Good morning, W.Y.R. neighbors! The holiday season officially arrives this weekend, and the Triangle is wasting no time rolling out the magic. The massive Raleigh Christmas Parade takes over downtown, Santa sightings pop up all across the area, and festive markets and tree lightings are everywhere you turn. Whether you're wrangling the kids, planning a friend’s day out, or simply embracing your inner holiday person, there’s something joyful waiting for you around every corner.

In today’s edition of The WYRe:

Let's get to it.

— Dave & Egle

📅 Saturday, Nov 22 | 9:30 AM
📍 Downtown Raleigh | FREE

The Raleigh Christmas Parade is one of the largest and most iconic holiday parades in the Southeast — and a must-experience moment if you're anywhere near the Triangle this weekend. Expect giant floats, marching bands, dancers, performers, and Santa himself leading a 1.4-mile celebration through downtown.

The parade begins at Hillsborough St & St. Mary’s, loops around the Capitol, rolls down Salisbury St, turns onto Morgan St, and finishes on Fayetteville St at Lenoir. Plan for 2–2.5 hours and heavy crowds — it’s one of Raleigh’s biggest annual events.

Pro tip: Arrive between 7–8 AM if you want easy parking and curb seating. Bundle up, bring chairs/blankets, and keep a thermos handy — shaded streets + morning air = colder than you expect. The best views? More relaxed near St. Mary’s, more electric near Fayetteville St by the Convention Center.

📍 Downtown Cary Park — Photos with Santa
Dec 19 | 5–9 PM

📍 Waverly Place Tree Lighting, Cary
Nov 21 | 5–8 PM

📍 Crossroads Plaza Holly Jolly Jamboree
Nov 22 | 2–6 PM

📍 Fenton: Lights the Square + Santa
Nov 22 | 3–7 PM

📍 North Hills Tree Lighting
Nov 22 | 4–7 PM

📍 Bass Pro Shops
Free 4×6 photo with Santa through Christmas Eve (reservation recommended).

📍 Wake Forest — Free Pictures with Santa
Multiple dates throughout November & December (town-sponsored).

📍 Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting & Holiday Market
Free Santa photo ops at Moore Square.

📍 “Santa on the Rooftop” at The Willard
Dec 7 | Free

📍 Lake Myra Christmas Lights
Nov 26–Dec 31 | 5:30–10 PM
Santa appears on select nights.

📍 Triangle Town Center
Nov 28 — Free Santa kickoff appearance.

📍 Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
Dec 7 | 4 PM — Santa’s Tent afterward.

📍 Park West Village Winter Wonderland

📍 “Paws with Claus” — Downtown Cary Park
Dec 14 — Bring your pets!

📍 Crabtree Valley Mall Santa Sessions
Nov 7–Dec 24

📍 FestiBull of Lights (Bull City)
Nov 20–Jan 3 | 5:30–9 PM — Tickets required.

📍 Christmas Lights on the Farm
Fridays–Sundays, Nov 28–Dec 21 | 6:30–9 PM

More listings: https://fun4raleighkids.com/Whats-Happening/Santa-Sightings/

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

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

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

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

Craft It | Northeast Regional Library | 2:30 PM

Youth Open Play Basketball (17 and under) | Joyner Park CC | 3–5 PM

K–5th Adventures: Bridge Builders & Troll Trouble | Wake Forest Community Library | 4:30 PM

K–2nd Adventures: Whip It Up! | Northeast Regional Library | 4:30 PM

A Chic Fall Floral Workshop | Zinchouse | 6:30–8 PM

The Gnome Knows Trivia | Norse Brewing Company Wake Forest | 6:30–8:30 PM

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

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

American Red Cross Blood Drive | 514 Southtown Circle, Rolesville, NC 27571 | 9 AM–3 PM

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

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

🎶 LIVE Music and Food Trucks | Zinchouse | 5–10 PM

Shop The Lights on Friday Nights | 133 E Main St., Youngsville, NC | 6 PM

Paint Your Own Ceramic Christmas Tree | The Makery WF | 7 PM

🏈 NC State football will play against Florida State at 8 PM. Watch on ESPN

🏀 Duke Men’s Basketball will face off against Niagara University @ 7 PM at home. You can watch the game on ACCN

🏒 Carolina Hurricanes vs Winnipeg Jets @ 8 PM in Winnipeg. Catch the game on ESPN

Raleigh TCG Con II | Triangle Town Center, Raleigh | Nov 22–23

Raleigh Christmas Parade | Downtown Raleigh | 9:30 AM

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Drop-In Hatha Yoga | Joyner Park CC | 10:30–11:30 AM

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

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

Youngsville Holiday Market | Main St, Youngsville | 11 AM

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

STEAM Free Play | Youngsville Library | 2–3 PM

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

North Hills Tree Lighting | North Hills, Raleigh | 4–7 PM

🏈 Duke Football will be playing against the University of North Carolina at 3:30 PM

🏀 Duke Men’s Basketball will face off against Howard @ 4 PM at home. You can watch the game on ACCN

🏒 Carolina Hurricanes vs Buffalo Sabres @ 1 PM in Buffalo. Catch the game on Fubo.

Open Play Pickleball | Joyner Park CC | 6:15–9:30 AM

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

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

Family Storytime | Wake Forest Community Library | 11 AM

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

Teen Program (6–12th gr) | Northeast Regional Library | 5:30 PM

Drop In Zumba | Joyner Park CC | 6:30 PM

Monday Night Team Trivia with Tab | Burnt Barrel | 6:30 PM

Trivia Night | Fortnight Wake Forest | 7 PM

Town of Rolesville Planning Board Meeting | Town Hall | 7–8 PM

BINGO | Artisan Beer and Cheese | 6 PM

Drop In Hatha Yoga | Joyner Park CC | 6 AM

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

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

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

Hunter's Happy Hour & The Last Slice Snacks | Burnt Barrel | 12 PM

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

Youth Open Play Basketball (17 and under) | Joyner Park CC | 3–5 PM

K–5th Adventures: Crafternoon! | Wake Forest Community Library | 3:30 PM

3rd–5th Adventures: Crafty Corkimals | Northeast Regional Library | 4:30 PM

Trivia and Music Bingo | Artisan Beer & Cheese | 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

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

Family Storytime | Northeast Regional Library | 10:15 AM

Family Storytime: Family Feasts | Wake Forest Community Library | 11 AM

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

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

The Art of Wine Tasting | Zinchouse | 7–8:30 PM

_{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’s already blasting the Christmas music.

See you around town!
TheWYReNewsletter.com

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