November events in the Triangle: Fall festivals, light shows, parades and more
November brings Thanksgiving, fireplace weather and some of our favorite fall traditions. But it’s also the time to start pre-gaming for Christmas.
We’ve put together a collection of fun events taking place across the Triangle in November, from an American Indian Heritage Celebration to the Dix Park Night of Lights and the Raleigh Christmas Parade (yes, our Christmas parade happens in November) and much more.
For instance, November is Pecan Picking Month at the Historical Oak View County Park in Raleigh (4028 Carya Drive). You can go during regular business hours (every day except Thanksgiving) and harvest one small bag of pecans per family from their pecan grove — and it’s totally free. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. You can visit their Facebook page or call 919-250-1013 for more details.
Keep scrolling for more fun ideas.
We’ll update this list throughout the month, so bookmark it and check back in. If you see something we missed that you think we should include, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com.
▪ NOTE: Regarding all listings here, please check the website for each event or venue prior to heading out to verify hours of operation (which can change) and to learn more about rain dates and COVID safety guidelines.
Holiday light shows in Raleigh and Cary NC
▪ NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre — This is one of the state’s most popular attractions each year, a monumental light show with exciting acrobatic, martial arts and musical performances. Traditionally, the Chinese Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year. The lanterns are handmade and assembled in China, then shipped to North Carolina. It takes about 45 minutes to walk through the park, and the paths are wheelchair accessible.
Dates: Nov. 19-Jan. 9. Location: 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. Tickets: Tickets are sold per person for everyone ages 3 and up. Ages 2 and under are free, no ticket required. There are a lot of different ticket packages depending on the date and time you choose, and the level of access you want. (There’s an “anytime” ticket that costs $25 per person — that offers the most flexibility.) It’s best to check out the website to get the most up-to-date info. Info: boothamphitheatre.com.
▪ Magic of Lights at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek — A one-mile drive-through holiday-themed light display using the latest LED technology and digital animations, including the all new drive-through Blizzard Tunnel as well as returning favorites including 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland and The Night Before Christmas.
Dates/Times: Nov. 19-Jan. 2 (5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday) Location: 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh. Tickets: Online prices range $20-$32 per vehicle depending on date, and are available to purchase through Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Tickets purchased at the gate will cost more. Info: See the complete schedule and other information at magicoflights.com.
▪ WRAL Night of Lights at Dix Park — This light show was so popular last year that it caused massive traffic jams and the entire schedule had to be reworked. The kinks should be worked out this year, making for a smoother 1.3-mile trip through the park of towering oaks, rolling hills and open fields — the perfect backdrop for a light show. In addition to illuminated trees and festive light displays, you’ll see local art installations. This year there’s a special night for people to walk or run through the light show (Nov. 20) and two special nights for those on bicycles (Nov. 21, Dec. 13).
Dates: Nov. 20-Dec. 24 (with some blackout dates). Location: 75 Hunt Dr., Raleigh Tickets: Prices range from $20-$40 per vehicle depending on type of ticket/vehicle and the date you visit. Info: Get more info and purchase tickets at wral.com.
Holiday Markets
▪ Holiday Boutique Pop-Up Market, Raleigh — Support small, local businesses when getting your holiday shopping done early this year.
Date: Nov. 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Location: 7501 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh Tickets: Free admission, no tickets required Info: eventbrite.com/e/holiday-boutique-pop-up-market-tickets-194027670987.
▪ Handmade Hanukkah Market, Raleigh — Jewish artisans display and sell their work — everything from jewelry and pottery to textiles, photography and more.
Date: Nov. 14 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Location: Temple Beth Or, 5315 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh. Tickets: Free admission. Info: hanukkahmarket.com
▪ Merry Moore Market, Raleigh — This market will occupy Moore Square for four weekends of holiday fun. There will be 50 local vendors each night, live music, visits with Santa and carriage rides.
Dates: Nov. 19, 20, 26, 27 and Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11 (5-9 p.m.) Location: 200 N. Blount St., Raleigh Info: facebook.com.
▪ Artisan Holiday Market, Clayton — Pick up locally made artisan gifts for the upcoming season of giving. Hot cocoa and goodies available onsite, as well as a raffle.
Dates: Nov. 20 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Location: 3919 Raleigh Road, Clayton Info: artmospherecac.com.
▪ Durham Art Walk Holiday Market —The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market is a festive fine arts and crafts event that kicks off the holiday season in downtown Durham! The Holiday Market invites art lovers to experience a weekend featuring local artists, live music, world-class restaurants, and great shopping, at easily strollable venues in the Durham city center. Free and family friendly.
Dates: Nov. 20 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Nov. 21 (1-5 p.m.) Location: 120 Morris St., Durham Info: durhamarts.org/art-walk.
▪ Pop-Up Raleigh Market —Local art, vintage shopping, food trucks, craft beer, cute dogs and small batch goods. Free admission, dog friendly and family friendly.
Dates: Nov. 20-21 (12-5 p.m.) Location: 565 Maywood Ave., Raleigh Info: popupraleigh.com.
Christmas parades and tree lightings in Raleigh area
▪ Christmas Tree Lighting, downtown Raleigh — Downtown Raleigh’s tree lighting features a Triangle Pop-Up holiday market and performances by local artists. (The lighting of the Christmas tree at the State Capitol takes place in December.)
Date: Nov. 19 (6-9 p.m.) Location: Fayetteville Street, in front of Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts Tickets: Free, no tickets required. Info: facebook.com
▪ Raleigh Christmas Parade, downtown Raleigh — This may be the only local Christmas parade in November — the early timing is geared to pump you up for patronizing local merchants before Black Friday — so just squint your eyes a little and pretend it’s winter. It’s the largest Christmas parade between Atlanta and D.C., and more than 250,000 people watch live from home and more than 80,000 attend the parade in person on a typical year. The parade lasts about two hours and features marching bands, floats, flying inflatables and of course, Santa. The prime streets to stake out will be Hillsborough Street (starting around St. Mary’s Street) and Fayetteville Street.
Date: Nov. 20 Location: Downtown Raleigh Tickets: No tickets required Info: grma.org/christmas-parade Watch on TV: The parade will air on ABC11 (the parade sponsor) and on WRAL.
▪ North Hills Christmas Tree Lighting — This tree lighting in Commons at North Hills will feature a live band playing Christmas music, crafts and activities for the kids, food trucks and a vendor village. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. and the 41-foot tree will be lit soon after.
Date: Nov. 20 (4-7 p.m.) Location: 4191 Main at North Hills St., Raleigh Tickets: Free, no ticket required. Info: visitnorthhills.com
▪ Tree Lighting at Lafayette Village — More details to come on the annual tree lighting in North Raleigh.
Date: Nov. 20 (3-6 p.m.) Location: Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh Tickets: Free, no ticket required. Info: lafayettevillageraleigh.com.
▪ Winter Wonderland, Morrisville — Kids of all ages can come for train rides, musical performances, Storytime with Santa and entertainment from Imagine Circus.
Date: Nov. 19-20 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) and Nov. 21 (2-5:30 p.m.) Location: 3400 Village Market Place, Morrisville Info: parkwestvillage.com.
▪ Selma Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - The parade starts at Selma Elementary School and proceeds through town, up Railroad Street and ending back at the school. Stay for fireworks after the parade. Entertainment starts at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6:45, the parade at 7 and fireworks at approximately 7:45.
Date: Nov. 30 (6-8 p.m.) Location: 114 N. Raiford Street, Selma Tickets: Free Info: facebook.com
November festivals and celebrations
▪ 79th North Carolina Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival — This annual festival features displays of gourds from around the world, special gourd workshops, and vendors of dried gourds, gourd seeds, gourd crafts, gourd art, books, t-shirts and crafting supplies. Ribbons and prizes awarded in various competitive categories, plus a silent auction and a free gourd crafting table for kids.
Date: Nov. 6-7: Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Location: Holshouser Building, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Tickets: $3 for age 13 and up; free for under 12. Info: ncgourdsociety.org or 919-996-9192.
▪ Darwin Days — This year’s theme is “mammals” and there are both virtual and in-person events. The in-person event has exhibits on lemurs, the brains of mammals, climate change, finches, mammal tracks and more (including crafts).
Date: Nov. 10 Virtual (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Nov. 13 In-person (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) Location: NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. Tickets: Free, but register for virtual events. Info/Registration: naturalsciences.org.
▪ Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off — A family event with ice skating (on artificial ice), chain saw ice carving, street performers, a concert by ACE Party Band and more. The event also serves as a donation drive to raise money for select non-profits in Wake Forest.
Date: Nov. 13 (1-7 p.m.) Location: South White Street, downtown Wake Forest. Tickets: No ticket required. Info: wakeforestnc.gov.
▪ Jurassic Quest — The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America returns with more than 100 photorealistic dinosaurs, dinosaur-themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for littlest kids, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities and more.
Date: Nov. 19-21 (9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday) Location: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St., Raleigh Tickets: Prices start at $19 (some rides require additional tickets) See website for full ticketing info. Info: jurassicquest.com
▪ American Indian Heritage Celebration at NC Museum of History — This 26th annual celebration — which is totally free — is an online experience this year, but it’s still interactive. Artists, performers, scholars, historians and other representatives from the state’s eight state-recognized tribes and four Urban American Indian Organizations will be featured. You can tune in and engage with live-streamed events and watch on-demand performances, panel discussions and other demonstrations. It’s a great way to learn about beading, basketry and pottery, and the traditions behind them. There’s also a discussion on missing and murdered indigenous women from the Red Justice Project. Registration is limited for everything except the music and dance performances, so sign up soon. There are special sessions just for educators taking place on Nov. 19.
Date: Nov. 20 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) Location: Online Tickets: Free, but registration required. Info: ncmuseumofhistory.org/aihc-2021.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 12:01 PM.
