Even with parades and tree lightings filling the calendar, there’s still plenty more happening around Raleigh to round out your weekend. From creative workshops to can’t-miss performances and local shopping events, we pulled together a few additional finds to inspire your plans. Keep scrolling for five fresh ways to enjoy the days ahead…
But First… Your Chance to Win Four Tickets to The Great Raleigh Trolley’s Santa Express
All aboard for some holiday magic! We’re partnering with our besties at The Great Raleigh Trolley to give away four tickets to this year’s Santa Express, a festive ride filled with Christmas cheer, story time, and a special visit from the big man himself. It’s one of Raleigh’s most charming holiday traditions—and you could be on board.
📅 Santa Express runs Saturday, Dec. 6–Tuesday, Dec. 23 (mostly weekends)
💸 Enter for your chance to win four tickets
📍 Winner will book their preferred date based on availability
Ready to make some merry memories? Register here for your chance to win—and keep an eye on your inbox to see if you’re our lucky winner!
Sip, Shop, and Sparkle at Brummitt’s Estate Jewelry Show
The vault is open, the cases are full, and the treasures are calling your name for one more day, Raleigh. Brummitt Jewelry Design Studio is hosting its annual estate jewelry show, which wraps a five-day showcase featuring pre-loved pieces at exceptional values on Friday—with even bigger discounts taken off their already great prices. From icons like Tiffany & Co., John Hardy, and David Yurman to one-of-a-kind designs handcrafted by Russ, this curated collection offers something truly special.
📅 Friday, Nov. 21—10 a.m.-6 p.m.
📍 6900 Six Forks Road, Suite 101—Raleigh, NC
💸 Free to attend; pricing varies by piece
Enjoy a complimentary libation while you browse, relax, and explore heirloom-worthy pearls, classic gold staples, gemstone beauties, and rare finds. ✨ Treat yourself—or find the perfect gift—at this can’t-miss annual event.
Start Your Art with a Beginner Drawing Class
Ready to explore your creative side? Join Raleigh Art Group instructor Thomas Guadalupe for a relaxed, beginner-friendly drawing workshop on Saturday designed to make an empty page feel far less intimidating. You’ll learn the fundamentals—perspective, proportion, shading, composition—and practice mark-making techniques that build confidence and spark creativity.
📅 Saturday, Nov. 22—10:30 a.m.
📍 Near Pullen Park—Raleigh, NC
💸 $49
Perfect for complete beginners, this three-hour hands-on class will equip you with the skills to create expressive, beautiful artwork. 🎨
Reserve your spot and start drawing with confidence!
Because We Could All Use a Little Dolly in Our Lives…
This weekend, Dolly Parton’s iconic music takes center stage in Threads: My Songs in Symphony, an immersive multimedia experience that brings her storytelling to life through orchestrated arrangements. While Dolly appears on screen (not in person), audiences can expect a captivating journey through her greatest hits—including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You”—plus personal favorites and a yet-to-be-released selection from her upcoming Broadway musical.
📅 Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m.
📍 Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts—Raleigh, NC
💸 Tickets from $62.24
Ready for a little Dolly magic? ✨ Grab your tickets and enjoy this symphonic celebration of her legendary career.
Now and Next Weekend: Figulina’s Hosting a Traditional Italian Piedmont Bagna Càuda Feast
Figulina is bringing a beloved Northern Italian tradition to downtown with a communal Bagna Càuda feast on the weekends before and after Thanksgiving. Expect a bubbling “hot bath” of anchovy, garlic, and olive oil served with curated charcuterie, crisp crudités, and plenty of wine—all shared around a cozy, communal table.
📅 Dates & Times: Nov. 21, 22, 28 & 29; Two seatings each night: 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
💸 Tickets: $95 per person – A portion of each ticket supports the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Reservations available via Resy.
📍 Location: Figulina — 317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh
Clash on the Ice: Tar Heels vs. Icepack for the Governor’s Cup
On Sunday, one of college hockey’s fiercest rivalries is back in Raleigh as the UNC Tar Heels take on the N.C. State Icepack for the Governor’s Cup. Expect a packed audience, high-energy gameplay, and all the bragging rights on the line at the Lenovo Center.
📅 Sunday, Nov. 23—5 p.m.
📍 Lenovo Center—Raleigh, NC
💸 Tickets start at $14
Grab your seats and get ready for a showdown that college hockey fans won’t want to miss. 🏒🔥
Plan Ahead: Tour the Restored George Matsumoto House in December
NC Modernist is hosting special timed tours of the beautifully restored George Matsumoto House in West Raleigh on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This incredible mid-century modern home—once identified as endangered—was saved and relocated to West Raleigh in January 2024. Now fully restored, it’s a rare chance to experience the work of one of North Carolina’s most significant architects up close.
📅 Saturday, Dec. 20 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 George Matsumoto House, West Raleigh
💸 $14.95 timed-entry tickets or $21 VIP anytime-entry ticket