Winter Celebrations Around the World
2025-12-12 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Barwell Rd Park, 5857 Barwell Park Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27610
Our “Holidays Around the World” program is an educational event that will explore how different cultures celebrate holidays and traditions.
Often focusing on themes like family, food, and celebrations. Winter celebrations around the globe will bring the community together.
Location: Barwell Road Park
Cost: Free
Ages: 0 – 12

Moore Square Winterfaire
2025-12-12 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-13 11:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Moore Square, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh, NC, 27601
Raleigh Parks and MAKRS Present: Moore Square Winterfaire, a European style Christmas Market/Festival.
Winterfaire is a 4-day annual festival featuring 60+ vendors, a food truck rodeo, Live Bands, Santa, S’mores, a Beer Garden, and more!
Learn more

Soulful Holiday Open House
2025-12-12 17:30 - 21:00 | John Chavis Community Center, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Let’s bring soul and good times to John Chavis Memorial Park and celebrate the holidays with joy and laughter.
Festive, jolly, and bright activities will be spread throughout the entire inside and outside of the center for the family to enjoy. Activities will include, but are not limited to, themed rooms, inflatables, photo opportunities, crafts, carol-oke, light holiday-themed refreshments, live entertainment, and beautiful decorations.
Location: John Chavis Memorial Park
Ages: All
Cost: Free

RYC Santa's Workshop
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Abbotts Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27614
Hosted by the Raleigh Youth Council (RYC), Santa’s Workshop is back and brighter than ever!
We’re inviting little elves-in-training to create holiday treasures with the help of our talented teen facilitators.
With festive tunes filling the air, families can expect a heartwarming, memory-making experience.
Location: Abbotts Creek Park
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Age: Families with children 0 to 12 years
Cost: Free
Register on RecLink

Holiday Open House
2025-12-13 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC, 27604
Join us at the annual Holiday Open House at Mordecai Historic Park!
See how the Mordecai House would have been decorated over the past 240 years and learn about different holiday traditions. Walk through the beautifully decorated house and enjoy music, discover historic artifacts, and more.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, do some holiday shopping at the Merry and Bright: A North Pole Market! Visit our vendors to find unique gifts, create festive crafts, and sample food vendors.
Enjoy seasonal entertainment and stop by a cooking demonstration in our historic kitchen. Visit Paper and Stars Studio’s Eventbrite page to register and receive event updates.
The open house continues on Sunday, Dec. 14, with live music by Triangle Shape Note. Both days of this event are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364.
Ages: All
Cost: Free

It's a Festive Family Fun Day
2025-12-13 11:00 - 14:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Come and enjoy a festive Family Fun Day!
We will decorate wrapping paper, make snowflakes, and have coloring sheets made from real historical holiday cards.
Free and perfect for elementary ages!
Location: City of Raleigh Museum
Ages: All
Cost: Free
No Registration Required

Santa's Trolley
2025-12-13 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC, 27604
Santa is lost in Raleigh, and Holly the Elf needs your help to find him!
Join Holly aboard the Historic Raleigh Trolley to help track down Santa in time for Christmas.
Arrive up to 30 minutes early or stay after your tour to make a s’more!
The trolley leaves from Mordecai Historic Park. Advanced registration is required. For more information, call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364.
Location: Mordecai Historic Park
Times: 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m.
Cost: $15
Ages: All
Register on RecLink

La Chocolatada de Luisito - Luisitos Chocolatada
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Artist Studio Project, The Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum, El Centro Hispano,and The Dominican Association of NC invite you to join them at the 9th Annual La Chocolatada de Luisito – Luisitos Chocolatada.
This is a free, bilingual, family holiday storytime event. It includes Free Books, crafts, chocolates, songs, treats, hot chocolate, pastries, and more. It’s part of the 11th Annual El Quixote Festival – Children’s Voices.
This year, we will have children performing:

Ana Jimena will delight us with holiday songs.
David and Victoria Garrett will treat us to holiday favorites with their string instruments.
The Dominican Folkloric Dance Group will dance to get us in the spirit.
And Local children’s Authors will join us to sign their books.
We will also be giving Free Bilingual books to children 0-12 years of age.

Details
Location: City of Raleigh Museum
Ages: All
Cost: Free
No Registration Required

African American Book Fair
2025-12-14 14:00 - 18:00 | John P. (Top) Greene, 401 MLK Jr Blvd, Raleigh
Join us for a special event featuring African American book illustrators and authors from across the state!
Explore a wide selection of children’s books, as well as historical and inspirational works from the African Diaspora — all available for purchase.
Special Guest: Mrs. Sherricka Carpenter Stanley, author of “Give Me Some Chin!” and owner of Next Chapter Bookstore & Gift Shop. Come meet the author and support a thriving Black-owned business!
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate Black voices in literature!

Location: John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
Ages: All Ages
Cost: Free
No registration required

Jazz on the Greene - CANCELLED
2025-12-14 16:00 - 18:00 | John P. (Top) Greene, 401 MLK Jr Blvd, Raleigh
Join Us for Jazz on the Greene! Relax, unwind, and get into the holiday spirit with live music by local favorite Phenix Fire!
Sunday Afternoon on the Greene, enjoy refreshments and drinks, great company, and smooth jazz vibes. Come dance, laugh, and be merry as we celebrate the season together! All are welcome – bring your friends, your family, and your love of music.
Location: John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
Ages: All
Cost: Free
No Registration Required

Yoga In The Park at the Historic Borden Building
2025-12-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay St, Raleigh, NC, 27605
Build strength and flexibility while enhancing body awareness.
In this alignment-focused class, you’ll learn how to work from a stable base to feel more grounded both physically and mentally, while also improving range of motion, posture, and balance. Props and modifications are available to meet you where you are. No yoga experience necessary.
Class will be inside The Historic Borden Building unless weather permits the use of the Amphitheater.
Location: Fred Fletcher Park – Borden Building
Ages: 18 and older
Cost: $5

Neuse River Park Open House - Schematic Design
2025-12-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Abbotts Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27614
Public Meeting to discuss the Schematic Design for Neuse River Park.
This meeting will be family-friendly and will include light refreshments and an art-making station for people of all ages. Accommodations & Translation Services are available upon request. Please contact NeuseRiverPark@publicinput.com
The public workshop will be a drop-in style open house meeting. Staff and consultants will be there to help explain and to answer questions about the Schematic Design.
Location: Abbotts Creek Community Center
Ages: All
Cost: Free

Lunch Box Lectures at the City of Raleigh Museum
2025-12-18 12:00 - 13:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Feed your belly and your brain!
Bring your lunch to the City of Raleigh Museum and listen to a captivating lecture every third Thursday of the month.
This program is in partnership with the City of Raleigh Active Adults Program.
Ages: All
Cost: Free

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Dr. Anna Julia Cooper
Dilip and Anuragini Barman
Thursday, Dec. 18
Dilip Barman is the founder of the Mathematics Institute of the Triangle in Chapel Hill. His daughter, Anuragini, is a high school junior and a tutor at the Mathematics Institute of the Triangle. They will speak on Raleigh’s own Dr. Anna Julia Cooper, mathematician and scholar.

It's a Very Merry Meetup
2025-12-18 18:00 - 21:00 | John P. (Top) Greene, 401 MLK Jr Blvd, Raleigh
Thursday nights just got a whole lot merrier!
Get ready to put on your most creative holiday sweater and join the North Carolina Black Women Empowered 50+ group for a holiday open house at the John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center!
Enjoy music, games, and yummy snacks with hot chocolate and apple cider. Craving dinner? A Food truck will be on site for purchases!
Details
Location: John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
Ages: All
Cost: Free
No registration required

Breakfast with Santa
2025-12-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Tarboro Road Community Center
Please join us for our annual Breakfast with Santa!
This event will have free food, activities, gift raffles, and an appearance from a special guest. We will have toys for ages 5- 11 (while supplies last), but all ages are welcome! Feel free to bring your friends and family for a morning of fun!
Location: Tarboro Road Community Center
Ages: All Ages
Cost: Free
Register on RecLink

Holidays with the Popes
2025-12-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Visit the Pope House to enjoy period-accurate holiday decorations, music, and games!
Relax with the Popes as you learn about 20th-century holiday traditions. This guided tour will also feature delicious treats! This is a free event.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
No Registration Required

Swim with Santa
2025-12-20 12:00 - 16:00 | Pullen Acquatic Center, 410 Ashe Ave., Raleigh, NC, 27606
Bring your swimsuit, towel, and a camera, and take a dip in the pool with Santa!
We will have elves running holiday-themed activities in and out of the pool. Santa will be here to hear all of your Christmas wishes!
Location: Pullen Aquatic Center
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: noon – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Pool Admission Fees Vary

Worthdale Holiday Pajama Giveaway
2025-12-21 15:00 - 18:00 | Worthdale Park Community Center, 1001 Cooper Road, Raleigh, 27610
‘Tis the season for family fun! Bring the whole family and join Women Who Care and the Worthdale Community Center for a cozy Pajama Party.
Come dressed in your favorite pajamas and enjoy an afternoon filled with carnival games, face painting, arts and crafts, tasty food, a warm cocoa station, and a toy giveaway while supplies last. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss! Registration isn’t required but encouraged
Location: Worthdale Community Center
Ages: 5 – 12
Cost: Free
Register on RecLink

Emancipation Day Trolley: Oberlin Village Tour
2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:30 | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Oberlin Village was a vibrant African American community established after the Civil War.
Celebrate Emancipation Day by joining local historian Carmen Wimberly Cauthen and Cheryl Williams for a guided tour of Oberlin Village.
Details
Time: 10 – 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adults $15, Children $6
Register for Tickets

Fighting for Freedom: Black Civil War Reenactors
2026-01-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Pope House Museum, 511 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Travel back in time to see United States Colored Troops and allies as they tell stories of real-life Black soldiers and their lives in the camps and on the front lines.
Details
Location: Pope House Museum
Age: All
Cost: Free
No Registration Required

When Community Gathers
2026-01-18 15:00 - 18:00 | John P. (Top) Greene, 401 MLK Jr Blvd, Raleigh
Join us on Sunday, Jan. 18, the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026, as we come together to celebrate unity and community through music, dance, and art.
In honor of our ancestors, we invite you to wear African or Afrocentric attire to show your solidarity and pride. Enjoy light refreshments and be inspired by the power of community. No registration needed – just bring yourself and your beautiful attire!
Location: John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
Ages: All
Cost: Free
This event is hosted by the North Carolina Black Women Empowered 50+ Group.

Drumming Showcase
2026-01-24 11:00 - 14:00 | Five Points Center for Active Adults, 2000 Noble Road, Raleigh, NC, 27608, United States
Celebrate the rhythms of Japan, Senegal, Puerto Rico, and more!
Explore different drumming traditions, enjoy hands-on crafts, and pick up something from a local food truck.
Featuring

Peaceful Forest
Diali Cissokho
Broughton High School Winter Drumline
Tambor y Alma
Triangle Taiko

This event is presented in partnership with the Japan America Society of North Carolina.
Event Details
Location: Five Point Center for Active Adults
Ages: All
Cost: Free
