Free things to do this weekend in and around Research Triangle
Research Triangle's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, August 21, 2026 to Sunday, August 23, 2026
(Scroll down for full, detailed list of free weekend activities.)
Live Animal Feeding: Ocean Habitat - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 - Friday, August 21, 2026, 10:45am - 11:00am
Great Southeast Pollinator Census - JC Raulston Arboretum - 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 - Friday, August 21, 2026 to Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Story Time at the Museum - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 - Friday, August 21, 2026, 10:30am & 11:30am
Free summer mini photo session with Shoott! - Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY - Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Sunday, August 23, 2026, see link for times
Live Animal Feeding: Ocean Habitat - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10:45am - 11:00am
Great Southeast Pollinator Census - JC Raulston Arboretum - 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
50th Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival - Town of Cary - Cary Town Hall, North Academy Street, Cary, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Sunday, August 23, 2026, Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm; Sunday 12:30pm - 5:00pm
Bright Leaf Harvest Day - Duke Homestead - 2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705 - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10:00am - 2:00pm
CaryLIVE! Concert Series - Downtown Cary Park - Downtown Cary Park - 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 - Saturday, August 22, 2026, see website for details
Rhythm & Reels at Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre - Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre - 2600 Evans Road, Apex, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, concerts start at 7:00pm & movies start at dusk
Apex Farmers Market - 220 Salem Street, Apex, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Holly Springs Farmers Market - 300 West Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Summer Concert Series at Forest Hills Park - Forest Hills Park - Durham, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Kirby Derby 2026 - Harvey Hill at Dix Park - Cranmer Drive, Raleigh, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Playdate with Nature - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville - South Madison Street, Whiteville, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Nature Storytime - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville - South Madison Street, Whiteville, NC - Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10:30am - 11:00am
Kick-off to Kindergarten - Marbles Kids Museum - 201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601 - Saturday, August 22, 2026, see website for details
Free summer mini photo session with Shoott! - Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY - Sunday, August 23, 2026, see link for times
Durham Geek and Grub Market: Wizard Edition - Durham Armory - Foster Street, Durham, NC - Sunday, August 23, 2026, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
2026 Summer Concert Series at Fred Fletcher Park - Fred Fletcher Park - Clay Street, Raleigh, NC - Sunday, August 23, 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Raleigh Black Farmers' Market - Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC - Sunday, August 23, 2026, 1:00pm - 4:00pm