🌳 A quieter week, still plenty to do

Good morning, W.Y.R. neighbors!

A quieter week doesn’t mean an empty one. With Martin Luther King Jr. Day bringing town closures and moments of reflection, there are still plenty of ways to stay connected and in the know around town and beyond.

In today’s edition of The WYRe:

Let's get to it.

— Dave & Egle

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, local municipalities across our area are observing the holiday by closing town offices and adjusting public services. Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that service to community, justice, and equality are acts we live out every day — including through civic participation and care for our neighbors.

As a result, Wake Forest, Rolesville, and Youngsville town offices will be closed all day, with Wake Forest noting service impacts such as changes to trash collection and the Wake Forest–Rolesville Express (WRX). Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and take a moment to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring message of unity, service, and hope.

Wake Forest is planning a major new outdoor recreation destination next to Joyner Park: a state-of-the-art skate park and pump track designed for all skill levels. The project is currently in the planning and design phase, shaped by extensive community input, with construction expected to begin later this year and completion targeted for November 2027.

The facility will include a continuous pump track for bikes, skateboards, and scooters, plus features designed for competitions and events — making it one of the largest and most unique skate parks in the state. The project supports Wake Forest’s growing focus on recreation, wellness, and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

READ MORE HERE

Still holding onto your live Christmas tree or just looking for an excuse to go to a bonfire? Bud’s Tavern in Youngsville (Wake Forest side) is hosting a Christmas Tree Bonfire on Friday, January 16th. They’ll have live music from 7-10 PM featuring the band Pork Chops and Ham Hocks, with the bonfire starting at 7:30 PM. Bring any and all of your live Christmas trees!

Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year at the Tet Vietnamese Year Festival on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Dorton Arena, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina. Daytime festivities are from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is $20. Those under age 7 or over 75 are admitted for free.

MORE INFO HERE

Crochet Night
📍 Fortnight Brewing (Wake Forest) | 6:30 PM | Free

Bring a project, grab a drink, and settle in with a chill, friendly crowd that’s easy to join even if you’re coming solo.

Fantasy Book Club January Meeting: “Project Hail Mary”
📍 Winebrary Book Clubs | 7:15 PM - 9 PM | Free

A fun, low-pressure discussion night for sci-fi and fantasy readers, centered on Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary.”

Sip with AAA Travel Agents
📍 Unwined on White | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Free

A casual meet-and-greet where you can sip wine and pick up ideas on trips, group travel, and what’s actually worth booking.

Theology Group
📍 Fortnight Brewing | 7 PM - 8:30 PM | Free

A theology discussion night in a brewery setting that feels thoughtful but still relaxed.

Advanced Beginner Weaving Class
📍 The Makery | 12:30 PM | 🎟️

A skill-builder session for anyone who’s ready to move past the basics.

Open Play Basketball (35+) | Joyner Park CC | 6:15-7:45 AM

Open Play Pickleball | Joyner Park CC | 8-11:30 AM

Toddler Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 9:15 AM

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Baby Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 11:15 AM

STEM Build (Lego) | Joyner Park CC | 12-5 PM

Homeschool Rec (basketball & volleyball) | Joyner Park CC | 12-2:30 PM

Youth open play Basketball (17 and under) | Joyner Park CC | 3-5 PM

K-2nd Adventures | Northeast Regional Library | 4:30 PM

Music Bingo | Burnt Barrel | 6-9 PM

Trivia | Norse Brewing | 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Trivia | Local 919 Beer and Wine | 7:30 PM

Karaoke Thursdays | Gateway Tavern | 8-11 PM

Beat the After-Holiday Blues GF “Scavenger Hunt” Evening
📍 Greenway Beer and Wine - Rolesville | 5 PM | Free

A gluten-free "scavenger hunt" with food pop-ups and discounts, perfect for those wanting to beat the post-holiday blues.

Jumperoo Toddler Time at Urban Air Raleigh
📍 Urban Air | 10 AM - 12 PM | 🎟️

A 5-and-under friendly window where the littles get the run of the place.

Blood Drive
📍 Rolesville Community Center | 9 AM - 3 PM | Free

A simple way to do something meaningful before the weekend, with appointments available through the Red Cross listing. Register online or text BLOODAPP to 90999.

An Evening with Anya Hinkle
📍 Wake Forest Listening Room | 7 PM | 🎟️

A cozy listening-room show for folk/Americana fans who want a real sit-down music night.

🏒 Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drops at 7 PM.

Open Play Pickleball | Joyner Park CC | 6:15-11:30 AM

Preschool Open Play (1-5yo) | Joyner Park CC | 8 AM-4 PM

Open Gym | The Tumble Gym (Wake Forest) | 9:30 AM-12:30 PM

Storytime & Crafts | Joyner Park CC | 10:15-11 AM

Storytime at the Museum | Museum of Natural Sciences | 10:30 AM

Open Play Basketball (18+) | Joyner Park CC | 12-1:30 PM

Board Games | Joyner Park CC | 1-4 PM

Open Ping-Pong | Joyner Park CC | 1-3 PM

Historian-guided tour of downtown Raleigh | Meet at Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar | 3 PM

Music Bingo | Greenway Beer and Wine - Rolesville | 5 PM

Wake Forest Farmers Market
📍 Wake Forest Farmers Market | 10 AM - 12 PM | Free

Grab local produce, baked goods, and easy weekend vibes in a quick two-hour window.

Sports Card Trading
📍 Burnt Barrel | 2 PM | Free

Need a break after the holidays to hang with like-minded fans and chat it up, swap, sell/buy, over some beers? They’ve gotchya! Don't have sports cards, but have gaming cards...bring ‘em! This is an open social for trading/buying/selling cards. Have fun with it!

Candlelight: 90s Unplugged
📍 The Historic Wakefield Barn | 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM | 🎟️

A candlelit string quartet takes on 90s favorites in a cozy venue that feels like a mini getaway.

GrungeFest: Tribute to Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Tool and Pearl Jam
📍 The Ritz | 7 PM | 🎟️

Big, loud, and fun if you want a real Saturday-night show without going downtown.

Candlelight: Magical Movie Soundtracks
📍 The Historic Wakefield Barn | Wake Forest | 9 PM - 10:15 PM | 🎟️

Late show option with iconic movie music under candlelight, very date-night friendly.

🏀 Duke Men’s Basketball plays at Stanford. Tipoff at 6 PM.

🏀 Georgia Men’s Basketball plays at NC State. Tipoff at 12 PM. 

🏀 UNC Men’s Basketball plays at California. Tipoff at 4 PM. 

🏒 Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils. Puck drops at 7 PM.

First Aid/CPR certification course | Joyner Park CC | 9 AM-3 PM Register

Nature Play Day | Prairie Ridge Ecostation | 10 AM-12 PM

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Sports Card Trading | Burnt Barrel | 2 PM

Incredible Science | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 12:30 PM

Palette Pals: Koala Paint Party
📍 The Makery WF | 3 PM | 🎟️

Create a charming winter scene across two canvases with your child, perfect for a fun and creative bonding experience for grown-ups and their little artists.

Midtown Matcha Run
📍 200 Park at North Hills St, Raleigh | 8 AM | 💵

A fun, low-pressure community run with a matcha twist, great if you want a weekend reset and some fresh air.

Senior Cornhole
📍 Rolesville Community Center | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free

A relaxed, social cornhole evening built for meeting people and having something light on the calendar.

A Different Thread
📍 Wake Forest Listening Room | 4:30 PM | 🎟️

An intimate listening-room style set for a date-night feel without the late-night commitment.

Yoga by Serenity Farms | Zinchouse | 11:30 AM Register

Open Gym | The Tumble Gym (Wake Forest) | 12:30-3:30 PM

Date Night: Painting class | Wine & Design, WF | 5:30 PM Tickets

Wake Forest Community Builders
📍 Lowe’s Foods (Wake Forest) | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free

A free, local meet-up built for making new connections in Wake Forest.

Non-resident Rolesville spring sports registration opens
📍 Rolesville Parks & Recreation | All day | Registration

If you’ve got kids who want to play ball this spring, non-resident registration opens today for Rolesville’s spring sports.

Winter Waddle Workshop (Make It Mondays)
📍 WISP (Wake Forest) | Wake Forest | 5:30 PM - 7 PM | 🎟️

A hands-on craft workshop night that’s a fun switch-up from the usual Monday routine.

🏒 Buffalo Sabres at Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drops at 1:30 PM.

Bingo | Artisan Beer and Cheese | 6 PM

Trivia | Fortnight Brewing (Wake Forest) | 7-9 PM

Trivia | Blackbird Brewery | 7-9 PM

Beginner Photography
📍 Wake Forest Renaissance Centre | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 🎟️

A hands-on class to level up your photos without needing fancy gear.

Author Event: Deborah D. Douglas
📍 Wake Forest Historical Museum | 6 PM - 7 PM | Free

A local-history-friendly author talk that feels smart but not stuffy.

🏀 NC State Men’s Basketball plays at Clemson. Tipoff at 7 PM. 

Open Play Basketball (35+) | Joyner Park CC | 6:15-7:45 AM

Open Play Pickleball | Joyner Park CC | 8-11:30 AM

Toddler Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 9:15 AM

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Family Storytime | Youngsville Library | 10:30-11:15 AM

Storytime | Page 158 Books | 11 AM

Poetry Club: AI_Woes | Northeast Regional Library | 11 AM

STEM Build (Lego) | Joyner Park CC | 12-4 PM

Homeschool Rec (basketball & volleyball) | Joyner Park CC | 12-2:30 PM

Youth open play Basketball (17 and under) | Joyner Park CC | 3-5 PM

Afternoon Adventures | Youngsville Library | 4-5 PM

3rd-5th Adventures: Dazzling Dolphins | Northeast Regional Library | 4:30 PM

Family Paint Party | Wine & Design | 5:30 PM Tickets

Trivia | Artisan Beer and Cheese | 7-9 PM

Music Bingo | Blackbird Brewery | 7-9 PM

Trivia Night | Gatehouse Tavern | 7:30 PM

Trivia Tuesday | Unwined on White | 7:30-9 PM

Seize the Night Trail Run at Forest Ridge Park
📍 Forest Ridge Park | 6 PM - 8 PM | 🎟️

A low-key, after-dark trail run that’s more “fresh air and headlamp” than intense race vibes.

Sushi Workshop
📍 Artisan Beer and Cheese | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 🎟️

Join Viva La Noche's sushi revolution! Learn traditional techniques & create your own rolls in a fun, hands-on class!

🏀 Notre Dame Men’s Basketball plays at UNC. Tipoff at 7 PM.

Open Play Pickleball | Joyner Park CC | 6:15-11:30 AM

Preschool Open Play (1-5yo) | Joyner Park CC | 8 AM-4 PM

Toddler Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 9:15 AM

Open Play Basketball (18+) | Joyner Park CC | 12-1:30 PM

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Baby Story Time | Northeast Regional Library | 11:15 AM

Ready, Set, Game | Northeast Regional Library | 4:30 PM

Run Club | Blackbird Brewery | 6-9 PM

Cookbook Club | Northeast Regional Library | 6:30 PM

Ladies Night! |  Zinchouse | 6:30-9:30 PM

Music Bingo | Gatehouse Tavern | 7 PM

Music Bingo | Fortnight Brewing (Wake Forest) | 7-9 PM

The Art of Wine: A tasting Experience | 7 PM Register

_{This section’s not sponsored. We just think it’s stuff worth knowing. We’ll always tell you when something’s sponsored.}

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Forecast captured on the Wednesday before this newsletter edition. The weather around here changes fast, so double‑check closer to the day before finalizing plans.

Chick and Danger | Blackbird Brewery | 6-9 PM
Magic Pipers | The Cardinal | 9 PM-12 AM

John Piper | Artisan Beer & Cheese | 6-9 PM
JT Parrothead | Burnt Barrel | 7 PM
Live Music | Gatehouse Tavern | 7-10 PM
Live Music | Wakefield Tavern | 7-10 PM
Pork Chops and Ham Hocks | Bud’s Tavern | 7-10 PM
Kevin Lee | Tonic Bar & Social Club | 7:30-10:30 PM
Night Brew Band | Real McCoy’s | 9 PM-12 AM
Raleigh Assassins | The Cardinal | 9 PM-12 AM

Just Us | Fortnight Brewing WF | 6-9 PM
Ray Wag | Local 919 Beer and Wine | 6-9 PM
Live Music | Wakefield Tavern | 7-10 PM
Raleigh Assassins | Tonic Bar & Social Club | 7:30-10:30 PM
Sagamore | Bud’s Tavern | 8-11 PM
Snapback | Real McCoy’s | 9 PM-12 AM
Table Two | The Cardinal | 9 PM-12 AM

Savannah Bassett | Artisan Beer & Cheese | 1-4 PM
Steve and Chris | Burnt Barrel | 1-4 PM
Busker Night | Tonic Bar | 6-9 PM

Joe Conroy | Tonic Bar & Social Club | 7:30-9:30 PM

Thanks for reading today’s edition of The WYRe. If this helped you avoid doom-scrolling for five minutes, share it with someone who might appreciate the break.

See you around town!
TheWYReNewsletter.com

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