The Triangle is buzzing with festive energy this weekend! Whether you’re looking for holiday markets, parades, family activities, turkey giveaways, live music, or unique local experiences, Saturday, November 22, 2025 is packed with events from morning to night. Here’s your complete Triangle Weekend Event Guide to help you plan the perfect Saturday—and a look at what’s coming on Sunday.

🎄 Major Highlight: Raleigh Christmas Parade

⏰ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

📍 Downtown Raleigh

💵 FREE

One of the largest holiday parades in the Southeast returns with marching bands, giant balloons, dance troupes, local organizations, and Santa himself. Arrive early to secure your spot along Fayetteville Street!

❄️ All-Day Events

The RINK: Outdoor Skating at Red Hat Amphitheater

All Day | $6–15 | Raleigh

Skate under the skyline at Raleigh’s outdoor rink—great for families, date nights, and holiday photos.

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

All Day | FREE | Multiple Locations

Enjoy free Santa photos, crafts, and festive activities.

African American Walking Tour – Raleigh’s Third Ward

All Day | $5–10 | Pope House Museum, Raleigh

Explore Raleigh’s rich history through three guided tours running throughout the day.

🌅 Morning Events (8 AM – 12 PM)

Durham Craft Market

8 AM – 12 PM | FREE | Durham Central Park

Shop handmade goods, meet local artisans, and enjoy one of Durham’s most cherished open-air markets.

Parking Lot Yard Sale at Peel Gallery

9 AM – 10 AM | FREE | Carrboro

Wake Forest Police Department Turkey Drive Drop-Off

9 AM – 12 PM | FREE | WF Police Substation

Passmore Center Holiday Market

9 AM – 2 PM | FREE | Hillsborough

Silver Bells Craft Bazaar

9 AM – 2 PM | FREE | St. Andrews UMC, Raleigh

Yuletide Breakfast with Santa

9 AM | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

(Reservations required; limited seating)

Sculpture in the Garden

9 AM – 5 PM | FREE (suggested $5 donation)

North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill

🎁 Midday Events (10 AM – 3 PM)

Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway

10 AM – 1 PM | FREE | Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, Raleigh

Raleigh Inclusive Market

10 AM – 2 PM | FREE | The Legacy Center, Raleigh

A Day at Hogwarts

10 AM – 3 PM | FREE | The Studio, Apex

A magical event for families and Harry Potter fans.

Durham Art Walk Holiday Market

10 AM – 5 PM | FREE | Durham Arts Council

Family Volunteer Day – Marbles Kids Museum

10 AM | FREE | Raleigh

(Registration required; space limited)

Visit Cow Sanctuary

10 AM – 2 PM | $0–25 | Brajboro Cow Sanctuary, Chapel Hill

Bluegrass Jam – Bynum Front Porch

10 AM | FREE | Pittsboro

🦃 Late-Morning to Afternoon (11 AM – 3 PM)

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway (Wake County Sheriff’s Office x Mt. Moriah)

11 AM – 1 PM | FREE | Mount Moriah Community Church, Raleigh

Pauli Murray Birthday Celebration

11 AM – 2 PM | FREE | Durham

Green Road Vendor Fair

11 AM – 2 PM | FREE | Raleigh

Old Hillsborough Road Market

11 AM – 3 PM | FREE | Bennett Place State Historic Site

Angier Winter Holiday Market & Food Truck Rodeo

11 AM – 3 PM | FREE | Jack Marley Park

30th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration

11 AM – 4 PM | FREE | NC Museum of Art, Raleigh

Sensory-Friendly Film: Aladdin

11 AM | FREE | Carolina Theatre, Durham

Turkey Giveaway – A.S. Hunter Lodge

11 AM | FREE | Durham

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway – Wave Church Ministries

11 AM | FREE | Durham

Ponysaurus Wonderland Lighting

11 AM | FREE | Raleigh

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours

11 AM – 3 PM | $6–10 | Mordecai Historic Park

Free Guided Tour of the NC State Capitol

11 AM | FREE | Raleigh

🎨 Afternoon & Evening Events

Grinchmas Holiday Market

12 PM – 5 PM | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing, Durham

Thanksgiving Block Party & Turkey Giveaway (Hot 97.9)

12 PM | FREE | Raleigh

College Football Saturdays

12 PM – 10 PM | FREE | Apex

Family Volunteer Day – Marbles (Second Session)

12:30 PM | FREE | Raleigh

Digital Ambassador Tech Help

1 PM – 3 PM | FREE | Green Road Community Center

Saturday Comedy Improv Jam

1 PM – 3 PM | FREE | Durham

The Great Pup-Kin Market

2 PM – 5 PM | FREE | The Longleaf Hotel, Raleigh

Farm Day at The Mason Jar Lager Company

2 PM | FREE | Fuquay-Varina

Calvin Jones House Guided Tour

2 PM – 2:45 PM | FREE | Wake Forest

Cary Really Really Free Market

2 PM – 4 PM | FREE | Cary

NC State Capitol Guided Tour (Second Tour)

2 PM | FREE | Raleigh

Light the Square at Fenton

3 PM – 7 PM | FREE | Cary

🎵 Evening & Nightlife

Common Woman Chorus Fall Concert

3 PM & 7 PM | $0–30 | Durham

Christmas at North Hills – Tree Lighting

4 PM – 7 PM | FREE | Raleigh

Messiah Sing-Along

4 PM | FREE | Durham

Live Music: Taylor Sheiss

5 PM – 8 PM | FREE | Knightdale

Contentnea FD Christmas Light Display

5:30 PM – 9 PM | FREE | Wilson

Winter Wonderland – Park West Village

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM | FREE | Morrisville

Funniest Person in the Triangle – Free Improv

6 PM – 8 PM | FREE | Holly Springs

Live Music (Various Breweries)

6 PM – 10 PM | FREE | Wake Forest, Cary, Holly Springs

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

6 PM – 10 PM | $16–30 | Cary

Friendsgiving Potluck

7 PM | FREE | PourWorks, Raleigh

Karaoke Nights

7 PM – 10 PM | FREE | Raleigh, Selma

City Folk Live Music

7:30 PM | FREE | Durham

🌤️ Sunday Preview — November 23, 2025

A lighter but festive Sunday with highlights including:

Santa’s Wonderland (Free photos all day) The RINK (Outdoor Skating) Durham Underground Market Black Farmers’ Market at Southeast Raleigh YMCA Winter Wonderland at Park West Village Artspace Open Studio African American Walking Tour Secret Cinema Sundays NC Chinese Lantern Festival Open Mic & Live Music across the Triangle

A perfect day to shop local, support community markets, and enjoy holiday experiences.

✨ Final Thoughts

From parades and holiday markets to turkey giveaways, live music, and cultural celebrations, the Triangle is overflowing with things to do this Saturday. Whether you’re exploring Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Pittsboro, or Wake Forest—there’s truly something for everyone.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything in the Triangle!

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