In place of a giveaway this month, choose where we’ll donate $100 on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Cast your vote from our list of local nonprofits: The Women’s Center, Friends of Wake County Animal Center, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Read and Feed, and CASA—or suggest your own favorite local non-profit organization. We thank you for helping us spread the love in this season of giving. 💌
A Sweet Stop Before Santa Arrives: Christmas Cookie Decorating at Nana’s Lil Sweets
Just outside of Raleigh in Garner, Nana’s Lil Sweets is hosting a Christmas Cookie Decorating Class on Friday, Dec. 19, perfect for anyone looking to squeeze in a cozy, creative holiday experience. The class begins at 6:30 p.m. and invites guests to decorate a festive assortment of cookies in a coordinated holiday color theme.
Each ticket includes six large cookies and four mini cookies, plus all decorating supplies—making this a fun girls’ night out, a low-key date idea, or a sweet way to kick off the weekend before Santa arrives.
📍 Nana’s Lil Sweets, 105 W. Main St., Garner
💸 Cost: $55 per person
📅 Friday, Dec. 19 | 6:30 p.m.
All Aboard for Peak Holiday Cheer: Christmas Trolley Tours With The Great Raleigh Trolley
If your holiday calendar is still just a little open—or you’re just not ready to let the season slow down—The Great Raleigh Trolley is running Christmas-themed tours nearly nonstop through Tuesday, Dec. 23. With festive options like Santa Express, Hidden Holiday, and Cocoa & Caroling, there’s no shortage of ways to pack in one more dose of seasonal fun.
Saturday, Dec. 20, is especially stacked, with 10 departures throughout the day, making it easy to fit a trolley tour in between shopping, parties, and all the other holiday hustle. Departure times vary by tour, and tickets start at just $27.
📍 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh
💸 Cost: Tickets start at $27
📅 Now through Dec. 23 (multiple daily departures; 10 tours on Saturday, Dec. 20)
When a Target Gift Card Won’t Cut It: Handcrafted Holiday Market at the NC State Fairgrounds
If you’re staring down your holiday gift list and realizing a last-minute big-box gift card just isn’t going to impress, the Handcrafted Holiday Market is here to save the day. Packed with artisan-made goods, this two-day market is the perfect place to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts that actually feel personal.
Hosted at the NC State Fairgrounds Exposition Center, the market runs Saturday and Sunday, with admission covering both days—so you can browse, circle back, and shop with intention. Bonus: the Fairgrounds offers plenty of free parking, making this an easy stop during the holiday rush.
📍 NC State Fairgrounds – Exposition Center, Gate 12, 4285 Trinity Rd., Raleigh
💸 Cost: $5 online, $7 at the door; children 16 and under free (admission valid both days)
📅 Saturday, Dec. 20 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
📅 Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Last-Minute Holiday Card Energy: Pet Photos With Santa at Raleigh Brewing Company
For anyone who didn’t quite pull off the coordinated outfits, professional photographer, printing and mailing timeline this year—first of all, you’re in good company. Second, Raleigh Brewing Company has a festive solution on Saturday that’s perfect for your social feed (or enthusiastic email oversharing).
Bring your real bestie 🐾 to Pet Photos With Santa for a cheerful, low-pressure photo session with the big guy himself. Dress your pup in their holiday finest, grab a pic with just your pet or the whole crew, and let Santa do the heavy lifting when it comes to holiday content. Digital photos will be provided after the event, so you can share far and wide—seriously, bring it on.
A suggested $20 donation supports Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, and all pets must remain leashed or in carriers during the event.
📍 Raleigh Brewing Company, 3707 Neil Street, Raleigh
💸 Suggested donation: $20 (benefits Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue)
📅 Saturday, Dec. 20 | 2–4 p.m.
One Last Sweet Stop Before Santa Arrives: Gingerbread House Party at Wolfe & Porter
Wolfe & Porter is hosting a Gingerbread House Party on Sunday, Dec. 21, offering a cozy, competitive way to squeeze in one more holiday memory with your pals before Santa makes his rounds. From 6–8 p.m., guests can grab a drink, build a gingerbread house, and enter it into a friendly competition for a prize.
Gingerbread house kits and decorating supplies are provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Once the decorating is done, the houses will be featured on Instagram, where the public will vote to crown the winner. It’s equal parts holiday cheer, creative fun, and festive fuel—perfect for a final seasonal night out.
📍 Wolfe & Porter, 905 W. Morgan St., Raleigh
💸 Cost: Free to attend; drinks available for purchase
📅 Sunday, Dec. 21 | 6–8 p.m.
A No-Clutter Gift for the Bourbon Lover in Your Life: Bourbon & Bites Saturdays at The Oak
If you’re hunting for a holiday gift that doesn’t add another bottle to an already crowded bar cart, Bourbon & Bites at The Oak checks just about every box. These Saturday tasting experiences run throughout January, making them an easy buy-now, enjoy-later gift for the whiskey fan—or food lover—in your life.
Each semi-private session features a guided bourbon tasting paired with thoughtfully prepared culinary bites, blending education, flavor, and hospitality into one memorable afternoon. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned bourbon enthusiast or someone who simply enjoys a great experience, this is a gift that feels both elevated and approachable.
📍 The Oak, 4035 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh
💸 Cost: $60 + tax + gratuity per person
📅 Saturdays: Jan. 3, Jan. 10, Jan. 17, Jan. 24, or Jan. 31 | 1:30–3 p.m.
First Look: Inside Smash Social Club, Opening Dec. 11 in Raleigh
Raleigh’s Glenwood South is about to get a lively new addition with next week’s opening of Smash Social Club. We stopped by for an early preview of the games, cocktails, and shareable bites coming to this rooftop hangout.