Raleigh Weekend

The Local's Guide to Things to Do in Raleigh, NC

Lisa Jeffries Nobling

🐾 You Voted—We Gave Back

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Thanks to your votes, our December reader-voted donation winner is Friends of Wake County Animal Center (FWCAC)! We’re proud to donate $100 to an organization doing incredible work for animals—and the people who love them—right here in Wake County.

FWCAC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for shelter animals and their human families by providing access to vital medical care, boarding, and placement for animals in need—helping improve outcomes and reduce euthanasia rates at the Wake County Animal Center. Their work also promotes adoption, safety, and responsible pet ownership through education and public outreach, while supporting local rescues, shelters, and adopters to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our community.

🐶🐱 Learn more (and show them some love):
👉 friendsofwakeanimals.org

Thank you to everyone who voted—and to FWCAC for the lifesaving work you do every day.

Image: Friends of Wake County Animal Center – All Photography Courtesy of Landfill Dogs

Brunch Your Way Into 2026 at Birdie’s

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Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen will be serving its weekend brunch menu on Thursday, January 1, starting at 7 a.m. Start the new year downtown with cocktails, coffee, and classic brunch favorites, including Eggs Benne, the Simple Egg Sammie, French Toast, a Hippie Hash Bowl, and more.

📍 Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen – 150 Fayetteville St, Raleigh

📅 Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 7 a.m.

💸 Menu prices vary

Ready for One Last Hustle Before the Holidays Hit Pause?

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If your calendar still has a little wiggle room—and your holiday spirit isn’t quite ready to clock out yet—this weekend is stacked in the best possible way. From cookie decorating on Friday to trolley rides packed with Christmas cheer, artisan shopping, pet photos with Santa, gingerbread house competition energy, and even a smart, clutter-free gift idea for the bourbon lover on your list, we’re squeezing every last drop out of the season. We’re also closing things out with a look ahead to New Year’s Eve, because once Santa lands, it’s only a matter of time before the countdown begins. Grab your people, pick your favorites, and let’s finish strong. 🎅🎄❄️🥂🕎🎁🐾

PS: This is my last week taking lead on writing for the year! Peyton’s in charge next week. Thank y’all so much for reading in 2025, it’s been a pleasure keeping y’all entertained with our curated guide to the Capital City and beyond. Thank you for keeping it local… see you in 2026! 🥂

But First, With One Last Sprinkling of Mindful Cheer…

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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

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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

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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

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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.