📫 “New Year’s Eve in the Area: Fun for Families and Couples Alike” | Check the Editor's Pick Today🎄

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Hello friends!

Your to-do list is screaming, but the lights are twinkling, the music is cheesy, and the air smells like pine and bad decisions.

Pause. For five minutes. Look up. Breathe it in.

This magic only lasts a blink. Presents can wait. Joy can’t.

Go soak it up before it melts faster than Frosty in a sauna.

See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane

—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

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📍 Today’s Chuckle 📍

I just saw a guy in the mall sprinting with eight shopping bags, two kids on his shoulders, and a panicked look. He passed Santa, who yelled, “Slow down, man!”

He screamed back, “CAN’T—ONLY 14 DAYS LEFT AND MY WIFE JUST ADDED ‘WORLD PEACE’ TO THE LIST!” 🎄🏃‍♂️💨

📍 Trivia 📍

• The world’s tallest cut Christmas tree was a 221-foot Douglas fir erected in Seattle’s Northgate Mall in 1950. It needed a separate crane permit.

• “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. Composer James Pierpont

Take a Break With the Family

North Raleigh parents, your holiday hero just arrived: Winterfest at Capital Marketplace on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—and it’s 100% free. We’re talking unlimited hot cocoa, a dessert table that disappears faster than socks on Christmas morning, Santa photos without the two-hour mall trauma, a bounce house that basically babysits your kids, and face painters turning tiny humans into reindeer, snowmen, and glitter explosions. Throw in holiday tunes, easy parking, and zero entry fee, and you’ve got the happiest pit stop of the North Pole never trademarked. Bring the whole crew, wear your ugliest sweater, and let Capital Marketplace (6250 Plantation Center Drive) refill your holiday cheer tank before the big day. Cocoa’s hot, Santa’s chill, and the memories are priceless. See you there! 🎅🍫✨

 Senior Discount of the Day: Publix 

Senior Wednesday Discount
5% off for customers age 60+ every Wednesday.

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“New Year’s Eve in the Area: Fun for Families and Couples Alike”

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family‑ & Couple‑Friendly New Year’s Eve Events

• WRAL First Night Raleigh — Downtown Raleigh, Dec 31, 2:00 PM–Midnight. Family‑oriented event with early‑afternoon music and arts performances, children’s activities, indoor‑outdoor events downtown, capped off with the city’s famous acorn drop and fireworks. Visit Raleigh+1

• Red Bird New Year’s Eve Celebration — Downtown Raleigh, 9:00 PM–12:30 AM. Live music by the Dave Grogan Band, passed appetizers, multiple bars, and indoor viewing of the midnight “ball drop.” Great for couples or small groups wanting a festive but contained evening. 10th & Terrace+2Raleigh Magazine+2

• 10th & Terrace (Residence Inn rooftop) — Early NYE Celebration — Earlier‑evening rooftop buffet and celebration, family‑friendly rates for children (if under 12), and a view of fireworks — a good option for families or couples who don’t want a late‑night party. This is Raleigh

🥂 Adult‑Oriented Parties, Music & Nightlife Events

• The Willard Rooftop Lounge – Champagne & Spotlights: A Vintage Hollywood Affair — 8:00 PM–1:00 AM. A glamorous, 21+ rooftop party with live music (Helena Redman Quintet), cocktails, a buffet, dancing, and a midnight toast under the stars. Perfect for couples or solo adults wanting a stylish celebration. Visit Raleigh+2The Willard Raleigh+2

• Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen – Roaring Twenties NYE Party — 9:00 PM–2:00 AM. Gatsby‑style celebration with a DJ, dancing, food stations, cash bar, and a lively crowd — great for friends, couples, or groups who want a party vibe. Visit Raleigh+Vidrio – NYE Celebration & Party — Dinner + live music + dancing + midnight toast. Various ticketed packages — from dinner + party to late‑night celebrations with live funk/R&B band and DJ. Good for couples or groups wanting food, fun, and music all night. Raleigh Magazine+1

• Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown – NC’s Official New Year’s Eve Extravaganza 2026 — 9:30 PM–2:00 AM. Hip‑hop, R&B, Soca/Afrobeats dance hall vibes, DJs, VIP options — a full-on party for 21 +. Good for friends and party‐people wanting a big night out. HappeningNext+2AllEvents+2

• Tin Roof Raleigh – NYE 2026 Bash — Live music (bands + DJ), champagne at midnight, party favors, VIP booths or general admission — ideal for a rowdy, music‑filled night out with friends. Raleigh Bar | Live Music | Tin Roof+1

  Today’s Pick

  The Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour is one of Raleigh’s most beloved holiday traditions, offering a rare chance to step inside beautifully preserved Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman homes in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood. For one special weekend, December 13–14, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., homeowners open their doors to showcase elegant seasonal décor, warm lighting, and period charm that brings the neighborhood’s history to life. Visitors begin at The Tucker House, where they check in, enjoy complimentary cookies and cider, and receive a map to explore the tour at their own pace. Tickets cost $43 per person, with a discounted rate of $40 for groups of ten or more, and guests should plan to spend about three hours experiencing the full event.

  What makes this tour truly special is the atmosphere: each home feels like a step back in time, with storytelling from docents and homeowners that adds depth to every room. The blend of architecture, holiday spirit, and community warmth creates an intimate experience unlike any other seasonal event in Wake County. And because all proceeds support the preservation of Historic Oakwood, every ticket helps ensure that this treasured neighborhood continues to thrive for generations. Charming, nostalgic, and rich with character, the Candlelight Tour is a December weekend experience that captures the true heart of the holidays.

Norfolk Community Rallies Around the Vellines Family After Devastating Fire

Just two days before Thanksgiving, flames tore through the Norfolk, Virginia home of John and Erin Vellines, leaving the couple and their four children standing outside in the cold with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The family lost nearly everything — beds, clothing, toys, photographs — all the things that make a house feel like home.

But the community refused to let them face the tragedy alone. Neighbors they barely knew showed up with blankets, food, and warm coats for the children. A local café organized a donation drive overnight. By morning, hundreds had contributed. A GoFundMe page spread across Hampton Roads, raising far more than the family ever expected or asked for. What moved Erin the most wasn’t the money — it was the notes from strangers saying, “You are not alone,” and “We’re lifting you up.” Out of the ashes rose a powerful reminder of what community really means: people stepping in when life breaks someone open.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

55 Plus - The New Silver Standard

Is your kitchen friend or foe?

Early Birds get the worm! Texas Road House Mon–Thu, 3–5 PM: Frieday’s until 4pm. Select entrées for $10.99. Includes Country Fried Chicken, Pork Chop. There are ton’s more Early Bird deals below!

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👉Trans-Siberian Orchestra! ❄️🔥

Don’t miss TSO’s explosive mix of rock, classical, and holiday magic—live on stage! Expect epic music, stunning lights, and a show you’ll feel from head to toe.

📍 Lenovo Center
📅 Dec 11 | 7 PM

🎟️ Tickets → Get Tickets

Get ready to rock the holiday season!

👉Plan Ahead: Meghan Trainor | Pop

Catch Meghan Trainor’s irresistible retro-pop vibes and empowering hits live at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek on June 27 at 6:30 PM.

🎟️ Get tickets → Get Tickets

Winterfest

The Cary Town Band brings Winterfest ’25 to the Cary Arts Center on December 12, filling the evening with festive music and a beloved Christmas carol sing-along. Want a sneak peek at the full program? 👉 Visit the site

Check out our online calendar for more events and local activities!📌

We strive to make sure that all information is accurate. However, we always recommend check all details with the event organizer.

There are so many events happening in and around Wake County, NC that we have gone to a seperate page to list events. Please click this button to view all of the area’s great events!👇

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If your business event, or restaurant, is not on the list and you would like to be added, contact us at [email protected]