The Triangle Event Guide – MLK Day Monday January 19th Edition

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a powerful day of reflection, service, celebration, and community across the Triangle. From marches and prayer breakfasts to volunteer opportunities, family activities, food deals, and evening entertainment, there’s something meaningful (and fun) happening in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, and beyond.

Below is your complete guide to MLK Day events across the Triangle.

🎉 All-Day Deals & Specials

National Popcorn Day at Cinemark

All Day | $5 | Cinemark (participating locations)

Bring your own bucket and fill it up for just $5 in celebration of National Popcorn Day.

Krispy Kreme MLK Day Doughnut Deal

All Day | Discounted | Krispy Kreme (multiple locations)

Buy a dozen doughnuts and get a dozen Original Glazed for just $1.

✊ MLK Day Ceremonies, Marches & Services

46th MLK Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast

6:00 AM – 9:00 AM | FREE | Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park

Hosted by the Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, this longstanding tradition brings together faith and community leaders.

MLK Day National Day of Service – Apex

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | FREE | John M. Brown Community Center, Apex

Fuquay-Varina MLK Day March & Celebration

9:00 AM | FREE | First Baptist Church, Fuquay-Varina

Durham MLK Committee March

10:30 AM | FREE | NC Mutual Building Plaza, Durham

46th Annual Martin Luther King Memorial March

11:00 AM | FREE | North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

46th Annual MLK Jr. Noon Ecumenical Service

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | FREE | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh

King Day: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | FREE | John Chavis Memorial Park, Raleigh

Durham MLK Community Rally & Program

12:00 PM | FREE | First Presbyterian Church, Durham

Durham MLK Committee Religious Service

6:00 PM | FREE | Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Durham

🌱 Volunteer & Day of Service Opportunities

MLK Outdoor Day of Service

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | FREE | Stevens Nature Center, Hemlock Bluffs (Cary)

MLK Outdoor Day of Service

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | FREE | Good Hope Farm, Cary

MLK 5K Walk for Hope

10:00 AM | FREE | Mt. Zion Church, Cary

Dream Big MLK Day Book Drive & Community Celebration

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | FREE | Boxyard RTP

🏒 Sports, Social & Community Fun

Hockey Pre-Game & Tailgate: Hurricanes vs. Sabres

12:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh Brewing Company, Raleigh

EagleFest Photography Workshop

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | FREE | Jordan Lake Dam

Silent Reading Club

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | The Glass Jug Downtown Durham Taproom

Early Karaoke

6:00 PM | FREE | The Northside District

College Football Championship Watch Party (Sound On)

7:00 PM – 10:30 PM | FREE | The Williams House Craft Taproom, Cary

Cosmic Chuckles: Weekly Comedy Show

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | Flying Saucer, Raleigh

Board Game Night

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery & Bottle Shop, Durham

Air Hockey Tournament

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Raleigh

Why MLK Day Matters in the Triangle

MLK Day is more than a day off — it’s a Day On. Across the Triangle, communities gather to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service, faith, dialogue, and togetherness. Whether you’re volunteering, marching, worshiping, or simply spending time with family, these events reflect the spirit of unity that defines the region.

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The Triangle Event Guide Weekend January 16–18th Edition

Things to Do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Beyond

Looking for free and low-cost things to do in the Triangle this weekend? From MLK Day celebrations and cultural festivals to live music, art walks, markets, yoga, comedy, and family-friendly programs, the Triangle Event Guide – Weekend Edition has you covered.

This curated list highlights the best events happening across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Pittsboro, Hillsborough, Zebulon, and Mebane—with plenty of FREE options.

📅 Friday, January 16, 2026

Park Tales: Little Owl’s Snow

🕙 10:00–10:45 AM | FREE

📍 Historic Yates Mill County Park

Make Your Own Vision Board

🕛 12:00–3:00 PM | FREE

📍 Rumors, Chapel Hill

Third Friday Durham – Artist Reception (Jordan Abdur-Ra’off)

🕕 6:00–8:00 PM | FREE

📍 Durham Visitor Info Center

Third Friday Art Opening – Anthony Garza Photography

🕕 6:00–8:00 PM | FREE

📍 Ment Beverage Co., Durham

Third Friday Durham – Art, Exhibits & Performances

🕕 6:00–9:00 PM | FREE

📍 Durham City Center

MLK Weekend in Apex: Black Authors Exhibit

🕡 6:30–8:30 PM | FREE

📍 Apex Senior Center

Bellydance Show & Open Dance Floor

🕡 6:30–8:30 PM | FREE

📍 Sophie’s Grill & Bar, Cary

Canes vs. Panthers Hockey Watch Party

🕡 6:30–10:00 PM | FREE

📍 Trophy on Maywood

Game Night

🕡 6:30 PM | FREE

📍 Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh

Open Mic, DJ Nights, Karaoke & Comedy

🕖–11:00 PM | FREE

📍 Carrboro, Durham, Cary & Raleigh

MLK Dreamfest: John Lewis – Good Trouble (Film Screening)

🕢 7:30 PM | FREE

📍 The Cary Theater

📅 Saturday, January 17, 2026

MLK Unity March & Breakfast Reception

🕗 8:00 AM | FREE

📍 Apex First Baptist Church

National Day of Racial Healing

🕣 8:30–10:00 AM | FREE

📍 First Chronicles Community Church, Durham

Triangle MLK Holiday Kickoff – 46th Annual Wreath Laying

🕘 9:00–9:30 AM | FREE

📍 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens, Raleigh

Durham Craft Market

🕘 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | FREE

📍 Durham Central Park

Plant Swap

🕚 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | FREE

📍 City of Raleigh Museum

New Capitol Tour: Greek & Roman Symbols

🕛 12:00 PM | FREE

📍 North Carolina State Capitol

North Carolina Vintage Bazaar

🕛 12:00–7:00 PM | $10

📍 NC State Fairgrounds

MLK Celebrations, Adoption Events, Chili Cook-Offs & Live Music

🕐 Afternoon–Evening | FREE

📍 Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Pittsboro, Wake Forest & Wendell

📅 Sunday, January 18, 2026

National Popcorn Day – BYO Bucket

🍿 All Day | $5

📍 Cinemark (participating locations)

Tết Vietnamese New Year Festival

🕙 10:00 AM–6:30 PM | $0–10

📍 NC State Fairgrounds

MLK Worship Services & Interfaith Events

🕚 Morning–Afternoon | FREE

📍 Apex, Cary, Durham & Raleigh

Artspace Open Studio

🕜 1:30–3:30 PM | FREE

📍 Artspace, Raleigh

When Community Gathers: MLK Day Celebration

🕒 3:00–6:00 PM | FREE

📍 John P. “Top” Greene Park

MLK Commemoration

🕒 3:00 PM | FREE

📍 Duke University Chapel

11th Annual MLK Jr. Speech Reenactment

🕓 4:00–6:30 PM | FREE

📍 Millbrook United Methodist Church, Raleigh

Live Music, Open Mics & Community Dinners

🕓–9:00 PM | FREE

📍 Raleigh, Durham, Cary & Wake County

Make the Most of Your Weekend in the Triangle

Whether you’re honoring MLK Day, exploring local art, enjoying live music, or looking for free things to do this weekend, the Triangle is packed with meaningful and fun experiences.

👉 Bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily event guides, weekend roundups, and local happenings across the Triangle.

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