The Triangle Event Guide – Things to Do Monday, December 29th Edition

Looking for things to do across the Triangle on Monday, December 29, 2025? From free community celebrations and holiday light displays to live music, comedy, game nights, and cultural events, the Triangle is packed with options to close out the year.

This Triangle Event Guide highlights events happening in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Carrboro, and beyond—perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to make the most of a Monday.

🎉 Monday, December 29, 2025 — Triangle Events

Cheapskate Day at Skate the Square

🕒 All Day | Discounted ($3 off)

📍 Fenton, Cary

Enjoy discounted skating all day at Fenton’s outdoor rink. Check the website for updated hours and availability.

Little WORLD Charity Holiday Model Train Show

🕙 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | FREE

🕜 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm | FREE

📍 Durham County Main Library

A family-friendly favorite featuring intricate model train displays while supporting a charitable cause.

Town of Cary’s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration

🕜 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm | FREE

📍 Cary Arts Center

Celebrate culture, heritage, and community with performances and reflections honoring the principles of Kwanzaa.

Monday Night NFL Football Watch Party

🕒 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm | FREE

📍 Crank Arm Brewing Company

Catch Monday Night Football with fellow fans in a relaxed brewery setting.

Illuminate Art Walk

🕟 4:45 pm | FREE

📍 Downtown Raleigh

Explore public art, illuminated installations, and creative spaces throughout downtown Raleigh on this guided art walk.

Durham Beer Garden: 75¢ Wings

🕔 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $0.75 wings (dine-in only)

📍 Durham Beer Garden

An affordable way to kick off the evening with food and drinks in downtown Durham.

🎄 Holiday Lights & Seasonal Favorites

Piper Lights

🕠 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 Piper Lights, Wake Forest

A must-see neighborhood holiday light display perfect for families.

Contentnea Fire Department Christmas Light Display

🕠 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 Contentnea Fire Department, Wilson

A festive drive-through display supporting local firefighters and holiday cheer.

Lake Myra Christmas Lights

🕠 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE

📍 Lake Myra, Wendell

One of the Triangle area’s most popular holiday light traditions.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

🕕 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $16.74–$30.64

📍 Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Walk through stunning illuminated lantern displays celebrating art, culture, and craftsmanship.

🎤 Nightlife, Comedy & Game Nights

Open Mic Night

🕕 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE

📍 Steel String Brewery, Carrboro

Local musicians, poets, and performers take the stage.

Early Karaoke

🕕 6:00 pm | FREE

📍 The Northside District

Start karaoke early and sing your favorites.

Cosmic Chuckles: Weekly Comedy Show

🕖 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 Flying Saucer, Raleigh

A weekly stand-up comedy showcase featuring local talent.

Adult Coloring Night

🕖 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | FREE

📍 KōMANA Brewing Company, Cary

Relax, color, and unwind with a creative crowd.

Game Night

🕖 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE

📍 Crank Arm Brewing Company, Raleigh

Board games, cards, and casual competition.

Board Game Night

🕖 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm | FREE

📍 Moon Dog Meadery & Bottle Shop, Durham

Bring friends or meet new ones over classic and modern board games.

Air Hockey Tournament

🕗 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm | FREE

📍 Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Raleigh

Fast-paced fun with prizes and bragging rights on the line.

Carrboro Open Mic at Speakeasy

🕗 8:00 pm – 11:59 pm | FREE

📍 Speakeasy, Carrboro

A late-night open mic featuring music, poetry, and performance.

Make the Most of Your Monday in the Triangle

From cultural celebrations and holiday lights to comedy, karaoke, and game nights, Monday, December 29, 2025 is packed with things to do across the Triangle. Many events are free or low-cost, making it easy to explore multiple spots in one night.

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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#artWalk #Arts #Cary #Durham #events #Food #football #kwanzaa #LiveComedyRaleigh #music #News #raleigh #skating #TriangleEventGuide

The Downtown Raleigh After-Work Event Guide Thursday December 18th Edition

Looking for the best things to do after work in Downtown Raleigh? From happy hour drink specials and free wings to live music, improv, art walks, karaoke, and holiday pop-ups, Thursday, December 18 is packed with ways to unwind, connect, and celebrate the season downtown. Here’s your complete after-work event guide.

🍸 Happy Hour, Drinks & Social Meetups

Start the evening with drink specials and social vibes at some of downtown Raleigh’s favorite spots.

$10 Classic Cocktails All Day | Boatman Spirits Co. Enjoy expertly crafted classic cocktails at a special all-day price every Thursday. Singles Mingle 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Good Day Good Night Mix, mingle, and meet new people in a relaxed after-work social setting.

🎨 Arts, Creativity & Holiday Pop-Ups

Add some creativity and seasonal fun to your Thursday night.

Wrap It Up – Pop-Up Gift Wrapping 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Platform Get your holiday gifts professionally wrapped while supporting a downtown pop-up experience. Illuminate Art Walk Sip n’ Stroll Tour 5:45–6:45 p.m. | Raleigh Walking Tours Explore Downtown Raleigh’s Illuminate Art Walk with a guided sip-and-stroll tour featuring public art and holiday vibes. Pottery Painting Pop-Up: Holiday Edition 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Incendiary Brewing Taproom Sip craft beer while painting pottery in this festive, hands-on creative experience.

🎭 Comedy, Improv & Live Entertainment

Leela Improv Theatre: Drop-In Improv Class 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Leela Improv Theatre Jump into improv—no experience required—at this fun, interactive drop-in class. Frog Machine & Vitamin D (Live Music) 9:00–11:00 p.m. | Slim’s Downtown Catch live music late into the evening at one of downtown’s most iconic venues.

🏈 Sports, Wings & Late-Night Karaoke

Free Gussie’s Wings & Thursday Football 8:15 p.m. | Wolfe & Porter Watch Thursday Night Football and enjoy free wings while supplies last. Thursday Night Music Karaoke 8:00 p.m. | Wolfe & Porter Warm up your vocals and sing along to your favorite hits. Zenith Raleigh Downtown Karaoke 9:00 p.m. | Zenith Raleigh Keep the party going with late-night karaoke downtown.

Make the Most of Your Downtown Raleigh Evening

Whether you’re heading out straight from work or meeting friends later in the night, Downtown Raleigh offers something for everyone—from creative workshops and guided art walks to live music, football, and karaoke.

Check back daily on DoRaleigh.com for the latest after-work guides, weekend previews, and downtown happenings.

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#AfterWorkEvents #Arts #ArtWalk #CraftBeer #downtownRaleigh #DowntownRaleighAfterWorkGuide #DowntownRaleighEntertainmentGuide #DowntownRaleigh #DowntownRaleighEvening #events #Food #HolidayPopUps #ImprovTheatre #Karaoke #LiveMusic #music #News #raleigh #RaleighEvents #RaleighNightlife

Art:walk Festival 2026: Düsseldorf bohrt die 20 Jahre alte Nacht der Museen auf #artwalk #duesseldorf https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/duesseldorf/kultur/duesseldorf-artwalk-festival-loest-nacht-der-museen-2026-ab_aid-140141265

Downtown Raleigh Evening Event Guide Friday December 5th Edition

Downtown Raleigh lights up this Friday with First Friday art walks, holiday markets, live music, sip-n-shops, improv comedy, candle-making, kids museum activities, tours, and late-night nightlife. Whether you want to browse galleries, enjoy handcrafted cocktails, get festive with holiday lights, or dance into the night, this guide highlights the best places to be across downtown.

Friday, December 5 is one of the most event-filled evenings of the year—so bring friends, wear layers, and enjoy Raleigh at its most magical.

🌇 Early & Afternoon Activities

Feel Good Fridays at The Mecca

⏰ 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

📍 The Mecca Restaurant

Start your Friday downtown with brunch or lunch at one of Raleigh’s most historic restaurants.

Prenatal Yoga

⏰ 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

📍 Current Wellness

A calm mid-morning class for expecting parents.

Downtown Raleigh Historian-Guided Tour

⏰ 3 p.m.

📍 Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar

Walk through Raleigh’s fascinating past with a local historian.

🎨 First Friday — Downtown Arts, Markets & Galleries

Downtown Raleigh’s First Friday is one of the city’s signature monthly experiences. Tonight features art openings, sip-n-shops, pop-up markets, holiday activations, and immersive makers’ events.

Artspace December First Friday

⏰ 4 – 10 p.m.

📍 Artspace

Live art-making, music, vendors, community gallery openings, and a festive First Friday atmosphere.

Sustainable Holiday Market & Happy Hour

⏰ 4 – 7 p.m.

📍 Raleigh Founded – North Street

A local eco-maker market with holiday shopping, crafts, and cocktails.

Illuminate Art Walk Sip & Stroll Tour

⏰ 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.

📍 Raleigh Walking Tours

Discover glowing installations and lit art across downtown Raleigh.

A Holiday Celebration First Friday

⏰ 6 – 8 p.m.

📍 Glenwood Fine Art

Seasonal art showcase and First Friday reception.

A Life Well Lived — Laura Lacambra Shubert

⏰ 6 – 8 p.m.

📍 Gallery C

Brand-new paintings from a celebrated Raleigh artist.

First Friday Flashes at Le Dive

⏰ 5 – 10 p.m.

📍 Le Dive + Old Ghosts Tattoo

Pop-up tattoo flash, live art, and First Friday treats.

VanDeVelde Gallery Opening

⏰ 5 – 9 p.m.

📍 127 W Hargett St (Professional Building)

A new downtown gallery event with evening reception.

Merry & Bright Open Studio

⏰ 6 – 8 p.m.

📍 Linda Ruth Dickinson Studio

Holiday-themed open studio with art shopping and creative demos.

🛍️ Downtown Holiday Shopping & DIY Experiences

Make & Take a Raleigh Acorn Bell

⏰ Evening

📍 Designed For Joy

Hand-craft your own keepsake holiday ornament in this popular First Friday maker event.

Make Your Own Candle

⏰ 6 – 9 p.m.

📍 Curate Raleigh

Create a custom candle with Tobacco Rd Supply Co., perfect for a date night, gift idea, or girls’ night out.

2025 Holiday Sip ’n’ Shop

⏰ 5:30 – 9 p.m.

📍 City of Raleigh Museum (COR Museum)

Holiday vendor market, mulled drinks, seasonal décor, and extended museum access.

First Friday at Captain Cookie

⏰ 6 – 10 p.m.

📍 Transfer Co. Food Hall

Cookies, milk, holiday spirit, and First Friday fun.

🎶 Live Music, Bars, & Nightlife

Friday Night Live Music

⏰ 5 – 8 p.m.

📍 Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen

Bud Bar

⏰ 6 – 9 p.m.

📍 Wolfe & Porter

Frozen Fridays

⏰ 6 – 11 p.m.

📍 Wolfe & Porter

SALSA NIGHT

⏰ 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.

📍 Boatman Spirits Co.

Dance late into the night with salsa music, holiday cocktails, and a lively local crowd.

🧭 Tours & Story Experiences

Downtown Raleigh True Crime Tour

⏰ 8 p.m.

📍 Moore Square

An evening walking tour exploring Raleigh’s mysterious past.

🎭 Performances & Family Activities

A Christmas Carol

⏰ Evening

📍 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

A downtown Raleigh holiday theatre tradition.

Handel’s Messiah

⏰ 8 p.m. Friday | 3 p.m. Saturday

📍 North Carolina Symphony

Performed with NC Master Chorale—an iconic December performance.

Marbles Evening with Elves

⏰ 6 – 8:30 p.m.

📍 Marbles Kids Museum

Festive family fun, crafts, games, elves, and holiday magic.

🎤 Creative Community & Performance

First Friday Improv Jam & Open Mic

⏰ 7 – 9 p.m.

📍 Leela Improv Theatre

First Friday Live Music: Michael Parker

⏰ 8 – 11 p.m.

📍 The Davie

🌲 Festive Outdoor Experiences

Festive Fridays at Dix Park

⏰ 5 – 8 p.m.

📍 Dorothea Dix Park

Holiday lights, hot cocoa, fire pits, family fun, and seasonal décor.

Seaboard Station Annual Holiday Event

⏰ 5 – 9 p.m.

📍 Seaboard Station

Holiday shopping, lights, performers, and festive small-business activations.

⭐ Best Strategy for Your Friday Night

Arrive early to beat parking rush Start at Artspace or Transfer Co. Food Hall Add a gallery or studio stop Grab cocktails or dinner downtown Stay late for live music, salsa, or improv

First Friday is walkable, festive, and full of holiday spirit—downtown Raleigh truly comes alive.

💬 Follow DoRaleigh.com

Get:

Weekend guides Neighborhood nightlife lists Raleigh council & civic updates Holiday markets, parades, festivals Local dining, breweries, arts, culture

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#artwalk #culturalexperiences #downtownRaleigh #downtownRaleighEntertainmentGuide #downtownRaleighEventGuide #downtownarts #downtownraleigh #events #familyfriendlyactivities #firstFridayRaleigh #firstfriday #historictour #holidayEventsRaleigh #holidayevents #liveMusicRaleigh #livemusic #news #raleigh #raleighArts #raleighEvents #raleighImprov #raleighKidsEvents #raleighMarkets #raleighMusic #raleighNightlife #raleighTours #thingsToDoRaleigh

Art Walk

Downtown, Friday, December 5 at 05:00 PM MST

The Albuquerque Artwalk on Instagram: "Next ABQ Artwalk is December 5th! ’Tis the season to shop local and gift art to your loved ones 🎁 This month’s Artwalk features multiple holiday art markets across downtown, plus new exhibits, performances, and the unveiling of brand-new public art installation. ABQ Artwalk Friday Dec 5th 5-9pm. Stay tuned for more details!"

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRVEL2XkfdH/

https://burque.fun/event/art-walk

Little Italy to host Bella Vita Fest – ‘chalk’ full o’ fun

Photo courtesy of Bella Vita Fest To celebrate Italian Heritage Month, Little Italy will host the Bella Vita Fest this weekend — featuring more than 40 chalk artists.  The event, which begins a two-day run in the downtown ne…
#wine #ItalianWine #Italianwine #ArtWalk #bellavitafest #chalkart #Italia #Italian #italiano #italy #littleitaly #Wine
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2332488/little-italy-to-host-bella-vita-fest-chalk-full-o-fun/

Thanks for add to your "Cool Cats" #feed @thebohemianstar.bsky.social !! Go check this out! #artWalk otw.....her supervisor just told her to take a break LOL that super in the mirror super.

Fuck the Border Art Show

Mothership Gallery, Friday, October 3 at 06:00 PM MDT

Samuel POLLO Sisneros on Instagram: ""F*ck The Border Art Show is a collection of Woodblock prints from artists in Oaxaca, Oaxaca. This artistic movement began in 2006, a creative outlet in the aftermath of political unrest as APPO, ‘la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca’, responded to governments’ arrest and violence against professors. This moment changed Oaxacan politics forever, and allowed print-making, which at that time was only taught in the university, to explode onto the streets. Using bold mark-making and iconography, these prints now have a life of their own, demanding the viewer to think critically about the world around us. Now, we are honored to present a small portion of this revolutionary art form, which highlights the importance of standing up for what is right. These works are visually-rich, thematically intriguing, and serve as a spark to light the fire in each and every one of us.""

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPQEQVtEWk1/

https://burque.fun/event/fuck-the-border-art-show

Happy to be a part of Hvitsten salong. Some pictures from the art walk yesterday. I was in really good company with Jiska Huizing, Ase Brunborg Lie, Nurperi Orunbaeva and Finn Öhlund in the art walk.

The two instagram screen shot photos are borrowed from @peri_orunbaeva
#HvitstenSalong #ArtWalk #SoundArt #ArtFestival
#NurperiOrunbaeva #FinnÖhlund #JiskaHuizing #AseBrunbergLie

Lowrider Bike Club

Kukani Gallery, Thursday, August 7 at 05:00 PM MDT

Kukani Gallery on Instagram: "Super excited to have @dukecitylowriderbikeclub in the gallery next month!! This leadership program is nothing less than amazing, we are honored and proud to showcase their work 🙏 August 7th and 8th 5-10pm 🔥 Come through!! Thank you @robvanderslice and @simply_eunique24 for everything you do!! #kukanigallery #dukecity #lowrider #abqartwalk @abqartwalk"

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMi5R2DPAK8/

https://burque.fun/event/lowrider-bike-club

City of Fenton hosting Art Walk with art, music and food

FENTON, Mich. (WNEM) – The City of Fenton is hosting the Fenton Art Walk on July 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be art from local, regional and international artists at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center and …
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Food #ArtWalk #Fenton #FentonArtWalk #FentonCommunity&CulturalCenter #newbreakapp #RackhamPark
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2195135/city-of-fenton-hosting-art-walk-with-art-music-and-food/

People, probably: You can't possibly fit everything you need to sell your work at a 3-day art festival into your little hybrid

Me: Hold my wine

#YEGArt #ArtWalk #YEGPhotographer

There is just one month until the Whyte Avenue Art Walk! It may be in its 30th year, but this will be my first time there as an artist! If you are in or passing through #Edmonton between July 11-13, it’s a must-see event!

https://art-walk.ca

#ArtWalkYEG #ArtWalk #ShopLocal #LocalArt #CanadianArtist #CanadianPhotographer #YEGArtist #YEGArt #YEGPhotographer

Chula Vista Celebrates Pride: Flag Raising & Art Walk! Catch up on the latest Chula Vista City Council news! We announce the Pride flag raising on June 3rd with a special program, including a pop-up art walk featuring artists from Southwestern College. A great opportunity for everyone! #ChulaVista #CityCouncil #PrideFlag #June3rd #ArtWalk #SouthwesternCollege #CommunityEvents #LocalNews #CulturalArts #CivicEngagementhttps://https://ift.tt/1jZGP9N

Chula Vista Celebrates Pride: Flag Raising & Art Walk!
Catch up on the latest Chula Vista City Council news! We announce the Pride flag raising on June 3rd with a special program, including a pop-up art walk featuring artists from Southwestern College. A great opportunity for everyone! #ChulaVista #CityCouncil #PrideFlag #June3rd #ArtWalk #SouthwesternCollege #CommunityEvents #LocalNews #CulturalArts #CivicEngagement

June 02, 2025 at 02:44PM

via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DKafdQHKYYU/

Barrio Cruise

El Chante: Casa de Cultura, Friday, June 6 at 06:00 PM MDT

El Chante: Casa de Cultura on Instagram: "The Return of Barrio Cruise on First Friday June 6th, 6pm-8pm in Downtown Burque - El Chante: Casa de Cultura & ArrowSoul Trading Post. Visit each location to enjoy an evening of art, clothing, culture, community, and more! @arrowsoultradingpost @blyfe_calligraphy @2geminicrafts @elchantecasadecultura #burqueart #firstfriday #downtownabq #barriocruise #barriowalk #firstfridayartwalk"

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKS4jkhpj_b/

https://burque.fun/event/barrio-cruise

i had a chance to get a sneak peek of the art at the new location of secret gallery for its show 'nosotros somos'. completely mind-blowing amazing! if you can make it to the official opening friday june 6, i highly recommend it.

https://www.instagram.com/secretgallerynm/

#abq #artwalk #secretgallery #art #artopening #nm #southwestart