101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in the Triangle: Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill 2026
Train Rides
| Nov 6 - Dec 23, 2026 | The Polar Express™ Train Ride at N.C. Transportation Museum - N.C. Transportation Museum |
| Dec 5 - Dec 19, 2026 | Santa Express at New Hope Valley Railway - New Hope Valley Railway |
| Dec 9, 2026 | Sensory-Friendly Winter Rides at New Hope Valley Railway - New Hope Valley Railway |
| Dec 26 - Dec 31, 2026 | Winter Train Rides - N.C. Transportation Museum - N.C. Transportation Museum |
Holiday Themed Meal
| Dec 12, 2026 | Raleigh's International Holiday Market - NC Vibes - Raleigh City Plaza |
Old-Time Christmas
| Dec 4, 2026 | Christmas by Candlelight - Duke Homestead - 2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Interstate 85 Corridor, Durham, NC |
| Dec 4, 2026 | Christmas Tree Lighting - Knightdale Station Park |
| Dec 4, 2026 | Tree Lighting Ceremony - Town of Apex, NC - Apex Town Hall |
| Dec 7, 2026 | Holiday Tree Lighting - Town of Rolesville, NC - Redford Place Park |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Durham Holiday Parade - Main Street |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Christmas Parade - Main Street |
Light Displays
| Nov 26 - Dec 28, 2026 | Drive Thru Festival of Lights 2026 - Hill Ridge Farms - Hill Ridge Farms |
| Nov 21, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027 | NC Chinese Lantern Festival - Cary, NC - Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
Hanukkah
| Dec 6, 2026 | Apex Chanukah Festival - Chabad of Cary Jewish Center - Apex Senior Center |
Holiday Concerts
| Nov 20, 2026 | The Nutcracker with a Live Orchestra at the Crown Theatre - Crown Theater |
Holiday Theatre
| Dec 5, 2026 | "The Nutcracker" by Cary Ballet Company - Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts |
Hands on Holiday Fun
| Nov 15, 2026 | Holiday Gift-Making & Forest Play Class - Belle Vie Farm - Belle Vie Farm |
| Nov 27 - Dec 13, 2026 | Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Millstone Creek Orchards - Millstone Creek Orchards |
| Dec 4, 2026 | Christmas Card Watercolor Workshop - Smith's Nursery - Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center |
| Dec 21 - Dec 22, 2026 | Holiday Gift Making Camp (Ages 4-13) - The Art Lab - The Art Lab for Kids |
| Dec 23, 2026 | Holiday Bash Camp (Ages 4-13) - The Art Lab - The Art Lab for Kids |
Shopping & Craft Fairs
| Nov 5 - Nov 8, 2026 | Holly Day Fair - Crown Coliseum |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Love Raleigh Festival & Market: A Friendsgiving Celebration & Holiday Season Kickoff - NC Vibes - Moore Square |
| Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2026 | Mistletoe Markets at Millstone Creek Orchards - Millstone Creek Orchards |
| Nov 21 - Nov 22, 2026 | The 2026 Durham Art Walk Holiday Market - Downtown |
| Nov 29, 2026 | 5th Annual Positively Apex Kids Holiday Craft Fair at Halle Cultural Arts Center - Halle Cultural Arts Center |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Christmas Market at Ronnie's Berry Farm - Ronnie's Berry Farm |
| Dec 5, 2026 | 8th Annual Christmas Craft Fair - Pace Family Farms - Pace Family Farms |
| Dec 6, 2026 | Durham Geek and Grub Market: Holiday Nightmare Edition - Durham Armory |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Holiday Cultural Market - Envision Science Academy |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Raleigh's International Holiday Market - NC Vibes - Raleigh City Plaza |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Raleigh Geek and Grub Market: Holiday Nightmare Edition - LeRoy Martin Magnet Middle School |
Active Holiday Fun
| Dec 1, 2026 - Jan 2, 2027 | Santa Hustle 2026 VIRTUAL - ONLINE ONLY |
| Dec 27, 2026 | Last Mile - 150 Wrenn Dr. #2171, Cary, NC |
Miscellaneous
| Oct 9, 2026 - May 31, 2027 | Teacher Workday Camps 2026/27 - Belle Vie Farm - Belle Vie Farm |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Family Farm Day with Santa | November 21 - Pint Sized Pasture - The Pint Sized Pasture |
| Nov 25, 2026 | Family Farm Day with Santa | November 25 - Pint Sized Pasture - The Pint Sized Pasture |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Family Farm Day with Santa | November 28 - Pint Sized Pasture - The Pint Sized Pasture |
| Dec 4, 2026 | Santa Paws - Durham Armory |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Fortnight Before Christmas - Northwest Cary YMCA |
Christmas Tree Farms
Shopping for a Christmas tree? Here's our list of farms where you can purchase your own Christmas tree in the Research Triangle area.
Subscription Boxes: Gifts That Keep on Giving
Send thoughtful choices to the ones you love near and far, and plan some excellent expected surprises for your own family in the months to come. KidsOutAndAbout has put together of some of our favorite choices with a range for all different ages and interests.
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