The annual Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market takes place on Thanksgiving Weekend at NC State Fairgrounds. Specifically, it will be at the Jim Graham Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. This is the Triangle's largest marketplace for arts, crafts, and seasonal favorites. There will be over 200 exhibitors from all over the Southeast. Santa at The Christmas … [Read more...] about The Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market returns to Raleigh Thanksgiving weekend
winter holiday
Light Up Main in Garner: Main Street Wonderland and Tree Lighting Nov. 29
Head to Downtown Garner, North Carolina for Light Up Main: Main Street Wonderland and Tree Lighting on Friday, November 29, 2025, from 1 to 6 p.m. This is a free event. Highlights include: Santa will be dropping by these locations between 1 and 4 p.m. Bring your camera! Live performances: … [Read more...] about Light Up Main in Garner: Main Street Wonderland and Tree Lighting Nov. 29
Franklinton Christmas Tree Lighting and Market Nov. 29 (and Parade Dec. 4)
The nearby town of Franklinton, North Carolina, is hosting some great holiday events, and has a fantastic light display set up. Franklinton is in the northeast corner of the Triangle. It's about a 39 minute drive from Raleigh, but just a 15 minute drive from Wake Forest, and a 10 minute drive from Youngsville. The entire downtown is decorated for Christmas including 14 live Christmas trees, a … [Read more...] about Franklinton Christmas Tree Lighting and Market Nov. 29 (and Parade Dec. 4)
Sundaes with Santa at The Scoop at Willow Oak Farms, Fuquay-Varina
The Scoop at Willow Oak Farms, 1530 Lafayette Road, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, is hosting Sundaes with Santa on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. You pay for your food and drink, and can take pictures with Santa. Please bring an unwrapped toy for Santa and Mrs. Claus' toy drive. There will also be a Santa letter station. Enjoy Bubbles Hotdogs and BBQ, as well as hot … [Read more...] about Sundaes with Santa at The Scoop at Willow Oak Farms, Fuquay-Varina
Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday Holiday Shopping Event in Wake Forest
Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday Holiday Shopping Event takes place on November 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Graham (upstairs at The Cotton Room), 306 S White Street, Wake Forest, North Carolina. It's free to attend and features: … [Read more...] about Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday Holiday Shopping Event in Wake Forest
Bright Spirits Holiday Market Nov. 29
Bright Spirits Holiday Market is a local artisan market taking place behind MAX JR mini mini mart on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 12 to 5 p.m. Celebrate Small Business Saturday and get a jump on your holiday shopping by shopping for hand-made crafts. Admission is free. … [Read more...] about Bright Spirits Holiday Market Nov. 29
Bynum Front Porch Holiday Bazaar Nov. 29
Bynum Front Porch, at 950 Bynum Road, Pittsboro, North Carolina, is hosting the Bynum Front Porch Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for local art, crafts, jewelry, handmade soaps and much more, while you enjoy music from the Bynum Front Porch Pickers. Also, snack on tasty treats, hot cider and chicken cracker stew. While you're there, enjoy Bynum's … [Read more...] about Bynum Front Porch Holiday Bazaar Nov. 29
Restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in the Triangle for 2025
If cooking dinner doesn't sound like a holiday to you here's a list of Triangle restaurants open on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27, 2025. Most of these restaurants have special Thanksgiving meals. Many will fill up early, so make sure to make reservations right away. There are a few takeout options included in this list as well. These restaurants are in all price ranges. We abandoned our … [Read more...] about Restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in the Triangle for 2025
Lights on the Neuse — hayride through Christmas lights
Bring the family to Boyette Family Farms, 1620 Loop Road, Clayton, North Carolina, for Lights on the Neuse during the Christmas season. This attraction is on our list of the best Christmas light displays in the Triangle. Lights on the Neuse features a one-mile long Christmas hayride. This 20-minute long tractor-pulled hayride brings you through the light extravaganza, with Christmas … [Read more...] about Lights on the Neuse — hayride through Christmas lights
Letters to Santa with Raleigh Parks & Rec — free program
Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is making it easier for kids to communicate directly with Santa Claus. From November 20 to December 17, 2025, the department is hosting a FREE Letters to Santa program. It's easy to participate! Can't make it a community center? No problem! Santa is on email! Just fill out the template and email it to … [Read more...] about Letters to Santa with Raleigh Parks & Rec — free program
