Out and About This Weekend (12/12 through 12/14)
Get ready for the Happy Holly Days Parade, Grinch Costume Party, Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, Tacky Christmas Party, Farmers Market, and tons of local live music this weekend!
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.
Want your event included in Out and About? Send details to news@hollyspringsupdate.com
Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee
- Regional
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina
Calendar: South Wake County (NC) Holiday Events & Key Dates Guide for 2025 (click here)
Don’t Miss This One!
Holly Springs Happy Holly Days Parade 2025
Story: Know Before You Go: Holly Springs’ (NC) Happy Holly Days Parade Steps Off Saturday Morning (12/13) at 10:00 a.m.
Downtown Holly Springs
Holly Springs, NC
10:00 AM
Summary: Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, marching groups, and all sorts of entertaining entries travel Main Street through downtown.
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 children and adults alike.
Mark Your Calendar: South Wake County (NC) Holiday Events & Key Dates Guide for 2025
Calendar Local & National
https://www.hollyspringsupdate.com/p/mark-your-calendar-south-wake-county November & December
Event: Mark Your Calendar: South Wake County (NC) Holiday Events & Key Dates Guide for 2025
Friday, December 12
Marquee Event: Grinch Costume Dance Party
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
7:00 PM
Summary: The best holiday party of the season is here! Join your host, Kevin T Hawkins and Jeff Riley for the Grinch Costume Dance Party at the Exchange Lounge this Friday, December 12, at 7:00 PM. $50 goes to the best Grinch and Cindy Lou costumes.
Saturday, December 13
Marquee Event: Holiday at the Block: Santa & Christmas Carols
The Block on Main
300 S. Main St, Holly Springs, NC
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Summary: Join us at The Block right after the 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 for a festive, family-friendly afternoon filled with music, holiday cheer, and a visit from Santa!
Marquee Event: 2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Bar Crawl
Black Dog Bottle Shop
140 W Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs, NC
https://blackdogbottleshop.com
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Summary: Meet at Black Dog @ 2:00 PM. The Crawl includes Bombshell, Local Time, and Black Dog. There will be prizes for the ugliest sweaters! Live music with Garland Mason starts at 6:30 PM.
Monday, December 15
Marquee Event: Wine Spectator’s 2025 Top 100 Wines tasting event
Wine100
100 East Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.wine100nc.com
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Summary: Limited tickets available at wine100nc.com
Upcoming: Saturday, December 20
Marquee Event: Fable Holiday Market
Fable Books and Café
219 Raleigh St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.fablebooksandcafe.com
10:00 AM
Summary: Last-minute shopping? Need to get the family out of the house? Whether you are dodging the in-laws or just want a fun place to browse, join us at Fable Books and Café for our first-ever Holiday Market!
Regional
Multiple Dates
Event: A Christmas Carol 2025
Temple Theatre
120 Carthage St, Sanford, NC
https://templeshows.org/events/a-christmas-carol-2025
December 4-21
Summary: Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and a host of colorful characters for a remarkable holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic.
Event: A Christmas Carol – Presented by Theatre in the Park
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian St, Durham, NC
https://www.dpacnc.com/events
December 10 – 14
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).
Upcoming Event: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian St, Durham, NC
https://www.dpacnc.com/events
December 28 – January 11
Saturday, December 13
Event: Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade Downtown Cary Downtown Cary, NC https://www.caryjaycees.org/parade 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Event: South Carolina Upstate Spartans vs. UNC Tar Heels Dean Smith Center 300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC https://www.ticketmaster.com/north-carolina-tar-heels-Men’s-basketball-tickets/artist/1277043 2:00 PM
Event: Kansas Jayhawks vs. NC State Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC https://www.ticketmaster.com/north-carolina-state-wolfpack-mens-basketball-raleigh-12-13-2025/event/Z7r9jZ1A7bNuI 5:30 PM
Sunday, December 14
Event: Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/tickets
5:00 PM
Holly Springs
Friday, December 12
Live Music: Thousand Ways
Niche Wine Lounge
109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://nichewinelounge.com
8:00 PM
Saturday, December 13
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
Event: Complimentary Wine tasting with Haw River Wines
Wine100
100 East Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.wine100nc.com
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Event: Parent Night Out
Nightingale 300 S. Main St, Holly Springs, NC https://www.nightingalerooftop.com/reservations
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Summary: Information & Reservations here: https://www.nightingalerooftop.com/reservations
Live Music: The Roguez
Walley’s Tavern
1004 Werrington Dr, Holly Springs, NC
https://walleystavernhollysprings.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Live Music: Strange Invitation with Marty Schmidt & Johnny G
Niche Wine Lounge
109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://nichewinelounge.com
8:00 PM
Live Music: Shelby Merchant
Bombshell Beer Company
120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.bombshellbeer.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Apex
Friday, December 12
Event: Som Carina Fosse showcases fine wines
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
5:40 PM – 7:40 PM
Live Music: Neon Lights
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Kathy Miller Band
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, December 13
Live Music: K-Bomb & The Koolwhipd
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM
Live Music: Jam Biscuit
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
5160 Sunset Lane Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Old Play
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Steve V featuring Keith G
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
8:00 PM
Live Music: Atomic Blonde
Tap Station
320 S Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.tapstationapex.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Event: Ugly Sweater Party
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex
209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
8:00 PM
Fuquay-Varina
Friday, December 12
Event: Tacky Christmas Party with DJ Gino
The Mill
146 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.themillfuquay.com
7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Summary: On we now our tackiest Christmas attire for The Mill’s annual Tacky Christmas party!! We have a delicious food truck for you guys, permanent jewelry, and there will be a prize or two. See y’all there!
Live Music: Nicholas Vernon
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: 22 Strings
Aviator Hangar Bar
688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, December 13
Event: Sip and Shop Market
Fainting Goat Brewing Company
330 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.faintinggoatbeer.com
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Live Music: Dirt Road Junction
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
7:00 PM
Live Music: Tommy Thunderfoot & the Accelerators
The Brick
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392280823
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Live Music: Tim Cifers
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Country Christmas Concert with 2Digh4
Mason Jar
341 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.masonjarlagerco.com
6:00 PM