Looking for free and affordable things to do in the Triangle this Tuesday? The Triangle Event Guide for December 16, 2025 is packed with holiday celebrations, community events, live music, trivia, cultural programming, and seasonal light displays across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, and beyond.
From free Santa photos and menorah lightings to brewery events, lantern festivals, nativity scenes, and live music, here’s everything happening today across the Triangle.
🎄 Holiday Deals & Seasonal Fun
Burger King: Free Cheeseburger with $5 Purchase
All Day | FREE
Participating Burger King locations
Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland
All Day | FREE
Bass Pro Shops – Multiple locations
Blades and Badges Day
All Day | Discounted
Skate Fenton, Cary
First responders and military receive $3 off admission (check website for hours).
North Carolina Zoo – Just $5 Admission
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $5
North Carolina Zoo
🚂 Family & Community Events
Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | FREE
Durham County Main Library
Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show (Afternoon Session)
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | FREE
Durham County Main Library
Window on Animal Health
1:30 p.m. | FREE
Nature Research Center (NC Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh
🕯️ Hanukkah & Holiday Celebrations
Menorah Lighting (Nightly During Hanukkah)
5:00 p.m. | FREE
Cary Arts Center
Downtown Raleigh Public Menorah Lighting
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | FREE
Moore Square, Raleigh
Menorah Lighting Celebration
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | FREE
Downtown Cary Park
Chanukah Community Candle Lighting & Potluck
6:00 p.m. | FREE
Kehilla Synagogue, Chapel Hill
✨ Lights, Art & Outdoor Experiences
Illuminate Art Walk
4:45 p.m. | FREE
Downtown Raleigh
Live Nativity (with live music, animals & refreshments)
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | FREE
Saint Francis United Methodist Church, Cary
Live Drive-Through Nativity
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | FREE
Soapstone United Methodist Church, Raleigh
Piper Lights
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE
Wake Forest
Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Light Display
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE
Wilson
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE
Wendell
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Tickets $16.74–$30.64
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
🍻 Brewery Events, Social & Trivia
Tequila Tuesday
11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Discounted
BMC Brewing, Pittsboro
Bond Brothers Run Club
6:00 p.m. | FREE
Bond Brothers Beer Company, Cary
Book Club: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | FREE
Southern Peak Brewery, Apex
Pints & Pups
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | FREE
Ponysaurus, Durham
Adult Coloring Night
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE
Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt, Durham
🎶 Music, Open Mics & Nightlife
Paradox Opera’s Classical Open Mic
6:30 p.m. | FREE
Huron Stage Music Venue, Durham
Beer & Banjos
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE
Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard, Raleigh
Beer & Banjos Carrboro
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | FREE
Speakeasy, Carrboro
Music Bingo
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE
Gizmo Brew Works, Durham
Open Mic Night
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | FREE
The Williams House Craft Taproom, Cary
Video Game Night
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE
Moon Dog Meadery & Bottle Shop, Durham
Tricycle Trivia
7:00 p.m. | FREE
Crank Arm Brewing, Durham
Holiday Harmonies – Carolina Harmony Chorus
7:30 p.m. | FREE
St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh
Merry & Bright Tuesday Movie Night
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FREE
Ponysaurus, Durham
International Jazz Open Jam (Imraan Khan Trio)
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE
Neptune’s Parlour, Raleigh
Karaoke Night
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | FREE
Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham
Open Mic with a Live Band
9:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. | FREE
Slim’s, Raleigh
Why This Guide Matters
From holiday traditions and faith celebrations to free live music, brewery events, and family-friendly activities, the Triangle offers something for everyone—often at little to no cost. This guide helps residents and visitors discover what’s happening across the region on a single day.
For daily Triangle event guides, government meetings, and local culture coverage, visit DoRaleigh.com.
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