As the Triangle shifts into full holiday mode, the week ahead brings some of the season’s most anticipated celebrations. From small-town charm and local maker markets to a breathtaking international festival of lights, there’s no shortage of ways to soak in the magic. Here’s what’s happening across the area this week and why each event deserves a spot on your calendar.
Apex Tree Lighting | Apex
The Apex Tree Lighting Ceremony returns to the Town Hall Campus at 73 Hunter Street in Apex, filling Friday, December 5 with festive charm from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Families can enjoy entertainers like Poetry Fox and Cirque de Vol, make reindeer food, write letters to Santa, and shop holiday vendors from the Apex Farmers Market. Food trucks including Arepa Culture, Cream and Sugar, Little Blue Bakehouse, and Mac Daddy’s will be onsite throughout the evening, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. tree lighting with the Apex Town Council. View the full schedule on the Town of Apex website.
MAKRS Holiday Fest | Raleigh
Downtown Raleigh transforms into a lively holiday marketplace on Saturday, December 6, when the 5th Annual MAKRS Holiday Fest takes over City Plaza at 443 Fayetteville Street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 200 local vendors will line the plaza, offering a full day of browsing, gift shopping, and supporting small businesses. Visitors can enjoy a food truck rodeo, live music, a DJ, a kids’ zone, and even a holiday wrestling ring starring Santa, along with beer, wine, bubbly, desserts, and coffee. Two holiday-decorated lounges with cozy seating make it easy to stay awhile. Explore vendors and details on the MAKRS Society website.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival | Cary
For a one-of-a-kind holiday experience, the NC Chinese Lantern Festival lights up Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary every night from 6 to 10 p.m. The walk-through display features more than 40 handcrafted lantern installations, created onsite by visiting artisans from China who spend weeks building the glowing sculptures. Celebrating ten years in Cary, the festival stretches across the amphitheatre grounds and over Symphony Lake, offering a vibrant world of color, art, and storytelling. Nightly cultural performances and a mix of classic concessions and Asian-inspired treats make it easy to linger and explore. Plan your visit and purchase tickets on their website.
As you fill your December calendar, these events offer the perfect blend of tradition, creativity, and holiday wonder across the Triangle. Stay tuned for next week’s roundup—and in the meantime, bundle up, head out, and savor the season.
