Weekend best bets: Holiday markets, tree lightings
This is a big weekend for Christmas festivities in the Triangle! So bundle up, grab a friend and check out these shopping markets, holiday events and performances.
Holiday fun
WRAL Tower Lighting - The annual tradition continues Friday night at WRAL studios. There will be musical performances and special guests. Watch it live on WRAL News.
American Tobacco Tower Lighting - Enjoy performances by local choral groups and a visit from Santa Friday night during this annual event.
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration - This year’s celebration features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, live entertainment, a 40-foot Snowzilla Slide, other amusements and activities, holiday refreshments and Gingerbread House and Holiday Hound Costume contests. The fun runs from 4 to 8 p.m. in City Plaza.
Durham Christmas Parade and Fun Fest - The parade will start at 11 a..m. Saturday in downtown Durham. Following the parade, there will be a Fun Fest featuring Santa, train rides, bounce houses and more. The parade will start at the Health Department (Main and Dillard Streets) and end near Duke University East Campus (Main Street and Buchanan Boulevard).
Downtown Cary Ole Time Winter Festival - Shop local artisans and downtown businesses, enjoy live music and caroling and drink and be merry with local food trucks and local beer on Saturday. Santa will be at The Matthews House for pictures and cookies.
Four Oaks Christmas Festival - The annual Christmas Parade will be held Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by free children's activities including crafts and bounce houses, a visit from Santa, a vendor village and more.
Christmas on Salem Street - This annual celebration kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. Enjoy a tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus and horse drawn carriage rides. On Saturday, the fun continues with a pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa and the Apex Christmas Parade.
Garner Christmas Parade - Marching bands, floats, classic cars, Santa Claus and many other entries will make their way through downtown Garner in the annual Garner Christmas Parade on Saturday. The annual tree lighting is Friday night.
Morrisville Tree Lighting - The town will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Indian Creek Trailhead on Friday. It will be an evening of musical entertainment, crafts for the children, a visit from Santa and refreshments.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival - This annual light display is at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre through Jan. 14. There are more than 20 displays featuring thousands of LED lights. There are also nightly performances.
Jingle Bell Run - The Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out while racing to raise funds and awareness. This 5K is Saturday at Saint Mary's School.
Shopping
Person Street Holiday Shop Hop - Each business in the Person Street plaza will be offering a special holiday activity, deal or event on Friday evening.
Merry Makers Market - Get your shopping on at Raleigh Beer Garden on Saturday afternoon. There will be vendors, live music and games, plus a dogs adoption event. Admission is free.
Activate Good Shop for Good - During the day, enjoy shopping for unique goods sold by vendors with a portion of proceeds benefiting local charities. There will also be a relaxation zone with complimentary chair massages and hot beverages, a wine tasting, food, and entertainment at Marbles Kids Museum and Vintage Church in downtown Raleigh. The fun continues from 7 to 9:30 p.m. with holiday shopping, a silent auction, an open beer and wine bar, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, music, dancing, and entertainment at Marbles Kids Museum. Daytime tickets are $12 and nighttime tickets are $55.
Scandinavian Christmas Fair - Enjoy the rich traditions of the Nordic countries -- Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland -- during this fair at the Holshouser Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds this weekend. Tickets are $7 for adults and children ages 13 years and younger are admitted for free.
The Carolina Inn Holiday Market - The Carolina Inn will host this market for three magical Saturdays between Dec. 2 and Dec. 16. Vendors will include hand crafted yuletide gifts from chocolates to jewelry to garlands and ornaments. Vendors from all over the state will be part of the holiday magic including Mama Dips, Woof Gang Bakery, Moon and Lola, Honeygirl Meadery, Chirba Chirba Food Truck and Cocoa Forte Food Truck.
Boylan Heights ArtWalk - Stroll through historic Boylan Heights in downtown Raleigh and shop for special holiday gifts on Sunday. More than 100 artists will be showing and selling their work on porches and lawns, in homes and at artists' studios. There will be a range of artwork from new and established artists, including pottery, jewelry, home accessories and more.
Locally Made Market - Head to The Mayton Inn in downtown Cary on Sunday for this local market featuring more than 35 vendors.
The Market - Quail Corners will host this monthly market on Saturday. Shop for jewelry, crafts, home decor, pet treats, baked goods, children's books, bath products, art, clothing, personalized gifts, produce, micro greens and more.
For the foodies
Rudolph Holiday Food Truck Rodeo - The RDU Mobile Food Association hosts this food truck rodeo on Sunday at Knightdale Station Park. Proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels.
International Tasting Festival - Raleigh Beer Garden hosts this event on Saturday. Sample selections from more than 200 beers from across the country and the rest of the world.
Cookie Exchange for a Cause - Cornerstone Tavern hosts this event Sunday afternoon. Bring 12 cookies and take 12 cookies home. The event will also be a supply drive for The Carying Place, which is in need of personal hygiene and household items.
Hot Nuts and Cider - Raleigh City Farm hosts this event on Saturday. There will be a nut cracking competition, a make-your-own hot spiked cider bar, live music and more fun.
On stage
School of Rock - The musical based on the popular film plays DPAC through Sunday.
Cinderella - Raleigh Little Theatre presents this musical with just the right mixture of comedy and romance to add the sparkle of magic to your holiday season. The show opens Friday night. Opening night benefits WRAL’s Coats for the Children, with $10 of every ticket going to provide warm coats for children in need. Cinderella runs through Dec. 17.
Cliff Cash - A Raleigh favorite returns for his very own show Friday night at Neptunes in downtown. The comic will be joined by Drew Harrison and host Adam Cohen.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical - The holiday classic comes to life as a musical at Fletcher Opera Theatre. The show runs through Dec. 24.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees among everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but this proves to be a frustrating endeavor. See this Theater in the Park production starting Friday through Dec. 10.
David Crosby - Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, David Crosby is playing Carolina Theatre of Durham on Saturday. He will be joined by five musical friends: James Raymond on keys, Mai Agan on bass, Steve Di Stanislao on drums, Jeff Pevar on guitar and Michelle Willis on keys and vocals.
The Great Xscape Tour - One of the most beloved groups in R&B history, Xscape, is back and on tour. See them Sunday at PNC Arena.
