29 Things to Do in Raleigh This Week, Nov. 16–22

Through 3/24
Anna Valdez: Bird’s Eye View

Bird is the word! Ponder the vibrant natural world via this colorful exhibit touched by every medium—from bones to stuffed mammals to milk crates to rugs. camraleigh.org

11/16
2023 Turkey Ball

Gobble till you wobble via Mulino’s annual Thanksgiving dinner featuring passed hors d’oeuvres of Italian favorites, with your $45 ticket purchase providing a turkey to someone who may not normally have one for the holiday. Talk about having a ball! mulinoraleigh.com

11/16
Designed For Joy’s Christmas Sip and Shop

No better way to do your Christmas shopping than with a glass of wine in hand (!). Sip and shop selects from Oliver Sadie Clay, Gaia’s Closet, Blackology Coffee and more. designedforjoy.com

11/16
Fall Dance Concert

Enjoy all the fall things! Watch the Panoramic Dance Project and the State Dance Company sway the night away with fall performances choreographed by guest artists and students alike. calendar.ncsu.edu 

11/16–19
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

See the seasons dance before your eyes at this on-pointe ballet performance backdropped by the poetic music of composer Shinji Eshima. martinmariettacenter.com 

Starting 11/17
The Dessertery

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas… especially at Martin Marietta’s all-you-can-eat seasonal sweets cafe. And calories don’t count during the holidays, so be sure to treat your elf! martinmariettacenter.com

Starting 11/17
NC Chinese Lantern Festival 

The fan-fave fest promises to be *lit* again this year thanks to 40+ new awe-inspiring Chinese lantern displays, plus captivating cultural performances nightly. Glow on! boothamphitheatre.com

11/17
DRA Tree Lighting

Kick off the spirited season in DTR with holiday entertainment, local vendors, delicious food and drinks, and photo ops with Santa himself. downtownraleigh.org

11/17–18
An American in Paris

Romanticize being a tourist in the City of Love at this two-night symphony spectacular. That’s amour, indeed! ncsymphony.org

11/17–19
Rise Against Hunger’s 25th Anniversary Event

Rise against food insecurity by working a meal-packaging shift of meal packaging at the Raleigh warehouse, complete with fun, games and fellowship. Short on time? Make a donation instead—every dollar counts! salesforce-sites.com

11/17–19
Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show

For plans that totally rock, ogle an abundance of estate, classic, handcrafted and fashion jewelry made from several different crystals, minerals and fossils. ncstatefair.org

Starting 11/18
The Rink presented by UNC Health

Ice, ice baby. Figure-eight your way into the holidays with the return of Raleigh’s festive Rockefeller-esque ice skating rink at Red Hat, with nonprofit partnerships on rotating throughout its run this winter. redhatamphitheater.com

11/18
28th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration

Dive into NC Indigenous people’s past via a virtual education presentation—and explore their accomplishments in science, art and culture. ncmuseumofhistory.org

11/18
79th Raleigh Christmas Parade

Post up on your couch or on the curb for the return of the Raleigh Christmas Parade—the largest between DC and Atlanta—with nonmotorized floats feat. marching bands, performers, costume characters, horses, dog rescues, giant balloons, musical acts and more. grma.org

11/18
Adoptions Information Fair

Looking to add a new smiling face to your family? Get all the information you need at Wake County’s adoption fair this weekend. How pawsome. wake.gov

11/18
Art Bash

Let’s get this party arted. Join art collectors, studio artists, makers and visionaries for a special evening boasting private and live collecting opportunities; bites; live music; and art experiences including Carolina Roots, which highlights rural artists of NC. artspacenc.org 

11/18
Busy Vintage Pop-Up at Raleigh Iron Works

Calling all the thrifty gals and guys! Get your vintage shopping on as you sip mimosas and browse the wares of 80+ local artists and vendors. trianglepopup.com

11/18 
Cocktail Classic
Get a taste from our 10 Best Bartender nominees at Killjoy as they each pair up with a premium liquor label to mix up riffs on classics against a boujee backdrop of endless eats and beats. Yes, “cocktails & dreams” do come true. … See you there! cocktailclassicraleigh.com

11/18
The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show

A classic who dunnit! Feast on a delicious dinner and help solve a horrific crime at America’s largest interactive comedy mystery show. But be careful… you might just be the prime suspect. thedinnerdetective.com

11/18
Dix Park History Hike

These shoes were made for walking—while exploring Dix Park’s complex layered history surrounding themes like indigenous land/displacement, slavery and unpaid labor, mental health, rehabilitation/recovery, and ecological imbalance. dixpark.org 

11/18
Lighting of the Tree

Let there be light! Switch on the holiday spirit via this annual tree-lighting ceremony also feat. live music, horse and carriage rides, face painting, and meet and greet ops with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. lafayettevillageraleigh.com

11/18
Light the Square

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Fenton via its first annual tree lighting ceremony, complete with carriage rides, performances, ice skating, a laser light show, delicious drinks and an appearance from the jolly ’ole man himself. … And it promises to be lit. fentonnc.com

11/18
North Hills Tree Lighting

Christmas is calling. … Fuel the warm and fuzzies with live tunes, kids activities, food truck fare and a vendor village. #Sleigh! visitnorthhills.com

11/18
6th Annual Oyster Roast

Don’t be so clammy! With live music and smoked, steamed and raw eats via Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., this roast is sure to be a shucking good time. carolinabrewery.com

11/18
Roshambo Holiday Market

Christmas shop till you drop with a festive cocktail in hand and live holiday music amplifying the atmosphere at this market immediately following the Christmas parade. Your presents is requested! transfercofoodhall.com

11/18
Skyzoo

This American rapper and songwriter has ghostwritten songs for some of the biggest names in hip-hop—and will have you on cloud nine with his own rich discography. etix.com

11/19
Candle Making

The urge to sit candlelight at 5pm has never been greater… so fulfill that desire with this popular candle-making class that emphasizes storytelling and personal connection. Sounds lit. copperlineplants.com

11/19
Sunday Night Smoke Out

No Sunday scaries here! All are welcome at this service industry shindig that promises Latin American munchies, margs, cervezas and black sesame horchata. @malapata.molino

Opening 11/22
Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland

Nights of Lights may be no more, but now you can hit Christmas outta the park with a walk through a festive winter wonderland at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Catch ya there! milb.com