Free
Free green light bulbs for Operation Green Light (Durham County)
Mon Oct 26 – Wed Nov 11 · Mon-Fri · 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-5 p.m.
Durham County Veteran Services · Durham
Everything we list that's free with no purchase or admission needed. 100 listings, each checked against its source. Guide: always-free things to do →
Free
Mon Oct 26 – Wed Nov 11 · Mon-Fri · 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-5 p.m.
Durham County Veteran Services · Durham
Free admission
Mon Nov 2 – Mon Dec 14 · Select Mondays · Mon 1-7 p.m. (Nov 2 and Dec 14)
Downtown Cary Park, Academy Pavilion · Cary
Checked · Source: Downtown Cary Park (official)
Free
Sun Nov 8 · Second Sunday monthly (next Nov 8, then Dec 13) · 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (rain date: following Sunday, Nov 15)
Eliza Pool Park · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Raleigh Really Really Free Market (organizer page)
Free admission
Food, bazaar and escape room cost extra
Fri Oct 30 – Sun Nov 8 · Fri-Sat Oct 30-31 and Fri-Sun Nov 6-8 (check the cathedral's page for hours)
St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Cathedral · Raleigh
Checked · Source: St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (official)
Free admission
Tue Nov 3 · 5:30-7 p.m.
Hyde Hall, University Room (UNC) · Chapel Hill
Checked · Source: UNC Department of Art and Art History (official)
Free admission
No fee listed; registration required
Wed Nov 4 · 2-3 p.m.
Gathering Garden, Downtown Cary Park · Cary
Checked · Source: Downtown Cary Park (official)
Free admission
Thu Nov 5 · 7-8:30 p.m.
Current ArtSpace (CURRENT Studio) · Chapel Hill
Free admission
Thu Nov 5 · 8-9:30 a.m.
Cedar Fork Community Center · Morrisville
Checked · Source: Town of Morrisville (official)
Free admission
Thu Nov 5 · 5:30-9 p.m.
NC Museum of Art, East Building · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NC Museum of Art (official)
Free admission and parking
Items for sale
Thu Nov 5 – Sat Nov 7 · Annual · Thu-Fri 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Quail Hollow Swim Club · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Visions of Sugarplums (official)
Free admission
Parking fees apply
Fri Nov 6 – Sun Nov 8 · Fri Nov 6, 12-4 p.m.; Sat-Sun Nov 7-8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens (Doris Duke Center and Japanese Garden) · Durham
Checked · Source: Duke Gardens (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 6 · Annual · 6:30-9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum · Raleigh
Checked · Source: City of Raleigh (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 6 · Market 5-9 p.m.; music 5:30; movie 6:30 p.m.
Moore Square · Raleigh
Checked · Source: City of Raleigh Parks (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 6 · Vendors from 5 p.m.; concert 6:30 p.m. (doors 6 p.m.)
NC Museum of Art, East Building, SECU Auditorium · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NC Museum of Art (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 6 – Tue Dec 29 · Nov 6, 13, 20, 24; Dec 4, 18, 22, 29 · 5:30-7 p.m.
Taylor's Wine Shop · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Taylor's Wine Shop (official)
Free
For expectant families
Sat Nov 7 · 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Apex Friendship High School · Apex
Checked · Source: Apex First Baptist Church et al. (organizer's Luma page)
Free admission
Sat Nov 7 · Annual · 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fred Fletcher Park · Raleigh
Checked · Source: City of Raleigh Arts (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 7 · Annual · Sat noon-5 p.m.
100 East Rosemary Street (downtown Chapel Hill) · Chapel Hill
Checked · Source: Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 7 – Sat Dec 5 · Select Saturdays · 9 a.m.-noon
Participating Home Depot stores (Raleigh-area) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: The Home Depot (official)
Free admission
Registration required
Sat Nov 7 · Sat 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Piney Wood Park · Durham
Checked · Source: Major Minors (organizer)
Free
Cardholder only
Sat Nov 7 – Sun Nov 8 · First full weekend monthly · Museum hours
Marbles Kids Museum · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Marbles Kids Museum (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 7 – Thu Dec 24 · Arrival Sat Nov 7, 5 p.m.; Santa photos daily Nov 8-Dec 24 during store hours
Bass Pro Shops Cary and Bass Pro Shops Garner · Cary
Free admission
Sat Nov 7 · 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Burning Coal Theatre · Raleigh
Free admission
Sun Nov 8 · Sun 2-4 p.m.
DSSOLVR Durham · Durham
Checked · Source: Circular Triangle (official)
Free admission
Mon Nov 9 · Mon 10:30-11:15 a.m.
North Carolina Museum of Art (meet near the Welcome Center) · Raleigh
Free admission
Tue Nov 10 · 11 a.m.
Durham County Human Services Building, 2nd-floor conference rooms · Durham
Free admission
No tickets required
Tue Nov 10 · Tue 7:30 p.m.
Nelson Music Room (East Duke 201), Duke East Campus · Durham
Checked · Source: Duke Arts / Duke Department of Music (organizer)
Free Bloomin' Onion
+ drink
Tue Nov 10 – Wed Nov 11 · Restaurant hours
Participating Outback Steakhouse restaurants (Raleigh-area locations) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Outback Steakhouse (official)
Free admission
Wed Nov 11 · 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Downtown Apex Service Memorial (Saunders St & N. Salem St) · Apex
Checked · Source: Town of Apex (official)
Free admission
Wed Nov 11 · 11 a.m.-noon
Veterans Freedom Park · Cary
Checked · Source: Town of Cary (official)
Free meal
Select entrées
Wed Nov 11 · Restaurant hours
Participating Chili's Grill & Bar (Raleigh-area locations) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Chili's (official)
Free for veterans
Active duty, retirees, Guard & Reserve
Wed Nov 11 · 4 p.m.-close
Participating Golden Corral restaurants (Raleigh area) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Golden Corral (official Military Appreciation page)
Free burger
+ bottomless fries
Wed Nov 11 · Restaurant hours
Participating Red Robin restaurants (Raleigh-area locations) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Red Robin (official)
Free admission
Wed Nov 11 · 11 a.m.
Veterans Park (Veterans Memorial) · Holly Springs
Free admission
Wed Nov 11 · Wed 6-9 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park, The Bark Bar · Cary
Checked · Source: Downtown Cary Park (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 13 · Fri 3:30-8 p.m.
Hi-Wire Brewing (Durham) · Durham
Checked · Source: StepUp Durham (organizer)
Free admission
Sat Nov 14 · 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum · Raleigh
Checked · Source: City of Raleigh (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 14 · Sat 4-5 p.m.
Nelson Music Room (East Duke 201), Duke East Campus · Durham
Checked · Source: Duke Arts (organizer calendar)
Free admission
Sat Nov 14 · Sat 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Green Road Community Library · Raleigh
Free admission
Sat Nov 14 · 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Synergy Fitness for Her · Durham
Checked · Source: Synergy Fitness for Her via Eventbrite (organizer listing)
Free
Sat Nov 14 · 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wake Forest Center for Active Aging (parking lot) · Wake Forest
Checked · Source: Town of Wake Forest (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 14 · 4-9 p.m.
Durham Central Park · Durham
Checked · Source: Liberty Arts (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 14 · 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Eva Perry Regional Library · Apex
Free admission
Wed Nov 18 – Wed Dec 9 · Monthly (Nov 18, Dec 9) · Playtime 5:30-7:30 p.m.; free IMAX movie beforehand (5 p.m. Nov 18, 4:30 p.m. Dec 9)
Marbles Kids Museum · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Marbles Kids Museum (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 20 · 5-9 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park · Cary
Free admission
Fri Nov 20 · 5:30-8 p.m.
Moore Square · Raleigh
Free admission
Fri Nov 20 · 5-8 p.m.
The Depot parking lot, downtown Apex · Apex
Checked · Source: Town of Apex (official)
Free admission
Fri Nov 20 · 5-9 p.m.
Waverly Place · Cary
Checked · Source: Waverly Place (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of Art (East Building and Gipson Plaza) · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NC Museum of History (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · Annual · Sat 4-8 p.m.
Downtown Zebulon (Arendell Avenue between Vance and Sycamore Streets) · Zebulon
Checked · Source: Town of Zebulon Parks and Recreation (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cary Senior Center · Cary
Checked · Source: Town of Cary (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · 4-8 p.m.
CCB Plaza, downtown Durham · Durham
Checked · Source: Downtown Durham Inc. (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · 3-5:30 p.m. (house music from 2:30)
Hub RTP Stage · Durham
Checked · Source: Hub RTP (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · Sat 3-4:45 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park, Great Lawn Pavilion · Cary
Checked · Source: Downtown Cary Park (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 21 · Sat 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sweetwater Town Center · Apex
Free to watch
Sat Nov 21 · Starts 9:30 a.m.
Downtown Raleigh (parade route) · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (official)
Free
Mon Nov 23 · 7-9:30 a.m.
Wake Forest (drive-thru) · Wake Forest
Free admission
Thu Nov 26 · 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (doors 11, program noon)
Durham Rescue Mission · Durham
Checked · Source: Durham Rescue Mission (official)
Free admission
Sat Nov 28 · 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Durham Central Park · Durham
Checked · Source: Durham Craft Market (official)
Free admission
RSVP
Sat Nov 28 · 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
City Plaza, downtown Raleigh · Raleigh
Free to take part
Sat Nov 28 – Sat Dec 12
Participating Holly Springs businesses · Holly Springs
Checked · Source: Town of Holly Springs (official)
Free admission
Sun Nov 29 · 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Durham Central Park · Durham
Checked · Source: MAKRS (official)
Free admission
Fri Dec 4 · 4:30-7 p.m.
Apex Town Hall · Apex
Checked · Source: Town of Apex (official)
Free admission
Fri Dec 4 · 5-8 p.m.
Centennial Plaza · Wake Forest
Checked · Source: Town of Wake Forest (official)
Free admission
Fri Dec 4 · 6-8 p.m.
Indian Creek Trailhead · Morrisville
Checked · Source: Town of Morrisville (official)
Free admission
Fri Dec 4 – Sun Dec 13 · Daily, Dec 4-13 · Business hours
Downtown Apex (Salem St) · Apex
Checked · Source: Town of Apex Economic Development (official)
Free to watch
Sat Dec 5 · Starts 5 p.m.
Salem Street, downtown Apex · Apex
Checked · Source: Town of Apex (official)
Free admission
Sat Dec 5 · 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Downtown Wake Forest · Wake Forest
Checked · Source: Town of Wake Forest (official)
Free admission
Sat Dec 5 – Thu Dec 31 · Nightly, Dec 5-31 · 6-9 p.m.
E. Carroll Joyner Park · Wake Forest
Checked · Source: Town of Wake Forest (official)
Free admission
Sat Dec 5 · 5-8 p.m.
Downtown Holly Springs · Holly Springs
Checked · Source: Town of Holly Springs (official)
Free admission
Sat Dec 5 · 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (tree lighting at 6 p.m.)
Downtown Cary Park · Cary
Checked · Source: Downtown Cary Park (official)
Free admission
Fri Dec 11 – Sun Dec 13 · Fri-Sun, Dec 11-13 · Fri 5-9 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Moore Square · Raleigh
Checked · Source: The MAKRS Society (official)
Free to watch
Sat Dec 12 · 2-4 p.m.
Downtown Cary · Cary
Checked · Source: Cary Jaycees (official)
Free to watch
Sat Dec 12 · Starts 10 a.m.
Main Street, downtown Durham · Durham
Free to watch
Sat Dec 12 · Starts 10 a.m.
Downtown Holly Springs (parade route) · Holly Springs
Checked · Source: Town of Holly Springs (official)
Free admission
Sun Dec 13 · 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Artspace · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Artspace (official event page)
Free for spectators
Mon Dec 28 – Thu Dec 31 · All day (see the revised December schedule)
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, NC State Fairgrounds · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Triangle Farms (organizer) event page + spectator policy
Free admission
Admission and parking
Wed Feb 3 – Fri Feb 5 · Wed-Thu 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Southern Shows (organizer): admission, hours and 2027 schedule
Free admission
No tickets, free parking
Sat Mar 6 · 9 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NC State College of Veterinary Medicine (official)
Free on your birthday
Rewards members
Yearly, birthday reward · Restaurant hours
Participating Denny's restaurants (Raleigh area) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Denny's (official news page) + Denny's Rewards terms
Free doughnut
With next purchase
Shop hours
Krispy Kreme (Raleigh-area shops) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Krispy Kreme (official)
Free on your birthday
Rewards members
Yearly, on your birthday · Café hours
Participating Starbucks cafés in Raleigh · Raleigh area
Free admission
Metered/deck parking nearby
Wednesday-Sunday · Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5; 2nd Friday until 9 p.m.
Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill
Checked · Source: Ackland Art Museum (official)
Free admission
Tuesday-Sunday · Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Museum of Durham History · Durham
Free admission
Galleries Wed-Sun; park daily · Galleries 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; park dawn-dusk
North Carolina Museum of Art · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NCMA (official)
Free admission
Donations welcome
Tuesday-Sunday · 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences · Raleigh
Free baby cone
Under 40 inches
Every day · Shop hours
Participating Bruster's Real Ice Cream shops (Raleigh-area) · Raleigh area
Free chips and fountain soda
With a handheld or burger
Monday-Friday · 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Element Gastropub · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Element Gastropub (official)
Free on your birthday
Rewards members
Yearly, birthday reward · Restaurant hours
Participating Moe's Southwest Grill locations (Raleigh-area restaurants) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Moe's Southwest Grill (official offers & terms)
Free admission
Saturdays & Sundays (listed through Nov 29) · 1-2 p.m.
NCMA West Building (meet at public tour sign) · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NCMA (official)
Free
During market hours (Midtown: Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon through Oct 31) · Market hours
Midtown, Western Wake, Apex and Holly Springs farmers markets · Wake County
Free admission
Donations welcome
Saturdays (guided tours); open Mon-Sat · Guided tours Sat 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; building open Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-5
North Carolina State Capitol · Raleigh
Checked · Source: NC Historic Sites (official)
Kids eat free
Free kids' meal with adult entrée
Every Monday · Restaurant hours
Participating Outback Steakhouse restaurants (national chain with Raleigh-area locations) · Raleigh area
Kids eat free
Free kids' meal with adult entrée
Every Monday night · Monday evening
The Big Easy · Raleigh
Checked · Source: The Big Easy (official)
Kids eat free
Free kids' meal with adult entrée
Every Sunday, open to close · Open-close
Players Retreat · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Players Retreat (official)
Kids eat free
Free kids' meal (under 10)
Every Sunday · 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Nantucket Grill (Falls River) · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Nantucket Grill (official)
Kids eat free
Free kids' meal with entrée (rewards members)
Weekly reward in the Moe Rewards app · Restaurant hours
Participating Moe's Southwest Grill locations (Raleigh-area restaurants) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Moe's Southwest Grill (official offers & terms)
Free on your birthday
Free appetizer + birthday treat
Restaurant hours
Red Robin (Raleigh-area restaurants) · Raleigh area
Checked · Source: Red Robin (official)
Kids eat free
Free kids' entrée with combo purchase
Every Tuesday · 4 p.m.-close
Sassool (Cary and North Raleigh) · Cary
Checked · Source: Sassool (official)
Free
Daily · Grounds 8 a.m.-sunset; buildings Mon-Sat 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.
Historic Oak View County Park · Raleigh
Checked · Source: Wake County Parks (official park page, brochure and bond-project page)