Free things to do this weekend in and around Research Triangle

Research Triangle's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, August 14, 2026 to Sunday, August 16, 2026.

(Scroll down for full, detailed list of free weekend activities.)

• Friday Night on White - Town of Wake Forest, NC - Downtown Wake Forest Historic District - North White Street, Wake Forest, NC, USA, Friday, August 14, 2026, 6 pm - 9 pm
• Friday Family Flicks at Garner Recreation Center - Garner Recreation Center - West Main Street, Garner, NC, USA, Friday, August 14, 2026, See website for details
• Story Time at the Museum - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC, USA, Friday, August 14, 2026, Wednesdays at 10:30am and on Fridays at 10:30am & 11:30am
• Live Animal Feeding: Ocean Habitat - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States, Friday, August 14, 2026, 10:45am - 11:00am
• Raleigh Geek and Grub Market: Y2K Millenial Edition - LeRoy Martin Magnet Middle School - Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 12 pm - 4 pm
• 8th Annual Mud Day Festival - City of Raleigh - Walnut Creek Wetland Center - Peterson Street, Raleigh, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
• Apex Farmers Market - 220 Salem Street, Apex, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 8 am - 12 pm
• Holly Springs Farmers Market - 300 West Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 8 am - 12 pm
• SuperFun Saturdays at Halle Cultural Arts Center - Halle Cultural Arts Center - 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502, United States, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
• Summer Outdoor Markets at Millstone Creek Orchards - Millstone Creek Orchards - Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC 27316, United States, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 AM 2:00 PM
• Free Fencing Class - Research Triangle Fencing - 3742 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707, United States, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 3:00PM
• Playdate with Nature - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville - South Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 11:30am - 12:00pm
• Nature Storytime - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville - South Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, 10:30am - 11:00am
• Rhythm & Reels at Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre - 2600 Evans Road, Apex, NC, USA, Saturday, August 15, 2026, Concerts start at 7 pm & Movies start at dusk!
• 2026 Summer Concert Series at Pullen Park - Pullen Park - Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC, USA, Sunday, August 16, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
• Durham Black Farmers' Market - Durham Technical Community College - East Lawson Street, Durham, NC, USA, Sunday, August 16, 2026, 1 pm - 4 pm