Raleigh roasters are known for their deliciously-crafted lattes... but have you seen their brewtifully executed merch?
Rep your favorite coffee shop every day — not just on the mornings you need an extra shot of espresso — with these five cafes that have more to show off than foam art.
The Optimist | The new blooming skull printed crewneck ($38) and baby blue beanies ($22) were designed by NC artist Hannah Katrice. Pro tip: These items are only available in-store.
321 Coffee | Drinking coffee at home? Sip out of a DNA mapping mug ($10) and keep your toes warm with branded crazy socks ($32). Bonus: They are sold in a pack of two so you can share a pair with a friend.
Jubala Coffee | Keep all of your NC State Farmers Market goodies safe in a coffee blooms tote ($15) and protect your face from the sun with a matching cap ($18). Psst... you can only get them in-store.
Purr Cup Cafe | Buy a T-shirt featuring a kitten in a coffee mug ($30) from Raleigh’s first cat cafe. Bonus: They also sell a logoed kicker cat toy ($12).
These items would make great holiday gifts... wink wink.
Holiday Party & Market | Friday, Dec. 2 | 4-8 p.m. | The Burrow, 119 E. Hargett St., Raleigh | $5-$10 | Join The Burrow for this holiday party featuring live music, art, drinks, and vendors.
Market & Movie Night | Friday, Dec. 2 | 5-9 p.m. | Moore Square Park, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Watch “The Muppets Christmas Carol” at sundown, shop local vendors, and roast s’mores over a fire pit.
Cinderella 2022 | Friday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 4 | Times vary | Raleigh Little Theater, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh | $27-$32 | Laugh along with this musical comedy fit for the whole family.
Saturday, Dec. 3
The Market at NCMA | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Browse the galleries, enjoy the Museum Park, and shop local.
2022 Christmas Open House | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Joel Lane Museum House, 160 Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh | Free | Explore Raleigh’s oldest house during the holidays — there will be kids crafts like tin punching, candle dipping, and doll making.
Sip and Salsa | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 1-3 p.m. | Atlantic Gardening Company, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy this salsa class led by instructor Jenny Geska — discounted happy hour drinks will be available for purchase.
The Nutcracker - Cary Ballet Company | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $35-$45 | Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, watch this story of a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve.
Sunday, Dec. 4
A Very Cheeni Holiday Open House | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 2-5 p.m. | Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, 1141 Falls River Ave., Raleigh | $15 | Be the first to sample the holiday cocktail menu, snack on small bites, shop from the bazaar, and enjoy wine and beer pairings.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Ready, set, relax. We’ve teamed up with North Hills to bring you the ultimate staycation getaway so you can rest + recharge this holiday season. One lucky winner will get:
🛎️ An overnight stay at the AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills
🍽️ Dinner at Rosewater Kitchen + Bar
🧖A $200 gift certificate to Woodhouse Spa - North Hills
🛍️ A $150 North Hills gift card
To enter, head over to our Instagram (@RALtoday) now until Wednesday, Dec. 14 at noon + follow the instructions. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, Dec. 16. 🎉 *
Yesterday, Kane Realty Corporation announced that Tamasha, anupscale Indian restaurant, is opening on the ground floor of the new Advance Auto Parts Towerin North Hills. Expected to open in 2023, the eatery will cater to the “gourmet diner” with traditional modern Indian cuisine.
For the first time since 1980, a UNC football player was named ACC Player of the Year. Drake Maye, a redshirt freshman quarterback, was also awarded Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Rookie of the Year. 🏈 (Chapelboro.com)
Civic
The community is invited to welcome new city council members at their swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Dec. 5 at Raleigh Union Station. Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and the seven council members, including four new elects, will take their oaths of office at 6 p.m.
Community
After 20+ years, the Carolina Balletis moving its company studio. The building owners sold the property, but founders Ward Purrington and Robert Weiss plan to move to a permanent space with funding through its Capital Campaign. For now, the ballet will practice in a temporary space. 🩰 (The News & Observer)
Number
120. That’s how many birthdays the NC Museum of History is celebrating on Saturday, Dec. 3. The celebration at the museum will include all-day free admission to The Power of Women in Country Music exhibit, themed treats, Museum Shop promotions, and more. 🎉
Eat
Layered Croissanterie released a December menuthat would certainlymake Buddy the Elf proud. There are nine new pastries (availablethis month only)like the Candy Cane Lane red striped croissant rolled with peppermint dark chocolate ganache and white chocolate. 🥐
Try This
The American Institute of Architects is hosting a residential self-guided tour featuring six homes in Orange and Durham counties on Saturday, Dec. 3. The tour highlights innovative residential designs including a whimsical, modern tree house. Purchase tickets ($10+).
Seasonal
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Celebrate the spirit of the season in Downtown Raleigh — from local retailers, interactive light installations, and an outdoor skating rink, you can sip and stroll your way into the holiday. 🎄*
Shop
Looking for the perfect gift for the beauty enthusiast on your list? Give the gift of relaxation and pampering with a Synergy Face + Body gift card.*
Listen
Your holiday music just got better. 1byoneaudio sells high quality and easy-to-use turntables equipped with incredible sound quality and hi-fi speakers, plus some that connect to Bluetooth headphones. Think: a great gift for the record lover in your life (or even an early present for yourself). 🎶*
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Santa taking a peek at the hot chocolate bar. | Photo by RALtoday
City Editor Cat here. 👋 I consider myself a sweets enthusiast, so I felt compelled to check out The Dessertery (for investigative reasons, of course). This holiday-themed cafe is popping up at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts now through Friday, Dec. 23.
What we tried (with pricing):
When I opened the cafe doors, I was transported to a festive wonderland filled with carefully selected holiday decor, handcrafted desserts, and a hot chocolate bar featuring 50+ toppings (tickets are $25). Follow along to see how you can Try This — and maybe even kick off a new holiday tradition. 🧁 *
Editor’s pick: Cool gift idea: For $25, The Poetry Fox will email a freshly-written poem each morning to your special someone from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve (eight days of poems). Direct message the local writer on Instagram @thepoetryfox to sign up. 💌
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