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Happy Thanksgiving week! If you’re staying in town this holiday, there’s a plethora of things to do in Raleigh—from WRAL’s Night of Lights and the NC Chinese Lantern Festival to the Trophy Trot 10K and various pop-up markets.
THROUGH 12/24
WRAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
Illuminate your holiday season with more lights—and more nights—at WRAL’s second annual Night of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dix Park. wral.com
THROUGH 12/24
THE POLAR EXPRESS 3D
All aboard The Polar Express with Tom Hanks at this Marbles Kids Museum’s 3D showing of the beloved adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s popular picture book. marbleskidsmuseum.org
THROUGH 1/9
NC CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL
Get lit with this uberpopular hip holiday light show tradition, back for its fifth installment with all new displays and can’t-miss nightly performances at Cary’s Koka Booth. boothamphitheatre.com
THROUGH 1/21
ABSTRACTO/LATINO
Explore diverse art movements— from French Cubism to Russian Constructivism—through work from local Latinx abstraction artists at Block Gallery. raleighnc.gov
THROUGH 2/21
RALEIGH’S LIVING ROOM
Time for some much-needed R&R. The COR Museum invites you to rest, reflect and respond through art therapy and prompts. (P.S. Writing on the walls is encouraged! Harold and his purple crayon would be so thrilled.) raleighnc.gov
11/25
TROPHY TROT 10K
Work up an appetite on Thanksgiving Day with some Turkey Day trotting for the annual Trophy Trot 10K at Dix Park (as well as virtual op). Trot on! trophybrewing.com
11/26
A FAMILY HOLIDAY CONCERT
Transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas with a symphonic performance of music from The Polar Express, Babes in Toyland and plenty of other winter faves. ncsymphony.org
11/26
NC STATE VS. UNC
It’s the regular season finale… and the Pack hasn’t taken this rivalry in Raleigh since 2017. Time for a game changer! GTH, Carolina! gopack.com
11/26–28
BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND FESTIVAL
It’s always Black Friday at DTR’s Black Friday Market, so we can only imagine what their Black Friday Weekend Festival will hold. Go big or go home. blackfriday.market
11/26–28
CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC
The only team of magicians in the world is showcasing its impossible illusions and interactive magic at DECPA four days this month. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
11/26–28
NORTH CAROLINA HOLIDAY FLOTILLA
Deck the dock with boughs of holly… After a one-year hiatus, the fan-fave North Carolina Holiday Flotilla is back and better than ever. Embark on the weekend at the Friday tree lighting ceremony; then buoy up the festive fun factor Saturday with the Festival in the Park, featuring 100-plus vendors, an inflatable- filled kids’ play area, the ever-popular Arab Choo Choo, food and more—not to mention the fest star: the lighted boat parade and fireworks show. Don’t forget to vote via text for People’s Choice and Crowd Favorite awards once the parade starts—hey, whatever floats your boat. ncholidayflotilla.org
11/26–28
RISE AGAINST HUNGER COMMUNITY EVENT AND BLOOD DRIVE
Rise Against Hunger invites you to spend your Thanksgiving weekend giving back. Fight global hunger and a local blood supply shortage simultaneously at this three-day event happening this weekend. riseagainsthunger.org
11/26–12/23
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON THE FARM
Over the hills and through the woods—literally—to the farm we go for opening night of Christmas Lights, with hayrides through the woods to Christmas Village and into the Field of Lights. Get extra festive with s’mores around the fire pits (plus hot chocolate and apple cider to keep warm) and festive carolers, and don’t miss a chance to visit with the jolly man—and his pal Bucky the Reindeer—himself. christmaslightsonthefarm.com
11/26–12/31
LEAPING OFF THE DRAWING BOARD
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Explore the art of Dr. Seuss at LaMantia Gallery, and listen as Jeff Schuffman shares stories about the collection and its inspiration. lamantiagallery.com
11/27
IN THE SPIRIT OF DICKENS
If you Scrooge you lose… Take your holiday shopping next-level with the Fayetteville Arts Council’s holiday shopping and arts event “in the spirit of Dickens,” complete with select local vendors, carolers and more—so you can start crossing off the “good” list early. It promises to be one heck of a bah- humbug beater. theartscouncil.com
11/27
TRIANGLE POP-UP MARKET
Shop till you drop—just in time for Small Business Saturday! Transfer Co. Food Hall is hosting Triangle Pop-Up and its highly curated selection of local goods. transfercofoodhall.com
11/28
YOGA-INSPIRED POP-UP AT TRANSFER CO.
Om for the holidays? The Zen is in… Yoga Inspired will be hosting a free yoga class at Transfer Co. Food Hall for both beginners and experienced yogis so you can get Down Dog with yo’ bad self. transfercofoodhall.com
12/2
HOLIDAY MARKET AT HARTWELL
“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” Find meaning at Hartwell’s local- maker-laden Raleigh holiday market. raleighnightmarket.com
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