The Christmas season is filled with music, but none exemplifies the season as much as the Christmas part of Handel’s Messiah, including the Hallelujah Chorus. It’s become a tradition to attend a performance of The Messiah (or at least part of The Messiah) in the winter. We are focusing on the "free and cheap events" here, but please do check out North Carolina Symphony for a wonderful, and much … [Read more...] about Where to see Free Performances of Handel’s Messiah in the Triangle
winter holiday
Thankful for Local Vendor Market Nov. 29
Cozy Panda Co. is presenting Thankful for Local Vendor Market Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m., at Trophy Brewing Maywood, 656 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina. Admission is free. Some activities may have a cost. The event features: … [Read more...] about Thankful for Local Vendor Market Nov. 29
Mebane Christmas Parade Dec 5
The Mebane Christmas Parade will take place Friday, December 5, 2025, from 7 to 9 p.m., in Downtown Mebane, North Carolina. This is Alamance County's only nighttime Christmas parade. The parade features over 100 entries, including businesses, churches, school groups and more. The parade starts at the intersection of Second Street and Clay Street. It goes down Clay Street, turns right at Fifth … [Read more...] about Mebane Christmas Parade Dec 5
Bahama Christmas Parade
The Bahama Christmas Parade takes place Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10 a.m., in Bahama, North Carolina. The parade starts at Country Knoll Road and Bahama Road, and continues to the Bahama Ruritan Clubhouse, 8202 Stagville Road, Bahama, North Carolina. The Bahama Ruritan Club is collecting canned foods and non-perishable food items to help families in the community. … [Read more...] about Bahama Christmas Parade
Christmas on the Square and Christmas Parade in Angier
The town of Angier, North Carolina, is presenting several Christmas events in 2025. Angier is about 33 minutes to the south of Raleigh, and is very convenient to those in Fuquay-Varina and Garner. Read on to learn about Christmas on the Square, which includes the tree lighting and visits with Santa, and the Christmas parade. Christmas on the Square Christmas on the Square will take … [Read more...] about Christmas on the Square and Christmas Parade in Angier
Sanford Christmas Parade Dec 1
The Sanford Christmas Parade will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7 p.m., in Downtown Sanford. The parade takes place the first Monday of December every year. This long-running night-time parade should get you into the Christmas spirit! Follow the Facebook event for updates. … [Read more...] about Sanford Christmas Parade Dec 1
Mistletoe Market at Wakefield High School Nov 8
Shop from 200+ vendors at Mistletoe Market at Wakefield High School, 2200 Wakefield Pines Drive, Raleigh, NC. The holiday market takes place Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shop for handmade jewelry, original arts and crafts, clothings, candles, holiday décor, basket raffles, baked goods and more. Proceeds for the sale of tables go directly into the school's … [Read more...] about Mistletoe Market at Wakefield High School Nov 8
Merry & Bright, A Children’s North Pole Market at Mordecai Historic Park Dec 13
Merry & Bright, A North Pole Market takes place at Historic Mordecai Park, 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is not required, but is encouraged to help with planning. Please register at link above. Merry & Bright is a children's market by Paper & Stars Studio in partnership with Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural … [Read more...] about Merry & Bright, A Children’s North Pole Market at Mordecai Historic Park Dec 13
Wake Forest Diwali Festival Nov. 1
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host its annual Diwali Festival on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina. The festival is free and open to everyone. Diwali is known as the "Festival of Lights," and it celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over … [Read more...] about Wake Forest Diwali Festival Nov. 1
Christmas Trains and Santa Trains in North Carolina – updated for 2025
We've put together a list of Christmas trains throughout North Carolina. For attractions outside of the Triangle, we've indicated the number of miles it is from Raleigh. Please adjust the distance from your own starting point. Caveat: Not all of these train rides are cheap. Some of these are pretty pricey. But we're including them anyway, because they are so popular. Also, please note … [Read more...] about Christmas Trains and Santa Trains in North Carolina – updated for 2025
