#pepperfest — Public Fediverse posts

Triangle Event Guide Weekend Edition September 11–13, 2026

The Triangle is getting ready for a weekend filled with live music, cultural festivals, family activities, local markets and community gatherings. From Hopscotch day parties in Raleigh to Triangle Vegfest in Durham and the Carolina Circus Festival in Cary, there are plenty of things to do September 11–13, 2026.

Friday also includes opportunities to observe September 11 through remembrance ceremonies and service events across the region.

DoRaleigh.com’s weekend guide covers Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and surrounding communities, with nearby outings in Pittsboro, Oxford, Graham and Mebane.

Event details are based on the supplied listings. Confirm schedules, registration requirements and weather updates before attending. Free admission may not include food, drinks, merchandise or optional activities.

Friday, September 11, 2026

9/11 Remembrance and Service Events

Communities across the Triangle will gather Friday morning to remember September 11. Raleigh’s John Chavis Memorial Park will host two Day of Service and Remembrance sessions.

• 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. at Fuquay-Varina Arts Center. Free.
• Holly Springs 9/11 Memorial Ceremony: 9–10 a.m. at Fire Station #1 in Holly Springs. Free.
• 9/11 Memorial Event with Chapel Hill Police and Fire Departments: 9 a.m. at Chapel Hill Police Department. Free.
• 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance: 10 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m. at John Chavis Memorial Park in Raleigh. Free.

Daytime Activities and Hopscotch Parties

Hopscotch day parties bring music to various locations throughout Friday. Other daytime options include garden storytime, coffee tasting and free museum admission for Durham County residents.

• Hopscotch Day Parties: Throughout the day at various locations. Check individual schedules and admission details.
• Garden Storytime: 10–11 a.m. at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. Admission: $5.
• Durham Community Day: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Museum of Life + Science in Durham. Free admission for Durham County residents.
• Tasting at Ten: Free coffee tasting at 10 a.m. at Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center in Durham.
• 20th Annual North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. in downtown Oxford. Free admission.
• Hopscotch Day Party: Noon–6 p.m. at Crank Arm Brewing Company in Raleigh. Free.
• Reflections: Virtual Tour: 2–3 p.m., presented by the Nasher Museum of Art. Free.
• Wine Tastings: 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Bottle Theory in Apex. Free.

Friday Evening Music, Art and Dancing

Friday evening features outdoor music, art walks and dancing. Highlights include Liquid Pleasure at Friday Night on White and salsa with West End Mambo at Knightdale Station Park.

• For Friday’s Sake: Live music and a food truck, 5–8 p.m. at For Garden’s Sake in Durham. Free admission.
• Fridays on the Front Porch: 5–8 p.m. at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. Free admission.
• Ackland Art Museum Extended Hours: 5–9 p.m. during the 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill. Free.
• Salsa at the Park with West End Mambo: 6–8:30 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park. Free.
• Pop Up Music at North Hills: 6–9 p.m. at The Commons at North Hills in Raleigh. Free.
• Ashley Robinson: Live music, 6–9 p.m. at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Raleigh. Free.
• Friday Night on White: Liquid Pleasure: 6–9 p.m. on White Street in Wake Forest. Free.
• Chime In Open Mic: Poetry, storytelling and songwriting, 6–9 p.m. at Lanza’s Cafe in Carrboro. Free.
• 2nd Friday ArtWalk: 6–9 p.m. in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Free.
• Live Music at Gizmo Brew Works: 6–9 p.m. at the Raleigh location. Free.
• Front Porch Friday: 6–10 p.m. at Haven Farm in Knightdale. Free.
• Raleigh International Folk Dancers: 6:30–10 p.m. at Glen Eden Pilot Park in Raleigh. Free.
• Unisong: Guided Song Circle: 6:30 p.m. at Radical Healing in Durham. Free.

Friday Night Entertainment

Enjoy an outdoor movie in Durham, skywatching in Creedmoor or karaoke and comedy at venues throughout the Triangle.

• Family Feud: House Party Edition: 7–8:30 p.m. at The Common Market in Durham. Free.
• Movie Night: My Name Is Pauli Murray: 7–9:30 p.m. at Durham Central Park, presented with the Museum of Durham History. Free.
• Live Music at Bearded Bee Brewing Company: 7 p.m. in Wendell. Free.
• Karaoke Bingo Nights: 7–11:55 p.m. at KōMANA Brewing Company in Cary. Free.
• Body & Soul: Live music, 8–10 p.m. at Sonark Farms in Hillsborough. Admission: $10.
• Friday Under the Stars: Skywatching, 8–11 p.m. at Three Bears Acres in Creedmoor. Free.
• Garf’s Great Goblin Give-Away: 8 p.m. at Stancyks in Durham. Admission: $6.67.
• Karaoke with Harryoke: 8–10 p.m. at Bombshell Beer Company in Holly Springs. Free.
• Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic: 8–11 p.m. at Durty Bull Brewing Company in Durham. Free.
• Pub Karaoke: 10–11:59 p.m. at West 94th Street Pub in Durham. Free.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Morning Markets and Family Activities

Saturday starts with markets, outdoor activities and family programs. Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats offers a full day of entertainment and yoga, while museums, farms and workshops provide more options for a weekend outing.

• Hopscotch Day Parties: Throughout the day at various locations. Check individual schedules and admission details.
• 12-Pack for $12: All-day purchase promotion at Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro.
• Tunnel to Towers Climb: 8 a.m. at the former Wells Fargo Tower in Raleigh. Fundraiser; pricing varies.
• Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats: 8 a.m.–9 p.m. in Raleigh. Outdoor fun, entertainment, yoga and more. Free admission.
• Visit Cow Sanctuary: 8 a.m.–noon at Brajboro Cow Sanctuary in Chapel Hill. Admission: $0–$25.
• Durham Craft Market: 8 a.m.–noon at Durham Central Park. Free admission.
• The Raleigh Market: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Free admission.
• Thomas in the Garden: 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at New Hope Valley Railway. Free event; train rides cost extra.
• Ruby Bridges Literary Day Celebration: 10–11:30 a.m. at Book Harvest in Durham. Free.
• Lowe’s DIY-U Kids’ Workshop: Haunted House: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at multiple Lowe’s locations. Free.
• Fall Festival and Plant Sale: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Briggs Avenue Community Garden in Durham. Free admission.
• 20th Annual North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. in downtown Oxford. Free admission.
• Black History Walking Tour: 10–11 a.m. at the Pope House in Raleigh. Admission: $6–$10.
• Pickleball Class: 10–11:30 a.m. at NetSports in Morrisville. Free.
• Millbrook United Methodist Church Food Pantry: 10 a.m.–noon at Millbrook United Methodist Church in Raleigh. Free.
• Raleigh Fire Museum: Open for its second-Saturday visit, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free.
• Open Farm: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Sunrise Community Farm Center in Chapel Hill. Admission: $8.
• Mark Hewitt Pottery LocoPops & Pottery Pop-Up: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Hewitt Pottery in Pittsboro. Free admission.

Cultural Events, Shopping and Historic Tours

Explore cultural celebrations, browse local markets or learn more about the region’s history through walking, trolley and guided site tours.

• International Cultural Festival: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Fuquay-Varina Arts Center. Free.
• Roots, Rhythm & Renewal Fest: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. at Thistledown Farm in Graham. Admission: $10.
• Family Saturday Series: Pepito and the Trash Cans: 11 a.m. at The Carolina Theatre in Durham. Admission: $5.
• Notes on View: Salomé Sandoval: Programs at 11 a.m. and 2–3 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. Free.
• JCPenney Kids Zone: Free children’s crafts, 11 a.m.–noon at participating locations.
• Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours: Four one-hour tours during the listed 11 a.m.–3 p.m. window at Mordecai Historic Park. Admission: $6–$10. Confirm departure times.
• Apex Underground Market: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Sweetwater Apex. Free admission.
• N.C. State Capitol Guided Tours: Departures at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Raleigh. Free.
• The Market at Raleigh Iron Works: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission.
• Field and Factory Tour: 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. at Duke Homestead in Durham. Free.

Afternoon Festivals and Community Gatherings

Saturday afternoon highlights include Buskers Day in Raleigh, Rissi Palmer at Hub RTP and the Carolina Circus Festival at Downtown Cary Park.

• Summer Send-Off Market: Noon–3 p.m. at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Raleigh. Free admission.
• Free Groceries, Health Screenings, Haircuts and School Supplies: Noon–4 p.m. at Lakeview Missionary Baptist Church in Durham.
• Hispanic Heritage Fiesta: Noon–5 p.m. at Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in Pittsboro. Free.
• Lager Daze Beer Fest 2026: Noon–9 p.m. at Steel String Brewery’s Pluck Farm in Mebane. Free admission.
• Hopscotch Day Party: Noon–6 p.m. at Crank Arm Brewing Company in Raleigh. Free.
• Come Out and Play Sculpture Show: Noon–7 p.m. at JimGin Farm. Free.
• Second Saturday Plant Swap: 12:30–3:30 p.m. at Durham Beer Garden. Free.
• 16th Annual Durham Oktoberfest, Session 1: 1–5 p.m. at Motorco Music Hall. Admission: $0–$19.
• Buskers Day: 1–5 p.m. in NCMA Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. Free.
• Eno River Association’s 60th Anniversary Celebration: 1–5 p.m. at DPlex Plaza in Durham. Performances, square dancing, crafting and more. Free.
• Hymns for Salted Bones: A Re-membering of Hayti Walking Tour: 2–3:30 p.m., starting at 1201 Fayetteville Street in Durham. Free; registration required and space is limited.
• Oktoberfest at Bull McCabe’s: 2–10 p.m. in Durham. Free admission.
• The Irish Session: 2–5 p.m. at Bond Brothers Eastside in Cary. Free.
• Cause for Paws Adoptable Dogs: 3–5 p.m. at Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company in Raleigh. Free event admission.
• Concerts on the Creek: Rissi Palmer: 3–5:30 p.m. at Hub RTP. Free.
• Carolina Circus Festival: 3–10 p.m. at Downtown Cary Park. Performances, workshops and more. Free.
• Live Music at Raleigh Brewing: 3 p.m. at the Raleigh location. Free.
• Mariachi Concert: 3:30 p.m. at Peach Road Cultural Center in Raleigh. Free.
• Saturday Afternoon Ecstatic Dance: 4–6 p.m. at Durham Friends Meeting. Free.
• Interfaith Peace Vigil in Remembrance of 9/11: 4:30–7 p.m. at Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in Cary. Free.

Saturday Evening Concerts and Nightlife

Saturday evening brings big band music to Garner, classical music to Raleigh and a free North Carolina Symphony concert to Chapel Hill. Local venues also offer comedy, karaoke and live bands.

• Big Band Bash in the Park: 5–7 p.m. at Lake Benson Park in Garner. Free.
• Steve Holcomb: Live music, 5–8 p.m. at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Raleigh. Free.
• Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Tournament: 5 p.m. at Weaver Street Market in Raleigh. Free.
• Live Music at Gizmo Brew Works Raleigh: 5–8 p.m. Free.
• Live Music Saturdays at Gizmo Brew Works Durham: 5–8 p.m. Free.
• Festival Latino: 6–9 p.m. at Garner Recreation Center. Free.
• Southpaw Soul: Live music, 6–9 p.m. at Durham Beer Garden. Free.
• Classical Music in the Park: 6–9 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. Free.
• 16th Annual Durham Oktoberfest, Session 2: 6–10 p.m. at Motorco Music Hall. Admission: $0–$19.
• Live Music at Fortnight Brewing: 6–9 p.m. in Wake Forest. Free.
• Live Music at Southern Peak Brewery: 6:30–9 p.m. in Apex. Free.
• Karaoke Night: 7–10 p.m. at Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company in Raleigh. Free.
• A Stand-Up Comedy Game Show: 7–9 p.m. at The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop in Garner. Free.
• Live Music Saturdays: 7–10 p.m. at Bombshell Beer Company in Holly Springs. Free.
• Karaoke at Crank Arm Brewing: 7–10 p.m. at the Durham location. Free.
• Live Music at Bearded Bee Brewing Company: 7 p.m. in Wendell. Free.
• Texas Exes College Football Watch Party: Texas vs. Ohio State: Listed for 7:30–11 p.m. at Edit Beer Co. in Raleigh. Free; confirm game and watch-party details.
• North Carolina Symphony Concert: 7:30 p.m. at Southern Village in Chapel Hill. Free.
• The Danny Grewen Band: 8–10 p.m. at Sonark Farms in Hillsborough. Pay what you choose.
• Open Mic/Karaoke Night: 8–11 p.m. at Compass Rose Brewery in Raleigh. Free.

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Sunday Morning Activities and Markets

Sunday offers opportunities to explore outdoor art, practice yoga and browse local markets. Sculpture in the Garden opens its 2026 exhibition at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, with official Sunday hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m. View exhibition information⁠.

• Visit Cow Sanctuary: 8 a.m.–noon at Brajboro Cow Sanctuary in Chapel Hill. Admission: $0–$25.
• Sculpture in the Garden: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Free; the supplied listing suggests a $5 donation.
• The Raleigh Market: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Free admission.
• Thomas in the Garden: 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at New Hope Valley Railway. Free event; train rides cost extra.
• Sunday Morning Yoga: 10–11 a.m. at Compass Rose Brewery in Raleigh. Free.
• Bull City Treasure Hunt: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Durham Bottling Company. Free admission.
• Raleigh Really Really Free Market: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Eliza Pool Park. Free.
• Sunday Brunch Music on the Lawn: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro. Free.
• Raleigh Underground Market: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Midtown Park in Raleigh. Free admission.

Sunday Food Festivals, Art and Community Events

Triangle Vegfest and Pepperfest lead Sunday’s food-focused outings. The afternoon also includes the Black Farmers’ Market in Southeast Raleigh, an open studio at the Nasher Museum and a Honduran Civic Festival in Durham.

• Mark Hewitt Pottery LocoPops & Pottery Pop-Up: Noon–5 p.m. at Hewitt Pottery in Pittsboro. Free admission.
• Triangle Vegfest: Noon–5 p.m. at Durham Central Park. Admission: $0–$10, with a pay-what-you-can option.
• 19th Annual Pepperfest: Noon–6 p.m. at The Plant in Pittsboro. Free admission.
• Morgan Street Sessions: Noon–4 p.m. at Morgan Street Food Hall & Market in Raleigh. Free.
• Bazaar Craft & Art Market: Noon–5 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons. Free admission.
• Second Sundays: Open Studio: 1–3 p.m. at the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham. Free.
• Open Play American Mahjong: 1–3:30 p.m. at Hops & Flower in Durham. Free.
• Black Farmers’ Market: 1–4 p.m. at Southeast Raleigh YMCA. Free admission.
• Air Hockey Tournament: 1 p.m. at Super Rad Retro Lounge Arcade Bar in Raleigh. Free.
• D’s Oktoberfest: 2–8 p.m. at D’s Bottle Shop and Craft Beer College. Free admission.
• Hillsborough Classic Film Society: His Girl Friday: 2 p.m. at Jerry M. Passmore Senior Center in Hillsborough. Free.
• Open Mic at Oaklyn Springs Brewery: 2–5 p.m. in Fuquay-Varina. Free.
• Honduran Civic Festival: 3–8 p.m. at 1515 N. Pointe Drive in Durham. Free.
• Open Mic Night at Gizmo Brew Works: 3–6 p.m. at the Raleigh location. Free.
• Bluegrass Open Jam: 4–7 p.m. at Bond Brothers Eastside in Cary. Free.

Sunday Evening Music

Close out the weekend with jazz in Cary, a concert in Wake Forest or a community drum circle in Garner.

• DYNAMIC DUOS: Spirits of the Soundboard — Goblins, Trolls, and Grooves: 5 p.m. at The Blue Note Grill in Durham. Suggested donation: $15.
• Jazz’d Up Sundays: Niki Haris featuring the Christian Tamburr Band: 5:30–7 p.m. at Downtown Cary Park. Free.
• Concerts in the Park: The Band Next Door: 5:30 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park in Wake Forest. Free.
• Open Mic Night at Clouds Brewing Taproom: 6–9 p.m. in Raleigh. Free.
• Sunday Garner Community Drum Circle: 7–8:30 p.m. at Lake Benson Park. Free.
• Sundays at Sundown Live Music: 7–9 p.m. at Southern Village in Chapel Hill. Free.

Explore More Things to Do in the Triangle

Whether the weekend calls for a family festival, a local market, live music or a community gathering, the Triangle offers plenty of free and affordable options September 11–13.

Plan around a few nearby events, check organizer updates and leave time to explore the local businesses surrounding each destination.

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