DoRaleighThe Triangle Entertainment Guide Thursday October 23rd Edition
Fall fun continues across the Triangle with a jam-packed day of free festivals, food giveaways, music, markets, and spooky seasonal activities. Whether you’re in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, or Chapel Hill — there’s something exciting for everyone to enjoy today.
🎡 Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day at NC State Fair
All Day | FREE with 6 canned food donations | NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
Trade canned goods for fair tickets! Bring six cans of food to the NC State Fair and get free admission — a beloved Raleigh tradition that supports the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.
🎓 NC Countdown to College: Fee Waivers for NC Universities
All Day | FREE | Statewide
High school seniors and parents: many North Carolina colleges and universities are waiving application fees this week. Don’t miss your chance to apply for free!
🐷 North Carolina State Fair
All Day | $5–13 | NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
The state’s biggest fall event continues! Enjoy rides, food, exhibits, and music as the fair enters its final weekend stretch.
🌿 Sculpture in the Garden
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | FREE ($5 suggested) | NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Wander through a stunning outdoor art exhibit blending sculpture and nature at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
⚰️ Stroll Through History: Free Cemetery Tours
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | FREE | Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh
Step back in time with guided tours that bring Raleigh’s past to life through its most storied resting places.
💀 Día de Muertos Ofrenda
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | FREE | Duke University Chapel, Durham
Honor loved ones and explore vibrant traditions at Duke Chapel’s Día de Muertos altar — a beautiful reflection of remembrance and culture.
🍗 Free Slider at Dave’s Hot Chicken
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | Participating Triangle Locations
Stop by your nearest Dave’s Hot Chicken and enjoy a free slider — no tricks, just deliciousness!
🧪 Incredible Science
1:30 p.m. | FREE | NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
Hands-on learning and fun experiments for all ages at Raleigh’s favorite science destination.
🍻 Bricks & Brews
4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Raleigh
Enjoy craft beer, food trucks, and community vibes during this popular after-work hangout.
🥕 Parktown Food Hub Distribution
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | FREE | Parkwood United Methodist Church, Durham
Community members can stop by for free food distribution — open to all, no registration required.
🌙 Durham Night Market
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | American Tobacco Campus, Durham
Shop local vendors, enjoy live music, and savor local eats at this open-air market under the lights.
🎃 Clayton Harvest Festival
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE | Horne Square, Clayton
Kick off the weekend early with rides, vendors, and live music in downtown Clayton.
🎶 Live Music on the Rooftop
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | FREE | Westin Raleigh-Durham
Unwind with skyline views and live performances atop the Westin’s rooftop lounge.
🏃♀️ Southern Peak Halloween Costume Fun Run
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | FREE | Southern Peak Brewery, Apex
Grab your costume and join the spooky fun run — prizes, beer, and Halloween cheer included!
📖 Bright Black: Scented Reading Club
6:00 p.m. | FREE | Bright Black, Durham
A unique multisensory book club experience featuring fragrance-inspired storytelling.
🎤 Live Music: Davis Tucker
6:00 p.m. | FREE | Bearded Bee Brewing, Wendell
Kick back with good tunes and local craft beer in Wendell’s welcoming brewery scene.
🎙 Open Mic (Music & Poetry)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | FREE | The Common Market, Durham
Local voices shine with open mic performances of music, poetry, and more.
🎲 Game Night
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner
Board games, beer, and good company — a perfect midweek escape.
🎧 Vinyl Nights
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham
Spin your favorite records or enjoy the mix as DJs fill the night with analog sound.
🎵 Pluck Farm Open Mic Night
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Mebane
Bring your guitar or voice and join an evening of local talent and craft brews.
🎤 Crossroads Plaza Fall Music Series: Monica Kennedy
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | FREE | Crossroads Plaza, Cary
Live outdoor music in Cary’s popular shopping district, featuring soulful performances.
🎶 Thursday Night Music: Heads Up Penny
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | FREE | Angier Depot Square
Relax and unwind with this small-town outdoor concert under the stars.
🧙♀️ Witches Night Out
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE | The Durham Hotel Rooftop
Costumes, cocktails, and spooky rooftop fun — perfect for a Halloween week girls’ night.
💃 Line Dancing & Open Dance
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | $10 | Mystic Farm & Distillery, Durham
Two hours of country fun! Beginners welcome — bring your boots and your best moves.
👻 Spirits of Wake Forest: Ghost Walks
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | $20 | Downtown Wake Forest
Experience haunted history with this guided nighttime tour through Wake Forest’s historic downtown.
📚 Comics Book Club Meeting
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | Ment Beverage Co., Durham
Grab a drink and join a lively discussion with fellow comic fans.
🎵 Music Bingo
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE | Fortnight Brewing, Cary
Sing along and win prizes in this fun musical twist on traditional bingo!
🕹 Level Up and Sip
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham
Retro video games, beer, and community — a nostalgic night out in the Bull City.
🎲 Board Game Night
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery, Durham
Meet new friends and test your strategy skills at Durham’s favorite meadery.
💃 Free Square Dance Fun Nights
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | FREE | First United Methodist Church, Cary
No partner? No problem! Learn the basics of square dancing in a friendly, social setting.
🏒 Air Hockey Tournament
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham
Compete for bragging rights (and maybe a prize) at this free arcade showdown.
🎷 Jazz Jam Open Mic
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE | Bond Brothers Eastside, Cary
Join or listen to an open jazz jam session featuring some of the Triangle’s best musicians.
🌟 Explore, Engage, Enjoy
Whether you’re hunting for live music, spooky tours, art shows, or community events — the Triangle’s got something to keep your Thursday lively. For daily updates and weekend highlights, follow DoRaleigh.com — your guide to everything happening around the Triangle.
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