University of North Carolina Asheville

Feeling festive? Head downtown, Raleigh.
People visiting the illuminated Sonic Runway.
Get into the seasonal spirit in downtown Raleigh. | Photo provided by Downtown Raleigh Alliance
It’s time to get in the holiday spirit, fa-la-la-Raleigh. If you’re anything like us, you’re ready to supercharge your cheer. Enter: Downtown Raleigh.

From shopping local retailers to experiencing holiday attractions that only happen during the most wonderful time of the year, Downtown Raleigh is the place to savor the season. What special activities, you ask?

Here are a few on our holiday bucket list:

🛍️ Shop + sip

Did you know? More than 90% of Downtown Raleigh’s stores are locally-owned (read: there are more local + independent stores in our downtown than anywhere else in the Triangle). That means the area is not only the perfect spot to snag local gifts, but it also allows the holiday dollars you spend to go right back into the community.

Pro tip: Word has it, that will definitely land you on the nice list this year.

Downtown Raleigh also offers a host of local eats + drinks, including stellar dining experiences at restaurants led by award-winning chefs. If you’re looking for lighter fare to fuel your shopping trip, snack and caffeinate at one of downtown’s 20+ cafés or grab a drink from 50+ participating restaurants and bars to Sip n’ Stroll.

No time to shop in-store? No worries, there are Holiday Curbside Pickup Zones for quick stops.

Bonus: Check out this Gift Guide to see what special items downtown retailers are offering.

Downtown Raleigh Alliance

Sonic Runway is a light-art installation that converts audio signals into patterns of light that shoot down a 342-432 ft. corridor of 20- 25 LED lined arches at the speed of sound — created by Rob Jensen and Warren Trezevant, courtesy of Creos.

Photo provided by Downtown Raleigh Alliance

✨ Illuminate Art Walk presented by Wake Tech

It’s time to get lit. Wander through the magical collection of large-scale, interactive, light-based art pieces nestled in the grooves of downtown.

This year’s Illuminate Art Walk includes Sonic Runway, an interactive 350 ft long tunnel of concentric LED arches that visualizes the speed of sound. Think: The most Instagrammable spot of the season.

⛸️ Skate at The Rink presented by UNC Health

What’s the holidays without ice skating? Head to The Rink sponsored by UNC Health to hit the ice while taking in stunning views of the city’s skyline.

The Winter Wonderland-themed ice rink has fire pits and Cozy Stations (think: outdoor lounging furniture and heat warmers) to keep you warm during skate breaks. There’s also quite the array of snacks, hot cocoa, beer, wine, and more.

Capture the moment at any of the holiday photo decoration stations that include a lighted bulb display and the 20-ft decorated holiday tree.*
MORE SEASONAL FUN
This content was created in partnership with Downtown Raleigh Alliance and written by Michaela Leung.*

What holiday activities are you most looking forward to doing in Downtown Raleigh?

A. Shopping + eating local
B. Seeing the lights
C. Hitting the rink
D. Other
LET US KNOW
North Hills

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Dec. 6
  • Open Mic Night | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Goodnights Pop-Up Club, 511 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | Free | Flex your comedic skills; the performance order is chosen by random lottery.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
  • The RTOOT Celebrates The Holidays | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary | $2-$10 | Enjoy an evening of music and unexpected humor performed by the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle.
Thursday, Dec. 8
  • State Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5:30 p.m. | NC State Capitol, 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh | Free | Listen to holiday music performed by The Raleigh Concert Band, visit with Santa, and enjoy cookies and cider — stick around to tour the decorated Capitol.
  • 29th Annual Jingle Ball Gala | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 7-10:30 p.m. | NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh | $130 | Enjoy a night of live music, dueling pianos, raffles, cocktails, and elevated food to raise money to buy children Christmas presents.
Friday, Dec. 9
  • Theatre in the Park: A Christmas Carol | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $35-$94 | Enjoy this classic holiday performance.
  • Evening with Elves | Friday, Dec. 9 | Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh | $12-$35 | Enjoy roasting s’mores outdoors, arctic museum play, and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy.
Saturday, Dec. 10
  • Black Nativity in Concert | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11:30 a.m. | Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Amphitheater at the NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Join this holiday musical celebration fit for the whole family.
  • Artspace Holiday Art Fair | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 12-5 p.m. | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Shop from 30+ studio artists and 20 guest vendors while enjoying holiday music performances, festive food, and drinks.
Sunday, Dec. 11
  • The Vintage Market Before Christmas | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Transfer Co. Ballroom, 500 E. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy a retro sports holiday shopping experience.
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.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Trinity Partners - Raleigh

Culture

How Spanish Immersion is opening the world for one Wake County student
Presented by a RALtoday Partner
4 WCPSS magnet school students sitting on the grass and reading
Magnet programs challenge students to think creatively and solve problems while being exposed to new experiences. | Photo provided by Wake County Public School System
Calling all parents: Wake County magnet schools, like Smith Magnet Elementary School, are designed to provide students and families and offer specialized programs that nurture students to “See Things Differently.”

Smith aims to provide an inquiry-based, globally-authentic education to all students. Fun fact: Smith students have two world language options that can be added to their studies. Rising kindergarteners can opt into the Spanish Dual Language Immersion program, with daily core instruction in Spanish and English, or can choose Spanish or Mandarin as an elective class.

We recently chatted with first grader Kristina Harper — who is part of the Dual Spanish Language Immersion program — to learn about what she loves about attending Smith Magnet. Warning: Cuteness ahead.

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of learning Spanish?

A: My mom knows some Spanish, so I want to learn Spanish, too. My favorite word is amarillo, which means yellow. For Halloween, I dressed as a lemon, so I got to wear lots of yellow. 🍋

Read on for 5 more questions and learn more about how Wake County’s magnet schools create well-rounded students.*
5 MORE QUESTIONS WITH A FIRST-GRADER

Weather
  • 62º | Showers | 40% chance of rain 🌧️
  • Did you know that this week is Winter Weather Preparedness Week? NC residents are encouraged to plan ahead before Jack Frost rolls into town.
Opening
  • TrêsLife, a graduate of the Pop-Up Shops at Martin Street, has relocated and expanded to open the first Raleigh Curl Bar Salon at Crabtree Valley Mall. This curly hair-friendly parlor is celebrating its grand opening at 10 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 10 with a ribbon cutting.
Coming Soon
  • A new foodie spot is opening this month in the former Edward’s Mill Bar & Grill space at Olde Raleigh Village. The Mill, a classic bar food concept with a mix of elevated fare from Urban Food Group, will feature a relaxed bar and upscale dining room. 🍽️ (Raleigh Magazine)
History
  • Don’t miss the one-day public exhibition featuring the first printing of the US Constitution on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the NC Museum of History. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can view and read one of only two copies of this rare document.
Sports
  • Who will earn the mayonnaise bath? The NC State football team will face Maryland in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Friday, Dec. 30. This will mark the Pack’s fourth appearance in the bowl game. Buy tickets ($61+). 🏈 (The News & Observer)
Try This
Job
  • Looking for a dino-mite job? Apply to become a DinoLab Manager at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. This role will help play a critical part in establishing the new paleontology lab at the museum. Applications close on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. 🦖
Stat
Seasonal
Beauty
  • Looking to have a be-yule-tiful holiday season? Synergy Face + Body has you covered with Double Feature — its virtual beauty event happening Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6-9 p.m. Think: Everything you love about beauty events, minus the crowd.*
Shop
Celebrate
  • City Editor Anne here. We want to wish a happy birthday to our teammate and RALtoday City Editor Cat. Happy birthday, Cat! 🎉
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
The Blood Connection

321 Coffee featured on the TODAY show ☕
A screenshot of 321 Coffee on the TODAY show.
Change is brewing at 321 Coffee. | Screenshot by RALtoday
ICYMI, 321 Coffee opened a new shop in Durham last weekend. The celebration continued yesterday morning when the coffee shop was featured on the TODAY show.

Founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans gushed about their crew and mission during the interview. The inclusive coffee shop and roastery now has three Triangle locations and employs more than 50 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

According to a study by the Special Olympics, unemployment among people with intellectual disabilities is more than twice as high as for the general population. 321 currently has a wait list of 100+ people looking for jobs.

Beyond grabbing a latte from your local cafe, here are three more ways to support 321:
WATCH THE SEGMENT
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cat.

Editor’s pick: I’m celebrating my birthday at Oak Steakhouse tonight. And as someone who admittedly always checks the menu beforehand, here’s what I’m ordering: the Lo-Fi Beets cocktail with a NY Strip paired with Oak Steak Sauce. Cheers! 🍸

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’re looking for Raleigh’s best holiday decorations.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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