🌳Lanterns, Santa Mail, & All the Fall Things

Good morning, W.Y.R. neighbors! The holidays are edging closer, but this sweet spot between fall and full-blown Christmas chaos might be the best time of the season. Santa mailboxes are popping up, lanterns are lighting the night, and downtown Wake Forest is gearing up for one of its most charming weekends of the year. There’s plenty to do, plenty to see, and plenty of reasons to finally wear that cute coat you bought “for when it gets cold.”

In today’s edition of The WYRe:

Let's get to it.

— Dave & Egle

12-4 PM | Downtown Wake Forest (S. White St. & Brooks St.) | Free

Downtown Wake Forest transforms into a festive Christmas village this Saturday with live entertainment, kids’ crafts, and sweet holiday treats. The highlight: Pictures with Santa at The Graham (above The Cotton Company), a beautifully decorated spot for this year’s Christmas card photo. It’s an easy family outing. So grab a latte, shop The Cotton Company, and stroll White Street for a magical start to the season.

Begins Saturday, Nov 15 – Daily through Dec 23 | Jones Plaza (S. White St. & E. Jones Ave.), Wake Forest | Free

The beloved Santa Mailbox returns to Jones Plaza starting Saturday, and kids can drop off their letters all season long. The plaza is decorated with lights and holiday charm, making it a perfect quick photo-op. Pair the experience with hot chocolate downtown and make it an annual family tradition.

11 AM-4 PM | 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St., Midtown Raleigh | Free

North Hills hosts its Fall Festival on Saturday with artisan vendors, boutique pop-ups, live music, and plenty of seasonal treats. It’s an ideal outing for those who love shopping, fall fashion, and a stylish day out. With easy garage parking and nearby brunch spots, it’s a great way to spend a crisp fall afternoon.

6-10 PM (Gates open at 6 PM) - runs through January 11th | Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary | Tickets required

The Chinese Lantern Festival returns Saturday with massive illuminated displays, glowing archways, and live acrobatics along the lakeside path at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. It’s one of the Triangle’s most photo-worthy seasonal traditions and perfect for families or date night. Go at sunset for the best photos and enjoy a cozy evening walk with hot cocoa in hand.

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

Conflict Conversations for Founders | Loading Dock Wake Forest | 8–9:30 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

Wake Forest High School College Fair | Wake Forest High School | ~10:25 AM–12:35 PM

Nature Stories | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 10:30 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

Incredible Science | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 1:30 PM

Open Paint Studio | The Makery WF | 1-3 PM

R&B with Soul Food Tour | Raleigh, NC | 1–4:30 PM

North Wake Senior Center Acoustic Music Jam | North Wake Senior Center | 2–4 PM

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

K-5th Adventures: A StoryWalk - Adventure with Ruby Bridges | Wake Forest Community Library | 4:30 PM

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

🎶 LIVE Music & Food Trucks | Zinchouse | 5 PM

SuzAnna's Antiques Holiday Open House | SuzAnna's Antiques | 5:30 PM

Bingo Night at Charron’s Deli & Café | Downtown Youngsville | 5:30–7:30 PM

Teen Science Cafe | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 6-7 PM

Thursday Night Music Bingo & Food Truck | 135 West Main St, Youngsville | 6–9 PM

The Gnome Know Trivia | Norse Brewing Company | 6:30–8:30 PM

Adult Skate Night at United Skates | United Skates of America, Raleigh | 7–10 PM

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

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

State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair (Day 1) | NC State Farmers Market | 9 AM–5 PM

Story Time & Craft - Give Thanks | Joyner Park Cc | 10:15 AM
Parents everywhere, bring your kids out for a good book and some arts and crafts at Joyner Park Community Center. FUN and CREATIVITY are the goals. Each session is a themed program, filled with a story, arts and crafts, and all-around fun! Sign your little one up today and don’t miss out!

Story Time at the Museum | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 10:30 AM

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

Incredible Science | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 1:30 PM

🎶 LIVE Music & Food Trucks | Zinchouse | 5 PM

Shop The Lights on Friday Nights | Downtown Youngsville | 6–8 PM

TAUK + The Iceman Special | Lincoln Theatre | 7 PM

The Phoebes Band | Raleigh Brewing | 7 PM

Beethoven’s “Eroica” – NC Symphony | Meymandi Concert Hall | 8 PM

An Evening with Sam Robbins | Wake Forest Listening Room | 7:30 PM (doors 6:45 PM)

Cars & Coffee | Crossroads Nissan of Wake Forest | 8–11 AM

Volunteer at Wake Forest Community Garden | Wake Forest Community Garden | 9–11 AM

Youngsville Academy Christmas Market | Youngsville Academy | 10 AM–2 PM

Puzzlepalooza | Wake Forest Community House | 10 AM-12 PM
Think you've got what it takes to solve a puzzle under pressure? Round up your crew and join Puzzlepalooza, a fast-paced, team-based competition where fun is the name of the game! You'll have a set amount of time to crack the puzzle, test your teamwork, and maybe even take home bragging rights. Whether you're in it to win or just for the laughs, Puzzlepalooza is the perfect way to challenge your brain and enjoy a great time with friends.

ABC Craft & Learn: Kindergarten Readiness Program | Youngsville Library | 10:30 AM

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Family Storytime: Letter Z | Wake Forest Community Library | 11 AM

Fall Festival @ North Hills | North Hills | 11 AM–4 PM

Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off + Santa | Downtown WF | 12–4 PM

LPQue in Wake Forest | Historic Downtown WF | 12–4 PM

🎶 LIVE Music & Food Trucks | Zinchouse | 12-8PM

Incredible Science | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 2PM & 3PM

STEAM Free Play | Youngsville Library | 2-3PM

ABC Craft & Learn | Wake Forest Community Library | 2:30 PM

NC Chinese Lantern Festival – Opening Night | Koka Booth Amphitheatre | 6–10 PM

Karaoke Night at Raleigh Brewing | Raleigh Brewing | 7–10 PM

Cosmic Charlie / Dark Side of The Dead | Lincoln Theatre | 8 PM

🏒 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers | PNC Arena | 7 PM

🏈 NC State football will be playing away against the University of Miami at 3:30 PM

🏈 Duke Football will be playing at home against the University of Virginia at 3:30 PM

Raleigh Foodie Fare | Raleigh | 11 AM–3 PM

Ornaments for Kids (7-13yo) | Center for Active Aging | 11:30 AM Register

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

Pop-Up Vendor Market Wake Forest | Wake Forest | 12–4 PM

🎶 LIVE Music & Food Trucks | Zinchouse | 12-8 PM

Secret Cinema Sundays | Raleigh Brewing | 2–5 PM

Open Practice | Luddy Park, Youngsville | 3–5 PM

Support Our Local Farmers | Burnt Barrel | 4 PM

Flashback Adult Skate | United Skates of America | 7–10:30 PM

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

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

Baby Story Time | Wake Forest Community Library | 9:30 AM

Sensory Stay & Play |  Northeast Regional Library | 10-11 AM

Free Paper Shredding Event | Joyner Park | 10 AM–2 PM

Family Storytime | Wake Forest Community Library | 11 AM

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

Teen Fairy Garden Terrarium | Northeast Regional Library | 5:30 PM

BINGO at Artisan Beer & Cheese | Artisan Beer & Cheese | 6–8 PM

Trivia Night at Fortnight WF | Fortnight Brewing | 7–9 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

Nature Play Day | Prairie Ridge, The Nature PlaySpace | 10 AM-12 PM

Family Storytime | Northeats Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Family Story Time | Youngsville Library | 10:30 AM

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

WF Library Stitchers | Wake Forest Community Library | 12-2 PM

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

Nature Detectives: Bird Nerds | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 1 PM

Incredible Science | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 1:30 PM

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

The Joel Fund: Reconnecting Veterans to Life at Home | Wake Forest Community Library | 3-5 PM

K-5th Adventures: Bridge Builders & Troll Trouble | Wake Forest Community Library | 3:30 PM

STEAM K-5th Adventures | Youngsville library | 4 PM

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

Checkmate! Chess Club | Wake Forest Community Library | 6:30 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

Science Detectives: Buggy Buddies | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 10:15 AM

Science Detectives: Fossils | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 10:30 AM

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

Toddler Storytime | Wake Forest Community Library | 9:30 AM

Family Storytime | Northeats Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Family Storytime: Native American Heritage Month | Wake Forest Community Library | 11 AM

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

Incredible Science | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | 1:30 PM

CHESStlemania | Northeast Regional Library | 4:30 PM

LIVE Music & Food Trucks | Zinchouse | 5-9:30 PM

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap | Wake Forest Community Library | 6:30 PM

The Art of Wine Tasting | ZInchouse | 7-8:30 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.

Thanks for reading today’s edition of The WYRe. If you found something useful, share it with someone who still says they “don’t get the hype” about pumpkin spice.

See you around town!
TheWYReNewsletter.com

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