Ongoing
Durham County
‘Everything Now All At Once’
Through Nov. 1, 2026
This impactful cultural exhibit showcases a variety of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University’s most iconic works from more than 50 artists, honoring the museum’s 20th anniversary.
Retro Film Series
Select Days Through Dec. 11, 2026
Lose yourself with nostalgic double features at The Carolina Theatre of Durham, including “Clue” and “Death Becomes Her,” “Casper” and “Beetlejuice” and “The Big Lebowski” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”
Orange County
Frank Gallery Featured Artists Exhibit
Through Sept. 26, 2026
Browse local art at Frank Gallery, featuring pieces from artists R. Scott Horner and Julia Nagle, plus guest artist Ivana Beck and a collection of contemporary art from the Lumbee tribe.
Last Fridays & The Art Walk
Through Oct. 30
Connect with local artists through unique exhibits, family-friendly art activities, a market for makers and a drum circle in downtown Hillsborough.
September
Orange County
‘Shift Change’
Sept. 2-Oct. 4, 2026
Celebrate 25 years of Carrboro’s Orange County Social Club by exploring works on display at Peel Gallery produced by some of the bar’s past and present staff. Stop by the gallery Sept. 11, from 6-9 p.m. during the show’s opening reception for a chance to meet the artists!
‘A Touch of Grey’
Sept. 23-Oct. 18, 2026
Experience “an exploration of movement created by pattern” at the newest exhibition at Hillsborough’s Margaret Lane Gallery. Meet artist Arthur Haskell during the show’s opening reception Sept. 25, from 6-9 p.m., and explore his work’s visual experimentation, centering around liquid-dyed fabric.
Carrboro Music Festival
Sept. 27-28, 2026
Rock out to nearly 100 bands during this two-day festival that spans multiple Carrboro venues. There’s no admission fee, so grab a schedule and your walking shoes and catch your favorite music genres, from rock to folk to alt-country and blues.
Paperhand Puppet Project’s ‘The Wild Wisdom of the World’
Weekends through Sept. 27, 2026
The Saxapahaw-based puppet troupe performs a larger-than-life outdoor show at the Forest Theatre in Chapel Hill. Now in its 26th year, this series of shows inspires and promotes connection and social change using giant puppets, masks and stilts set to original live music.
October
Wake County
Raleigh Wide Open
Oct. 1-3, 2026
This free downtown music festival produced by PineCone features live bluegrass, Americana, gospel, folk and R&B performances, plus an art market, refreshments and family-friendly fun.
Falling for Local
Oct. 3, 2026, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Celebrate all things local at Dorothea Dix Park’s fall festival and market. Experience loads of fall fun with hayrides, lawn games and a free pumpkin patch, and support area entrepreneurs by grabbing fare from among the dozens of local food trucks while sipping a craft beer during this family-friendly event.
Diwali Celebration
Oct. 10, 2026, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Hum Sub Inc.’s observation of the five-day festival – which celebrates the victory of light over darkness – at Koka Booth Amphitheatre features cultural performances, exhibition booths, food vendors and more. The event is also sponsored by the United Arts Council and the Town of Cary.
Durham County
El Futuro’s Annual Art Function and Fundraiser
Oct. 17, 2026, 6-10 p.m.
The theme of El Futuro’s sixth annual fundraiser, “Expresiones,” focuses on the connections between cultural pride and mental health, emphasizing the healing power of traditional practices. Enjoy dinner, drinks, live music, art and connection with El Futuro at Bay 7.
Orange County
Calico Makers Market
Oct. 3-4, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Shop one-of-a-kind pieces, from jewelry to pottery to paintings, crafted by more than a dozen local artists and creatives at Chapel Hill’s Calico Studio.
‘Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous’
Oct. 14,-Nov. 1, 2026
Book your ticket, sit back and connect with PlayMakers Repertory Company’s “razor-sharp comedy” about a disgruntled retired actress who has just learned about the ambitious and questionable young woman replacing her.
Off the Wall Fundraising Gala
Oct. 17, 2026, 6-9:30 p.m.
Frank Gallery’s 16th annual Off the Wall Fundraising Gala brings people together for a unique art-buying experience in support of the gallery’s mission of cultural enrichment through art. Purchase a ticket, enjoy the open bar and choose an original artwork valued at $450 or more to take home.
Chapel Hill Día de los Muertos
Oct. 25, 2026, noon-4 p.m.
Experience traditional performances, activities and an art market in recognition of Día de Muertos with Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture at 140 W. Franklin St. Plaza.
Chatham County
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance
Oct. 1-4, 2026
This biannual festival welcomes lovers of music, dance, art and nature to camp out and enjoy dozens of bands, vendors and food trucks among the trees in Pittsboro.
Ancient Arts Festival
Oct. 9-11, 2026
Embrace the mysterious and macabre at this celebration of all things tattoos, arts and oddities. This event returns to Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center for its fourth year, complete with tattoo and costume contests, live music, parades by Paperhand Puppet Project, food trucks, art vendors and more.
GreenWood Wrights’ Fest
Oct. 9-11, 2026
Sharpen your skills and your carving tools at this celebration of traditional crafting methods, hosted by Shakori Hills Community Arts Center. Enjoy days of demos and workshops followed by dancing and musical performances bound to entertain and inspire every spoon carver, bowl turner, chair maker, basket weaver and toolsmith.
Fearrington Open Studio Tour
Oct. 10, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 11, 2026, noon-5 p.m.
Visit the home studios of 19 artists residing in Fearrington Village, and shop quality works, from paintings and pottery to jewelry and woodworking.
Triangle-Wide
40th Annual Latin American Film Festival
Oct. 14-17, 2026
Enjoy film screenings and speaker talks with Latin filmmakers from more than 20 countries in 13 languages on issues from migration to globalization. The festival, organized by the Consortium in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Duke University and UNC, is held at various locations around Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh.
November
Wake County
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Nov. 21, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027
Experience more than 40 large-scale illuminated silk lanterns and nightly cultural arts performances at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. The showcase creates a colorful setting that draws thousands of visitors from across the country each year.
Durham County
Durham Pottery Tour
Nov. 14, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 15, 2026, noon-5 p.m.
The 13th annual celebration of Durham’s pottery scene and its craftspeople showcases sculpture, jewelry and functional and decorative wares crafted from a range of materials and methods. Meet potters and learn more about where and how they craft their pieces.
Liberty Arts Iron Pour
Nov. 14, 2026, 4-9 p.m.
Join more than 3,000 attendees at Durham Central Park to witness teams of artists construct furnaces that heat iron to unbelievably high temperatures. Liberty Arts’ 10th annual public event features performances, local food trucks, craft beer, art vendors and opportunities to learn from and engage with the art form.
Durham Art Walk Holiday Market
Nov. 21, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 22, 2026, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Kickstart the holiday season as the Durham Arts Council hosts this annual tour featuring local artists, live music, food and fun at a number of different sites around the city.
Orange County
Festifall Arts Market
Nov. 7, 2026, noon-5 p.m.
Browse artists’ booths and enjoy live performances in downtown Chapel Hill during this arts-focused street market hosted by Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture.
Orange County Artists Guild Studio Tour
Nov. 7 & 14, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 8 & 15, 2026, noon-5 p.m.
Catch an exclusive early glance into the work of more than 100 Orange County artists participating in the 32nd Orange County Artists Guild Open Studio Tour at the OCAG Open Studio Tour Preview Show at Hillsborough Gallery of Arts.
Arts on Market
Nov. 22, 2026
This community event in Southern Village features handcrafted art and gifts made by regional artists, artisans, bakers and makers.
Chatham County
Death Faire
Nov. 7, 2026
Explore grief, remembrance and wisdom at this 11th annual event at The Plant, and discover how the changing culture of grief can inspire reflection and community. The event was inspired by the death positivity movement, and it evolves every year.
December
Wake County
‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 10-24, 2026
This familiar holiday classic is performed by Carolina Ballet’s cast of professional dancers with a unique twist thanks to magnificent sets, refreshed choreography and costumes, and a special live music performance from the North Carolina Symphony Dec. 19-21 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Dec. 12-13, 2026
Close to a dozen houses in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood neighborhood, which date from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s and span styles from Queen Anne to Craftsman, open their doors to visitors. The Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood docents are stationed in each home to share knowledge about each location’s history.
Durham County
Hanukkah Festival
Dec. 6, 2026, 2-5 p.m.
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC. Enjoy kids’ activities, a menorah lighting, games and crafts, holiday foods for sale – including latkes – and learn more about the holiday.
Lucky Strike Tower Lighting
Dec. 2, 2026
The annual lighting of the Lucky Strike Water Tower at the American Tobacco Campus includes local performers, holiday music, festive lights and more.
‘A Christmas Carol’
Dec. 16-20, 2026
Enjoy a masterful comedic musical adaptation of the Dickens classic produced by Raleigh’s Theatre in the Park. Don’t miss Ira David Wood IV in the role of Scrooge at Durham Performing Arts Center.
Orange County
A Carolina Inn Holiday
All of December
Get in the festive spirit with brunch with Santa, wreath making, gingerbread decorating and markets at The Carolina Inn throughout December.
‘Laughing Matters: Social Satire from an Unruly Age’
Dec. 11, 2026-March 28, 2027
Learn how British and French artists from the 1770s and 1840s utilized exaggeration, visual puns and satire to critique a range of topics – from love and marriage to social status and politics – across more than 300 prints at Chapel Hill’s Ackland Art Museum.
Chatham County
Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour
Dec. 5 & 12, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 6 & 13, 2026, noon-5 p.m.
Take a relaxing drive through Chatham County’s rolling hills and pastoral farmlands to visit more than 55 artists, learn about their processes and visions and browse affordable original works in studios that dot the countryside.
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