The Triangle Event Guide: Weekend Edition – Friday–Sunday December 12–14th
Looking for things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and across the Triangle this weekend? From free Santa photos and holiday markets to Christmas light displays, parades, live music, and family-friendly events, the DoRaleigh Triangle Weekend Event Guide is packed with festive fun for all ages.
Whether you’re planning a full weekend itinerary or just looking for one standout event, here’s what’s happening across the Triangle from Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14, 2025.
🎄 Friday, December 12, 2025
Kick off the weekend with holiday deals, light displays, cultural events, and plenty of free activities.
Highlights & Free Events
Krispy Kreme Day of the Dozen – Buy a dozen, get a dozen for $1 All Day | $1 | Krispy Kreme (multiple locations) Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland All Day | FREE | Multiple locations Cary Gingerbread House Competition All Day | FREE | Downtown Cary North Carolina Executive Mansion Holiday Open House 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh Holiday Open House at the NC State Capitol 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh Nature Tales for Children 10:00–11:00 AM | FREE | NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Afternoon & Evening Events
Illuminate Art Walk 4:45 PM | FREE | Downtown Raleigh Moore Square Winterfaire 5:00–9:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh Soulful Holiday Open House 5:30–9:00 PM | FREE | John Chavis Memorial Park 18th Annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market 5:00–9:00 PM | FREE | NC State Fairgrounds Santa’s Trolley 5:00–8:00 PM | $15 | Mordecai Historic Park North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival 6:00–10:00 PM | Paid | Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Lights, Music & Nightlife
Christmas light displays in Wendell, Wake Forest, Wilson, Cary, Middlesex Free concerts, karaoke, comedy open mics, trivia, and brewery events across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs
🎅 Saturday, December 13, 2025
Saturday is packed with parades, markets, Santa events, tours, and holiday traditions across the Triangle.
Morning & Daytime Events
Durham Holiday Parade 10:00 AM | FREE | Downtown Durham Knightdale Christmas Parade 10:00 AM | FREE | Knightdale Happy Holly Days Parade 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | FREE | Holly Springs Durham Craft Market 8:00 AM–12:00 PM | FREE | Durham Central Park Santa Express at New Hope Valley Railway Multiple times | Paid | New Hill Free Holiday Mug Giveaway at Lowe’s 10:00 AM | FREE | Multiple locations Holiday Open House at the Executive Mansion 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh
Family & Community Events
Festive Family Fun Day – City of Raleigh Museum Free Toy Giveaways – Shaw University, Kingdom Life Church, AJ’s Cheesecakes Shop Local Raleigh: Holidays on Hammell Moore Square Winterfaire & Santa Meet-and-Greet
Afternoon & Evening Highlights
Krampus Walk & Krampus Night Market – Durham Winter Lantern Walk – NC Museum of Art Illuminate Art Walk – Downtown Raleigh Live Nativities & Walk-Through Christmas Dramas – Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Creedmoor Christmas Light Farms & Hayrides – Clayton, Cary, Middlesex
Night Events
Skywatching: Geminid Meteor Shower – Stagville & West Point on the Eno Live music, comedy showcases, karaoke nights, and movie screenings throughout the Triangle
🎁 Sunday, December 14, 2025
Wrap up the weekend with relaxed, family-friendly holiday events.
Sunday Highlights
Holiday Kiln Opening at Mark Hewitt Pottery 12:00–5:00 PM | FREE | Pittsboro Moore Square Winterfaire 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | FREE | Raleigh Durham Craft Market Holiday Edition 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | FREE | Durham Santa Express at New Hope Valley Railway Multiple times | Paid Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops & Nordstrom All Day | FREE Hike with a Naturalist 9:30–11:00 AM | FREE | Historic Yates Mill Park
🎄 Plan Your Triangle Weekend
This weekend is one of the busiest holiday weekends of the season in the Triangle, with hundreds of free and low-cost events for families, couples, and groups of friends. Many Santa events and trolley rides require advance reservations, so plan ahead where needed.
👉 Bookmark DoRaleigh.com for daily Triangle event guides, holiday roundups, and last-minute updates.
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