Kids in Nature Day

CHILL ACT North Carolina Special Needs & Homeschool Expo is a free community event bringing families together with local providers, educators, therapists, community organizations, and resources supporting children with autism, special needs, and homeschool families. Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Durham Convention Center. Families can explore valuable local resources, meet therapy and educational providers, and enjoy a welcoming day filled with activities for children. Event highlights include: • Free developmental & pre-autism screenings • Therapy, education & community resources • Balloon art • Face painting • Bounce house • Petting zoo • Art exhibition featuring neurodiverse children • Local vendors and family resources Admission is FREE for families. Register for free at www.chillactexpo.com Come connect, learn, explore resources, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with the North Carolina special needs and homeschool community.

The third edition of JLF North Carolina, an international edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, comes to Raleigh September 11–13, 2026, bringing the spirit of one of the world's leading literary festivals to the Triangle. Celebrating the many arts, stories, and histories of Raleigh—the “City of Oaks”—JLF North Carolina will feature thought-provoking conversations, compelling performances, author sessions, and cultural experiences exploring literature, ideas, history, society, and the world around us. The festival will take place at Meredith College and NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues. The program will bring together acclaimed authors, artists, thinkers, journalists, and cultural leaders from North Carolina and around the world. The 2026 lineup includes Belle Boggs, Jeff Tiberii, Karan Mahajan, Bob Crawford, and many more. The Jaipur Literature Festival takes place annually in Jaipur, India, and is internationally celebrated as the “greatest literary show on Earth.” Its spirit now travels through international editions across the US, UK, Canada, Spain, the Maldives, and Australia, bringing together diverse literary traditions and the unique culture of each host region. JLF North Carolina offers readers, families, students, educators, writers, and curious minds an opportunity to discover new perspectives, hear remarkable stories, and experience the power of books and ideas right here in Raleigh.

FREE Family Fest in Raleigh — Saturday, September 12! Looking for a full day of family fun, creativity, connection, and outdoor adventure? Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats! Optional overnight Camping 📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM–9:00 PM 📍 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 🎟️ FREE admission Enjoy a day filled with: 🔥 Fire show 🎨 Art activities 🥋 Martial arts class 🫧 Bubbles 🧘 Yoga and sound bath 🌲 Forest bathing 🏕️ S’mores and optional overnight camping 🍴 Food trucks and vendors 💛 Sensory yurt 🎤 Guest speakers 🏆 Tug of war …and so much more!

Safe Homes, Strong Families Resource Day is a free community event presented by PR Home Care for older adults, family caregivers, and families who want to plan ahead and connect with trusted local resources before a crisis occurs. Meet local professionals and learn about fall prevention, aging in place and home safety, dementia and caregiver support, planning, medication safety, home organization, and other resources that can support safer, more independent living. Aging in Place North Carolina will provide a featured presentation, “How to Safely and Comfortably Age in the Home You Love.” The event will also include community resources, giveaways, and complimentary light refreshments while supplies last. Free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome.

Get ready for a summer of cinematic fun at Triangle Cinemas located at 9500 Forum Drive in Raleigh. We are thrilled to invite families to enjoy a fantastic series of free movie screenings throughout the warmer months. Running from June 16 through August 20, 2026, these special events are held Tuesday through Thursday, with select screenings on Fridays. It is the perfect way to beat the heat while enjoying beloved stories like Trolls on the big screen. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for each session, with the feature film beginning promptly at 10 a.m. While we ask that attendees refrain from bringing outside food or drinks, our concession stand will be fully stocked with delicious snacks and refreshments for you to purchase. This program is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories with your children in a comfortable, community-focused setting. We encourage you to visit our website to view the complete schedule of films and explore our curated list of free and affordable activities happening across the Triangle. Gather your friends and family for an unforgettable summer movie experience at Triangle Cinemas.

Sips for Snips is a charity fundraising event hosted by SAFE Haven for Cats at the Salty Turtle Beer Company in Raleigh. This event raises essential funds to support low cost spay and neuter surgeries performed at the SAFE Care Clinic to help control the local cat population. Attendees can enjoy a wide selection of craft brews while supporting a meaningful cause. Each beer purchase directly contributes to surgical costs, helping the clinic provide affordable medical care for cats across the Triangle region. This is an opportunity to learn more about the clinic mission and how your participation makes a tangible difference in animal welfare. This gathering is designed for craft beer enthusiasts, animal lovers, and community members who want to support local veterinary initiatives. The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and perfect for socializing with like minded people. We invite you to drop by the Salty Turtle Beer Company to enjoy a drink and help us prevent unwanted litters. Your attendance helps keep our community cats healthy and ensures that vital low cost services remain accessible to those who need them most.

Join us at the Science Café for an insightful presentation by Dr. Alexandra Duffy from NC State University regarding the genetic diversity and pollution resilience of North Carolina’s least killifish. This event examines how environmental stressors in the industrialized Lower Cape Fear River affect one of the world's smallest vertebrates. Dr. Duffy will detail her research on how selective pressures influence the survival of this unique species. Attendees will explore the intersection of evolutionary biology and environmental health through a specialized case study of the least killifish. Dr. Duffy will discuss her lab's work on how predation, competition, and stream water quality shape phenotypic diversity. You will learn about the current conservation status of the species, which is currently classified as a Special Concern due to its limited distribution across Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties. This event is designed for students, researchers, conservationists, and anyone interested in local ecology. The atmosphere is casual and encourages open discussion among participants. Please join us for this engaging look at how tiny organisms can provide significant insights into the health of our state’s largest river systems.

Get ready for a summer of cinematic fun at Triangle Cinemas located at 9500 Forum Drive in Raleigh. We are thrilled to invite families to enjoy a fantastic series of free movie screenings throughout the warmer months. Running from June 16 through August 20, 2026, these special events are held Tuesday through Thursday, with select screenings on Fridays. It is the perfect way to beat the heat while enjoying beloved stories like Trolls on the big screen. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for each session, with the feature film beginning promptly at 10 a.m. While we ask that attendees refrain from bringing outside food or drinks, our concession stand will be fully stocked with delicious snacks and refreshments for you to purchase. This program is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories with your children in a comfortable, community-focused setting. We encourage you to visit our website to view the complete schedule of films and explore our curated list of free and affordable activities happening across the Triangle. Gather your friends and family for an unforgettable summer movie experience at Triangle Cinemas.

Experience an unforgettable evening at 10th and Terrace, the premier rooftop lounge located at the Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown. We invite you to join us for our recurring Free Wine Tasting event, held on the third Thursday of every month. This unique gathering offers a sophisticated atmosphere paired with stunning views of the city skyline, making it the perfect destination for wine enthusiasts and casual sippers alike. Throughout the evening, a professional sommelier will be on hand to guide you through a curated selection of fine wines. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history behind each bottle and discover the talented winemakers responsible for these exceptional vintages. It is a fantastic chance to expand your palate, socialize with fellow guests, and explore new favorites in a relaxed, upscale setting. Space for these popular events fills up quickly, so we encourage you to mark your calendars today. Do not miss out on this complimentary opportunity to elevate your Thursday nights. Visit our website or check our social media channels to confirm your attendance and view our upcoming schedule. We look forward to welcoming you to the rooftop for an evening of discovery and taste.

Experience an unforgettable evening at Boxyard RTP as we present Taking Back Thursday featuring the talented Forryst Bruthers. Located in the heart of Durham, this unique venue is constructed from repurposed shipping containers, creating a vibrant and modern atmosphere perfect for live performances. Whether you are a local music enthusiast or just looking for a great way to spend your Thursday evening, this event offers the perfect backdrop to enjoy live Americana music under our spacious covered pavilion. The BeatBox stage comes alive each Thursday in August from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as multi-instrumentalist and producer Mark Simonsen showcases his incredible musical versatility. Guests are invited to explore the diverse selection of onsite food and beverage vendors while relaxing with friends in our central pavilion. This residency promises a captivating blend of talent and community spirit that defines the creative energy of the Triangle area. We encourage everyone to join us for this recurring weekly showcase. Please visit the official Boxyard RTP calendar at boxyard.org to confirm schedule details and plan your visit accordingly. We look forward to seeing you there for a night of exceptional music and local hospitality.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a community science initiative hosted at the Apex Nature Park Pollinator Garden. Participants contribute to regional environmental research by counting pollinators visiting native flowers to track population trends across the Southeast. This event turns local observation into valuable ecological data used by scientists to better understand pollinator health. Attendees engage in a structured fifteen minute observation period led by experienced guides who explain how to identify and record various insect species. After completing your count, you are encouraged to remain in the garden to explore the diverse plant life or walk the adjacent nature trails. This experience provides a hands-on look at the vital role pollinators play in our local ecosystem. This event is open to everyone regardless of prior scientific experience or knowledge of insects. It offers a calm and educational atmosphere ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and curious community members. Join us to make a direct impact on conservation efforts while enjoying a morning outdoors. Please register through the official website to secure your spot for this meaningful neighborhood project.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a community science initiative hosted at the Apex Nature Park Pollinator Garden. Participants contribute to regional environmental research by counting pollinators visiting native flowers to track population trends across the Southeast. This event turns local observation into valuable ecological data used by scientists to better understand pollinator health. Attendees engage in a structured fifteen minute observation period led by experienced guides who explain how to identify and record various insect species. After completing your count, you are encouraged to remain in the garden to explore the diverse plant life or walk the adjacent nature trails. This experience provides a hands-on look at the vital role pollinators play in our local ecosystem. This event is open to everyone regardless of prior scientific experience or knowledge of insects. It offers a calm and educational atmosphere ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and curious community members. Join us to make a direct impact on conservation efforts while enjoying a morning outdoors. Please register through the official website to secure your spot for this meaningful neighborhood project.

National Night Out is an annual nationwide campaign focused on strengthening the partnership between local residents and law enforcement. This community building event aims to foster safer neighborhoods through positive interactions and improved communication between citizens and police officers. Attendees can explore police operations through informative safety demonstrations and up close displays of emergency vehicles and equipment. The event features live music, entertainment, and various food options for all ages. Special guests including McGruff the Crime Dog will be in attendance. You will have direct opportunities to meet members of the Fuquay-Varina Police Department to ask questions and build personal rapport with your local officers in a relaxed setting. This event is designed for families and individuals who want to engage with their community and support local public safety efforts. The atmosphere is welcoming and geared toward promoting unity, awareness, and neighborhood pride. We encourage all community members to participate in this evening of education and connection. Join your neighbors to help make our town a safer and more connected place to live for everyone.