The Triangle Event Guide: Weekend Edition (Nov 29–30, 2025)

Discover the best things to do in the Triangle this weekend, Nov. 29–30, 2025. Explore holiday markets, Christmas lights, Santa photos, ice skating, live music, family fun, and free events across Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

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Looking for the best ways to experience the Triangle this Thanksgiving weekend? Whether you’re shopping small, enjoying holiday lights, taking the family out, or just looking for something fun and free, the Triangle is packed with events across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, and Wake Forest.

Here’s your ultimate Triangle Weekend Event Guide for Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30, 2025—featuring holiday markets, Santa experiences, light displays, live music, skating, tree lightings, and more.

🎄 Saturday, November 29, 2025 Events

🌟 Morning & All-Day Events

The Triangle is packed with Saturday events, including the Holiday Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery in Pittsboro from 10am–5pm, and Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland offering free Santa photos all day at multiple locations. Enjoy outdoor skating at The RINK at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, or grab free coffee at Sheetz with any purchase throughout Thanksgiving Week. Start early with live music from the Jim Eastwood Trio at Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps in Durham from 6am–8pm, then take the kids to the Home Depot Kids’ Workshop for a Teddy Bear Ornament craft from 9am–12pm. Browse local vendors at the Durham Craft Market – Shop Small Saturday from 9am–2pm, or tour Sculpture in the Garden at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill from 9am–5pm. Holiday shoppers can explore the Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market at the NC State Fairgrounds from 9am–6pm, or learn something new on the Hidden Durham History Hike from 10am–12pm. More local fun includes the Bynum Front Porch Holiday Bazaar from 10am–2pm, the Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday Shopping Event in Wake Forest from 10am–4pm, and a visit to the Cow Sanctuary in Chapel Hill from 10am–2pm. In Smithfield, families can stop by Santa’s Workshop from 11am–12pm, and in RTP, guests can enjoy The Black Santa Experience (RSVP required) from 11am–3:30pm. Raleigh offers Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours between 11am and 3pm, plus a Free Guided Tour of the NC State Capitol at 11am. The morning rounds out with the Family Fall Tour at Historic Oakwood Cemetery at 11am, free with a suggested donation.

🎁 Afternoon Shopping, Markets & Family Fun

Spend your Saturday afternoon exploring local markets and festive events across the Triangle, starting with the Thankful for Local Vendor Market at Trophy on Maywood and the Small Business Saturday Cozy Winter Market at Boxyard RTP, both from 12pm–4pm, along with the Bright Spirits Holiday Market in Durham from 12pm–5pm. Keep the fun going at the Jingle Jammies All Day PJ Party from 12pm–11:59pm at Boxcar Bar & Arcade in Raleigh, or catch the big games during College Football Saturdays from 12pm–10pm at Southern Peak Brewery in Apex. Garner lights up the afternoon with Light Up Main: Garner’s Tree Lighting Celebration from 1pm–6pm, while history lovers can enjoy the Thanksgiving: History & Legacy Tour at Bennett Place at 1pm or the second Family Fall Tour at Historic Oakwood Cemetery at the same time. Shoppers can browse handmade goods at the Handcrafted DURM Holiday Market from 2pm–6pm at Durty Bull Brewing, and Raleigh offers a second Free Guided Tour of the NC State Capitol at 2pm. Evening festivities include the Franklinton Tree Lighting & Christmas Market from 4pm–7pm, and a cozy end to the day with Bonfire Nights from 4:30pm–7:30pm at Steel String Brewery’s Pluck Farm.

✨ Evening Holiday Lights, Music & Entertainment

Saturday evening in the Triangle is filled with holiday magic and live entertainment, beginning with Sundaes with Santa in Fuquay-Varina from 5pm–7pm, followed by multiple festive light displays including the Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Light Display in Wilson, Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell, and Piper Lights in Wake Forest, all starting at 5:30pm. Apex kicks off its 9th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Southern Peak Brewery from 6pm–10pm, while Fuquay-Varina hosts Dueling Pianos: Blazin’ Keys at 6pm. Comedy lovers can enjoy Funniest Person in the Triangle from 6pm–8pm in Holly Springs, and families can take a magical hayride at Lights on the Neuse in Clayton from 6pm–9pm. Music fills the evening with Live Music at Fortnight Brewing in Wake Forest from 6pm–9pm and the glowing NC Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary from 6pm–10pm. Holiday favorites continue with Christmas Lights on the Farm in Middlesex from 6:30pm–9pm, and Santa at Lake Myra Christmas Lights returns from 7pm–9pm in Wendell. Cary offers even more live music with Magic Pipers at Fortnight Brewing and Cam Cokas at The Williams House, both from 7pm–10pm, along with Paige King Johnson performing at Oaklyn Springs Brewery at 7pm. The night also includes Karaoke Night at Raleigh Brewing and Old North State Food Hall in Selma, both at 7pm, plus creative energy at the Moon Dog Meadery Art Market & Fire Spinning Jam in Durham from 7pm–11pm. Wendell finishes the lineup with Live Music at Bearded Bee Brewing beginning at 7pm.

🌤️ Sunday, November 30, 2025 Events

🎄 All Day & Morning

🎁 Midday & Afternoon Events

Sunday brings a full lineup of events across the Triangle, starting with the Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market at the NC State Fairgrounds from 11am–5pm and Live Jazz with Joseph Silvers and Hunter McDermut at Lanza’s Café in Carrboro from 11am–1pm. Sports fans can enjoy the Sunday NFL Watch Party at Crank Arm Brewing from 12pm–3pm, while families and book lovers stop by Pages & Pints with Finn and Ollie at Bearded Bee Brewing from 1pm–5pm. Creative energy continues at Artspace Open Studio in Raleigh from 1:30pm–3:30pm and the Beerded Lady Book Club meets in Garner from 2pm–4pm. Movie lovers can unwind at Secret Cinema Sundays from 2pm–5pm at Raleigh Brewing, and crafters can join the Craft Club & Supply Swap from 3pm–5pm at The Glass Jug in Durham. The day rounds out with live music at Steel String Brewery in Carrboro from 4pm–6pm and a lively Bluegrass Open Jam at Bond Brothers Eastside in Cary from 4pm–7pm.

✨ Evening Holiday Lights

Sunday evening in the Triangle is filled with festive lights and creative fun, starting with Piper Lights in Wake Forest and the Contentnea Fire Department Lights in Wilson, both glowing from 5:30pm–9pm, along with the popular Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell from 5:30pm–10pm. Families can enjoy a magical hayride at Lights on the Neuse in Clayton from 6pm–8pm, or take in the stunning displays at the NC Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary from 6pm–10pm. More holiday cheer continues with Christmas Lights on the Farm in Middlesex from 6:30pm–9pm. For those looking for evening entertainment, Sunday Open Mic runs from 7pm–9pm at Moon Dog Meadery, and artists can join the Drink & Draw: Pirates session at Steel String Brewery in Carrboro from 7:30pm–9pm.

📅 Your Go-To Triangle Weekend Guide

With dozens of free family events, holiday markets, shopping pop-ups, ice skating, Christmas lights, and live entertainment, this is one of the most festive weekends of the year across the Triangle.

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