Does this view make you jelly? | Photo by RALtoday
We know December is packed — and that’s where our Plan Ahead guide comes in. We’ve got everything from hockey and theater to markets and the new year, so keep this guide to keep you on track all month long.
Arts
“Cinderella” | Celebrate 41 years of this show at the theater, including autographs after the show and a princess boutique.
MAKRS Holiday Fest | Celebrate at the Fifth Annual MAKRS Holiday Fest, with over 200 local vendors, a holiday wrestling ring, a rodeo, and more.
Boylan Heights Art Walk | Boylan Heights will become a vibrant scene with a market, local artists, and a juried art show.
Moore Square Winterfaire | Stroll through four days of local vendors, food trucks, live performances, s’mores, holiday crafts, games, a beer garden, and even Santa during this free downtown fair.
MAKRS Holiday Fest | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | City Plaza | Free | Celebrate at the Fifth Annual MAKRS Holiday Fest, with over 200 local vendors, holiday wrestling ring, a rodeo and more.*
Contrast therapy supercharges recovery and performance: Infrared heat boosts circulation and detoxification, while cold plunging reduces inflammation and sharpens your mind.
Together, they reset your body, elevate energy, and build resilience in minutes (and so, so much more).
Best of all: Today only, you can book 4 sessions for $99 in Raleigh and Chapel Hill.
It also makes a great gift for your health-focused friends & family.
Repair work has started on the Raleigh Convention Center after a fire erupted on the roof Monday night, and events like a cheerleading competition and cybersecurity conference have been canceled. The convention center’s website shows no upcoming events after the fire. (WRAL)
Civic
In brighter building news, Raleigh City Council voted to designate the circular Holiday Inn on Hillsborough Street as a Raleigh Historic Landmark. The Dr. Morley and Carol Kare House at 2204 Barfield Ct. will also be designated as a landmark for its modernist architecture.
Today, we’re remembering K&W Cafeteria after the Winston-Salem-based company announced it would close all restaurants, effective immediately. The Village District location closed in 2020, and the North Raleigh location is now closed as well. (Axios Raleigh)
Shop
Already stumped while holiday shopping? There’s a new gift card in town, and it’s eligible at over 60 downtown restaurants + stores. Check out the new downtown gift cardand place it under the tree.
Open
Urban Olive, a new Mediterranean spot at Transfer Co. Food Hall, is now open in the former Mama Crow’s space. We’re eyeing the loaded chicken shawarma fries, falafel bowl, and all the kebab platters.
Finance
This just in: 6% is the new 2%. This card is every reward-seeker’s dream, offering up to 6% cash back in categories you’ll actually use. Bonus: You can get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers into 2027. Learn more and apply.*
Real Estate
We call this the location trifecta: 10 steps from the YMCA, 30 steps from bike + trails, and 5 minutes from groceries, entertainment, and nightlife. Peek inside these high-end townhomes to see where you’d be waking up every morning.*
Giveaway
Get ready for a holiday outing like no other: We’re giving away a festive prize package featuring a $500 Downtown Raleigh Gift Card, ice skating passes at The RINK, and tickets to Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Enter to win before Thursday, Dec. 11.*
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? Wait until you see number six.*
The Buy
Discover clever, useful tech that solves everyday problems in this guide to 2025’s coolest gadgets. We’re talking a small but mighty home security upgrade, a power bank the size of a credit card, and more.
Can you believe the year’s almost over? Our January events compilation will be here before you know it — reminisce over everything fun that’s happened in Raleigh this year.
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