Triangle Pop Up is returning for Fenton’s monthly Maker’s Market. Join them every 3rd Saturday of the month from 11am to 4pm in Fenton Square to enjoy local artists and live music. Browse the vendors, find a new favorite handmade item, and shop local!

COST: Free

Discover a vibrant showcase of locally-crafted treasures while immersing yourself in an evening of music and entertainment at the Cary Night Market, organized by The Night Market Co. Join Triangle area artisans for a monthly gathering where an eclectic array of goods meets delectable food and drinks!

COST: Free

Create, celebrate, and cheers to a sparkling holiday season!

Join Adventures in Bloom and A Glass Above for a festive evening of creativity, cocktails, and holiday cheer! In this unique hands-on workshop, you’ll create your own pair of beautiful earrings with the guidance of jewelry experts from Adventures in Bloom, then shake things up by crafting a delicious Holiday Espresso Peppermint Martini alongside A Glass Above’s mixology masters.

COST: $47

Bring your furry friends for a jolly good time at our Paws with Claus event! Celebrate the holiday season by snapping adorable photos of your beloved dogs with Santa Claus. Our festive setup is perfect for capturing the cutest holiday moments with your four-legged family members. Enjoy a cheerful atmosphere, complete with holiday decorations, treats, and plenty of wagging tails!

COST: Free

Join The MAKRS Society for our biggest event of the year!

We will have 150+ vendors, food trucks, alcohol and beverages, live music, fun activities for families and more.

COST: Free

The Happy Holly Days Parade is held the second Saturday of December. Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, marching groups and all sorts of entertaining entries travel Main Street through downtown.

COST: Free

North Carolina Urban Mushing is hosting the first official Canicross Race in North Carolina and a Dog Friendly 5k for those with or without dogs who want to enjoy the course! Whether you are joining them for fun or competing for a top spot on the podium join them on December 14th, 2024 for the best day out with your dog!

They are Excited to announce that proceeds from the race will be benefitting Saving Grace NC, a local dog rescue group.

COST: $50 registration fee

Cheers to the holiday season! Decorate your own edible gingerbread house at this special 21+ holiday event. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Photo ID required for entry.

COST: $25/ticket

Join us as we kick off the most festive time of the year! WinterFest is sure to be the event of the season! Join us for a fun evening at Ting Stadium that includes festive entertainment, a winter market, Santa Visits, snow, kids entertainment and the lighted Tree Trail!

Cost: Free

Experience a unique parade that travels throughout the Historic Downtown Fuquay District. With over 80 floats and/or vehicles, this parade draws a huge crowd from Fuquay-Varina and all across surrounding municipalities.

COST: Free

Find locally-made goods and enjoy a night filled with music and entertainment with Triangle area artisans, food trucks, prepared food, and drinks.

COST: Free

Celebrate the annual Boylan Heights ArtWalk, a beloved holiday tradition showcasing outstanding art and our vibrant community spirit. Join us for Raleigh's highly anticipated December event in the heart of Boylan Heights, now in its 32nd year.

COST: Free

The Annual Apex Rotary Christmas Parade traditionally takes place the first Saturday of December. The parade is the only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County. The Apex Rotary Club organizes the parade, with proceeds benefitting numerous local charities; the primary benefactor being Western Wake Crisis Ministry. The parade kicks off at Apex Peakway and Ambergate Station, turning down Salem Street, and ending at Moore Street. 

COST: Free

Enjoy an evening of holiday fun with music, performances, hot chocolate, ornament making, letters to Santa, and photos with Santa and the Grinch! Don’t forget to stop by the Town table to pick up a Town of Morrisville holiday ornament while supplies last.

COST: Free

Join us for a holiday shopping experience you won't forget! Shop local vendors in our gorgeous model homes, while enjoying specialty drinks and hors d'oeuvres to get you into the holiday spirit. This is the perfect opportunity to get unique, handmade gifts for your friends and family, all in one spot! 

COST: Free

Sip, shop, and celebrate the season at the Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market! Join them on December 7th at Raleigh Iron Works for the perfect opportunity to sip local beer, shop for local treasures, and cherish community coming together to celebrate the season!

COST: Free

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel Hosts: Brunch with Santa

Join Santa for a jolly time at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel on South Salisbury Street in Raleigh, NC, USA. It's that time of the year when Santa Claus himself takes a break from his busy schedule to enjoy a delicious brunch with all the good boys and girls. Bring your little ones and let them share their Christmas wishes with the man in the red suit. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create cherished memories with Santa Claus!

Cost: $15-30

Kick off the holiday season with festive cheer at our FREE Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Cary Park. Throughout the day enjoy holiday activities, programs and performances all leading to the official Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Gather Don’t miss this magical evening that promises to ignite your holiday spirit!

COST: Free

Join the town as they kick off the Christmas season by lighting the tree at Knightdale Station Park. Write letters to Santa, watch local entertainment, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and then help countdown the lighting of our Christmas Tree.

COST: Free

Jingle, joy, twinkle & twilight... This family holiday celebration is a delight!

What to Expect:

• Immerse yourself into the magic of the holiday season with s'mores outdoors, arctic museum play, and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy.

• Receive an official elf name and dance the night away with the Marbles Elves.

• Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase.

• This is a CASHLESS event.

COST: $27 for Members | $30 for General Public

You're invited to experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season at the 2024 Lighting of Wake Forest on Friday, Dec. 6! This year's event is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. in Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St.                     

Our ceremony will feature the lighting of the Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa Claus.

Please note: Mayor Vivian Jones is scheduled to light the Town’s Christmas tree in Centennial Plaza at approximately 6:20 p.m.       

COST: FREE

Join community members and the Apex Town Council in downtown Apex as the tree at The Depot is lit! Southbound Santa and Mrs. Claus will join in on the fun for attendees to grab the season's first photos and candy from Kilwins! Food truck vendor, Cream and Sugar, and Little Blue Bakehouse will be in the Depot parking lot serving seasonal treats for purchase. 

This year’s event features:

• Poetry Fox 

• Reindeer Food Station 

• Letters to Santa Station 

• Holiday vendors from the Apex Farmers Market

Schedule of Events

• 4:30 pm: Middle School bands perform

• 5:00 pm: Apex High School Dance Program performs

• 5:25 pm: Apex Friendship Elementary Chorus performs

• 5:45 pm: Academy for the Performing Arts Show Choir performs

• 6:00 pm: Tree Lighting with Apex Town Council members

COST: Free

Sleigh rides are provided during the Town Tree Lighting by the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association. Tickets are distributed to Sponsors and Friends in the weeks before the event. 

Information about any remaining tickets available for sale to the public will be posted a few days before the event on the FVDA's Facebook. 

Rides typically begin at TR Ashworth Station (120 S Main St) in the Fuquay District.

Join them for a festive Wreath Making Workshop with Caitlyn Frank from Golden Flora! Gather 'round as Caitlyn guides you through the art of wreath crafting, providing all the materials needed to create a stunning holiday wreath. Get ready to deck your halls with handmade cheer!

COST: $10

Join WALTER for our exclusive holiday shopping event at 1000 Social at The Exchange! Celebrate the Season is a festive evening of shopping local while enjoying great drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and company. Guests can peruse more than 20 local vendors that you have met in the pages of our magazine.

COST: $35

Shop from these vendors and more!

• Autumn Cobeland

• Beauty Ethics

• Benevolence Farm

• Cornelia Home

• Custom Ink

• Designed for Joy

• Earth Folk Apothecary

• Edge of Urge

• Ella's Popcorn

• Late Night Jewels

• Nostalgia Artist Seton McGlennon

• Nuthatch Studio

• Onward Reserve

• PERM'D

• ShopSasser

• Suijin Li Designer

• Sweetgrass Home

• The Flourish Market

• Unleashed

• Urban Pothos

Come out to join us and see the man in the red suit! What a way to officially kick off the holiday season!

COST: FREE

Get ready to kick off your Thanksgiving festivities with the Raleigh Turkey Trot! Join the community for this fun and festive run through the scenic streets of Raleigh, welcoming participants of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you're a serious runner aiming for a personal best or just looking for a leisurely jog with family and friends, this event is a great way to start the holiday with some healthy activity. The race features a 8K course, festive costumes, and post-race refreshments. Come dressed in your favorite turkey-themed attire and make it a Thanksgiving tradition!

PARKING: Parking for ALL race participants is at Meredith College.  Please use the Faircloth Rd entrance.  Note that 1 block of Ridge Rd from Wade Ave to Leonard St is CLOSED for the race start. 

COST:

8K Race: Same prices as 2023!

• Through August 31:  $29

• Sept 1 - Oct 31:  $33

• Nov 1 - Nov 17:   $36

• Nov 18 - Nov 27:  $42

• Race Day Registration (if not sold out):  $50

• Kids Dash (age 7 & Under):  $7

How often to we get to dress up fancy and go to a Gala??? Not often enough.

Making friends is hard, we can help! Join The Raleigh Girls Club for our November event, featuring ornament decorating, friendship bracelets, vendors, gingerbread house kits and cookies, speed friending, mocktails and specialty cocktails with On My Way Bartending (for attendee purchase at event), great conversation, food for purchase at Rocky Top, fun decor and so much more.

The Speed friending activity can be scheduled upon arrival at the event. There will be limited time slots available so this will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. Speed friending will start sharply at 6pm and end around 7pm.

This event will take place at Union Station, a beautiful wedding venue, on Saturday, November 23rd from 5-9pm

COST: $20 for general admission

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, located in the heart of Midtown Raleigh, is a beloved holiday event. For over a decade, North Hills has hosted thousands of guests for a fabulous holiday program featuring live entertainment, kids crafts, and a vendor village. As Santa Claus arrives, the 41 foot Christmas Tree is lit amidst a joyous chorus of “Santa Clause Is Coming to Town.

This event is FREE!