Nobody likes shopping when they’re hungry, so fill up before you hit the shops with STIR’s Black Friday Brunch on Friday, Nov. 25! They’ll be offering drink and brunch specials, with a percentage of draft cocktail sales going toward Oak City Cares and the North Carolina Coastal Federation. We love a brunch for a cause!
The Dessertery Is Now Open at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts!
Calling all dessert lovers! Holiday dessert café The Dessertery is serving up festive treats at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts on select nights (including this weekend!) through Dec. 23. Treat yourself to all-you-can eat sweets like cupcakes, cheesecake, cookies, and more—and a hot cocoa bar featuring over 50 toppings! Oh, how sweet it is!
Kick Off Christmas at Phillips Farms 🎄
Phillips Farms of Cary is kicking off the most magical time of the year with a host of festivities on Friday, Nov. 25. Make the short drive to Cary to pick up a Christmas tree, take photos with Santa, take a wagon ride while enjoying some hot cocoa, and make s’mores around the fire pit. The farm will also be hosting a Hot Chocolate Festival & Night Market on Nov. 26! ‘Tis the season!
A *Dream* Come True
Dreamville Festival is returning to Dorothea Dix Park April 1–2, and tickets are on sale now! Grab yours today and make sure to sign-up for festival updates + the music lineup.
Friday Five: It’s Christmas Time in the City
I want to start by apologizing to all those that wait until after Thanksgiving to start preparing for Christmas… As the resident mom at Raleigh Weekend, I will be heading to multiple tree lightings, the parade, and all things holiday related this weekend. Don’t worry, I’ve planned a stop for cocktails, too! Without further ado, Santa Claus is coming to town and it’s time for your Friday Five!
But First… Avoid the Ham Jam 🐷
Nothing lets you know it’s the holidays like the line of cars queued up for their holiday ham at local Honey Baked Ham stores. It’s tradition! It’s also become tradition for our fave local real estate agents, Ryan Boone and Annie Meadows of Hudson Residential, to treat one lucky Raleigh Weekend winner to a $50 The Honey Baked Ham Company gift card.
The First Tree Lighting of the Weekend 🎄
That’s right, more tree lightings to come but let’s kick things off in Downtown Raleigh! The annual Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting is tonight, Friday, November 18, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., in front of Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Don’t want to brave the crowds? I recommend heading to 10th & Terrace at Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown. They are located right across the street and their rooftop bar has one of the best views in town. Bonus… they have cocktails!
Let’s Get Lit 💡
Tonight is the first night of the NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre! It features more than 40 all-new displays, each one comprised of hundreds of parts, and thousands of LED lights.