“What’s this? What’s this? There’s magic in the air!” Catch “The Nightmare Before Christmas” streaming throughout Boxcar on Friday, Dec. 13, starting at 8 p.m. Sip on merry Christmas cocktails, and show off your festive fits to score four free game tokens at the door! Whether you’re cozying up with a $6 Great Lakes Christmas Ale, warming your spirits with a $3 Fireball, or keeping it cool with a $5 Lunazul, the holiday vibes are at Boxcar to make your night anything but a nightmare.
Santa Claus is Coming to Birdie’s
I haven’t had the chance to visit Birdie’s yet, but when I saw this event, I knew it was the perfect excuse to check it out! On Saturday, Dec. 14, enjoy a festive brunch buffet at Birdie’s and grab your holiday family photo with Santa to get into the Christmas spirit. Brunch with Santa is a family-friendly event and the perfect way to kick off the holiday festivities! Make your reservation anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their brunch buffet is $40/adult and $15/children 10 and under. Kids under two eat for free!
A Holiday Sip & Shop & A Sneak Peek at Allen Park? Yes, Please!
Get ready for a holly jolly good time this Sunday, December 15, from 1 to 4 p.m.! Stroll through gorgeous homes, shop unique treasures from boutique local vendors, snap a selfie with Santa, and let the delightful sounds of the Lake Myra Otter Choir fill your heart with holiday magic. Hosted by Garman Homes, this special event highlights their stunning new development, Allen Park, located on the edge of Raleigh in Knightdale. Don’t miss the chance to soak up the holiday cheer in this picturesque setting!
Friday Five: Gobble Up the Popcorn
We hope this goes without saying, but we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. Not just because it’s Thanksgiving, but because we truly care about you. Billy Mack from “Love Actually” put it perfectly when he said, “I realized that Christmas is the time to be with the people you love.” And you, dear friends, are the people we love. We’re so excited to celebrate this holiday season with you.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, I thought I’d switch things up a bit this week by sharing some of my favorite holiday movie quotes and highlighting some fun events happening all weekend and beyond. But before we dive into that, I have a small request…
What if I told you that you could change your city with just $10? I know it sounds like a cheesy infomercial, but it’s true! Our friends at Raleigh Magazine are aiming to hit their Give Raleigh goal this year, and they need your help. A $10 donation can make a real difference for three incredible local nonprofits—Haven House, Healing Transitions, and SAFEchild—supporting people of all ages and addressing countless needs. Plus, TowneBank/Towne Insurance will match the first $10K donated, doubling your impact! Learn more and donate at RaleighMag.com.
Now, let’s get to the fun part! Grab your popcorn, put on your stretchy pants, and get ready to dive into your favorite holiday movies because, after Thanksgiving, the season officially begins!
But First… “The thing about trains… it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.” — Conductor, “The Polar Express”
This one might be a stretch, but if you’re hopping on the holiday ham train this weekend, you’ll need some magic to get through those infamous Thanksgiving lines. While we can’t help you this weekend, we are there for your Christmas feast. ICYMI, the holiday Ham Jam is back! To help you breeze past the crowd at Honey Baked Ham, over Christmas, we’ve teamed up with Annie Meadows and Ryan Boone of Hudson Residential to give away not one but TWO $50 gift cards! Enter for a chance to win by Nov. 30!
“Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!” — Kevin McCallister, “Home Alone 2”
Listen up, you festive party animals! I’ve got some holly-jolly news to share. From the same magical team that brings you Miracle at The Haymaker, this year, they’re doubling the holiday cheer with Miracle at Killjoy! That’s right—two unique Christmas pop-up experiences featuring the beloved classic Miracle cocktails you love, plus a few merry new surprises. Entry is just $5 on Fridays and Saturdays, and here’s the best part: it’s FREE during the weekdays! The festivities kick off Friday, Nov. 29! Be the first to experience Miracle at Killjoy.
“A toy is never truly happy until it is loved by a child.” — King Moonraiser, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Ready to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list? Head to the Annual Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market, Friday, Nov. 29, to Sunday, Dec. 1, at the NC State Fairgrounds. For over 37 years the Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market has been a Triangle Thanksgiving tradition for thousands of holiday shoppers. Over 250 exhibitors come together each year to showcase arts, crafts, holiday foods, gifts, flowers, holiday decorations, toys, and much, much more! The 90,000-square-foot Jim Graham Building is the setting for the show making it one of the largest Christmas gift shows in the state!
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.” — Buddy, “Elf”
Need a little more than candy and turkey this weekend? Stop by the Raleigh Foodie Fare: Small Business Saturday Edition at Raleigh Iron Works on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Indulge in delicious food and drinks, enjoy live music, explore unique art, and discover one-of-a-kind gifts. Support local businesses and make a difference this holiday season!