November
FestiBull of Lights
Through Jan. 3
Step into a sparkling winter wonderland at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park as a dazzling array of lights dances in sync to holiday music. Bring the family to meet Santa, roast s’mores by a fire, wander through Christmas tree alley and ride the NC by Train Holiday Express – all under a cozy, twinkling glow.
The Rink
Through Jan. 4
Discover a full experience of wintry joy – twinkling lights, a towering holiday tree and all the cozy trimmings from warm fire pits to lounge furniture and heaters – at Raleigh’s outdoor ice rink at Red Hat Amphitheatre. Warm up with hot cocoa of seasonal sips, challenge friends to giant lawn games, or reserve a private igloo for the ultimate winter hangout.
Weird Windows
Through early January
Stroll through the streets of downtown Durham’s City Center to admire these window displays crafted by local artists, presented by Weird Productions and inspired by Macy’s iconic holiday windows but with a distinctly Durham twist.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Through Jan. 11
Experience the magical illuminated lanterns of Tianyu Arts & Culture at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Hundreds of intricate, decorative lanterns illuminated with thousands of lights create a colorful setting that draws thousands of visitors from across the state each year. This showcase of Chinese culture also includes martial arts, traditional dance, drum performances and acrobatics.
Brunch with Santa
Select days through Dec. 23
Get in the festive spirit with breakfast with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday tea and markets at The Carolina Inn throughout December.
December
Holidays in the Park & Santa Train
Select nights in December
Dash your way through an enchanting rainbow light tunnel at the Museum of Life and Science’s largest annual fundraising event and holiday tradition. Enjoy complimentary candy canes and smile for the camera at specialty family photo spots throughout the museum. Don’t miss magical winter-related activities and the chance to skate in your socks on the synthetic “ice rink.” Stroll and explore from the Magic Wings Butterfly House to the Dinosaur Trail. Then, climb aboard the Ellerbe Creek Railway for an illuminating nighttime train ride to the North Pole to visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their elves.
Lucky Strike Tower Lighting
Dec. 3
The annual lighting of the Lucky Strike Water Tower at the American Tobacco Campus includes local performers, holiday music, festive lights and more. Keep the party going Dec. 4-5 with live music from River Shook and Fancy Gap.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 5
Gather at Carrboro Town Hall for this annual community tradition.
Christmas by Candlelight
Dec. 5 & 12
Immerse yourself in an 1870s Christmas on the candlelight tour through the Duke Homestead State Historic Site. Learn the history behind the Duke family home as costumed interpreters bring it to life through storytelling while delighting in cookies, cider, singing, live music and more.
Durham German Market
Dec. 6
Say “guten tag” to the Christmas season during this second annual holiday shopping opportunity presented by the Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective at Durham Central Park. Browse handmade crafts and décor, savor festive German treats and drinks, and soak up the cheerful, Old World holiday spirit.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade
Dec. 6
Join Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro for a festive, entertaining, safe and inclusive community parade to celebrate the winter holiday season. Stake out your curbside spot and watch more than 40 arts, cultural and community groups parade down Franklin Street.
Jonkonnu
Dec. 6
Celebrate the vibrant masquerade tradition of the African diaspora – rooted in West Africa and the Caribbean – with St. Sya Academy at Historic Stagville. Durham youth, dancers and musicians bring this seasonal celebration to life through energetic performances. After the show, gather around the bonfire for drumming, dancing and stories that illuminate the history of Jonkonnu.
Brightspeed’s Mary and Bright Christmas Drone Light Show
Dec. 6
Christmas cheer lights up the sky as luminary drones capture the magic of the holiday season with a free community celebration and unforgettable light show at Mosaic Family Commons. Arrive early for festive fun, including a holiday market with 30-plus local vendors, train rides, kids’ crafts and free photos with Santa as well as live performances by the Northwood High School band and choir, and musical guest Big Time Shine.
Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour
Dec. 6-7, 13-14
Take a relaxing drive through Chatham County’s rolling hills and pastoral farmlands to visit more than 50 artists, learn about their process and artistic vision, and browse affordable original works of art in studios that dot the countryside during the 33rd annual tour.
Ninth Annual Holiday at the Farm
Dec. 6-7, 13-14 & 20-24
Have a snowball fight, warm up with toasty s’mores, pet pony “reindeer,” grab a candy cane from the peppermint forest, and meet Santa at Chapel Hill’s 1870 Farm.
Light Up the Night Parade
Dec. 7
This holiday parade through downtown Hillsborough includes local bands, businesses, dance troupes and classic cars. This year’s theme is “Candyland,” in reference to Hillsborough’s Homes for the Holidays gingerbread house contest at nearby businesses.
Holiday Music Series
Dec. 8, 6 p.m.; Dec. 11, 7 p.m.; Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
Head up to The Durham Hotel‘s heated rooftop for a series of festive performances. On Dec. 8, enjoy the harmonies of United Strings of Color, a classical string quartet of talented young African American musicians capturing the joy of the season. On Dec. 11, award-winning trumpeter Al Strong fills the air with smooth jazz, paired with seasonal treats and hot toddies. Wrap up the series on Dec. 17 with the Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus, a Raleigh-based nonprofit providing a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ singers and allies to share their musical talents.
Reindeer Run 5k
Dec. 13
Calling all Dashers and Prancers to the starting line of Chatham County Partnership for Children’s festive 5K, a course that begins at Central Carolina Community College and loops around downtown Pittsboro. Participants can run as individuals or in teams, and young racers can take on the three quarter-mile Rudolph’s Fun Run around CCCC’s campus. Proceeds from the event will be shared with local organizations to promote physical activity.
Holiday Parade
Dec. 13
Watch dynamic floats and cheer on hometown bands, drill teams, schools, community groups and more as they make their way down Main Street in downtown Durham. Also enjoy holiday performances, food and non-food vendors and a visit from Santa.
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 10-14
Ira David Wood III’s cherished musical comedy returns to the Durham Performing Arts Center this holiday season. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a transformative journey guided by spectral visitors who, one by one, unveil the true meaning of Christmas. This masterful production from Raleigh’s Theatre in the Park brings to life the spirit of the season for audiences of all ages.
Pittsboro Parade
Dec. 14
Downtown Pittsboro comes alive with holiday cheer during this annual parade featuring dazzling floats decked out in twinkling lights, spirited marking bands and costumed performers. Local groups and businesses lead the procession, spreading festive joy through the heart of town.
Hanukkah Festival
Dec. 14
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC in Durham. There will be kids’ activities, games and crafts, holiday foods for sale including sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and latkes, interactive menorahs, opportunities to learn more about the holiday and a community shuk (gift and craft market).
Duke Chapel by Candlelight
Dec. 17
This annual open house invites visitors to experience the spirit of the season with the chapel fully decorated for all to enjoy, accompanied by familiar Christmas melodies.
Solstice Lantern Walk
Dec. 20
Bring a lantern and join this annual tradition starting at Hillsborough’s Eno River Farmers Market Pavilion, traveling through River Park and along the Riverwalk. This year’s event also features a Solstice Market with local artists, live music, hot drinks, food and more.
First Night Raleigh
Dec. 31
Ring in the new year in downtown Raleigh and watch the giant golden acorn drop at City Plaza – a time-honored tradition. Enjoy live concerts, the People’s Procession parade and even catch a bird’s-eye view of the city’s streets atop a Ferris wheel. If you don’t want to stay up until midnight, catch the early countdown and fireworks.
January
Kwanzaafest
Jan. 1
The African American Dance Ensemble’s annual Kwanzaa festival at the Durham Armory focuses on family, friends and the fruits of the Earth. It takes place on the seventh day of Kwanzaa, which is dedicated to Imani, or faith. The event features a children’s village, dance and drumming classes, arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment from dance ensembles and more. Donated canned foods and toiletry items will be given to a local nonprofit.
New Year’s Day Run
Jan. 1
The Carolina Godiva Track Club’s annual 8K run that starts and finishes at River Park in Hillsborough with a turnaround loop in Gold Park, is meant to get everyone moving after the holidays.
New Year’s Day Hike
Jan. 1
Ring in the new year with the Eno River Association on this annual hike, which dates back to 1971, at Eno River State Park‘s Cox Mountain Trailhead. Hikers can choose a 1.2-mile route or a longer 3.6-mile trek, both led by guides, hike assistants and park rangers. Meet at the Fews Ford Shelter afterward for hot cocoa and conversation with fellow hikers.
Dream Big
Jan. 19
Literacy nonprofit Book Harvest honors Martin Luther King Jr. during this 15th annual celebration of books and children at Golden Belt in Durham. Drive up with children’s books to donate, and/or bring your children to select books to take home. Stay for the indoor and outdoor community celebration featuring a partner fair and plenty of fun for the kiddos!
Carrboro Film Fest
Jan. 23-25
Catch several flicks that showcases Southern culture, now taking place in the Drakeford Library Complex.
SECU Caring House Gala
Jan. 24
Support Duke Cancer Institute patients during this annual benefit at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. Enjoy dancing, live entertainment, fine dining and a live auction, with funds raised providing affordable housing and a healing, supportive community for Caring House residents.
Triangle Restaurant Week
Jan. 26-Feb. 1
Indulge in a weeklong celebration of culinary excellence during this biannual event that showcases premier restaurants in Durham and the surrounding area. Participating establishments offer special three-course menu options and fixed pricing, providing a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to savor the Triangle’s finest cuisine.
February
Krispy Kreme Challenge
Feb. 7
What started as a fun race among 10 friends is now a nationally publicized charity run. The race begins and ends at the Memorial Belltower at North Carolina State University. Runners burn 2,400 calories total as they travel 2.5 miles through historic downtown Raleigh to the Krispy Kreme located at the intersection of Peace and Person streets, where they consume one dozen original glazed doughnuts and then run 2.5 miles back to the belltower. Proceeds from the race benefit UNC Children’s Hospital.
American Indian Powwow
Feb. 7
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics hosts its annual celebration of the first Americans with an afternoon of dance and traditional drum music as well as food and unique arts and crafts available for purchase. The inclusive, family-friendly festivities kick off with a grand entry of dancers followed by a vibrant array of songs. The educational event was established more than 30 years ago to highlight NCSSM as a place where Indigenous people can learn about and celebrate their history and culture.
Carolina Jazz Festival
Feb. 26-28
Catch public performances by touring bands, artists in residence, UNC Department of Music faculty and students at this 49th annual festival celebrating all things jazz in February.
Nevermore Film Festival
Feb. 27-Mar. 1
Created in 1999, this festival is a juried competition that showcases horror, science-fiction, mystery, thriller, animated and dark fantasy movies from around the world at the Carolina Theatre. More than 1,000 features and short films have screened at the festival in its 27-year run, and it has gained an international reputation as one of the premier genre festivals in the country.
March
Art in Bloom
March 18-22
This fundraising festival of art and flowers at North Carolina Museum of Art showcases the creativity of our region’s floral designers, who use their skills to interpret the fine art within the museum and design awe-inspiring arrangements. Proceeds from the event benefit the NCMA Foundation Inc.
Still not sure what you’re doing this weekend? Follow The Triangle Weekender on Instagram for the latest events and foodie news!
