Mastodawn

The Triangle Event Guide – Weekend Edition December 20–21st

Looking for things to do in the Triangle this weekend? The DoRaleigh.com Triangle Weekend Event Guide rounds up the best free and low-cost holiday events happening across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Clayton, and beyond. From Santa photos and holiday markets to live music, light displays, and winter solstice celebrations—there’s something for everyone.

🎄 Saturday, December 20, 2025

All-Day Highlights

Burger King Deal – Free Jalapeño Cheddar Bites with $5 purchase | FREE | Participating locations

Santa’s Wonderland – Free Santa photos & activities | FREE | Bass Pro Shops (multiple locations)

African American Walking Tour (Third Ward) – Multiple times | $5–$10 | Pope House, Raleigh

The RINK at Red Hat Amphitheater – Outdoor skating | $6–$15 | Raleigh

Nordstrom Santa Photos – Cardmembers only | FREE | Streets at Southpoint

Morning & Midday

Durham Craft Market | 9:00 am–12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

Meet Santa + Free Seedlings | 9:30 am–12:00 pm | FREE | Western Wake Farmers’ Market, Morrisville

Santa Express Train Ride | 9:30 am–4:00 pm | $18.61 | New Hope Valley Railway

Breakfast with Santa + Toy Giveaway | 10:00 am–12:00 pm | FREE | Tarboro Road Center, Raleigh

Lowe’s Kids Workshop: Sleigh Ride | 10:00 am–1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores)

Holidays with the Popes | 10:00 am–4:00 pm | FREE | Pope House, Raleigh

Handcrafted Holiday Market | 10:00 am–5:00 pm | $5 | NC State Fairgrounds

NCMA Loves Anime Winter Bazaar | 10:00 am–7:30 pm | FREE | NC Museum of Art, Raleigh

Holiday at the Farm | 10:00 am–3:00 pm | $12–$25 | 1870 Farm, Chapel Hill

Sensory-Friendly Film | 11:00 am | FREE | Carolina Theatre, Durham

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours | 11:00 am–3:00 pm | $6–$10 | Mordecai Historic Park

Afternoon

Fenton Makers Market | 11:00 am–4:00 pm | FREE | Cary

Magic of Christmas with Santa | 11:30 am–4:00 pm | FREE | Boxyard RTP Durham

Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm–2:00 pm | FREE | Orchard Park

Pop-Up Raleigh Art & Vintage Market | 12:00 pm–5:00 pm | FREE | Trophy on Maywood

An Afternoon with Black Santa | 2:00 pm–4:00 pm | FREE | Kappa Center, Raleigh

3rd Saturday Vintage + Maker Market | 3:00 pm–7:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing, Durham

Ugly Sweater Party | 3:00 pm–Late | FREE | Boxcar, Raleigh

Free Wine Tasting | 4:00 pm–6:00 pm | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop

Evening & Night

Illuminate Art Walk | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

Winter Solstice & Lantern Walks | 5:00 pm | FREE–$10 | Multiple locations

Christmas Light Displays | 5:30 pm+ | FREE | Wendell, Wake Forest, Wilson

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival | 6:00 pm–10:00 pm | $ | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Live Music, Karaoke & Holiday Parties | 6:00 pm+ | FREE | Breweries & venues across the Triangle

Black Nativity Durham | 8:00 pm | $15–$20 | Hillside High School

✨ Sunday, December 21, 2025

All-Day & Morning

Burger King Deal – Free Cini Minis with $5 purchase | FREE

Santa’s Wonderland | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Outdoor Skating at The RINK | $6–$15 | Raleigh

Handcrafted Holiday Market | 10:00 am–3:00 pm | $5 | NC State Fairgrounds

Holiday at the Farm | 10:00 am–3:00 pm | $12–$25 | Chapel Hill

Afternoon

Pay-What-You-Can Yoga | 11:00 am | $1–$10 | Raleigh

Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh

African American Walking Tour | 2:00 pm | $5–$10 | Pope House, Raleigh

Winter Solstice Hike | 2:00 pm–3:00 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno

Santa’s Workshop | 3:00 pm–5:00 pm | FREE | Smithfield Free

Tuba Christmas Concert | 4:00 pm | FREE | Apex

Evening

Illuminate Art Walk | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

Menorah Lightings | 5:00 pm+ | FREE | Cary & Morrisville

Christmas Light Displays | 5:30 pm+ | FREE | Wake County & beyond

Lights on the Neuse | 6:00 pm | $11 | Clayton

Chinese Lantern Festival | 6:00 pm–10:00 pm | $ | Cary

Sunday Open Mics & Live Music | 7:00 pm+ | FREE | Durham & Fuquay-Varina

Why Use the DoRaleigh.com Triangle Weekend Event Guide?

✔️ Curated free & family-friendly events ✔️ Easy planning for Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill & surrounding towns ✔️ Perfect for holiday weekends and last-minute plans

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

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DoRaleigh Dec 12

The Triangle Event Guide: Weekend Edition – Friday–Sunday December 12–14th

Looking for things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and across the Triangle this weekend? From free Santa photos and holiday markets to Christmas light displays, parades, live music, and family-friendly events, the DoRaleigh Triangle Weekend Event Guide is packed with festive fun for all ages.

Whether you’re planning a full weekend itinerary or just looking for one standout event, here’s what’s happening across the Triangle from Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2025.

🎄 Friday, December 12, 2025

Kick off the weekend with holiday deals, light displays, cultural events, and plenty of free activities.

Highlights & Free Events

Afternoon & Evening Events

Lights, Music & Nightlife

Christmas light displays in Wendell, Wake Forest, Wilson, Cary, Middlesex Free concerts, karaoke, comedy open mics, trivia, and brewery events across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs

🎅 Saturday, December 13, 2025

Saturday is packed with parades, markets, Santa events, tours, and holiday traditions across the Triangle.

Morning & Daytime Events

Family & Community Events

Festive Family Fun Day – City of Raleigh Museum Free Toy Giveaways – Shaw University, Kingdom Life Church, AJ’s Cheesecakes Shop Local Raleigh: Holidays on Hammell Moore Square Winterfaire & Santa Meet-and-Greet

Afternoon & Evening Highlights

Krampus Walk & Krampus Night Market – Durham Winter Lantern Walk – NC Museum of Art Illuminate Art Walk – Downtown Raleigh Live Nativities & Walk-Through Christmas Dramas – Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Creedmoor Christmas Light Farms & Hayrides – Clayton, Cary, Middlesex

Night Events

Skywatching: Geminid Meteor Shower – Stagville & West Point on the Eno Live music, comedy showcases, karaoke nights, and movie screenings throughout the Triangle

🎁 Sunday, December 14, 2025

Wrap up the weekend with relaxed, family-friendly holiday events.

Sunday Highlights

🎄 Plan Your Triangle Weekend

This weekend is one of the busiest holiday weekends of the season in the Triangle, with hundreds of free and low-cost events for families, couples, and groups of friends. Many Santa events and trolley rides require advance reservations, so plan ahead where needed.

👉 Bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily Triangle event guides, holiday roundups, and last-minute updates.

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DoRaleigh Dec 8

The Triangle Event Guide Monday December 8th Edition

Looking for free or affordable fun in the Triangle today? From Santa photo experiences and holiday light shows to family play sessions, comedy nights, NFL watch parties, craft beer hangouts, and discounted skating nights, this Monday is packed with events across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Wendell, Wilson, and Carrboro.

Whether you want kid-friendly holiday excitement, date-night ideas, or after-work hangouts, the Triangle has something for everyone on Monday, December 8, 2025.

🎅 Holiday & Seasonal Events

Free Santa Photos — Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland

📅 All Day

💲 FREE

📍 Bass Pro Shops – multiple locations

One of the Triangle’s most popular holiday traditions continues with free Santa photos, crafts, and festive displays at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland. Expect themed décor, holiday music, and plenty of family photo ops.

Cary’s Gingerbread House Competition

📅 All Day

💲 FREE

📍 Downtown Cary

Browse incredibly creative gingerbread house displays throughout downtown Cary. This annual competition features entries from families, local artists, and culinary enthusiasts.

Cheapskate Day at Skate the Square at Fenton

📅 All Day

💲 Discounted admission – $3 off (check website for hours)

📍 Fenton, Cary

Enjoy discounted skating at Cary’s seasonal ice rink. Perfect for winter family fun, holiday date nights, or playful group outings.

Piper Lights – Wake Forest

📅 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Piper Lights, Wake Forest

A beloved Wake Forest tradition featuring enchanting displays, drive-through routes, and walkable holiday areas. A Triangle favorite for all ages.

Contentnea Fire Department’s Christmas Light Display

📅 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson

A community-driven holiday display perfect for a festive evening drive or family outing.

Lake Myra Christmas Lights – Wendell

📅 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Lake Myra Christmas Lights

A massive synchronized light show featuring music, dancing displays, and colorful LED elements. Expect crowds and tons of Christmas cheer.

A Jolly Evening with Santa

📅 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Ruckus Pizza, Cary – Tryon Village

Kids can meet Santa while families enjoy pizza and holiday fun at Ruckus.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

📅 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

💲 $16.74 – $30.64

📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary

A stunning international light festival with handcrafted lanterns, glowing sculptures, live entertainment, and cultural artistry.

⭐ Family-Friendly Events

Total Tot Time — Free Indoor Play

📅 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 W.D. Hill Recreation Center, Durham

A free, community play program for children up to age 5. Ideal for parents, caregivers, and little ones needing space to explore, socialize, and play.

🍻 Triangle Food & Drink Specials

Durham Beer Garden — 75¢ Wings

📅 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

💲 $0.75 per wing (dine-in only)

📍 Durham Beer Garden

Grab some of the cheapest Monday wings in the Triangle paired with local brews.

🏈 Sports & Watch Parties

Monday Night NFL Football Watch Party

📅 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh

Craft beer, football, and laid-back community vibes at one of downtown Raleigh’s favorite breweries.

🌆 Outdoor Art & Community

Illuminate Art Walk – Downtown Raleigh

📅 4:45 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Downtown Raleigh

An immersive artistic light walk through downtown Raleigh featuring glowing sculptures, public art, and seasonal installations.

🎤 Nightlife, Music, & Open Mic

Open Mic Night

📅 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Steel String Brewery, Carrboro

Singer-songwriters, musicians, and storytellers are welcome to perform.

Raleigh Brewing’s Smut Book Club

📅 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Raleigh Brewing, Raleigh

A casual and lively book club community gathering with craft beer.

Cosmic Chuckles — Weekly Comedy Show

📅 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Flying Saucer Raleigh

Enjoy stand-up comedy in a relaxed bar atmosphere.

Adult Coloring Night — Cary

📅 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary

A creative, relaxing community coloring event for adults.

Game Night — Crank Arm Brewing

📅 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh

Board games, brews, and good company.

Board Game Night — Moon Dog Meadery

📅 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Moon Dog Meadery & Bottle Shop, Durham

Perfect for game lovers, mead enthusiasts, and social groups.

Air Hockey Tournament

📅 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Boxcar Bar & Arcade, Raleigh

Competitive air hockey meets arcade nostalgia.

Carrboro Open Mic at Speakeasy

📅 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM

💲 FREE

📍 Speakeasy, Carrboro

Night owls and musicians can jam late into the evening.

Why This Guide Matters

This hyper-local Monday guide makes discovering free, discounted, and family-friendly activities across the Triangle easy. Whether you live in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Carrboro, Wake Forest, Wendell, or Wilson, there’s something happening near you today.

Bookmark DoRaleigh.com for:

Daily and weekly event guides Budget-friendly things to do Local holiday activities Free community programs Brewery hangouts and nightlife Seasonal light displays and Santa visits

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