30+ family events in November, December
The year is almost over but there are several wonderful family events coming up soon.
Nov. 13: Peppa Pig’s Sing-Along Party DPAC - The lovable, cheeky little piggy is back in a brand-new interactive production filled with dancing, singing and puddle jumping.
Nov. 17: Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting - There will be food trucks, live music and dance performances, beer and wine, a local vendor market, Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.
Nov. 17: Tree Lighting at Waverly Place - There will be live music by The Embers, death-defying feats by our aerial artists, children’s activities and special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Nov. 17-19: Winter Wonderland at Park West Village - Kids of all ages will enjoy a variety of activities including train rides around the district, storytime with Santa, food trucks and hot beverages, face painting and holiday crafts.
Nov. 17-Jan. 14: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival - The beloved walk-through festival returns to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre for eight weeks with more than 40 new displays with LED lights. Date-specific tickets are already available online.
Nov. 17-19: Jurassic Quest - Observe a herd of life-size robotic dinosaurs at the Raleigh Convention Center. Tickets start at $22.
Nov. 18: North Hills Tree Lighting - The event features snow slopes, trackless train rides, kids crafts and activities, a bounce house, and a vendor village.
Nov. 18: Light the Square at Fenton - Live music to ice skating to horse-drawn carriage rides and a special appearance by Anna and Elsa from Frozen.
Nov. 18: Raleigh Christmas Parade - The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street.
Nov. 18: Post-parade Holiday Market - The market is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Transfer Co. Food Hall.
Nov. 21-26: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The holiday Broadway show comes to the Steven Tanger Center in Greensboro.
Nov. 22-Dec. 31: Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland - A walk-through holiday light event transforms Durham Bulls Athletic Park into a winter wonderland.
Nov. 22: A Magical Cirque Christmas - Embrace the holiday spirit with a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages.
Nov. 22 and Nov. 24-25: NC Symphony's Holiday at Hogwarts - Join your North Carolina Symphony for selections from your favorite Harry Potter films. Arrive early for kids’ and adults’ costume contests!
Nov. 29: American Tobacco Tower Lighting - The iconic water tower is lit plus there will be appearances from Imagine Circus, Wool E. Bull, Rudolph, Frosty, Lisa Gaither Art and Mr. & Mrs. Claus. After the tower lights, grab a hot cocoa, stroll the river and enjoy post-show music, art, and entertainment.
Nov. 30: Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting - Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with sleigh rides, choir music, hot beverages and more.
Dec. 1: Lighting of Wake Forest - The Town of Wake Forest will light its tree from 5 to 8 p.m. on Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St.
Dec. 1-7: Raleigh Little Theatre presents: Cinderella 2023 - RLT’s holiday tradition returns for the 39th year. Kids of all ages will love this retelling of the beloved fairy tale, filled with music, laughs, and a sparkle of magic.
Dec. 1: Wendell Wonderland - With activities like the Lake Myra Light Show, trolley rides, a holiday market, dance and chorus performances, Santa Claus, a cookie walk, tree lighting ceremony, food trucks and more. Visitors are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for children in need up to the age of 12 at multiple donation sites while enjoying the festivities.
Dec. 1: Santa Paws - Enjoy pictures with Santa, a holiday pet market and food vendors. This event also includes a canine ugly sweater contest, holiday pet market, and canine food and toy drive. It is happening from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Durham Armory.
Dec. 2: Apex Rotary Christmas Parade - The Annual Apex Rotary Christmas Parade traditionally takes place at 5 p.m. on the first Saturday of December. The parade kicks off at Apex Peakway and Ambergate Station, turning down Salem Street, and ending at Moore Street.
Dec. 2: Garner Christmas Parade, Party and Tree Lighting - The Garner Optimist Club, Christmas Parade Committee and the Town of Garner are partnering this year to combine the town’s holiday block party and tree lighting with the Christmas Parade.
Dec. 2: Holiday Block Party - This free family-friendly event will feature holiday kids’ crafts, food trucks, games, music, and more. The Garner Express, a 24-person train ride, will take you on a trip around the outdoor walking trail, and when Santa Claus joins the party be ready for those family pictures. Stick around for the parade and tree lighting to follow.
Dec. 2-3: Holidays with the Popes - Take a picture with Santa and ring in the holidays at the Pope House Museum. Registration is required. Includes five images.
Dec. 2: Rolesville Christmas Parade - Enjoy this annual parade starting at Thales Academy at 2 p.m. It will travel up Storage Drive to Main Street and then onto East Young Street, ending at Rolesville Baptist Church.
Dec. 2: Brunch with Santa - Meet Santa at Durham Food Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take photos with Santa, play reindeer games, enjoy festive face painting, and grab some brunch and lunch from the vendors throughout the hall.
Dec. 2: The Hip Hop Nutcracker - This show is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together.
Dec. 2 and Dec. 15-17: Cary Ballet Company presents: The Nutcracker - This holiday classic will be presented at AJ Fletcher Opera Theater on Dec. 2 and at Cary Arts Center from Dec. 15-17.
Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16: Santa's Reindeer Roundup Express - North Carolina Railway Museum & New Hope Valley Railway will host this event throughout December. Kids will be able to find Santa’s missing reindeer along the tracks as they ride on the historic train for four miles out-and-back for 50 minutes through the North Carolina countryside. Santa himself will be at the New Hope Valley Railway to greet all guests. Tickets need to be purchased in advance.
Dec. 3: Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade - This annual parade will be held in the Historic Downtown Fuquay District starting at 4 p.m.
Dec. 5-10: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage at DPAC.
Dec. 6-10: Disney On Ice: Magic In The Stars - Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars, where every story begins with a wish. This all-new production features figure skating, high-flying acrobatics, stunts, special effects and more fun to PNC Arena.
Dec. 8: Evening with Elves - Marbles Kids Museum hosts this annual family holiday celebration with s'mores outdoors, arctic museum play and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy. Receive an official elf name and dance the night away with the Marbles Elves. Kids, wear your pajamas. Tickets are $30.
Dec. 9: Durham Holiday Parade - Enjoy this holiday parade in downtown Durham on Main Street starting at 10 a.m.
Dec. 9: Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade - This annual parade starts at 2 p.m. in downtown Cary.
Dec. 9-17: Elf- The Musical - This hilarious musical follows the smash-hit 2003 movie that’s now a Holiday classic – and is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. See it at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
Dec. 9: Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade - The Happy Holly Days Parade is held the second Saturday of December. Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, marching groups and all sorts of entertaining entries travel Main Street through downtown.
Dec. 10: Santa on the Roof - The Durham will host this event on its rooftop from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will be responsible for taking their own photos.
Dec. 10: Who-Ville Holiday - This event will be held at Whitaker and Atlantic in Raleigh and will feature story time with the Grinch, cookie decorating, a pop up market, toy drive and music. Tickets are on sale now.
Dec. 13-17: A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park - Ira David Wood III’s beloved musical comedy, A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park, returns to DPAC for six performances.
Dec. 16: Geek and Grub Market (Holiday Edition) - Dress up in your ugliest sweater and finest holiday party attire and enjoy some holiday antics, giant board games, yummy food and geeky Items from more than 50 local geek themed artisans. This market is at Fred Fletcher Park from noon to 4 p.m.
Dec. 16-17: Marbles Gingerbread Jamboree - Create special memories this holiday season with your very own keepsake gingerbread house during this event at Marbles Kids Museum. Tickets are $20.
Dec. 20: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet - Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing this holiday classic at DPAC.
Dec. 20: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Christmas Ballet Show - Head to the Carolina Theatre to see this show featuring the classic story of Snow White. Tickets start at $30.
