Triangle Event Guide Tuesday December 16th Edition

Looking for free and affordable things to do in the Triangle this Tuesday? The Triangle Event Guide for December 16, 2025 is packed with holiday celebrations, community events, live music, trivia, cultural programming, and seasonal light displays across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, and beyond.

From free Santa photos and menorah lightings to brewery events, lantern festivals, nativity scenes, and live music, here’s everything happening today across the Triangle.

🎄 Holiday Deals & Seasonal Fun

Burger King: Free Cheeseburger with $5 Purchase

All Day | FREE

Participating Burger King locations

Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland

All Day | FREE

Bass Pro Shops – Multiple locations

Blades and Badges Day

All Day | Discounted

Skate Fenton, Cary

First responders and military receive $3 off admission (check website for hours).

North Carolina Zoo – Just $5 Admission

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $5

North Carolina Zoo

🚂 Family & Community Events

Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | FREE

Durham County Main Library

Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show (Afternoon Session)

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | FREE

Durham County Main Library

Window on Animal Health

1:30 p.m. | FREE

Nature Research Center (NC Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh

🕯️ Hanukkah & Holiday Celebrations

Menorah Lighting (Nightly During Hanukkah)

5:00 p.m. | FREE

Cary Arts Center

Downtown Raleigh Public Menorah Lighting

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | FREE

Moore Square, Raleigh

Menorah Lighting Celebration

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | FREE

Downtown Cary Park

Chanukah Community Candle Lighting & Potluck

6:00 p.m. | FREE

Kehilla Synagogue, Chapel Hill

✨ Lights, Art & Outdoor Experiences

Illuminate Art Walk

4:45 p.m. | FREE

Downtown Raleigh

Live Nativity (with live music, animals & refreshments)

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | FREE

Saint Francis United Methodist Church, Cary

Live Drive-Through Nativity

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | FREE

Soapstone United Methodist Church, Raleigh

Piper Lights

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE

Wake Forest

Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Light Display

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE

Wilson

Lake Myra Christmas Lights

5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE

Wendell

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Tickets $16.74–$30.64

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary

🍻 Brewery Events, Social & Trivia

Tequila Tuesday

11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Discounted

BMC Brewing, Pittsboro

Bond Brothers Run Club

6:00 p.m. | FREE

Bond Brothers Beer Company, Cary

Book Club: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | FREE

Southern Peak Brewery, Apex

Pints & Pups

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | FREE

Ponysaurus, Durham

Adult Coloring Night

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE

Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham

🎶 Music, Open Mics & Nightlife

Paradox Opera’s Classical Open Mic

6:30 p.m. | FREE

Huron Stage Music Venue, Durham

Beer & Banjos

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE

Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, Raleigh

Beer & Banjos Carrboro

7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | FREE

Speakeasy, Carrboro

Music Bingo

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE

Gizmo Brew Works, Durham

Open Mic Night

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE

The Williams House Craft Taproom, Cary

Video Game Night

7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE

Moon Dog Meadery & Bottle Shop, Durham

Tricycle Trivia

7:00 p.m. | FREE

Crank Arm Brewing, Durham

Holiday Harmonies – Carolina Harmony Chorus

7:30 p.m. | FREE

St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh

Merry & Bright Tuesday Movie Night

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE

Ponysaurus, Durham

International Jazz Open Jam (Imraan Khan Trio)

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE

Neptune’s Parlour, Raleigh

Karaoke Night

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE

Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham

Open Mic with a Live Band

9:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. | FREE

Slim’s, Raleigh

Why This Guide Matters

From holiday traditions and faith celebrations to free live music, brewery events, and family-friendly activities, the Triangle offers something for everyone—often at little to no cost. This guide helps residents and visitors discover what’s happening across the region on a single day.

For daily Triangle event guides, government meetings, and local culture coverage, visit DoRaleigh.com.

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#TriangleTuesday #BingoNightRaleigh #CelticMusicRaleigh #CulturalProgramming #HanukkahTriangle #HanukkahTriangle #HolidayEventsTriangle #HolidayEventsTriangle #LiveNativity #Trivia

The City of Raleigh Government Event Guide Tuesday December 9th Edition

Raleigh residents can stay connected and informed with today’s local boards, meetings, and public session activities. Whether you follow planning decisions, arts funding, zoning feedback, or city policy discussions, these meetings are essential for civic engagement and community awareness.

Please be advised that some events may be canceled, rescheduled, or delayed due to weather conditions.

Planning Commission — CANCELED

🕘 Time: 9:00 a.m. Tuesday

🏛 Category: Boards and Commissions

The Raleigh Planning Commission meeting scheduled for today has officially been canceled. The Planning Commission plays a critical role in reviewing rezoning requests, development plans, community growth trends, and long-term land use recommendations. While today’s meeting is not taking place, residents can continue to follow commission updates online and stay informed about upcoming agendas and public hearings.

Arts Commission Executive Committee

🕠 Time: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday

🏛 Category: Boards and Commissions

The Arts Commission Executive Committee is still scheduled for this evening. The committee regularly reviews funding initiatives, grant opportunities, and cultural programs that support public art and community arts organizations throughout Raleigh.

This meeting is a valuable opportunity for those interested in:

Cultural funding and grantmaking Public art initiatives Arts programming and planning Long-term cultural policy recommendations

Residents, artists, and creative leaders are encouraged to follow the outcomes of this meeting and stay engaged with Raleigh’s arts policy planning.

⚠️ Weather Advisory

Due to ongoing weather concerns, all meetings and events may be delayed, rescheduled, or canceled. Residents should check for real-time updates through the City of Raleigh website and official communication channels.

Why These Meetings Matter

Boards and committees shape Raleigh’s future — from development and transportation to arts, housing, parks, zoning, and economic growth. Public awareness and participation help ensure transparency, community representation, and stronger decision-making.

Even if you don’t attend meetings directly, staying informed supports better conversations around:

Neighborhood development Arts funding and cultural preservation Zoning and land management Economic and demographic planning Environmental policy and sustainability

Stay Connected With Civic Life

DoRaleigh.com will continue tracking local government activity, community meetings, workshops, and city planning updates throughout December.

📌 Follow our daily guides

📌 Track meeting outcomes

📌 Stay weather-aware for cancellations

📌 Support public engagement in Raleigh civic life

#artsFunding #artsPolicyPlanning #cityBudget #cityOfRaleigh #cityOfRaleighGovernmentEventGuide #culturalProgramming #publicHearing

Stephanie and Jess from Latino Media Network
Are owners of Spanish-language radio stations to set
They emphasis culture and community pride
Though a few conservative haters try to hide
Their Democratic backgrounds, they don't cower
But instead, they push forward and keep their power

#latinapower #radio #culturalprogramming #latinos #media #poetry

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinas-latino-media-network-radio-owners-conservative-critics-rcna77905