What are the best things to do with kids in Raleigh this weekend (Oct 16–18, 2026)?

Our top picks: Halloween Boo Bash (on Saturday, Downtown Wake Forest, Wake Forest); Tappin' the Gourd Pumpkin Extravaganza (on Saturday, Tap Yard House, Raleigh); Triangle Children's Business Fair at Knightdale Station Park (on Saturday, 810 N First Ave, Knightdale); Gather at Grace: Fall Festival with Free Cookout at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham (on Saturday, Grace Lutheran Church, Durham). The full list below has 690 family events across the Triangle.

What's happening Saturday?

The biggest Saturday picks are Halloween Boo Bash, Tappin' the Gourd Pumpkin Extravaganza and Triangle Children's Business Fair at Knightdale Station Park. Times, places and prices are on each event page.

Are there indoor options if it rains?

Yes. This weekend's best indoor picks: Fresh Family Day at Artspace (on Saturday, Artspace, Raleigh); Kid Tech (on Saturday, Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh); Marbles Kid Tech (on Saturday, Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh); Kids Voting (on Saturday, Cary Regional Library, Cary). Marbles Kids Museum, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the county libraries are good any rainy day.

How is this list put together?

It updates every day from more than 20 local calendars. Top picks are ranked by how rare an event is, how many local calendars list it, and how many people on Facebook say they're interested — so a once-a-year festival beats a weekly class. Every event links to its source; check the organizer's page before you go.

OCT 16–18, 2026 · Issue No. 42

This Weekend with Kids in Raleigh & the Triangle

Oct 16–18, 2026 · Updated Tue, Oct 13

Family outings for Friday through Sunday. Find your day, check the details, and save a few favorites.

Big weekend ahead — 690 things to do across the Triangle, 293 of them free.

Weekend weather

Fri 89°/62° · 17% rainSat 66°/52° · 17% rainSun 67°/47° · 1% rain

Forecast from Open-Meteo, checked hourly.

A place to start

This weekend's top picks.

Fewer on purpose: only what's clearly for kids, or too big to miss. Everything else is in the full list below.

All weekend

Apex Love Local: Fall into Downtown Series

Oct 16–Nov 20 · 5–8pm

Downtown Apex, Apex

Free

Ponder Parade of Homes 2026

Fri–Sun · 5pm

Ponder, Wendell

Free

Plan your visit for early October to see the homes before the grand opening.

Friday

Community

Hidwell Family Farm's Pumpkin Patch and Barrell Train Rides

This Friday · 4pm–7pm

Hidwell Family Farm, Apex

Choose between a pumpkin or a mum, as one is included with your entry fee.

Community

Fright Night

This Friday · 5pm–8pm

Edison Johnson Recreation Center, Durham

Check price

Prepare your kids for a scary walk along the haunted trail.

Community

The Witch's Haunted Barn | Not So Scary (No-Actor Days)

This Friday · 12pm–5pm

Firefly Farm, Hillsborough

$13

Bring the kids in their Halloween costumes for some extra festive fun.

Saturday

Halloween Boo Bash

This Saturday · See event details

Downtown Wake Forest, Wake Forest

Free

Check the upcoming event map online to locate accessible parking before you go.

Tappin' the Gourd Pumpkin Extravaganza

This Saturday · Sat., 2–8pm

Tap Yard House, Raleigh

Free

Catch the live music starting at 6 p.m. to wrap up your evening.

Family

Triangle Children's Business Fair at Knightdale Station Park

This Saturday · 10am–2pm

810 N First Ave, Knightdale

ages 6-14

$25

Encourage your kids to ask the young business owners about their brands.

Gather at Grace: Fall Festival with Free Cookout at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham

This Saturday · 11:30am–2:30pm

Grace Lutheran Church, Durham

Free

Sunday

Instrument Petting Zoo

Oct 18–Nov 8 · 2pm–4pm

Gipson Play Plaza, Raleigh

Free

No musical experience is needed to join in and try the instruments.

Jewish Film Festival 2026 | Rosenthal: The Great Showman (2025)

This Sunday · Check venue for times

Chelsea Theater, Chapel Hill

$15

Grab a festival package if you plan on seeing multiple films.

Community

Fall Festival at Summit Church in Knightdale

This Sunday · 12:15pm–2:15pm

Summit Church, Knightdale

Free

Make your own list

Filter all 690 events this weekend, then tap the heart on anything you like to save it.

Free only Kids & family Everything Pick other dates

Your saved events are in Saved.

Get the weekend picks in your calendar every week

When would you like to go?

690 events

$16

Don't do this every week

Get the weekend list before you need it.

Every Thursday at noon — three picks, the weather call, and the parking intel. The list you just scrolled, but curated and in your inbox before you even start wondering.

While you're planning —

Shortcuts to the kind of weekends we specialize in.

Free Stuff Today Big dates coming up October 2026 November 2026 December 2026 Rainy-Day Spots Outdoors All Guides

New to the Triangle? Start with the Club

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Raleigh this weekend (Oct 16–18, 2026)?: Our top picks: Halloween Boo Bash (on Saturday, Downtown Wake Forest, Wake Forest); Tappin' the Gourd Pumpkin Extravaganza (on Saturday, Tap Yard House, Raleigh); Triangle Children's Business Fair at Knightdale Station Park (on Saturday, 810 N First Ave, Knightdale); Gather at Grace: Fall Festival with Free Cookout at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham (on Saturday, Grace Lutheran Church, Durham). The full list below has 690 family events across the Triangle.
What's free for kids this weekend?: Halloween Boo Bash on Saturday at Downtown Wake Forest, Wake Forest; Tappin' the Gourd Pumpkin Extravaganza on Saturday at Tap Yard House, Raleigh; Gather at Grace: Fall Festival with Free Cookout at Grace Lutheran Church in Durham on Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church, Durham. There are 293 free family events this weekend in all — the Free Stuff page lists every one.
What's happening Saturday?: The biggest Saturday picks are Halloween Boo Bash, Tappin' the Gourd Pumpkin Extravaganza and Triangle Children's Business Fair at Knightdale Station Park. Times, places and prices are on each event page.
Are there indoor options if it rains?: Yes. This weekend's best indoor picks: Fresh Family Day at Artspace (on Saturday, Artspace, Raleigh); Kid Tech (on Saturday, Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh); Marbles Kid Tech (on Saturday, Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh); Kids Voting (on Saturday, Cary Regional Library, Cary). Marbles Kids Museum, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the county libraries are good any rainy day.
How is this list put together?: It updates every day from more than 20 local calendars. Top picks are ranked by how rare an event is, how many local calendars list it, and how many people on Facebook say they're interested — so a once-a-year festival beats a weekly class. Every event links to its source; check the organizer's page before you go.