Holiday Gift Guide, 12 Christmas Eve Dinners, Best Breweries, NC Chinese Lantern Giveaway
HOLIDAY SHOPPING. Ready to start checking off your list? Find inspiration in our Midtown and Cary Living holiday gift guides, where you’ll discover 40-plus unique ideas from local companies and boutiques.
HOLIDAY CRAFTS. The Willard Rooftop Lounge hosts a Holiday Wreath Making Workshop with TG Floristry on Tuesday, November 29 at 7 p.m. Learn how to deck the halls with a handmade boho-style wreath from Tiera George of TG Floristry. Tickets are $80 and include everything you need to make the wreath, including hoop and dried florals, plus two hours of instruction and a glass of wine from the bar. Discover when and where to find crafted gifts across the Triangle in our holiday craft fair roundup.
NEW NAME IN ENTERTAINMENT. The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex announced on Thursday that Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will be the new naming rights sponsor of the venue currently known as the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The center draws close to 400,000 guests to more than 600 events annually at its four separate event spaces: Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Meymandi Concert Hall, A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater, and Kennedy Theatre. The 20-year naming rights partnership is anticipated to take effect in early 2023 with the center’s name changing to the “Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.”
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER. Take a break from cooking on Christmas Eve. Make a reservation at one of these 12 local restaurants to enjoy an elegant and memorable experience.
PHASE 2 GROUNDBREAKING. On November 4, Hoffman & Associates announced the groundbreaking for the second phase of Seaboard Station on the north edge of downtown Raleigh. The neighborhood’s second phase will include two apartment buildings, bringing 279 residences and a 149-key hotel, along with approximately 55,000 square feet of retail space. The project includes vibrant restaurants and shops along a double-sided curbless retail corridor with over 18,000 square feet of outdoor seating and cafe terraces connecting the neighborhood’s underground parking.
SUPERHERO SHOWDOWN. The 21Marbles Superhero Showdown is set to take place Friday, November 11, 6:30–9:30 p.m. at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Dust off your favorite superhero costume and save the universe with a drink in your hand! Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 the day of the event. Groups of eight or more pay $12 per person. Participants must be age 21 or older.
BOOK RELEASE. Quail Ridge Books will host an event for the release of North Carolina-based writer Kennedy Ryan’s new romance, “Before I Let Go,” on Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. The book tells the story of two divorced parents who are co-parenting their two children.
VETERANS DAY SPECIALS. Triangle veterans are invited to dine at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille for a complimentary pork chop meal this Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. All active and former military members who have a valid ID are eligible when accompanied by a guest purchasing an entrée. Reservations are required.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will honor veterans by offering a free pulled pork sandwich on Friday, November 11. The offer is good for carryout, in-store, online or via the Dickey’s app using the code VETFREE. Also, through Saturday, December 31, Barbecue at Home by Dickey’s is taking 15% off all orders for veterans with code the VETERAN15. The online service offers shipping for craft sausages, premium quality meats, and unique rubs and spices.
The North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island will offer free admission on Friday, November 11, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., to all veterans—active, reserve or retired of the U.S. military—as well as their dependents. Advance tickets are required for admission.
The Cardinal at North Hills will honor its 72 veteran residents and associates during the community’s Veterans Day celebration on Friday, November 11 at 11 a.m. The event will include a presentation of the colors and certificates of thanks, followed by remarks by David Mullis. To attend the event, contact Sarah Jackson at .
FOR A GOOD CAUSE. AR Homes hosts its fifth annual HOPE for the Holidays at North Raleigh’s Arlington inventory home in Montreaux on Thursday, November 17, 5–8 p.m. The event supports local children served by the Children’s Hope Alliance. With an increased number of North Carolina children in need this year, AR Homes is looking for additional sponsors and gift donors. For more information, contact Caroline Phoenix at .
SECRET SANTAS. Holiday shoppers can participate in the Be a Santa to a Senior campaign at more than a dozen locations around Raleigh through Monday, December 5. Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and gifts such as blankets, toiletries and slippers. Home Instead Senior Care hopes to collect gifts for 200 local seniors. Online donations are accepted.
BEST BREWERIES. Funguys Brewing was named winner of the 2022 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for Best New Brewery on November 4. The family-friendly, pet-friendly “mom-and-pop craft brewery” located at 2408 Paula Street in Raleigh competed against 19 other breweries across the nation to make the top 10, and landed at No. 1. Funguys Brewing is known for its IPAs and lagers, as well as heavily fruited smoothie-style sours known as “Smoothsicles.”
North Carolina’s craft brewing industry gathered in Winston-Salem last week for the North Carolina Beer Industry Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the NC Craft Brewers Conference. The North Carolina Brewery of the Year trophy was awarded to Durham-based Ponysaurus Brewing Co., which won two first place gold medals and one second place silver medal in this year’s competition. See the full list of winners here.
Acclaimed Asheville-based brewery DSSOLVR has announced its second taproom, which will open in downtown Durham on Rigsbee Avenue, with construction of the 2,500-square-foot-space beginning in early 2023. DSSOLVR will mirror the portfolio available in its Asheville tasting room, and maintain a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients from artisanal producers.
TURKEY DAY PLANS. Catering Works is offering its Figs Market Feast and Thanksgiving bundles. Packages include 10-person turkey bundles, sides-only bundles and a la carte turkeys, hams, sides and pies. Pre-orders are accepted through Wednesday, November 16. Pickup and delivery is Wednesday, November 23, 9–11 a.m.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Darwin Day on Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The event honors British naturalist Charles Darwin’s lifelong interest in fungus. Meet the scientists who study fungi (mycologists), name your own fungi, and enjoy fungi-related crafts and games at this free educational event.
TOP GAMERS. Fortnite Championship Series Invitational comes to Raleigh Convention Center on Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13. The best Fortnite players from around the world will compete for a share of a $1 million prize pool. Fans can register for seats on Ticketmaster.
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS. Bands at Brookside Bodega (1000 Brookside Drive, Raleigh) continues its Tuesday night music series with Krystin Winfield on November 29, 5–8 p.m. The series continues with Heather Rogers (December 6) and Sheila Casalett (December 13).
REDUCED PET FEES. The Wake County Animal Center has waived adoption fees for Adopt a Senior Pet Month after a $5,000 contribution from former volunteer Julie Stolzer. The gift makes it possible to waive the adoption fees for any cat or dog more than 6 months old. Cats and dogs are considered senior when they are more than 8 years old. The shelter currently has 10 senior dogs awaiting adoption.
NEW IN RECYCLING. The ReCollective has begun service in the Triangle, bringing hard-to-recycle pickup service directly to households.The ReCollective collects items such as plastic bags, Styrofoam, clothes and other textiles, batteries, light bulbs, latex paint, small electronics, used kitchenware and more. Members receive reusable canvas collection bags and a large waterproof bag for collection day. New customers can use the coupon code 3RECO for $3 off the setup kit.
