Looking for the best things to do across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the greater Triangle this Friday? From holiday markets and pottery openings to dazzling light shows and evening art walks, November 28, 2025 is packed with festive family fun and unique local experiences. Here’s your complete Triangle Event Guide for the day.
🎄 All-Day & Morning Events
Holiday Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery
10:00 am – 5:00 pm | FREE | Pittsboro
A seasonal favorite returns! Browse handcrafted pottery, meet the artist, and shop beautiful holiday pieces at Mark Hewitt’s renowned kiln opening.
Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops: Santa’s Wonderland
All Day | FREE | Multiple Locations
Families can enjoy free Santa photos, crafts, and festive activities inside Bass Pro’s immersive holiday setup.
The RINK – Outdoor Skating at Red Hat Amphitheater
All Day | $6–15 | Raleigh
Lace up and skate under the skyline at Raleigh’s open-air winter rink. Click event listing for daily schedule.
Sheetz: Free Coffee with Any Purchase
All Day | FREE | Multiple Locations
Warm up with a complimentary coffee all Thanksgiving Week with any purchase at participating Sheetz stores.
Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market
9:00 am – 6:00 pm | $0–10 | State Fairgrounds
Shop 250+ vendors offering décor, gifts, crafts, local goods, and seasonal treats. A holiday tradition at the Jim Graham Building.
Sculpture in the Garden
9:00 am – 5:00 pm | FREE ($5 suggested donation) | Chapel Hill
Stroll through the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s tranquil outdoor art exhibit.
🍂 Midday Events & Family Activities
Family Fall Tours at Historic Oakwood Cemetery
11:00 am & 1:00 pm | FREE ($10 suggested donation) | Raleigh
Learn the history, stories, and architecture behind Raleigh’s historic Oakwood Cemetery during these guided walking tours.
SmashFest at The Scrap Exchange
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm | FREE | Durham
Break stuff for stress relief! Admission is free; participants pay for “smashables.”
Calvin Jones House Guided Tour
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | FREE | Wake Forest Historical Museum
Step inside the birthplace of Wake Forest College on this short, docent-led history tour.
DJ Al Ski-Love Live at Blackbird Brewery
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm | FREE | Wake Forest
Kick off your weekend with a fun DJ set, craft brews, and good vibes.
Kick Off to Christmas in Smithfield
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Smithfield
A family-friendly festival featuring a tree lighting, vendors, music, holiday characters, and kids’ activities.
Bazaar Night Market
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE | Pittsboro
Shop local makers, enjoy food trucks, and soak in the nighttime market ambiance at bmc brewing.
Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Light Display
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE | Wilson
Drive through a brilliant small-town light show created by the local fire department.
Piper Lights in Wake Forest
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE | Wake Forest
A beloved family-run Christmas light walk-through returns for the season.
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE | Wendell
One of the region’s largest synchronized light shows—always a holiday must-see.
Lights on the Neuse Hayride
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | $11 | Clayton
Take a cozy hayride through glittering holiday light displays at Boyette Family Farms.
The Little Market: Closing Reception for “Organics”
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE | Hillsborough
Celebrate the final night of this nature-inspired art exhibition with local artists.
🌙 Evening Art, Music & Nightlife
Vinyl Night
6:00 pm | FREE | Sneaky Penguin Brewing Co., Raleigh
Bring your favorite records or spin from the house collection.
Final Friday Reception at Cary Gallery of Artists
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | FREE | Cary
Meet artists, explore new works, and enjoy refreshments during Cary’s Final Friday celebration.
Last Fridays Art Walk – Hillsborough
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE
Live music, gallery openings, outdoor vendors, and a vibrant small-town art scene.
Final Friday Cary Art Loop
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE
Participating venues across Cary stay open late for art, exhibits, and cultural programming.
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $16.74–30.64 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre
A dazzling festival of illuminated sculptures, cultural performances, and photo-worthy installations.
Free Wine Tasting at Local 919
6:00 pm | FREE | Raleigh
Sample a curated selection of wines at this Raleigh bottle shop.
Christmas Lights on the Farm
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm | $15 | Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex
Walk through glowing farm displays and meet holiday characters.
Chime In Open Mic
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | FREE | Lanza’s Cafe, Carrboro
Poetry, stories, songs—share your art or enjoy the creativity of others.
Screening: The Last Waltz
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE | Steel String Brewery, Carrboro
A classic film on the big screen inside a cozy taproom.
Live Music: Jim DiBattista
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm | FREE | White Street Brewing, Wake Forest
Hoppy Hour Cinema at The Glass Jug
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Durham
Weekly movie series featuring cult classics, favorites, and new gems.
Bounce and Brews DJ Night
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE | Gizmo Brew Works, Durham
Live Band Karaoke
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $10 | Mystic Farm & Distillery, Durham
Sing your heart out backed by a full live band—ticket includes one cocktail.
Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE | Durham
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Co., Durham
Karaoke with Mega Mike
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE | Crank Arm Brewing, Raleigh
Karaoke Bingo Nights
9:00 pm | FREE | KōMANA Brewing, Cary
🔎 Plan Your Triangle Weekend
From pottery and light shows to art walks and live music, the Triangle is bursting with things to do this Friday. Bookmark this guide, share it with friends, and explore more weekly entertainment updates at DoRaleigh.com.
DoRaleigh 