Out and About This Weekend (12/19 through 12/21)
South Wake Highlights: Enjoy the AFHS Holiday Showcase, Fable Books Holiday Market, Festivus, Petting Zoo, Santa Paws, Ugly Sweater contests, and 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
Marquee Events
Multiple Dates
Marquee Event: The Nutcracker (Carolina Ballet)
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
ttps://www.martinmariettacenter.com/events
December 18 – 24, Various Times
Marquee Event: NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Buy tickets here
November 15 – January 11
Summary: A spectacular holiday event featuring handcrafted lanterns, cultural performances, and interactive elements.
Upcoming
Marquee 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
Friday, December 19
Marquee Event: Disney on Ice presents Jump In!
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.lenovocenter.com/events
December 19 – 21, Various Times
Saturday, December 20
Marquee Event: Apex Friendship High School Band’s Holiday Showcase
The Halle Cultural Arts Center
237 N. Salem St., Apex, NC
More Information here
Summary: Local groups perform a lively showcase of holiday tunes and classical pieces.
Marquee Event: Fable Holiday Market
Fable Books and Café 219 Raleigh St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.fablebooksandcafe.com
December 20 & 21, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Summary: Perfect for last-minute shopping or getting the family out of the house to browse.
Marquee Event: Merry Little Petting Zoo
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Summary: Kid-friendly event featuring goats and Highland cows.
Event: Festivus Celebration
Mason Jar
341 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.masonjarlagerco.com
5:00 PM
Summary: Airing of grievances, Feats of Strength, and a Human Fund raffle.
Regional
Multiple Dates
Event: A Christmas Carol 2025
Temple Theatre
120 Carthage St, Sanford, NC, 27330
https://templeshows.org/events/a-christmas-carol-2025
December 4-21
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: Ice skating in a winter wonderland in the heart of Downtown Raleigh.
Monday, December 22
Event: East Carolina Pirates vs. UNC Tar Heels
Dean Smith Center
300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC (Buy Tickets)
2:00 PM
Tuesday, December 23
Event: Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/tickets
7:00 PM
Holly Springs
Saturday, December 20
Event: Farmers Market (Holiday Shopping Spree)
Holly Springs Cultural Center
300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/319/Farmers-Market
9:00 AM – Noon
Summary: Holiday shopping spree with a raffle giveaway for prizes.
Event: Howliday Dog Pawty & Santa Portraits
Black Dog Bottle Shop
140 W Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs, NC
https://blackdogbottleshop.com
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Summary: FREE dog photos with Santa; celebration with K9 Rescue and Pet Wants.
Event: Wine 100 2nd Anniversary Party!
Wine100
100 East Ballentine Street, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.wine100nc.com
Summary: Collecting canned meats and fish for the Holly Springs Food Cupboard.
Live Music & Socializing
Open Mic Night
Niche Wine Lounge
109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://nichewinelounge.com
8:00 PM
Chessie and the Quitters
Bombshell Beer Company
120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.bombshellbeer.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Southern Rant
Walley’s Tavern
1004 Werrington Dr, Holly Springs, NC
https://walleystavernhollysprings.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Apex
Friday, December 19
Event: December Drive-In Movie at the Park
Pleasant Park
3400 Pleasant Plains Rd, Apex, NC
More information here
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Live Music
Mike Mickwer Duo
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex,
209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
7:00 PM
Partly Rowdy
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64, Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Southgate 40
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
5160 Sunset Lane Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sonic Blues
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Harvey Dalton Arnold
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
8:00 PM
Saturday, December 20
Event: Apex Farmers Market
Downtown Apex
220 Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.apexfarmersmarket.com
9:00 AM - Noon
Event: Ugly & Unholy Sweater Party
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM
Summary: Contest with prizes for Most Ugly, Most Unholy, and more.
Live Music & Social
Annual Ugly Sweater Party (Moonlight Rescue Band
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Christmas Dance Party (For The People Band)
Shakey Ray’s Tavern,
5160 Sunset Lane Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Skull Jams
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
8:00 PM
Live DJ
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
8:00 PM
Fuquay-Varina
Friday, December 19
Live Music & Socializing
Aaron Pelsue Christmas Concert
Mason Jar
341 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.masonjarlagerco.com
6:30 PM
Music Bingo with DJ Diva
Fainting Goat Brewing Company
330 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.faintinggoatbeer.com
7:30 PM
Derek Chase
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
RAAD O.G.
Aviator Hangar Bar,
688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Saturday, December 20
Event: Merry Little Petting Zoo
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Summary: Kid-friendly event featuring goats and Highland cows.
Event: Festivus Celebration
Mason Jar
341 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.masonjarlagerco.com
5:00 PM
Summary: Airing of grievances, Feats of Strength, and a Human Fund raffle.
Event: Tacky Christmas Extravaganza 2025
Fainting Goat Brewing Company
330 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.faintinggoatbeer.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Live Music & Socializing
Christmas Movie Trivia
The Mill
146 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.themillfuquay.com
7:00 PM
Coffee & Collage
The Mill
146 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.themillfuquay.com
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Heather Rogers
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
7:00 PM
Grassomatics
The Brick
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392280823
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sums Divide
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Mixtape
Aviator Hangar Bar
688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:30 PM – 11:30 PM