Out and About This Weekend (11/21 through 11/23)
Cheer on runners in the Holly Springs Half Marathon, catch the Raleigh Christmas Parade, be amazed at the Chinese Lantern Festival, plus local live music, holiday craft fairs, and many local events!
All Out and About events listed below are independently curated by the Holly Springs Update publisher. None are paid advertisements, nor the result of barter or in-kind exchanges.
Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee
- Regional
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina
Guide: South Wake County (NC) Holiday Events & Key Dates Guide for 2025 (click here)
Marquee Events
Multiple Dates
Marquee Event: NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival
November 15 – January 11
Summary: A spectacular holiday event perfect for the whole family. Immerse yourself in a world of wonder with thousands of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing various themes. This walk-through experience also features captivating cultural performances, a variety of concessions, and interactive elements that delight both children and adults.
Saturday, November 22
Marquee Event: Holly Springs Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Ting Park Ting Stadium
Holly Springs, NC https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/HollySprings/HollySpringsHalfMarathon
7:00 AM
Summary: All three races start from Ting Park. Runners will begin their journey just outside the stadium and have a fast downhill start onto Sportsmanship Way, then approach N. Main St. Crossing Main St., for the first mile, all runners will be challenged and rewarded by the rolling hills of Anchor Creek as they approach the entrance to Middle Creek Greenway. Come out and cheer the racers by checking the race maps!
Marquee Event: Pie-fect Pairings – Pie & Beer Flights
Black Dog Bottle Shop
140 W Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs, NC
https://blackdogbottleshop.com
7:00 PM
Summary: Two of the best things in life collide! Beer and Pie!
Marquee Event: Raleigh Christmas Parade
Downtown Raleigh Hillsborough St & St, Mary’s, Raleigh, NC https://grma.org/christmas-parade
7:00 AM
Summary: The largest Christmas Parade between Washington, DC, and Atlanta! The Raleigh Christmas Parade has been a beloved community event since it began in 1939.
Marquee Event: The Kindness in Cans Food Drive
Thanks A Latte
161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Summary: Non-profit, Spare Some Change, in conjunction with Thanks A Latte, is holding a food can drive to benefit the Holly Springs Food Cupboard. Bring your non-perishable, non-expired cans and enjoy Oakview Commons businesses.
Marquee Event: The Big-Giving
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
1:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Summary: $1 from every pint sold goes to Meals on Wheels of Wake County! Event features JW’s Smoke Shack food truck (1:30 PM – 6:30 PM), Jim Morgan Music (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM), and Clayton Sabine & Matthew Crowe (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Marquee Event: Town of Holly Springs Performing Arts Showcase: Drama, Fall 2025
Holly Springs Cultural Center
300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
https://app.arts-people.com/?show=301464
12:00 PM
Summary: The Holly Springs Playhouse proudly presents a special end-of-season showcase, highlighting the talents of students from Drama Adventures, Improv 101, and Musical Theatre.
Sunday, November 23
Marquee Event: 4th Annual Kid’s Holiday Craft Fair
The Halle Cultural Arts Center
237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.apexnc.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=4424
Summary: Join Positively Apex and The Halle for the 4th annual Kids Holiday Craft Fair, where children showcase and sell their handmade holiday art and crafts! Enjoy a fun, family-friendly atmosphere filled with creativity and holiday cheer.
Marquee Event: Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian St, Durham, NC
https://www.dpacnc.com/events
2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Regional
Multiple Dates
Event: The Rink
Red Hat Amphitheater
500 South McDowell St, Raleigh, NC https://www.redhatamphitheater.com/events/rink-40
November 22 – January 4, Various Times
Summary: Enjoy the thrill of ice skating in a winter wonderland created in the heart of Downtown Raleigh! THE RINK features a natural ice-skating rink with stunning views of the Raleigh skyline. Tickets are available online and in person at the Martin Marietta Center box office (M-F 10am-2pm).
Friday, November 21
Live Music: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian St, Durham, NC
https://www.dpacnc.com/events 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 22
Live Music: Lindsey Stirling
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian St, Durham, NC
https://www.dpacnc.com/events
8:00 PM
Holly Springs
Saturday, November 22
Event: Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center
300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/319/Farmers-Market
9:00 AM - Noon
Live Music: The Phoebes
Bombshell Beer Company
120 Quantum St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.bombshellbeer.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Live Music: Southern Rant Band
Walley’s Tavern
1004 Werrington Dr, Holly Springs, NC
https://walleystavernhollysprings.com
7:00 PM
Live Music: Angela Bingham, vocals & Frank Longino, piano
Pimiento Tea Room
200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.pimientotearoom.com/ptr-after-dark
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Apex
Friday, November 21
Live Music: The Beagles
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Kevin Lee
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Harvey Dalton
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Todd & Kathy Duo
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Tony Jonez
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex
209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://apextaproom.oaklynsprings.com
9:00 PM
Saturday, November 22
Event: Apex Farmers Market
Depot Plaza 220 N. Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.apexfarmersmarket.com
9:00 AM – Noon
Live Music: Laurenicole
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM
Live Music: Becky Ann
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Center Street Band
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex
209 N Salem St, Apex
https://apextaproom.oaklynsprings.com
7:30 PM
Live Music: The RoGuez Band
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Southern Misfits
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Fuquay-Varina
Friday, November 21
Event: Shag Night with live DJ!
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
Summary: Hit the dance floor to all your favorite beach tunes, from the classics you love to today’s hits, with award-winning DJ Randy Strum keeping the vibes just right.
Live Music: 2Digh4 Band
Mason Jar
341 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.masonjarlagerco.com
6:00 PM
Live Music: Corey Stuart
The Brick
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392280823
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, November 22
Event: Chili Cook Off
American Legion Post 116
6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://alpost116nc.org
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Event: Farm Day at Mason Jar
Mason Jar
341 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.masonjarlagerco.com
2:00 PM
Summary: Join us and Rocking JH Farms for Mason Jar’s first Farm Day! They’re bringing Highland Cows and Baby Goats! We will have a photo booth for pictures. This is a family-friendly event with food trucks on-site.
Live Music: Raleigh Assassins
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Mindy Hiteshue Trio
The Brick
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392280823
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday, November 26
Live Music: The Embers Christmas
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
123 E Vance St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.fuquay-varina.org/1754/Arts-Center
7:30 PM
Summary: Enjoy the heart-and-soul, rhythm-and-blues, feel-good music of The Embers. Featuring lead singer and frontman Craig Woolard, The Embers are known as the pre-eminent beach music band in the Carolinas.