Out and About This Weekend (12/26 through 12/28)
South Wake Weekend: Enjoy Farmers Markets, college basketball and 15+ live music acts (Dec 26-28), then ring in 2026 at NYE parties at Nightingale, The Brick, and local breweries!
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
- New Year’s
-Sports
- Regional
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina
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 featuring handcrafted, illuminated lanterns, cultural performances, and interactive elements.
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
Wednesday, December 31
Marquee Event: WRAL First Night Raleigh
Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC
https://www.visitraleigh.com/event/wral-first-night-raleigh/102211
2:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Summary: NC’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration featuring outdoor musical performances, the Children’s Celebration, the Raleigh Acorn Drop, and fireworks.
Saturday, January 3
Marquee Event: The Music of Harry Potter (NC Symphony)
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
https://www.martinmariettacenter.com/events
1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Summary: Relive the magic of Hogwarts with favorite tunes from the films; wizards are welcome to wear robes.
New Year’s
Wednesday, December 31
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
Apex 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
9:00 PM – 2:00 AM
New Year’s Eve Party!
The Brick
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392280823
8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Summary: Party until 2:00 AM with a free champagne toast at midnight.
New Year’s Eve with DJ Jeffy
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Summary: Features DJ Jeffy, free heavy appetizers, and a New Year's toast.
New Year’s Eve at Nightingale
Nightingale
300 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.nightingalerooftop.com/tickets/p/new-years-eve-2025
8:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Summary: Upscale celebration with live music, interactive experiences, and a packed dance floor.
Sunday, January 4
2026 New Year’s Eve Party
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Sports
Saturday, December 27
Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/tickets
7:00 PM
Monday, December 29
Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/tickets
7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 30
College Basketball: Florida State 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
7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 31
College Basketball: Wake Forest vs. NC State
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.lenovocenter.com/events
12:00 PM
Thursday, January 1
Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens
Lenovo Center
1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/tickets
7:00 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: Ice skating in a winter wonderland featuring a natural ice rink with views of the Raleigh skyline.
Event: Side by Side by Sondheim
Temple Theatre
120 Carthage St, Sanford, NC
https://templeshows.org/events/side-by-side-by-sondheim-2
January 22 – February 8
Summary: A musical revue celebrating musical theatre’s most influential artists.
Holly Springs
Friday, December 26
Live Music: Von Arx: The Duo
Niche Wine Lounge
109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://nichewinelounge.com
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 27
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: Angela Bingham, vocals & Frank Longino, piano
Pimiento Tea Room
200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.pimientotearoom.com
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday, December 29
Event: $5 Pint Night at Holly Springs
Local Time Brewing
300 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC
https://www.localtimebrewing.com
3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Apex
Friday, December 26
Live Music: Thousand Ways
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex,
209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
7:00 PM
Mike Santos Band
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Big Jim Kohler Band
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
5160 Sunset Lane Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Keith G featuring Chris Hurley
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Becky Ann
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturday, December 27
Event: Apex Farmers Market
Downtown Apex
220 Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.apexfarmersmarket.com
9:00 AM - Noon
Live Music: Mak Paschal & Joe Hakooz:
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex,
209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
7:00 PM
Live Music: Josh Colton Band
The Backyard Bar
2901 US 64 Apex, NC
https://thebackyardbarnc.com
8:00 PM
Live Music: Neon Nights
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
5160 Sunset Lane Rd, Apex, NC
https://shakeyrays.com
8:00 – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Maskell Freeman Band
Peak of the Vine
301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.peakofthevine.com
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Live Music: Jeff Kriz
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://theexchangebarbershop.com
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Live Music: Maverick Rose
Southern Peak Brewery
950 Windy Rd, Apex, NC
https://www.southernpeakbrewery.com
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, December 28
Live Music: Kerry Long
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Apex
209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
https://www.oaklynsprings.com
3:00 PM
Fuquay-Varina
Friday, December 26
Live Music: The Christian Family & Friends
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, December 27
Live Music: Janis & The Crew:
Oaklyn Springs Brewery
2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://brewery.oaklynsprings.com
7:00 PM
Live Music: Travis Marshall Conn
The Brick
213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392280823,
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Live Music: Matthew Crowe
Aviator Taphouse
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Live Music: The Rusted Rails
Fainting Goat Brewing Company
330 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.faintinggoatbeer.com
7:00 PM
Live Music: The Full Circle Trio
The Mill Fuquay
146 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.themillfuquay.com
7:30 PM
Event: Country Night with Wagstaff Road
Aviator Hangar Bar
523 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.aviatorbrew.com
8:00 PM
Sunday, December 28
Live Music: Sun Daze with Josh Rhyne
Fainting Goat Brewing Company
330 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
https://www.faintinggoatbeer.com
1:00 PM