The holiday season is officially in full swing, so we’re giving you the lowdown on all of the snowiest — er, showiest — events happening around Raleigh this December. This month we’re looking forward to the holiday pop up bars at Haymaker, Jack Tar, and the Colonel’s Daughter, the Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, the annual handmade Hannukah market + cheersing New Year’s Eve with the N.C. Symphony. Want to join in on the fun? Take a look below and #PlanAhead how you’ll spend the month of December in Raleigh, N.C.
All month long
Drink
○ The Colonel’s Daughter Holiday Pop-Up Bar | Sun. Dec. 1- Mon. Dec. 30 | Jack Tar and The Colonel’s Daughter, 202 Corcoran Street, Durham | Cost of purchase | Join Jack Tar as they create your favorite holiday drinks at The Colonel’s Daughter. This pop-up bar is open all December to get you in the classic holiday spirit. 🥃
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○ Chinese Lantern Festival | Tues.-Sun. 6-10 p.m. | Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary | $10+ | Enjoy the beautiful scenery as Koka Booth Amphitheatre is transformed into an area full of bright lights and unique Chinese Lantern displays. 🏮
Monday December 2 - Sunday, December 8
Monday December 2
Holiday
○ Magical Mondays | 5:30-8:00 p.m. | Greensboro Science Center, 4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro | $8+ | Create holiday crafts + experience the science of the seasons all while enjoying your free hot cocoa and cookies. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take a picture with Santa. 🎅
○ Pet Night | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave | $20+ | Take your furry friend to the mall for pictures with Santa + use their fun and festive accessories to help your pet get into the holiday spirit. 🐶
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○ The Office Trivia | 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Leesville Tap Room, 13200 Strickland Rd., Raleigh | Free | Bring your team of eight to win this five round battle of the wits. The theme will be “The Holiday Party Episodes”.
○ String Art | 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Bottle Rev, 4025 Lake Boone Trl., Raleigh | $49 | Create seasonal string art with friends and family + enjoy your first drink on the house.
Tuesday December 3
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○ The Giving Tree, CANornaments | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Raleigh Union Station, 510 West Martin Street | Free | Bring your canned food to the Raleigh Union Station for Giving Tuesday. A build team will be creating ornaments out of your donations for a fun and festive way to help feed our city this holiday season.
○ Hops for Hope | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Big Boss Brewing Co., 1249 Wicker Drive | $25+ | Help support Curamericas Global’s causes with friends and family. The event will have food trucks, raffles, an art auction + craft beers for everyone to enjoy.
Drink
○ Wine & Wreaths | 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Boyce Farms, 2813 Mount Vernon Church Rd | $46.50 | Build your own decorative door wreath + bring your own beverage to keep the night lively and while enjoying the farm scenery with family and friends. Receive a complimentary wine glass at the end of the evening.
Wednesday December 4
Holiday
○ 26th Annual Raleigh Jingle Ball | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St. | $60+ | Hosted by the Capital City Clauses, with proceeds funding the purchase of toys for children around Wake County. Special musical guest The Dan Band.
Thursday December 5
Holiday
○ Candy Canes & Cocktails | 7-10 p.m. | N.C. Museum of History | $50+ | Enjoy festive cocktails + jazzy holiday tunes of Peter Lamb and the Wolves.
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○ Star Wars Fan Party | 4 p.m. | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, 330 W. Davie St., Raleigh | Cost of purchase | Come dressed as your favorite character to celebrate the upcoming release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” with other Star Wars fans.
Sunday, December 8
Holiday
○ Annual Handmade Hanukkah Market | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Temple Beth Or, 5315 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh | Free | Triangle area Jewish artisans will be displaying and selling their handmade work - from textiles and jewelry to pottery, paintings, baked goods + much more.
Monday December 9 - Sunday December 15
Monday December 9
Holiday
○ Magical Mondays | 5:30-8:00 p.m. | Greensboro Science Center, 4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro | $8-12 | Create holiday crafts + experience the science of the seasons all while enjoying your free hot cocoa and cookies. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take a picture with Santa. 🎅
○ Pet Night | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave | $20 | Take your furry friend to the mall for pictures with Santa + use their fun and festive accessories to help your pet get into the holiday spirit. 🐶
Tuesday December 10
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○ Raclette & Wine Party | 6-9 p.m. | Apero, 309 Blake St. | $45 | Experience exquisite Raclette inspired by the Alps region of the Swiss/France border + cheers the night away with wines that will bring the best out of your meal. 🧀
Show
○ Kirk Franklin | 7:30 p.m. | Durham Performing Arts Center | $44.50+ | Enjoy a live performance by Kirk Franklin. 🎤
Wednesday December 11
Show
○ NGHTMRE with SAYMYNAME | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr | $41+ | Enjoy NGHTMRE + SAYMYNAME performing live at the Ritz. 🎤
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○ Fall into Winter Beer Dinner | 7-10 p.m. | Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing, 201 South Boylan Ave. | $55+ | Each course is matched with a beer that was either created specifically for the meal or chosen by the house experts to make this dining experience one you’ll never forget. 🍻
Thursday December 12
Show
○ Pete Lee | 7 p.m. | Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary | Laugh the night away as Pete Lee puts on his unique comedy show. This event is 18+. 🎭
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○ Hidden in Plain Sight | 5-6:30 p.m. | N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences | $15 | Whether it’s your first time at the museum or your 100th visit, this guided tour is sure to show you things you’ve never seen.
Friday December 13
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○ Sports Card Memorabilia and Comic Book Show | 2 p.m. - December 15 4 p.m. | Kerr Scott Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd. | $5+ | With over 200+ vendors attending this three day event, you’re sure to enjoy the wide variety of items for sale or up for auction.
Drink
○ Freedom Wine Tasting | 6:30-8 p.m. | Taylor’s Wine Shop, 10005 Six Forks Road | free | Get a taste for the finer wines with free wine sampling from Freedom Beverage. 🍷
Show
○ Disney on Ice | 7:30 p.m. | PNC Arena | $15+ | Enjoy this special Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures that is an entertaining show for the whole family.
Cause
○ Christmas Gala | 8 p.m. | Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, 412 S. Salisbury St. | $25+ | Join the Capital City Lawyers Association for their annual scholarship fundraiser for aspiring lawyers. Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, light hors d’oeuvres + networking.
Monday December 16 - Sunday December 22
Monday December 16
Holiday
○ Magical Mondays | 5:30-8:00 p.m. | Greensboro Science Center, 4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro | $8-12 | Create holiday crafts + experience the science of the seasons all while enjoying your free hot cocoa and cookies. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take a picture with Santa. 🎅
○ Pet Night | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave | $20 | Take your furry friend to the mall for pictures with Santa + use their fun and festive accessories to help your pet get into the holiday spirit. 🐶
Tuesday December 17
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○ Nightmare Before Christmas Trivia | 8-10 p.m. | Riddle Raleigh, 314 S Blount St, Raleigh | Free
Concert
○ Clint Roberts & The Wonder Drug + Chessa Rich | 8:30 p.m. | The Pour House Music Hall, 224 S. Blount St., Raleigh | 7+ 🎤
Wednesday December 18
Theater
○ A Christmas Carol | Dec. 18-22, times vary | Durham Performing Arts Center | 123 Vivian St., Durham | $36.50
Concert
○ Frances Eliza w/ Secret Pool | The Pour House Music Hall 224 S. Blount St., Raleigh | $5+ 🎤
Thursday December 19
Concert
○ Snoop Dog | 8 p.m. | The Ritz 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh | $109+
Show
○ Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker | The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham | $48+
Friday December 20
Holiday
○ Peppermints and Gents | 7 p.m. | 1040 Buck Jones Rd., Raleigh | $25+ | Men wear black-tie attire and women wear red dress attire.
○ Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical | 6:30 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | $23+
Concert
○ The Love Language, Black Surfer | 10:30 p.m. | Kings, 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh | $14+ |
Saturday December 21
Holiday
○ Winter Wishes | 7-9 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette, 10410 Moncreiffe Rd. Brier Creek Pkwy. Suite 101, Raleigh | $35 | Special offer: Book 5 seats, get the 6th free
○ Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences | $10+ | Enjoy cookies with cider + a special reading of the children’s book “Dinosaurs’ Night before Christmas.” Take a special tour through the Museum’s exhibit halls discovering dinosaurs + their fossils.
Concert
○ Yarn with The Dune Dogs | Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh | $26+ |
Sunday December 22
Show
○ Leonard Ouzts | 7 p.m. | Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary | $20+ | Enjoy this comedy show hosted by Leonard Ouzts.
○ Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism and Scott Avett: I N V I S I B L E | 3 p.m. | N.C. Museum of Art | Prices vary | Get a first look at the Mexican Modernism art exhibit with works by famous artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Monday December 23 - Sunday December 29
Monday December 23
Holiday
○ Lights On The Meadow | 6-9 p.m. | 9301 Hay Meadow Court, Raleigh | Free | Tune to channel 88.3 FM to listen to the music that matches the lights. 🎄
Film
○ It’s A Wonderful Life | 7-9 p.m. | Rialto Theatre, 1620 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $5 🎥
Tuesday December 24
Holiday
○ Christmas Eve Party | 10 p.m. | Farotage Nation Lounge, 3601 Capital Blvd., Raleigh | $15 | Afro-Caribbean Christmas Eve party.
○ Christmas Eve Wine Tasting | 3-6 p.m. | Taylor’s Wine Shop | 10005 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh | Free, register | Join the holiday wine tasting with Kelly from Fine Wine Trading Co. 🍷
○ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical | 11 a.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | $47+ | Make sure to catch the performance on its last day in the theatre.
Wednesday December 25
Active
○ Christmas Day Hike | 10:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. | Lake Johnson Park, 4601 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh | Free | Meet in front of The Waffle House in Mission Valley Shopping Center. 🚶♂️
Concert
○ Annual Christmas Show | 8-11 p.m. | The Pour House Music Hall 224 S. Blount St., Raleigh | $5+ | Enjoy the Christmas rock and roll performance by Terry Anderson and The Olympic Ass-Kicking Team. 🎸
Thursday December 26
Holiday
○ Art in the Park: Super Snowflakes in Raleigh | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh | Free | Create paper snowflakes and help decorate the Finley Center Exhibit Hall this winter season. ❄️
Show
○ Jamie Kennedy | 7 p.m. | Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary | $32 | Comedy show.
Friday December 27
Holiday
○ 25th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary | Free
Show
○ Jon Reep | 7:30 p.m. | Goodnights Comedy Club, 861 W. Morgan St., Raleigh | $21+ | Enjoy a comedy show from the winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” season 5.
Saturday December 28
Watercooler
○ Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena | $35+ 🏒
Concert
○ Comrades and Nomades | 9 p.m. | Lincoln Theater, 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh | $10
○ Neon Queen: An Alternative ABBA Experience | 9 p.m. | Kings, 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh | $12+ | Enjoy ABBA cover music brought to you by Neon Queen.
Sunday December 29
Watercooler
○ N.C. State Wolfpack vs. App. State Mountaineers | 4 p.m. | PNC Arena | $2+ | 🏀
Concert
○ Big Something | 9 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre | Lincoln Theater, 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh | Prices vary
Monday December 30 - Tuesday December 31
Monday December 30
Holiday
○ Scandinavian Christmas Fair | 12 a.m.- 11:59 p.m. | Gov. James E. Holshouser Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | An annual celebration of the rich traditions of the Nordic countries.
○ Yule Ball: Harry Potter (Book) Trivia | 7-9 p.m. | Crank Arm Brewing, 319 W. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Test your Harry Potter knowledge at our special holiday-themed Yule Ball: Harry Potter (Book) Trivia.
Tuesday December 31
Show
○ North Carolina Symphony - New Year’s Eve - Vienna With A Twist | 8 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | $25+ | Take a step back to the Roaring ‘20s with jazzy big band classics with traditional Viennese waltzes.
WaterCooler
○ Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena | $25+ 🏒
