Saturday in the Triangle: Your Ultimate May 17, 2025 Event Guide

Looking for plans this Saturday? Whether you’re into local art, live music, history, or just soaking up the sun with your community, the Triangle has something for you. From Raleigh to Durham to Cary and beyond, May 17, 2025, is packed with FREE and low-cost events for the whole family (or your solo adventure). Here’s your all-day guide to what’s happening across the Triangle:

All-Day Freebies & Community Fun

African American Walking Tour | FREE | Various times | Pope House, Raleigh Take a self-paced journey through Raleigh’s historic Third Ward and explore African American history and landmarks. Krispy Kreme Hot Light Deal | FREE | All Day | Multiple Locations Grab a classic Original Glazed doughnut for free whenever the Hot Light is on. Yes, really. Vintage Store Day | FREE | All Day | Durham Shop vintage at five unique Durham stores and enter to win a raffle prize.

Markets, Makers, and Garden Days

Durham Craft Market | 9am–12pm | FREE | Durham Central Park The Raleigh Market | 9am–5pm | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds Plant Delights Nursery Open House | 9am–5pm | FREE | Juniper Level Botanic Garden Fenton Makers Market (Cary) | 11am–4pm | FREE Spring Makers Market (Knightdale) | 12pm–7pm | FREE Saturday Vintage + Maker Market (Durham) | 3pm–7pm | FREE

Family-Friendly Favorites

Wheels on Academy + Touch-a-Truck | 10am–2pm | FREE | Cary Town Hall Morrisville SpringFest | 10am–2pm | FREE Lowe’s Kid Workshop: Trinket Box | 10am–1pm | FREE | Multiple Locations Rootle Roadster Tour Block Party | 10am–2pm | FREE | Marbles, Raleigh Smart Start Block Party | 10am–2:30pm | FREE | Roberts Park, Raleigh (Sensory-friendly hour starts at 10am!)

For the Nature-Lovers

Open Farm Visit | 10am–5pm | $8 | Sunrise Farm, Chapel Hill Pet-a-Cow | 10am–1pm | $0–$25 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill Community Work Day | 10am–5pm | FREE | Paperhand Puppet Intervention, Saxapahaw Hike with a Naturalist | 6pm–7pm | FREE | Historic Yates Mill Park

Arts, Culture & History

Artsplosure | 11am–7pm | FREE | Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh Raleigh’s biggest spring arts festival is back with live performances, art vendors, and family fun. Shakespeare in the Parks: Othello | 1pm & 4pm | FREE | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh 55th Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival | 1pm–7pm | FREE | Rock Quarry Park, Durham Vault Theatre: Red Riding Hood | 10am | $10 | Durham King Lear by South Stream Productions | 7:30pm | Pay what you want | The Ridge, Raleigh

Music, Food & Evening Vibes

Saturdays in Saxapahaw Concert Series | 5pm–8pm | FREE Beer Garden Concert Series: Rose Galaxy Band | 5pm–8pm | FREE | RTP CaryLive! ft. Flowmingos | 7:30pm–9:30pm | FREE | Downtown Cary Park Raleigh Nights at Smoky Hollow | 5:30pm–9:30pm | FREE | Vendors, live DJ, performers Nickelback & Pickle Back Party | 12pm–12am | FREE | Boxcar Bar, Raleigh

Laughs, Karaoke & Nightlife

Hot Bucket Comedy Night | 7pm–8:30pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham Comedy Showcase | 7pm–9pm | FREE | The Common Market, Durham Spelling Bee for Adults | 7pm | FREE | Sneaky Penguin, Raleigh Live DJ | 10pm | FREE | Raleigh Beer Garden Multiple Karaoke Events | 6pm–10pm | FREE | Various locations

Plan Your Day:

Want art in the morning, a cow cuddle in the afternoon, and a brewery concert to close out the night? You’ve got options. And most of them are free.

Don’t Miss a Beat:

Follow DoRaleigh.com to stay on top of the Triangle’s best local happenings.

Whether you’re with the kids, out with friends, or flying solo, Saturday in the Triangle is anything but boring.

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