Raleigh family events
25 upcoming. Family-friendly events across Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, NC: museums, libraries, parks, theater, festivals, and kid-friendly activities. September 25 through October 9, 2026.
TodayFriday, October 16
9am to 11pm, through Oct 25$13
NC State FairgroundsNorth Carolina's biggest annual fair runs 11 days with rides, livestock, competitions, nightly fireworks, and a new 230-foot America 250 observation wheel. Gates open 9am daily (noon on opening day Oct 15); advance adult tickets are $10, $13 at the gate, kids 5 and under free.
TomorrowSaturday, October 17
11:30am to 2:30pmFree
Grace Lutheran ChurchA free neighborhood fall festival with a cookout lunch, carnival games, pumpkin decorating, fall crafts and a passport activity that earns kids a prize.
12:30 to 9:30pm
Shadowbox StudioSixth annual arts festival pairing local bands and juried art vendors with a kids' activity area from The Scrap Exchange; proceeds support a scholarship endowment.
SaturdayOctober 24
10am to 2pmFree
Mordecai Historic ParkA free family Halloween festival at Raleigh's oldest historic site with pumpkin decorating, a costume contest and parade, inflatables, crafts, and a makers market. The Ghost Guild also runs free Haunted Mordecai history tours the same day.
1 to 4pmFree
Orange County Central Recreation Center (field behind)Free Orange County Recreation Halloween event: cakewalk, pumpkin bingo and decorating, a pumpkin hunt, carnival games, and a costume contest. No registration needed.
5 to 9pmFree
Durham School of the ArtsDurham School of the Arts celebrates Dia de los Muertos with a community parade at 5pm followed by student art exhibits, performances, hands-on art making and food.
SundayOctober 25
12 to 4pmFree
140 West Franklin Street PlazaChapel Hill's third annual Dia de Muertos celebration fills 140 West Plaza with art vendors, live performances, and community as families honor loved ones through art and culture. Free and open to all.
MondayOctober 26
10:30amFree
The Durham Hotel (rooftop)Durham County Library brings festive Halloween tales, songs, and dancing for little ones to the rooftop of The Durham Hotel. Free, all ages, costumes encouraged.
FridayOctober 30
10:30am to 4:30pm$14
Pullen ParkA daytime Halloween festival at Raleigh's historic Pullen Park with a digital scavenger hunt, a train ride, and autumn crafts and games. Costumes encouraged; pick a time slot and buy tickets in advance on RecLink.
1 to 6pmFree
Randleigh Dairy Heritage MuseumNC State Howling Cow's fall festival at the dairy museum: free interactive dairy stations, yard games, photo ops, and ice cream and cider from the MooMobile. Costumes encouraged; hayrides $10, butter-making $5.
SaturdayOctober 31
1 to 4pmFree
Book HarvestBook Harvest gives every costumed kid a free book to take home, alongside Halloween activities, treats and indoor/outdoor fun at the Family Space.
SaturdayNovember 7
10am to 4pmFree
Fred Fletcher ParkThe City of Raleigh's annual fall art fair features over 60 local artists selling pottery, jewelry, prints, and fiber arts, plus live music, food trucks, and hands-on kids' art activities with teaching artists. Free, rain or shine.
11am to 5pmFree
Downtown Cary ParkOne of North Carolina's largest cultural festivals draws tens of thousands for authentic Chinese and Asian food, lion dancing, traditional arts, and family activities. Free entry; come before 1pm before the best food stalls sell out.
12 to 5pmFree
Downtown Chapel HillFestifall returns to Chapel Hill for its 53rd year, an annual celebration of creativity with artists, live performances, and paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, clothing, soaps, and candles. Free and open to all.
12 to 6pmFree
Fayetteville Street, Downtown RaleighOne of the Southeast's largest food truck gatherings closes a downtown Raleigh street for dozens of trucks and live music. Free to attend with food priced per truck; presented by Shop Local Raleigh, arrive early for the shortest lines.
2 to 4pmFree
Epworth United Methodist ChurchA free church-hosted fall festival with crafts, games, a bounce house and food; it moves indoors if it rains.
FridayNovember 13
10am, through Nov 14
Jim Graham Building, NC State FairgroundsA curated vintage and handmade market at the fairgrounds with local vendors, live music, eats, and family-friendly activities. Kids 12 and under free; general entry tickets are around $16 with weekend options.
FridayNovember 20
5:30 to 8pmFree
Moore SquareDowntown Raleigh kicks off the holiday season in Moore Square with live performances, photos with Santa, and a pop-up holiday market capped by the tree lighting. Free, and pairs with the Christmas Parade the next morning.
SaturdayNovember 21
9:30am to 12pmFree
Downtown RaleighThe largest Christmas parade between Washington DC and Atlanta draws around 60,000 people for marching bands, giant balloons, dance teams, and Santa over a 1.4-mile route. Free and street-side; arrive by 8:30 for a good spot near the start.
11am to 4pmFree
North Carolina Museum of ArtA free day of American Indian heritage at the art museum with live demonstrations, performances, food, and hands-on activities, run by the NC Museum of History. Great for pairing with the morning Christmas Parade.
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