From holiday magic to local arts, trivia nights, science talks, and brewery events, Tuesday, December 2 is packed with things to do across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Garner, Selma, and beyond. Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily event guides and weekend highlights across the Triangle.

🎄 Free Holiday Fun & Seasonal Favorites

Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland

All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops (multiple locations)

Visit Santa’s Wonderland for complimentary Santa photos, crafts, games, and festive décor.

Piper Lights in Wake Forest

5:30 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | Wake Forest

A beloved family-run light show in Wake Forest, glowing with holiday magic.

Lake Myra Christmas Lights – Wendell

5:30 PM – 10:00 PM | FREE | Wendell

Walk or drive through one of the Triangle’s most dazzling synchronized holiday light displays.

Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Light Display

5:30 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | Wilson

A community-powered holiday light event supporting local fire services.

A Night With Santa (Raleigh Parks & RPD)

5:30 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | Greystone Community Center, Raleigh

Meet Santa, enjoy crafts, games, and fun hosted by Raleigh Police and Raleigh Parks.

A Jolly Evening with Santa

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | Ruckus Pizza, Apex (Costco Plaza)

A festive night with Santa plus family dining and photo ops.

🏙️ Free & Discounted Daytime Events Across the Triangle

Walgreens Senior Day

All Day | 20% Off | Walgreens, multiple locations

Rewards members age 55+ enjoy sitewide discounts.

Blades and Badges Day – Skate Fenton

All Day | Discounted | Fenton, Cary

First responders and military receive $3 off admission (hours vary).

Sculpture in the Garden

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | FREE ($5 suggested donation) | NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill

A peaceful outdoor art exhibition among the gardens.

Durham Community Day at Museum of Life + Science

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | FREE | Durham

Free admission for Durham County residents with proof of address.

Tequila Tuesday at bmc brewing

11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Discounted | Pittsboro

Enjoy drink specials all day long.

Hayti Heritage Center – 50th Anniversary Open House

12:00 PM – 6:00 PM | FREE | Durham

Celebrate five decades of cultural arts and community programming.

Window on Animal Health

1:30 PM | FREE | NC Museum of Natural Sciences (NRC), Raleigh

Learn from scientists about wildlife health and research.

🌆 Evening Events, Concerts, Trivia, Art & Local Culture

Selma Tree Lighting

6:00 PM | FREE | Downtown Selma

Selma Christmas Parade

7:00 PM | FREE | Downtown Selma

A festive evening of floats, music, and community pride.

Physics From the Ground Up

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | Lanza’s Café, Carrboro

A casual, science-friendly talk open to all ages.

Pints and Pups

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | Ponysaurus Brewing Co., Raleigh

Dog-friendly social hang with great beer.

Tartar Sauce – Working Artist Drop-In

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | FREE | Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Garner

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | $16.74–$30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Walk through hundreds of glowing lantern sculptures at one of NC’s largest holiday attractions.

🎶 Live Music, Trivia, Games & Nightlife

Adult Coloring Night

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing, Durham

Bond Brothers Run Club

6:00 PM | FREE | Cary

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Trivia

6:30 PM | FREE | Ponysaurus Brewing, Durham

Beer & Banjos – Raleigh

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard

Beer & Banjos – Carrboro

7:00 PM – 9:30 PM | FREE | Speakeasy, Carrboro

Free Square Dance Open House – Capital Squares

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | St. James UMC, Raleigh

Music Bingo

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham

Open Mic Night

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | The Williams House Craft Taproom, Cary

Video Game Night

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | FREE | Moon Dog Meadery, Durham

Tricycle Trivia

7:00 PM | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Durham

Holiday Music with Ally J

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | FREE | The Durham Hotel

Karaoke Night

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM | FREE | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Durham

Open Mic with a Live Band

9:00 PM – 11:59 PM | FREE | Slim’s, Raleigh

⭐ Stay Connected to Triangle Events

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