Our favorite Downtown Raleigh holiday events + Gift Guide finds
Included in Illuminate Art Walk is “Talking Heads” — an interactive art installation that has 4,000 individually controlled lights to express human emotion. | Photo provided by Downtown Raleigh Alliance/
Fun fact: Downtown Raleigh is made up of over 90% locally owned stores. Shopping these local shops is not just a great way to uplift the community — it’s also one of the best ways to find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones.
Plus, Downtown Raleigh has just about every type of retailer you might need for gifting, including:
Beer and wine
Clothing and accessories
Flowers and plants
Gourmet foods
Home furnishings and antiques
Jewelry
Music
Sports and fitness
And more
Here are some of the Downtown Raleigh Gift Guide finds we’re eyeing + the events you’ll see us at this year:
Designed by Joy’s acorn bell ornament is hand-made right here in Raleigh.
The Rink: Take a spin on ice skates through Jan. 15.
Illuminate Art Walk: Get stars in your eyes over DTR’s large-scale, interactive, light-based art pieces lining the streets.
The Dessertery: For the ultimate dessert experience, indulge in all-you-eat desserts + hot cocoa (yes, you read that right).
Getting Around
Shopping downtown is simple, with over 8,000 parking spaces(free on nights and weekends) within easy walking distance of local shops and curbside access for simple pickups.
Pro tip: There are also plenty of restaurants and locally owned coffee shops to refuel, snack, and caffeinate — and a fun Sip n’ Stroll alcoholic bev experience to check out.
New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $25-$400 | Watch the Canes take on the Islanders on home ice.
Friday, Dec. 1
HBCUgrow LEAD Conference 2023 | Friday, Dec. 1 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Shaw University, 118 E. South St., Raleigh | $85 | Join fellow HBCU leaders, speakers, and panelists for an informative day in Raleigh.
First Friday Movie Series: “Home Alone” | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5-9 p.m. | Moore Square, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Watch this holiday classic on the lawn and shop from local makers.
Saturday, Dec. 2
The Holiday Market at NCMA | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Browse the galleries, shop from local vendors, and enjoy live music.
JLMH Christmas Open House | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Joel Lane Museum House, 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh | Free | Learn about Raleigh’s oldest residence, talk to costumed volunteers, and let your kiddos make crafts.
Sunday, Dec. 3
NC State Women’s Basketball vs. Illinois State | Sunday, Dec. 3 | Reynolds Coliseum, 2411 Dunn Ave., Raleigh | $8-$15 | Cheer on the No. 5 ranked Wolfpack as it squares up against the Illinois State Redbirds.
Durham Tech associate degree graduates will be guaranteed admission to NCCU under a new partnership. This program aims to make bachelor’s degrees more tangible + affordable. Durham Tech undergrads who apply to the program, called Eagle Connect, and meet eligibility requirements, will be granted acceptance along with additional resources. (The News & Observer)
Opening
Good news for foodies of Raleigh — Fiction Kitchen will open its new space at Gateway Plaza in early December. Stay tuned for more information from the vegan restaurant on Instagram. In case you missed it, the last service at the 428 S. Dawson St. downtown location was last Saturday.
Travel
Avelo Airlines will eliminate RDU’s only nonstop flight to Sarasota after Jan. 8, 2024 due to a lack of demand. The airline’s remaining Florida routes are to West Palm Beach and Fort Myers — this is the fourth RDU flight that Avelo has cut this year. (Triangle Business Journal)
Try This
Join Raleigh Brewing at its Neil Street location near Neomonde for a holiday bash + artisan market this Sunday, Dec. 3. There will be several food trucks on site, activities like s’mores + a bounce house, an ugly sweater contest, and Santa will be in the house from 4 to 6 p.m.
Pets
The Dix Park dog park, which is Raleigh’s only grass-covered dog park, will be closed from Monday, Dec. 4 to Feb. 11, 2024 to allow the grass to rest. But we’ll throw you a bone — there are plenty of other dog-friendly places in the City of Oaks to explore with your pup.
DYK
The City of Raleigh Museum debuted its first exhibit in 1993. Help celebrate 30 years of history with the museum’s anniversary gala on Thursday, Dec. 7. There will be a silent auction including items like an NC Chinese Lantern Festival gift bundle, a semi-formal dinner, drinks, and a fashion show.
Home
Fall is in full swing — Pumpkin spice is back on the menu and harvest decor is abundant. While you are searching for nearby apple orchards, thrifting vintage sweaters, and finding all the fall festivals, don’t forget about your home needs. Check these items off your fall checklist before the last leaf falls.*
Eat
If a cookie exchange with friends or family is on your holiday calendar (or you’re finding it harder to keep your pantry sweets stocked), these candy cane cookies and chocolate-kissed thumbprint cookies top our list of must-bakes.*
Sports
Get ready to roar, because North Carolina FC season tickets are on sale now, with prices starting as low as $12 per match. Perks for season ticket-holders include access to the best seats in the house, exclusive gifts and event invitations, and discounts on merch + tickets for friends and family.*
Shop
We’re excited to introduce you to 700 Rivers, our newest brand partner added to our online store Six & Main. This Raleigh-based business creates all-natural personal care products that are skin-friendly and eco-friendly. These 100% natural soap bars are made in small cruelty-free batches + support women globally. Shop now.
Featured Deal
Last call for this exclusive deal: Score 50% off everything online at Harlestons — the Golf Digest/Golfweek/Golf Channel-featured premium men’s apparel brand — with code BF50. (We especially love their performance polos.) Bonus: Free shipping on $125+ and easy returns, always.*
Development
🚗 Wide open (parking) spaces
1,000 new parking spots open at North Hills Main District
Park it in the newly expanded garage in the North Hills Main District. | Photo by RALtoday
Developers for the North Hills Main District expansion can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. The project is taking shape with its recently expanded + now open 1,000 space parking deck and soon-to-open concierge service at Kane Realty’s NHX Creative Office.
But before we dive too deep into this development as a whole, we wanted to share two recent additions. Raleighites will be able to find parking much easier — folks can now enter a new section of the garage on the lower and mid-levels from multiple access points.
The district’s concierge service center, located at the base of the five-story NHX Creative Office, will open this Friday, Dec. 1. Services include gift card purchases, property information, complimentary shuttle rides, and more, including programming like live music by local musician Steve Hobbs on Thursday, Dec. 7 + Friday, Dec. 8 and a free Kids Lab Pop Up on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 12 to 4 p.m.
This is just the beginning of exciting new rollouts — stay tuned for a more in-depth rundown on the growing North Hills Main District expansion.
The Buy
The Buy 11.30.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
That thing for your bathroom you’ve always thought about but never actually gone for. Yeah, that one.
A reader wrote in the other day asking where to see holiday lights — here is a fun rec: visit Lights on the Neuse. Located on Boyette Family Farms in Clayton, bring the family to enjoy an old-fashioned hayride around the farm to be dazzled by Christmas lights. There are concessions, a cookie decorating station, and pictures with Santa will be available.
Pro tip: Tickets are $11 and can be purchased ahead of time.
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