Enjoy the cooler temperatures, fall foliage, and Christmas lights in the Triangle in November. You’ll find craft markets, nature activities, Veterans Day events and more. Plan November 2025 with this list of the top things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding area.
We’ve highlighted a few activities and events, but please scroll down for our huge (and we do mean huge) calendar of things to do in the the Triangle in November. This calendar will be updated all the time. You can also jump right to the day by day calendar.
We focus on the free and cheap, but we do include some great activities and events that cost a little bit more if we think readers would like to hear about them.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap's daily email
- Free events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- What Christmas food can dogs eat?
- Best Christmas Lights in the Triangle
- Christmas tree farms and lots near the Triangle
- Free pictures with Santa in the Triangle
- Holiday Markets in the Triangle
- Christmas Trains in North Carolina
Top Things To Do in November
Santa’s Arrival at Bass Pro Shops (plus free pictures and more)
Santa’s Arrival and Santa’s Wonderland
Date: Santa’s arrival is November 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. Santa’s Wonderland takes place every day from November 2 to December 24, 2025
Time: Santa’s arrival is at 5 p.m. Santa’s Wonderland varies by day.
Place: Bass Pro Shops, at 801 Bass Pro Lane, Cary, NC and 201 Cabela Drive, Garner, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Santa’s arrival features a parade, with Santa arriving in a boat. There will be free treats and giveaways for the kids. Then, starting November 2, kids can get a free 4×6 photo with Santa, plus participate in giveaways, games, crafts and more.
Taste of China: Chinese Food and Culture Festival
Taste of China: Chinese Food & Culture Festival
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 321 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free (just pay for food)
Features: Performances, food for purchase, cooking demos, more.
Wake Forest Diwali Festival
Wake Forest Diwali Festival
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, dance, hands-on crafts, Henna tattoo, Indian food, vendors, more.
Día de Oakwood: Movie, Closing Ceremony and Catrina Parade
Día de Muertos at Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Date: November 1 and 2, 2025
Time: 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: On Saturday, enjoy the installation and watch the movie Coco. On Sunday, there will be a concluding performance and a Catrina parade.
Festifall Arts Market: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Festifall Arts Market
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: 140 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Artisan vendors, music, performances and more, to celebrate Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead.
North Carolina Whirligig Festival
North Carolina Whirligig Festival
Date: Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Downtown Wilson, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This festival showcases the arts of the region, including whirligigs, North Carolina folk art created by local artist Vollis Simpson.
Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo
Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo
Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free to attend
Features: Dozens of the Triangle’s favorite food trucks will be on site at this quarterly event.
Fall Arts Fair
Fall Arts Fair
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Showcases the work of 65 artists. There will also be live music, kids’ art activities, live art demos, Poetry Fox, food trucks and more.
NC Collector’s Road Show
NC Collector’s Road Show
Date: Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Expo Center at NC State Fairgrounds, 4825 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $5. Free for kids 12 and under.
Features: The show features more than 225 tables of popular collectibles.
Veterans Day Ceremonies and Special Deals
Veterans Day ceremonies, events and food deals
Date: Most are on Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Time: Varies (most ceremonies are in the morning)
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: Check out our list of events that are honoring veterans throughout the Triangle. There are also a lot of food freebies and deals (and more) for those who have served.
Tree Lighting Celebrations
Tree Lighting Celebrations
Date: Multiple
Time: Varies
Place: Many places
Cost: Usually free
Features: There are many tree lighting celebrations throughout the Triangle. They typically are the first event to welcome in the holiday season, and often feature music, kids’ activities, crafts and more. Santa is present at many of them.
Sculpture in the Garden
Sculpture in the Garden
Date: September 14 to December 7, 2025, except Mondays and holidays
Time: 9 am. to 5 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free, but a $5 donation is suggested
Features: Nearly 90 sculptures by 66 artists are displayed throughout the display gardens.
Magic and Mischief: A Wizard’s Market
Magic and Mischief: A Wizard’s Market
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free to attend
Features: This market is especially for kids. They will encounter mysterious characters and fantastic beasts, create magical crafts, practice spells, shop for handmade items, and enjoy family-friendly stage performances.
Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show
Treasures of the Earth
Date: November 14 to 16, 2025
Time: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Saturday
Place: Kerr-Scott Building, NC State Fairgrounds
Cost: $8 for adults and free for ages 16 and under. The ticket is good for the whole weekend.
Features: This show offers a vast array of precious and semi-precious gem stones, pearls, beads and beading supplies, fossils, minerals, crystals, gems, and finished jewelry in gold and silver, including 14K, 18K and platinum fine jewelry, hand-crafted, custom designs, fashion jewelry, and sterling silver.
Liberty Arts Iron Pour
Liberty Arts Iron Pour
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 4 to 9 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch as 4,000 pounds of molten iron (3,000 degrees) into molds. Also enjoy forge demos, neon glass bending demo, live painting, and performances.
Holiday Events
Holiday Events
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: Check out our huge, day by day list of holiday events throughout all the Triangle. There are too many to list here!
Chestnut Carnival
Chestnut Carnival
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate all things Chestnut, with roasted chestnuts, shelled chestnuts, pop-up vendor market, chestnut trees for sale, chestnut beer and cocktails, much more.
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Downtown Raleigh (follow above link to see the route)
Cost: Free
Features: The largest Christmas parade between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.
29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
30th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Please note that the festival is taking place at the NC Museum of Art, because NC Museum of History is undergoing renovations. This festival is an annual celebration of the rich diversity and contributions of American Indians in North Carolina for over 14,000 years. It features hands-on activities for all ages, cultural booths and demonstrations, artisans and vendors, a grand entry procession, performances and more.
