Weekend Events Outside of Raleigh October 16–18, 2026 Edition
Looking for weekend events in towns around Raleigh, NC? From Cary and Apex to Wake Forest, Garner and Carrboro, October 16–18, 2026, brings fall festivals, Halloween activities, markets and live music.
Highlights include Cary Night Market, Diwali celebrations in Garner and Morrisville, Halloween Boo Bash in Wake Forest, and the Carrboro Songwriters Festival. Many events offer free admission, making this a great weekend to explore nearby communities.
Details are based on the listings supplied. Confirm schedules, registration and weather updates with organizers. Free entry may not include purchases or optional activities.
Cary: Markets and Outdoor Music
Friday, October 16
Cary Night Market
5–9 p.m. | Downtown Cary Park | Free entry
Start the weekend with an evening market in downtown Cary. Vendor purchases are extra.
Saturday, October 17
- Fenton Makers Market: 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fenton; free entry.
- CaryLIVE! featuring Harvey Street: 7:30–9:30 p.m., Downtown Cary Park; free.
Sunday, October 18
- Kanikapila Ukulele Meetup: 1–3 p.m., KōMANA Brewing Company; free.
- Bluegrass Open Jam: 4–7 p.m., Bond Brothers Eastside; free.
- Jazz’d Up Sundays featuring Kobie Watkins: 6:30–8 p.m., Downtown Cary Park; free.
Apex: Fall Harvest Night and Halloween Fun
Friday, October 16
Love Local — Fall Into Downtown Apex: Fall Harvest Night
5–8 p.m. | Apex Historic Depot | Free
Celebrate the season with an evening gathering in downtown Apex.
Other Friday options include:
- Free Wine Tastings: 4:30–6:30 p.m., Bottle Theory.
- Trunk or Treat: 6–8 p.m., Lightbridge Academy; free.
Saturday, October 17
Live Music
6:30–9 p.m. | Southern Peak Brewery | Free
Sunday, October 18
Woodhaven Church Fall Festival
5–6 p.m. | Woodhaven Church | Free
The listing includes trunk-or-treating, games and free hot dogs.
Garner and Morrisville: Diwali Celebrations
Town of Garner Diwali Celebration
Friday, October 16 | 5–9 p.m. | Garner Recreation Center | Free
Garner hosts a Friday evening community celebration.
Raleigh Concert Band: Ghosts, Gods & Rubber Chickens
Saturday, October 17 | 7 p.m. | Garner Performing Arts Center | Free
The concert offers another reason to visit Garner this weekend.
Morrisville Diwali Festival
Saturday, October 17 | 5–8 p.m. | Morrisville Community Park | Free
Morrisville’s celebration adds a free Saturday evening option.
Wake Forest: Halloween, Art and Ghost Walks
Friday, October 16
- DJ Al-Ski Love: 6–9 p.m., Blackbird Brewery; free.
- Spirits of Wake Forest: Multiple ghost-walk starts between 6:30–9:30 p.m., Wake Forest Town Hall; $20.
Saturday, October 17
Halloween Boo Bash
10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Downtown Wake Forest | Free
Start Saturday with a Halloween celebration downtown.
Additional events include:
- Autumn Art & Plant Festival: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Wake Forest Historical Museum; free entry.
- Live Music: 6–9 p.m., Fortnight Brewing; free.
- Spirits of Wake Forest: Multiple starts between 6:30–9:30 p.m., Wake Forest Town Hall; $20.
Knightdale, Wendell and Fuquay-Varina: Music and Local Gatherings
Friday, October 16
- Jeffrey Kriz on the Patio: 5–8 p.m., Oak City Brewing Company, Knightdale; free.
- Front Porch Friday: 6–10 p.m., Haven Farm, Knightdale; free entry.
- Heather Rogers: 7 p.m., The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina; free.
Saturday, October 17
- Pages and Pints Pop-Up Book Shop and Swap: 1–5 p.m., The Mason Jar Lager Company, Fuquay-Varina; free entry.
- Live Music: 7 p.m., Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell; free.
Sunday, October 18
Open Mic
2–5 p.m. | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina | Free
Chapel Hill and Carrboro: Festivals, Gardens and Art
Throughout the Weekend
Carrboro Songwriters Festival | Free
Performances at multiple Carrboro locations are listed for:
- Friday: 4–8 p.m.
- Saturday: Noon–8 p.m.
- Sunday: 1–8 p.m.
Confirm individual venues and performances with the festival.
West End Poetry Festival | Friday–Saturday | Free
Poetry programming takes place at various Carrboro locations. Check the festival schedule for session details.
Sculpture in the Garden | North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Explore the outdoor exhibition with free admission and a $5 suggested donation. Confirm garden hours before visiting.
Friday, October 16
- Fridays on the Front Porch: 5–8 p.m., Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill; free entry.
- Spooky Movie Night — Hotel Transylvania: 6:30 p.m., Carrboro Town Commons; free.
- Third Space Open Mic Night: 7–9 p.m., Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro; free.
Saturday, October 17
- Visit Cow Sanctuary: 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill; listed admission $0–$25, with pricing categories to confirm. Also listed Sunday.
- Open Farm: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill; $8.
- NatureFest: 1–4 p.m., North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill; free.
Sunday, October 18
- Sunday Brunch Music: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Weaver Street Market lawn, Carrboro; free.
- Bazaar Craft & Art Market: Noon–5 p.m., Carrboro Town Commons; free entry.
Hillsborough and Pittsboro: Haunted Attractions and Farm Fun
The Witch’s Haunted Barn
Firefly Farm, Hillsborough | $13
Friday’s no-actor version runs noon–5 p.m. Saturday’s haunted barn listing runs 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Confirm suitability and participation details with organizers.
Free Petting Zoo
Saturday, October 17 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Pittsboro Feed
Add a daytime animal encounter to a Saturday outing.
Live Music
Saturday, October 17 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | Carolina Brewery Pittsboro | Free
Hillsborough Really Really Free Market
Sunday, October 18 | Noon–2 p.m. | Gold Park | Free
Plan Your Weekend Around Raleigh
Pair Wake Forest’s Boo Bash with its art and plant festival, or combine NatureFest in Chapel Hill with music in Carrboro. Cary offers activities across all three days, while Garner and Morrisville provide separate opportunities to attend Diwali celebrations.
Reserve ticketed ghost walks when required, check outdoor event updates, and allow travel time between towns.
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