Weekend best bets: Frost and Flame Fest, Illuminate Art Walk
There are a lot of events coming up this weekend, including some fun holiday performances and a night of fire and ice in downtown Cary!
Dec. 3-21: Christmas in the Park - Enjoy a leisurely drive through Arnette Park in Fayetteville while taking in the sights and sounds of the Christmas season. Dates: Dec. 3-7, 10-14 and 17-21. Admission is free.
Dec. 15-17: Cary Ballet Company presents: The Nutcracker - This holiday classic will be presented at AJ Fletcher Opera Theater on Dec. 2 and at Cary Arts Center from Dec. 15-17.
Dec. 9-17: Elf- The Musical - This hilarious musical follows the smash-hit 2003 movie that’s now a Holiday classic – and is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. See it at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
Dec. 14-21: Carolina Ballet's The Nutcracker - Experience Carolina Ballet’s reimagined Nutcracker at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Dec. 15: Frost and Flame Fest: A Night of Fire and Ice - An electrifying event blending fire and ice at the Downtown Cary Park. Experience mesmerizing performances, the Holiday Night Market, ice rink fun, delectable treats, and more.
Dec. 16: Jingle Paws at Hi-Wire Brewing - This event in Durham benefit K9s For Warriors! Not only will you be supporting a great cause, but you'll also have the chance to win amazing raffle prizes. There will be dog pictures with Santa, adoptable dogs, goodie bags and more.
Dec. 16: Grinch-mas Whoville Party - Dress in your Grinchiest attire (or come through as Cindy Lou or your favorite Who) and join Boxcar in Raleigh for some Grinch-style holiday hoobie whatty.
Dec. 16: Geek and Grub Market (Holiday Edition) - Dress up in your ugliest sweater and finest holiday party attire and enjoy some holiday antics, giant board games, yummy food and geeky Items from more than 50 local geek themed artisans. This market is at Fred Fletcher Park from noon to 4 p.m.
Dec. 16: Santa at Big Air Raleigh - Santa’s stopping his sleigh by Big Air Raleigh on Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.! There will be photos with Santa, music and more.
Dec. 16: Pop-Up Raleigh Market - Sip and shop at Trophy on Maywood. Each month, different vendors are handpicked with an emphasis on local art, vintage clothing & accessories, Raleigh swag and small batch goods.
Dec. 16-17: Marbles Gingerbread Jamboree - Create special memories this holiday season with your very own keepsake gingerbread house during this event at Marbles Kids Museum. Tickets are $20.
Drive-thru and walkable holiday lights
Here are some of our favorite light shows scheduled for the 2023 holiday season.
Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland - This walk-through holiday light event transforms Durham Bulls Athletic Park into a winter wonderland. Enjoy igloos, a sledding hill, a Winterland Market, shows, the Jingle Bell Bistro and more. Open through Dec. 31.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival - Walk through 40 larger-than-life LED light displays by Chinese artists at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Open through Jan. 14.
Illuminate Art Walk Downtown Raleigh - Stroll through downtown Raleigh to see larger-than-life art installations from artists creating a holiday light experience that is eclectic, creative and inspiring. The Illuminate Art Walk is free to the public and self-guided. Open Dec. 1 to Jan. 5.
Fieldstream Farm Lights in Raleigh - Fieldstream Farm features a drive-through light show through Dec. 31 with 1 million lights decorating acres of farm land. It includes an LED-lit tunnel of lights with more than 200,000 lights. Advance tickets are required.
Christmas Lights on the Farm in Middlesex - Enjoy a field of lights display, music on stage and s’mores by the fire pit. Santa will be taking pictures, and there is a gift shop and concessions to enjoy. Open through Dec. 23.
Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell - This free event features a walkway around the lights and even through a tree. People can also bring chairs to sit and watch the lights. The event is donation-based, and lights will be programmed to music. Runs through Dec. 31.
Electric Light Fantasy at Wilson's Whirligig Park - The show runs Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16. Shows are at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. ELF will feature a full-color laser light show synchronized with Christmas music. Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time.
Hill Ridge Farms Festival of Lights in Youngsville - Enjoy over a million lights from the comfort of your vehicle. No advance tickets or reservations. $20 cash per vehicle. Open nightly Dec. 1 through Dec. 30.
Lights on the Neuse in Clayton - Open through Dec. 23, this is an old-fashioned 30-minute Christmas light hayride extravaganza with Christmas lights on the farm. Tickets are $10. Children under 2 are admitted for free.
Holiday Lights in the Garden in Fayetteville - Open Dec. 1 to Dec. 21, every weekend in December, and nightly Dec. 15-21. This holiday tradition and walking event features lights, decorations, Santa Claus, the Grinch, entertainment, s’mores for purchase, a vendor market and more.
Fayetteville Holiday Lights - Fayetteville Holiday Lights will run nightly from Dec. 8-23. The event will include tens of thousands of holiday lights around Segra Stadium with displays on the concourse and a path of walk-through lights on the warning track of the field.
Things to do all month long
The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater - Go ice skating at Red Hat through Dec. 28! Buy tickets online.
Fenton Cary Ice Skating Rink - Enjoy Fenton’s outdoor ice rink through Jan. 16. Buy tickets online.
Holiday Pop-Up Cocktail Bars - WRAL has a list of cocktail bars with festive drinks and decked-out interiors! Some locations include Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, Sports and Social Cary, Old North State Food Hall in Selma, Wonderland Tapas and Cocktails and others. Many are open through New Year's.
