Free things to do this weekend in and around Research Triangle

Research Triangle's Top Picks for FREE family-friendly fun Friday, July 24, 2026 to Sunday, July 26, 2026.

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

• One Tribe Drum Circle & Fire Show - Downtown Cary Park - 310 S Academy St, Cary, NC, July 24, 2026, See website for details
• Kids Bowl Free - Register your kids for a Summer Fun Bowling Pass today! - Find a participating bowling center near you today!, July 25, 2026 - August 1, 2026, See website for details.
• Free summer mini photo session with Shoott! - Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, July 25, 2026 - August 30, 2026, See link for times
• Story Time at the Museum - North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC, July 24, 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, July 24, 2026, 10:45am - 11:00am
• CaryLIVE! Concert Series - Downtown Cary Park - Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511, United States, July 25, 2026, See website for details
• Holly Springs Farmers Market - 300 West Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC, July 25, 2026 - October 17, 2026, 8 am - 12 pm
• 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, July 25, 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, July 25, 2026, 10:30am - 11:00am
• Kick-off to Kindergarten - Marbles Kids Museum - Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States, July 25, 2026, See website for details
• Chess A2Z July Webinar: NM Austin Liu - Opening Principles: Play Better without Memorizing - Chess A2Z, 10940 SW Barnes Rd 247, Portland, OR 97225, United States, July 25, 2026, 7PM to 8PM PDT
• 2026 Summer Concert Series at Fred Fletcher Park - Fred Fletcher Park, Clay Street, Raleigh, NC, USA, July 26, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
• Raleigh Black Farmers' Market - Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC, USA, July 26, 2026, 1 pm - 4 pm