Mastodawn

The Triangle Event Guide Weekend Edition January 3–4th

Kick off the first full weekend of the new year with free festivals, outdoor adventures, cultural celebrations, live music, markets, and family-friendly events across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and beyond. Here’s your curated Triangle Event Guide for Saturday and Sunday, January 3–4, 2026.

📅 Saturday, January 3, 2026

Cars and Coffee Morrisville

8:00 am – 11:00 am | FREE

📍 Imperial Center

Emancipation Day Breakfast and Lecture

8:30 am – 9:30 am | $20.00

📍 City of Raleigh Museum

Home Depot Kids’ Workshop: Tow Truck

9:00 am – 12:00 pm | FREE

📍 Various locations

NC Collector’s Roadshow

9:00 am – 4:00 pm | $0–5.00

📍 Jim Graham Building – NC State Fairgrounds

Durham Craft Market

9:00 am – 12:00 pm | FREE

📍 Durham Central Park

Hike with a Naturalist

9:30 am – 11:00 am | FREE

📍 Historic Yates Mill County Park

Produce Giveaway

10:00 am – 12:00 pm | FREE

📍 Lakewood YMCA

Emancipation Day Trolley Tour (2 start times)

10:00 am – 12:30 pm | $6.00–15.00

📍 Pope House Museum

Emancipation Day: Fighting for Freedom – Black Civil War Reenactors

10:00 am – 4:00 pm | FREE

📍 Pope House Museum

Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show

10:00 am – 12:30 pm | FREE

📍 Durham County Main Library

Visit Cow Sanctuary

11:00 am – 3:00 pm | $0–25.00

📍 Brajboro Cow Sanctuary

Karaoke Night

12:00 pm | FREE

📍 Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company

Hockey Pre-Game & Tailgate: Canes vs. Avalanche

12:00 pm | FREE

📍 Raleigh Brewing Company

Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show

1:30 pm – 5:00 pm | FREE

📍 Durham County Main Library

KōMANA Wellness Market

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm | FREE

📍 KōMANA Brewing Company

Annual Christmas Tree Toss

2:00 pm | FREE

📍 The Mason Jar Lager Company

Carrboro Really Really Free Market

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | FREE

📍 Carrboro Town Commons

Irish Music Jam

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | FREE

📍 Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop

Christmas Tree Burning Party

4:00 pm – 7:30 pm | FREE

📍 Steel String Brewery at Pluck Farm

Illuminate Art Walk

4:45 pm | FREE

📍 Downtown Raleigh

First Saturday Under the Stars – Skywatching

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 Three Bears Acres

Live Music

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 Fortnight Brewing Company

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $16.74–30.64

📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre

📅 Sunday, January 4, 2026

Hike with a Naturalist

9:30 am – 11:00 am | FREE

📍 Historic Yates Mill County Park

NC Collector’s Roadshow

10:00 am – 3:00 pm | $0–5.00

📍 Jim Graham Building

Pay-What-You-Can Yoga

11:00 am – 12:00 pm | $1–10

📍 Compass Rose Brewery

Visit Cow Sanctuary

11:00 am – 3:00 pm | $0–25.00

📍 Brajboro Cow Sanctuary

Kanikapila: FREE Ukulele Lessons

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | FREE

📍 KōMANA Brewing Company

Artspace Open Studio

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | FREE

📍 Artspace

Selma Three Kings Day Fiesta

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | FREE

📍 Downtown Selma

Craft Club & Supply Swap

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | FREE

📍 The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom

Open Mic Night

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm | FREE

📍 Gizmo Brew Works

Bluegrass Open Jam

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm | FREE

📍 Bond Brothers Eastside

Illuminate Art Walk

4:45 pm | FREE

📍 Downtown Raleigh

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $16.74–30.64

📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Sunday Open Mic

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop

📌 Plan Your Weekend in the Triangle

From Emancipation Day history events to lantern festivals, hikes, free markets, and live music, this weekend offers something for everyone. Check back with DoRaleigh for daily updates and new event guides.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

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DoRaleigh Jan 1

The Downtown Raleigh Event Guide – Thursday, January 1st New Year’s Day Edition

Kick off 2026 with a full day of art, culture, food, and festive experiences in Downtown Raleigh and across the Triangle. From creative open studios and community celebrations to a beloved BBQ farewell, hockey tailgates, and dazzling light displays, New Year’s Day offers something for every pace—whether you’re easing into the year or jumping right into the fun.

Here’s your curated Downtown Raleigh Event Guide for Thursday, January 1, 2026, brought to you by DoRaleigh.

🎨 Art, Culture & Community

New Year’s Day Open Art Studio (Pay What You Can) 10:00am–2:00pm | Margaret Lane Gallery Annex/F-Stop 2 Start the year creatively with an open studio experience welcoming all skill levels.

Kwanzaa Fest with the African American Dance Ensemble 12:00pm–5:30pm | FREE | Durham Armory Celebrate culture, history, and community with music, dance, and family-friendly programming.

🍽️ Food, Drink & Daytime Fun

Clyde Cooper’s BBQ Farewell New Year’s Day Buffet 12:00pm–4:00pm | $14.95–$28.95 | Clyde Cooper’s BBQ A can’t-miss farewell buffet honoring one of Downtown Raleigh’s most iconic BBQ institutions.

New Year’s Day Chili Cook-Off 2:00pm–5:00pm | FREE | Blackbird Brewery Warm up the new year with chili, community, and local brews.

🏒 Sports & Social

Hockey Pre-Game & Tailgate: Canes vs. Canadiens 2:00pm | FREE | Raleigh Brewing Rally with fellow fans before the puck drops and keep the New Year’s energy going.

✨ Evening Lights & Experiences

Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh 4:45pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh A self-guided stroll highlighting public art, creativity, and downtown vibes.

Piper Lights 5:30pm–9:00pm | FREE | Piper Lights One of the region’s most beloved holiday light displays continues into the New Year.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival 6:00pm–10:00pm | $16.74–$30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre End your New Year’s Day surrounded by stunning lantern displays, art, and culture.

Start 2026 the DoRaleigh Way

Whether you’re honoring tradition, exploring art, enjoying comfort food, or taking in glowing light displays, New Year’s Day 2026 offers a perfect blend of reflection and celebration. Bookmark this guide and keep checking DoRaleigh.com for the latest events, updates, and weekend happenings.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

#Cary #DoRaleigh #downtownRaleigh #DowntownRaleighEvents #Durham #events #JanuaryEventsRaleigh #NewYearSDay #NewYearSDayRaleigh #News #raleigh #RaleighArtEvents #RaleighFoodEvents #thingsToDoInRaleigh #TriangleEventGuide #TriangleEvents