12/8
Jingle Ball
Mix, mingle and chill with Kris Kringle at Capital City Clauses’ annual Jingle Ball at the Museum of Natural Sciences. The joyful evening will feature unlimited beer, wine and cocktails (!); food from Rocky Top Catering; jewelry raffles; a Dogwood Country Club golf swing simulator; and so much more. Holly jolly, indeed! capitalcityclauses.org
12/9
Evening With Elves
Take the minis to party in their PJs with the Marbles Elves for s’mores outdoors, dancing, arctic museum play, a Snowflake Fairy visit—and optional breakfast for dinner. Your elf even gets their own elf name—and you can get in the spirit with a cash bar (!). marbleskidsmuseum.org
12/9
Vita Vite Downtown’s Seventh Anniversary
Cheers to seven years of Vita Vite’s Downtown digs! Celebrate with sips, a doughnut wall (!) compliments of Rise and tunes from Raleigh-based band Old Habits. Sip, sip, hooray! vitaviteraleigh.com
12/9–10
Holiday Pops
Do you hear what I hear? NC Symphony’s annual Holiday Pops tradition returns with special guest star vocalist Scarlett Strallen belting festive tunes and traditional carols. ncsymphony.org
12/10
An Evening With Tift Merritt
Hit the “sweet spot” via this special evening with the Raleigh-raised acclaimed country singer/songwriter as part of the NC Museum of History’s Southern Songbirds concert series. ncmuseumofhistory.org
12/10
Winterfest
Snow my goodness. There’s no present like a handmade one! Try your hand at crafting ornaments, holiday cards and wreaths—while sipping on a hot seasonal drink, natch. naturalsciences.org
12/10
NC Holiday Beer Fest
Toast to the most magical season of the year at this second annual hops fest at Clouds, featuring 25+ NC holiday beers on tap, live performances from The Raleigh Chamber Orchestra and food trucks. Oh, hoppy day! ncholidaybeerfest.eventbrite.com
12/10–11
51st Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Ever wanted to peek into the gorgeous Historic Oakwood? Now’s your chance. Eleven properties will open their doors for this annual tour of the neighborhood’s mid-1800s to early 1900s homes. historicoakwood.org
12/10, 17
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Don your tackiest Christmas sweater and hit the town for a holiday bar crawl covering five Glenwood Avenue staples for an intoxicatingly fun time (!). … May the ugliest sweater win! barcrawllive.com
12/11
The Front Bottoms
“Funny you should ask…” but, yes, this New Jersey-bred band is making its way to The Ritz for a night of rockin’ and rollin’. livenation.com
12/11
Santa on the Rooftop
Up on the housetop—er, rooftop!–find Santa snapping pics with all the good boys and girls on the nice list with the Raleigh skyline serving as the backdrop. And after snagging a pic with Kriss Kringle, sip on a warm cider, cocoa or something stronger from the bar. How very merry! thewillardraleigh.com
12/13
Joy of the Season
Do you hear what I hear? For singing that absolutely sleighs, head to this 170-voice choir performance featuring all your fave Christmas classics, along with newer music that’s just as festive. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
12/13–24
The 1940s Radio Hour
Travel back in time to channel the nostalgia and spirit of the ’40s with classic songs (think bops like “Strike Up the Band” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”), along with antics and theatrics intended to capture the essence of the era. … It’s sure to be off the hook! theatreraleigh.com
12/14
History Adventures: Holiday Lights
The little lights are twinkling at the NC Museum of History’s holiday history adventure schooling you on the lights of the season from menorahs to kinaras. ncmuseumofhistory.org
12/14
Lifelong Hike: Harris Lake
Explore a winter wonderland via this 4-mile hike along the lake and through the Longleaf Pine restoration area—followed by a picnic lunch. Sounds like snow much fun! naturalsciences.org
12/14
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Sleigh what?! TSO’s hauntingly electric holiday tour is back with the Ghosts of Christmas Eve—the best of TSO and more—that promises to leave you amped. pncarena.com
