Raleigh Weekend

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

Tara Pupilli

About Tara Pupilli

Tara Pupilli, a 2011 graduate of East Carolina University, is a veteran broadcast media alum who started her professional career in radio, grew into digital and television marketing roles, and is now enjoying life in an agency setting. She loves spending time with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and heads to the coast any chance she can get.

Friday Five: We’re All Checking Out Early

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Happy Thanksgiving, Raleigh friends! We’re sliding into your inbox early this week because, let’s be real—by Friday, most of us are going to be fully checked out (and honestly, we hope you are). Whether you’re in a food coma, road-tripping to see family, or strategically avoiding the sink full of dishes, the last thing you need is a newsletter arriving while you’re already mentally in sweats.

So yes, I’m one of those people too. I’ll be shopping, snacking, and pretending I’m “just browsing,” thank you very much. With that energy in mind…without further ado, here is your Friday Five—early!

What’s For Thanksgiving Dinner?

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Still have no idea? No worries! The Raleigh Food & Wine team rounded up a handy list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27—so whether you’re craving the full turkey-and-trimmings spread or just want someone else to handle dinner, you’ve got options. Skip the kitchen chaos and check out every Raleigh spot serving on Turkey Day.

But First… It’s Your Last Chance to Win Four Tickets to The Great Raleigh Trolley’s Santa Express

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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!

Miracle® at The Haymaker Is Holiday Chaos—in the Best Way

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If Jack Skellington and Buddy the Elf ever teamed up to open a cocktail bar, it would absolutely look like Miracle at The Haymaker. I got a sneak peek earlier this month, and the whole place feels like you stepped into a delightfully spooky Christmas fever dream—twisted tinsel, moody “Nightmare Before Christmas” energy, and photo ops that are basically begging for your camera roll.

Miracle® started in New York City back in 2014 and has become a worldwide holiday pop-up tradition, and Raleigh’s Haymaker goes all in every year. For 2025, the theme is A Very Scary Merry Christmas—think classic Miracle sparkle with a mischievous, Tim Burton-ish wink. The drink menu is stacked with seasonal cocktails (plus non-alcoholic options), and the immersive decor is half the reason to go. It’s over-the-top, campy, and ridiculously fun—exactly the kind of place that makes a night out feel like an event.

📍 Location: The Haymaker – 555 Fayetteville St #115, Raleigh
🗓 Date & Time: Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 31
💸 Cost: $5 GA Thurs–Sat / Fast-pass $20 at door (limited) / 21+ only / Cocktails & NA options for purchase

Trophy Trot: The Thanksgiving 5K That Actually Feels Like a Party

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If your family’s the “we run on Thanksgiving” type, you might as well make it worth waking up for. The Trophy Trot serves up a scenic 5K through Dorothea Dix Park, then immediately pivots into an afterparty at Trophy Brewing—because nothing says holiday spirit like earning your beer before noon. Expect strollers, folks in turkey hats, family crews in matching shirts, and a general vibe of “we’re doing this for fun, not a PR…probably.”

📍 Location: Dorothea Dix Park (race) + Trophy Brewing on Maywood Ave. (afterparty) • Street parking is available near Trophy Maywood, along Maywood Drive, Mercury Street, Herring Street, and Moring Street. Carpooling is encouraged; parking around Trophy Maywood will be limited.
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, Nov. 27 • 9 a.m.
💸 Cost: 5K $50 / Family of 4+ $175 (extra family members $40 each) / Virtual 5K $10 / Includes medal + beer (NA options available) / Strollers welcome, families encouraged

Ugly Sweaters + Grownup Holiday Magic at Pullen Park

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Here’s your excuse to do the holiday lights thing—without wrangling kids or pretending you’re not freezing. Merry & Bright turns Pullen Park into a twinkly, adults-only winter playground for one night, and it’s basically a choose-your-own festive adventure. Start with a slow stroll around the lake while everything sparkles, then post up on the event lawn for live music from Sidecar Social Club. From there? Go full kid-at-heart: ride the carousel (yes, there’s a reindeer), hop the holiday train, and jump into whatever reindeer games are calling your name. There are also postcard-making stations if you’re feeling wholesome and want to mail a little cheer.

And because this is a holiday evening for grownups, you can pair all that whimsy with beer, wine, and bites from the Pullen Café plus visiting food trucks and breweries. Even better, your ticket helps fund Play It Forward, Raleigh Parks’ program that supports families and individuals who need financial assistance to access recreation. So you get a magical night out and a warm-fuzzy reason to toast to it.

📍 Location: Pullen Park – 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 29 • 7–10 p.m.
💸 Cost: $35 / Ages 21+ only / Tickets via Ticketmaster (limited, no other outlets) / Beer, wine & food for purchase

Post-Thanksgiving Brunch = Better With a Left Hook Espresso Punch

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Still riding that after-Thanksgiving haze and already missing your daily coffee ritual? Left Hook’s got you. They’re popping up on Figulina’s patio every Sunday in November, which means you can slide into brunch, grab a to-go espresso, or sip something fancy off their expanding espresso menu while you carb-load on Figulina goodness. It’s basically a Sunday reset button—sunny patio, brunch buzz, and coffee that hits like a warm hug with a right hook.

And yes, this is the final Sunday of the series—so if you’ve been meaning to try them, this is your last November chance. Bonus feel-good points: you’re supporting Left Hook while they’re still in buildout mode for their upcoming brick-and-mortar on East Hargett. Show up hungry, leave caffeinated, repeat next month at their new spot.

📍 Location: Figulina – 317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh (Left Hook cart on the patio)
🗓 Date & Time: Sunday, Nov. 30 • 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (last Sunday pop-up of November)
💸 Cost: Free to attend / Coffee & espresso for purchase / Order tableside or grab to-go / Brunch reservations encouraged, walk-ins welcome

Sparkle Day Is Back at Dress—Save Your Black Friday Cash for This One

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If you feel like the real holiday shopping magic happens after the Black Friday chaos, Dress has your plan. The third annual Sparkle Day is basically a six-hour excuse to browse a storewide sale with a snack in hand and a little extra sparkle in the air. Think: racks full of deals, a steady stream of local vendors, and that pleasantly buzzy “everyone’s finding something good” energy.

This year’s pop-up lineup is stacked—Salty Truckers Custom Hat Company will be there for anyone ready to level up their winter fits, The Charm Bar Company is bringing the cute-and-custom accessory moment, and local artist Heather Jennings will have pieces that feel like you just discovered your new favorite maker. Translation: show up planning to shop for gifts, and you’ll probably leave with something for yourself too. You’ve been warned.

📍 Location: Dress – 3528 Wade Ave, Raleigh
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, Dec. 4 • 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
💸 Cost: Free to attend / Storewide sale / Local vendor pop-ups / Snacks while you shop