Fuquay-Varina First Fridays
November 7
December 5
5–9 P.M.
Take to the streets of Downtown Fuquay on the first Friday of each month to enjoy dancing, live music, local shopping, and a thriving arts scene. On November 7, 8 Count Country and Stick Boy Bread Co. host a swing and line dance event. December 5 features a Holiday Night Market sponsored by Ashworth’s Clothing. Grab your neighbors and sip, stroll, and support the downtown business community. fuquay-varinadowntown.com
BBQ, Blues, and Brews
November 8, Noon to 4 P.M.
Downtown Varina, 801 Durham St
An annual smoke show of the best kind, with experienced cook teams vying for the best barbecue in town. Enjoy local beer, live music performances, a makers market, and tasting samples. fuquay-varinadowntown.com
The Bachelor of Holly Springs
November 14 & 15, 7:30 P.M.
November 16, 2 P.M.
Holly Springs Cultural Center
Mayhem and murder unite inside the cultural center theater where a charming local bachelor may be in over his head. Love, money, fame, and survival are all at stake as an unstable group of lucky bachelorettes compete for a chance at happily ever after — at any cost. hollyspringsnc.gov
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
November 15 to January 11 (closed Christmas Day)
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
Now in its 10th year, this walk-through experience features thousands of handcrafted lanterns, plus nightly Chinese traditional stage performances. See website for pricing. boothamphitheatre.com
Fuquay Film Festival
November 14, 6:30 P.M.
November 15, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Returning for the third year, Fuquay Film Fest curates short films in a range of genres from comedies and dramas to documentary-style narratives, emphasizing films with ties to North Carolina. Attendees can preview the selected films in the Arts Center’s 300-seat theater, as well as attend meet-and-greets, workshops, and networking opportunities. fuquay-varina.org/1754/Arts-Center
Turkey Trot 5K
November 22, 10 a.m.
Apex Community Park
The course will take you through the park and around a scenic lake. Registration is limited to the first 600 individuals. Competitive and recreational divisions for adults and youth. $12–$30. apexnc.org/538/Turkey-Trot-5K-Run
Kids Holiday Craft Fair
November 23, 2:30–5 p.m.
Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex
Children sell handmade holiday art and crafts in a fun atmosphere and are encouraged to donate a portion of profits to charity.
Winterfest
December 5, 4–8 P.M.
December 6, 1–8 P.M.
Ting Stadium
A winter wonderland transforms Ting Stadium, complete with local vendor holiday market, festive food and fun, a community giving partnership with Western Wake Crisis Ministry, and the popular Tree Trail decked out by local businesses and civic groups. hollyspringschamberofcommerce.org
Fuquay-Varina Chorale Holiday: Snow
December 5, 7:30 p.m.
December 6, 2 & 7:30 p.m.
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Dream of snow and hear the beautiful voices of this popular ensemble. $10 per person. app.arts-people.com/?show=294535
Snowman Stroll on Salem
December 5–14
Downtown Apex
Print a passport or pick one up from the Apex Welcome Center or a participating business. Get stamps from Snowman Stops and self-guided merrymaking activities. Turn in your passport for entry into a raffle. apexnc.org/2017/Snowman-Stroll-on-Salem
Christmas Home Tour
December 13, 11 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Downtown Fuquay-Varina
Take a self-guided tour of 11 beautifully decorated homes in historic downtown Fuquay, brought to you by the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club. Docents at each home offer historical facts and answer questions. Visit each home to enjoy special music, hot chocolate, cookies, Santa sightings, live painting, and even photo ops with baby goats. Ride a trolley from Falcon Park to select locations. Proceeds from ticket sales are earmarked for improvements to the club’s historic 1930s-era clubhouse. fuquayvarinawomansclub.org
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
December 28 to January 11
Durham Performing Arts Center
Experience the wizarding world like never before — direct from Broadway! $55 and up. dpacnc.com
Cary Kwanzaa Celebration
December 29, 1–6 p.m.
Cary Arts Center
Embrace African culture through displays of dance, drumming, storytelling, and visual arts.
Jingle All the Way
ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade
November 22, 9:30 a.m.
Downtown Raleigh
The largest Christmas parade between Atlanta and Washington, DC, now in its 81st year! grma.org/christmas-parade
Apex Rotary Christmas Parade
December 6, 5 p.m.
Downtown Apex
The only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County! Benefiting multiple local charities, including the Western Wake Crisis Ministry. apexnc.org/1710/Rotary-Christmas-Parade
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
December 7, 4 p.m.
Downtown Fuquay-Varina
More than 80 decorated floats and vehicles, sponsored by hometown businesses and organizations, caravan through Main Street in downtown Fuquay-Varina. fuquayvarinachristmasparade.org
Happy Holly Days Parade
December 13, 10 A.M.
Holly Springs Village District
Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, and marching groups travel Main Street through downtown Holly Springs. hollyspringsnc.gov
Let There Be Lights
Waverly Place Tree Lighting
November 21, 5–8 p.m.
Waverly Place shopping center, Cary
Performances, treats, and lots more!
Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4, 6–8 p.m.
Vance Street parking lot (across from Ashworth’s Clothing)
The town tree and menorah are lit during a day of holiday cheer. Buy a ticket to enjoy a sleigh ride. fuquay-varinadowntown.com
Apex Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 5, 4:30–7 p.m.
Apex Town Hall Campus
Join community members and the Apex Town Council as the tree is lit in the center of Town Hall Campus!
Cary Tree Lighting Celebration
December 6, 2–10 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
Farmers and vendor markets, photos with Santa, storytime with Peter Rabbit, a penguin playground, food trucks, a skating rink, performances from local organizations, and a handbell performance all lead to the official tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Apex Holiday Tour of Lights
December 6–31, 6–9 p.m.
Put on your favorite holiday playlist and follow a map for the most efficient route to see all the displays at homes and businesses across town. apexnc.org/1718/Seasonal-Tours
Light the Springs
December 6, 5–8 p.m.
Holly Springs Cultural Center
Live music, festive food, free holiday crafts, Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greets, and the town’s menorah and tree lighting.
Fieldstream Farm Light Show
Throughout December
Fieldstream Farm, Raleigh
An agritourism farm decks out with over 2 million lights for a drive-through show. Advance ticket purchase required, $20 per vehicle up to 8 passengers. fieldstreamfarm.com
Illuminate Art Walk
December through early January
Downtown Raleigh
Storefronts, plazas, and public spaces house large-scale illuminated art installations from local artists. downtownraleigh.org/illuminate
The Nutcracker
See websites for pricing information.
City Ballet Raleigh
December 5, 7 p.m.
December 6, 2 and 7 p.m.
Stewart Theatre at NC State University
Professional guest artists join talented students for a lavishly staged production. city-ballet.com/nutcracker
Infinity Ballet
December 5, 8 p.m.
December 6, 3 p.m.
December 7, 2 & 4 p.m.
Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex
A one-hour storybook series rendition of Nutcracker Dances. apexnc.org/1965/Infinity-Ballet-Presents
Cary Ballet Company
December 6
Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts, Raleigh
December 18–21
Cary Arts Center
Multiple showtimes include the full-length ballet, one-hour Nutcracker Suite, and sensory friendly production with softer music and other
accommodations. caryballetcompany.org/nutcracker
Carolina Ballet
December 11–24
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Live music accompanies every show, including the NC Symphony Dec. 19–21. carolinaballet.com/program/the-nutcracker
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
December 12, 7 P.M.
December 13, 2 & 4 P.M.
December 14, 2 & 4 P.M.
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Local dancers take the stage to recreate a holiday classic. fuquay-varina.org/960/The-Nutcracker
Worth the Drive
The Southern Lights
November 21 to December 23, 5:30–9 p.m.
The Gardens of Southeastern NC, Willard
Stroll a dazzling garden light display, peruse a 12 Days of Christmas–themed art display, take a whimsical wagon ride, and enjoy a range of seasonal treats, from coffee and cocktails to s’mores and soup. $12 online, $15 at the gate. VIP bundles available. thesouthernlightsnc.com
Topsail Christmas Market and Flotilla
December 13
Market noon to 6 p.m.
Flotilla 5–7 p.m.
Soundside Park, Surf City
Live music, food trucks, shopping, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by a floating light parade from Bush Marina to Soundside Park. topsailchamber.org
Candlelight
December 13 & 20
Tryon Palace, New Bern
Tour the historic Governor’s Mansion by candlelight as costumed interpreters present an engaging story. Enjoy other festive activities and food trucks as you await the black powder fireworks display to close the evening. See website for pricing. tryonpalace.org/events/candlelight-2025
Join Chabad of Cary for festive menorah lightings that bring the community together. chabadofcary.org
Chanukah Wonderland
December 14
Apex Senior Center
Games, crafts, and food, and lighting the menorah on Town Campus.
Cary Menorah Lighting
December 16, 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
Holiday music plus a sweet treat and kids’ activity.
Fenton MenorahLighting
December 17, 5–7 p.m.
Fenton Square, Cary
Ice skating, and even an ice menorah.
