Things to Do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill & Beyond | December 27–28, 2025

Looking for the best things to do in the Triangle this weekend? From outdoor ice skating in Downtown Raleigh and festive Kwanzaa celebrations, to holiday light displays, live music, comedy, markets, and family-friendly events, the Triangle is packed with experiences to close out the year in style.

Below is your SEO-optimized Triangle Weekend Event Guide covering Saturday, December 27 and Sunday, December 28, 2025, featuring Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Wake Forest, Pittsboro, Clayton, and more.

📅 Saturday, December 27, 2025 — Triangle Events

Spend your Saturday exploring the Triangle with a full day of festive events, starting with The RINK: Outdoor Skating happening all day for $6–$15 at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, followed by the Durham Craft Market from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Durham Central Park. Families can enjoy the Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show at the Durham County Main Library from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and again from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, while music lovers can catch the Bluegrass Jam at Bynum Front Porch at 10:00 am in Pittsboro. Cultural celebrations continue with the Town of Carrboro Kwanzaa Celebration from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Drakeford Library Complex, Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Mordecai Historic Park, and a relaxing Visit Cow Sanctuary experience at Brajboro Cow Sanctuary. Midday highlights include Kwanzaa: Family Vision Boarding at Cocoa Cinnamon, a Gift Swap Table at The Mason Jar Lager Company, comedy at Moon Dog Meadery, and the Cary Really Really Free Market at Walnut Street Park. As the evening approaches, enjoy Live Music with Tony Jonez at Blackbird Brewery, stroll the Illuminate Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh, and take in popular holiday light displays including those hosted by the Contentnea Fire Department, Lake Myra Christmas Lights, and Piper Lights. The night wraps up with a hayride at Lights on the Neuse at Boyette Family Farms, the dazzling North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, and plenty of evening music, trivia, and karaoke across the Triangle at local favorites like Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, Fortnight Brewing, Southern Peak Brewery, The Williams House Craft Taproom, Raleigh Brewing, and more.

📅 Sunday, December 28, 2025 — Triangle Events

Wrap up the weekend with a relaxing and festive Sunday across the Triangle, starting with The RINK: Outdoor Skating happening all day for $6–$15 at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh. Enjoy the sounds of the season at Lessons & Carols from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, followed by a Kwanzaa Celebration at 11:00 am at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Late morning brings Pay-What-You-Can Yoga from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Compass Rose Brewery, while the afternoon offers a chance to explore local creativity during Artspace Open Studio from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at Artspace. Throughout the day, catch live jazz, open mics, and brewery music at popular spots including Lanza’s Cafe, Crank Arm Brewing Company, Fainting Goat Brewing Company, and Steel String Brewery. As evening falls, cap off the weekend with Illuminate Art Walk, festive holiday light displays, or another magical night at the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

🎉 Plan Your Weekend in the Triangle

Whether you’re searching for free events in Raleigh, holiday lights near Durham, live music in Cary, or family-friendly things to do in Chapel Hill, this weekend has something for everyone.

👉 Bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily Triangle event guides, local news, and community highlights.