — New Hope Valley Railway. $18.61.
- Raleigh Halloween Bar Crawl: 3–11 p.m. — Downtown Raleigh. Price varies.
- The Fiendish Horror Book Fest: 6–9 p.m. — The Longleaf Hotel, Raleigh. Free.
- Southern Peak Brewery Halloween Costume Party: 6–10 p.m. — Apex. Free.
- Spirits of Wake Forest: Multiple departures within 6:30–9:30 p.m. — Wake Forest Town Hall. $20.
- Annual Raleigh Zombie Walk: 7 p.m. — Moore Square, Raleigh. Free.
- Boos and Brews Halloween Party and Costume Contest: 7 p.m. — Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh. Free.
- Deadford Manor: 7–8:30 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Edward’s Battle Haunted House: 7–9 p.m. — Raleigh. Free walk-through attraction raising money for critically ill children.
- Haunted Trolley: Three tours within 7–10 p.m. — Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh. $15.
- CarnEvil Halloween Party: 8 p.m.–11:59 p.m. — Sports & Social, Cary. $10.
- Rave to the Grave Blacklight Party: 8 p.m. — Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Raleigh. Free.
Saturday Music, Sports and Nightlife
- EFC Carolinas Watch Party: 11:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m. — Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest. Free.
- NC Catalina Wine Mixer: Noon–5 p.m. — The Exchange, Raleigh. $30–$35; confirm promotional discounts.
- SONAM Fall Concert supporting Crayons2Calculators: 4–5:30 p.m. — St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Durham. Free.
- The Old Regime: 4–6 p.m. — Slim’s, Raleigh. $5.
- Zach Burrus: 5–8 p.m. — Oak City Brewing Company, Knightdale. Free.
- Live music: 5–8 p.m. — Gizmo Brew Works locations in Raleigh and Durham. Free.
- Live music: 5:30–8:30 p.m. — Carolina Brewery, Pittsboro. Free.
- Live music: 6–9 p.m. — Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest. Free.
- Live music: 6:30–9 p.m. — Southern Peak Brewery, Apex. Free.
- Karaoke: 7–10 p.m. — Crank Arm Brewing, Durham. Free.
- Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse Concert: 7:30 p.m. — Durham. Free.
- String Break: 8 p.m. — Ponysaurus, Durham. Free.
- Fate & Folklore: 8 p.m. — Zeitgeist Gallery & Bar, Durham. String music and spoken word. Donation-based.
- Open Mic/Karaoke Night: 8–11 p.m. — Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh. Free.
Sunday, October 25: Día de Muertos, Markets and Trunk-or-Treats
Cultural Festivals and Sunday Markets
- Cars and Coffee Raleigh: 8–11 a.m. — 6270 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. Free.
- Durham Underground Market: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. — Durham Central Park. Free admission.
- Day of the Dead celebration with Revista Latina: 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. — City Plaza, Raleigh. Free.
- Chapel Hill Día de Muertos: Noon–4 p.m. — 140 West Franklin Street Plaza. Free.
- Clayton Latin American Festival: Noon–5 p.m. — Clayton Town Square. Free.
- Raleigh Greek Festival: Noon–5 p.m. — Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Free admission.
- Black Farmers’ Market: 1–4 p.m. — Southeast Raleigh YMCA. Free admission.
Sunday Family Fun and Halloween Events
- Tricks for Treats at PetSmart: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. — Participating locations. Free.
- Visit Brajboro Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Chapel Hill. $0–$25.
- Tricks-n-Treats at Brier Creek Commons: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Mill Open House and Corn Grinding Tours: 1–4 p.m. — Historic Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh. Free.
- Saint Francis UMC Trunk or Treat: 4–6 p.m. — Cary. Free.
- Trinity Presbyterian Church Trunk or Treat: 4–6 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Calvary Presbyterian Church Community Trunk or Treat: 4–7 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- All Saints’ UMC Trunk or Treat Extravaganza: 4:30–6 p.m. — Morrisville. Includes free food. Free.
- Soapstone UMC Trunk or Treat: 5–6:30 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Learn the Witch Broom Flash Mob Dance: 5–6 p.m. — Sidetrack Bar and Lounge, Chapel Hill. $20.
- Deadford Manor: 7–8:30 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Edward’s Battle Haunted House: 7–9 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
Sunday Music, Games and Creative Gatherings
- Sunday Morning Yoga: 10–11 a.m. — Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh. Free.
- Morgan Street Sessions: Noon–4 p.m. — Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, Raleigh. Free.
- Open Play American Mahjong: 1–3:30 p.m. — Hops & Flower, Durham. Free.
- Panthers Watch Party: 1–4 p.m. — Tap Yard, Raleigh. Free admission.
- Air hockey tournament: 1 p.m. — Super Rad Retro Lounge Arcade Bar, Raleigh. Free.
- Beerded Lady Book Club: 2–4 p.m. — The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner. Free.
- Pop Up Music at Midtown Park: 2–5 p.m. — Raleigh. Free.
- Open Mic: 2–5 p.m. — Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina. Free.
- The Dan Davis Group — jazz: 2–5 p.m. — Incendiary Brewing Raleigh. Free.
- Open Mic: 3–6 p.m. — Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh. Free.
- Bluegrass Open Jam: 4–7 p.m. — Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary. Free.
- Open Mic: 6–9 p.m. — Clouds Brewing Taproom, Raleigh. Free.
- Drink and Draw: 7–8:30 p.m. — Steel String Brewery, Carrboro. Free.
- Spooky Tales and Tasty Ales Open Mic: 7–9 p.m. — The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom. Free.
Weekend Deals and Limited Giveaways
On Saturday, MrBeast Day at Lowe’s is listed for 10 a.m., with free Swarms for the first 100 eligible rewards members at participating stores. Confirm eligibility and local participation before making a trip.
Plan Your Triangle Weekend
For daytime family outings, consider Spellbound at Mordecai, Chemistry Under Construction, the sensory-friendly Encanto screening or a local trunk-or-treat. Evening options include ghost walks, haunted trolley rides, outdoor movies, costume parties and live music.
Check age policies for nightlife events and reserve timed attractions where required. Food pantry and free laundry visitors should confirm service instructions and availability.
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