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The Triangle Event Guide – Weekend Edition December 20–21st

Looking for things to do in the Triangle this weekend? The DoRaleigh.com Triangle Weekend Event Guide rounds up the best free and low-cost holiday events happening across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Clayton, and beyond. From Santa photos and holiday markets to live music, light displays, and winter solstice celebrations—there’s something for everyone.

🎄 Saturday, December 20, 2025

All-Day Highlights

Burger King Deal – Free Jalapeño Cheddar Bites with $5 purchase | FREE | Participating locations

Santa’s Wonderland – Free Santa photos & activities | FREE | Bass Pro Shops (multiple locations)

African American Walking Tour (Third Ward) – Multiple times | $5–$10 | Pope House, Raleigh

The RINK at Red Hat Amphitheater – Outdoor skating | $6–$15 | Raleigh

Nordstrom Santa Photos – Cardmembers only | FREE | Streets at Southpoint

Morning & Midday

Durham Craft Market | 9:00 am–12:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

Meet Santa + Free Seedlings | 9:30 am–12:00 pm | FREE | Western Wake Farmers’ Market, Morrisville

Santa Express Train Ride | 9:30 am–4:00 pm | $18.61 | New Hope Valley Railway

Breakfast with Santa + Toy Giveaway | 10:00 am–12:00 pm | FREE | Tarboro Road Center, Raleigh

Lowe’s Kids Workshop: Sleigh Ride | 10:00 am–1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores)

Holidays with the Popes | 10:00 am–4:00 pm | FREE | Pope House, Raleigh

Handcrafted Holiday Market | 10:00 am–5:00 pm | $5 | NC State Fairgrounds

NCMA Loves Anime Winter Bazaar | 10:00 am–7:30 pm | FREE | NC Museum of Art, Raleigh

Holiday at the Farm | 10:00 am–3:00 pm | $12–$25 | 1870 Farm, Chapel Hill

Sensory-Friendly Film | 11:00 am | FREE | Carolina Theatre, Durham

Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours | 11:00 am–3:00 pm | $6–$10 | Mordecai Historic Park

Afternoon

Fenton Makers Market | 11:00 am–4:00 pm | FREE | Cary

Magic of Christmas with Santa | 11:30 am–4:00 pm | FREE | Boxyard RTP Durham

Really Really Free Market | 12:00 pm–2:00 pm | FREE | Orchard Park

Pop-Up Raleigh Art & Vintage Market | 12:00 pm–5:00 pm | FREE | Trophy on Maywood

An Afternoon with Black Santa | 2:00 pm–4:00 pm | FREE | Kappa Center, Raleigh

3rd Saturday Vintage + Maker Market | 3:00 pm–7:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing, Durham

Ugly Sweater Party | 3:00 pm–Late | FREE | Boxcar, Raleigh

Free Wine Tasting | 4:00 pm–6:00 pm | FREE | Taylor’s Wine Shop

Evening & Night

Illuminate Art Walk | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

Winter Solstice & Lantern Walks | 5:00 pm | FREE–$10 | Multiple locations

Christmas Light Displays | 5:30 pm+ | FREE | Wendell, Wake Forest, Wilson

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival | 6:00 pm–10:00 pm | $ | Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Live Music, Karaoke & Holiday Parties | 6:00 pm+ | FREE | Breweries & venues across the Triangle

Black Nativity Durham | 8:00 pm | $15–$20 | Hillside High School

✨ Sunday, December 21, 2025

All-Day & Morning

Burger King Deal – Free Cini Minis with $5 purchase | FREE

Santa’s Wonderland | FREE | Bass Pro Shops

Outdoor Skating at The RINK | $6–$15 | Raleigh

Handcrafted Holiday Market | 10:00 am–3:00 pm | $5 | NC State Fairgrounds

Holiday at the Farm | 10:00 am–3:00 pm | $12–$25 | Chapel Hill

Afternoon

Pay-What-You-Can Yoga | 11:00 am | $1–$10 | Raleigh

Artspace Open Studio | 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | FREE | Raleigh

African American Walking Tour | 2:00 pm | $5–$10 | Pope House, Raleigh

Winter Solstice Hike | 2:00 pm–3:00 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno

Santa’s Workshop | 3:00 pm–5:00 pm | FREE | Smithfield Free

Tuba Christmas Concert | 4:00 pm | FREE | Apex

Evening

Illuminate Art Walk | 4:45 pm | FREE | Downtown Raleigh

Menorah Lightings | 5:00 pm+ | FREE | Cary & Morrisville

Christmas Light Displays | 5:30 pm+ | FREE | Wake County & beyond

Lights on the Neuse | 6:00 pm | $11 | Clayton

Chinese Lantern Festival | 6:00 pm–10:00 pm | $ | Cary

Sunday Open Mics & Live Music | 7:00 pm+ | FREE | Durham & Fuquay-Varina

Why Use the DoRaleigh.com Triangle Weekend Event Guide?

✔️ Curated free & family-friendly events ✔️ Easy planning for Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill & surrounding towns ✔️ Perfect for holiday weekends and last-minute plans

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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