If you’re looking for the most complete list of Friday events across the Triangle, you’ve found it. Friday, December 5, 2025 is bursting with holiday lights, tree lightings, First Friday art walks, outdoor skating, free Santa photos, parades, wine tastings, immersive theatre, and dozens of festive community activities from dawn to late night.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a date night, a neighborhood adventure, or a free community event for all ages, this guide highlights the best things to do across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Knightdale, and more.
Scroll below for times, locations, cost, recommendations, and where to go next.
ALL-DAY HIGHLIGHTS
Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops – Santa’s Wonderland
📅 All Day | FREE
📍 Bass Pro Shops, Multiple Locations
Get free Santa photos and activities all day long at Santa’s Wonderland. This is one of the Triangle’s most beloved holiday offerings—families return every year for the workshop décor, crafts, and festive photo ops.
The RINK — Outdoor Skating at Red Hat Amphitheater
📅 All Day | $6 – $15
📍 Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh
Skate under the skyline at downtown Raleigh’s pop-up outdoor rink. Pricing varies by age and time slot, so check website for session availability.
MORNING & DAYTIME EVENTS
Sculpture in the Garden
⏰ 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | FREE (with $5 suggested donation)
📍 North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Explore nature, seasonal plants, and outdoor art installations in a peaceful, garden environment.
Free Cookies and Cider
⏰ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | FREE
📍 Museum of Durham History
Warm up with cider and cookies while exploring Durham’s unique stories and exhibits.
Free Walking Tour of Chapel Hill
⏰ 10:30 a.m. | FREE
📍 Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill
Perfect for local history fans, college visitors, and curious residents alike.
Chapel Hill Public Library Big Book Sale (Members Only)
⏰ 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | FREE
📍 Chapel Hill Public Library
Enjoy exclusive early access to one of the Triangle’s biggest book bargains. Members can bring one guest.
LATE AFTERNOON & FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
Sensory-Friendly Hour at Artspace
⏰ 4 – 5 p.m. | FREE
📍 Artspace, Raleigh
A calm First Friday experience designed for neurodivergent adults and kids.
Apex Tree Lighting
⏰ 4:30 – 7 p.m. | FREE
📍 Apex Historic Depot
Kids’ crafts, hot cocoa, music, and a town tree lighting in historic downtown Apex.
Illuminate Art Walk
⏰ 4:45 p.m. | FREE
📍 Downtown Raleigh
Enjoy glowing art installations, music, and downtown holiday magic.
Santa’s Workshop — Smithfield
⏰ 5 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield
Enjoy crafts, photos, and festive family workshops.
Wake Forest Lighting of the Tree
⏰ 5 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Centennial Plaza, Wake Forest Town Hall
Pints in the Pines
⏰ 5 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Oak City Brewing, Knightdale
Live music, local brews, and outdoor winter vibes.
Festive Fridays: Holiday Lights
⏰ 5 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park, Raleigh
Bring the family and enjoy a winter-lit wonderland.
Santa Paws
⏰ 5 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE
📍 Durham Armory
Pet-friendly holiday portraits and festive décor.
Wendell Wonderland
⏰ 5 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Downtown Wendell
Live music, holiday lights, food trucks, and the town’s biggest Christmas celebration.
Free Immersive Performance — A Peter Rabbit Christmas
⏰ 5 p.m. | FREE
📍 Downtown Cary Park
Experience a storytelling holiday adventure for kids.
First Friday — Downtown Fuquay-Varina
⏰ 5 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Downtown Fuquay-Varina
Phillips Farms Walk-Through Christmas Light Show
⏰ 5 – 9 p.m. | $15
📍 Phillips Farms of Cary
Thousands of lights, holiday displays, and festive photo ops.
EVENING HOLIDAY LIGHTS, TREE LIGHTINGS & PARADES
Youngsville Tree Lighting
⏰ 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE
📍 Luddy Park, Youngsville
Christmas by Candlelight
⏰ 5:30 – 9 p.m. | $8
📍 Duke Homestead
Historic candlelit tours and colonial-era holiday traditions.
Holiday Nights at American Tobacco
⏰ 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE
📍 American Tobacco Campus, Durham
Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Lights
⏰ 5:30 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Wilson, NC
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
⏰ 5:30 – 10 p.m. | FREE
📍 Wendell
Piper Lights
⏰ 5:30 – 10 p.m. | FREE
📍 Wake Forest
Carrboro Holiday Tree Lighting
⏰ 6 – 7 p.m. | FREE
📍 Carrboro Town Commons
Knightdale Christmas Tree Lighting
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Knightdale Station Park
Brier Creek Tree Lighting
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Brier Creek Commons
Walk Through Bethlehem
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Wake Forest Presbyterian Church
Christmas on the Square — Angier
⏰ 6 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE
📍 Angier Depot Square
Grow Local Realty Coat Drive & Live Music
⏰ 6 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Bombshell Beer, Holly Springs
EVENING ARTS, MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
Teen Science Café
⏰ 6 – 7 p.m. | FREE
📍 Nature Research Center, Raleigh
First Friday Gallery Walk (Raleigh)
⏰ 6 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Various Locations
Lights on the Neuse — Hayride
⏰ 6 – 9 p.m. | $11
📍 Boyette Family Farms, Clayton
Artspace First Friday
⏰ 6 – 10 p.m. | FREE
📍 Artspace, Raleigh
Live painting, local makers, music, craft workshops.
Chinese Lantern Festival
⏰ 6 – 10 p.m. | $16.74 – $30.64
📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
Free Wine Tasting
⏰ 6 p.m. | FREE
📍 Local 919, Raleigh
Christmas Lights on the Farm
⏰ 6:30 – 9 p.m. | $15
📍 Big Daddy’s Farms, Middlesex
Mebane Christmas Parade
⏰ 7 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Downtown Mebane
Sip & Shop Book Sale
⏰ 7 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Chapel Hill Public Library
Bounce & Brews DJ Night
⏰ 7 – 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 Gizmo Brew Works, Durham
Hoppy Hour Cinema
⏰ 7 – 10 p.m. | FREE
📍 Glass Jug Taproom, Durham
Video Game Night
⏰ 7 – 11 p.m. | FREE
📍 Moon Dog Meadery, Durham
Peter Rabbit — Evening Performance
⏰ 7:30 p.m. | FREE
📍 Downtown Cary Park
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic
⏰ 8 – 11 p.m. | FREE
📍 Durty Bull Brewing, Durham
Karaoke with Mega Mike
⏰ 8 – 11 p.m. | FREE
📍 Crank Arm Brewing, Raleigh
A Good Time — Comedy Showcase
⏰ 8 p.m. | FREE
📍 Vault Craft Beer, Raleigh
Karaoke Bingo
⏰ 9 p.m. | FREE
📍 KōMANA Brewing, Cary
THE BEST WAY TO USE THIS GUIDE
✔ Perfect for families, couples, and visitors
✔ Great for holiday photo sessions and tree lightings
✔ Multiple First Friday gallery walks and art events
✔ Tons of FREE options — very budget-friendly
✔ Community-focused events from small towns to downtown nightlife
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