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