November in Raleigh is one of the best times of the year; with the perfect mix of warm and cool weather, there is no better time to get out and explore what the area has to offer! November, being the stepping stone before winter break, tends to get many people excited and in the holiday spirit. With that being said, many festivals and activities are held to get children and parents of all ages engaged in these festive times. So far, seven festivals have been confirmed in areas such as Cary, Durham, and Raleigh.
Magic and Mischief will be located at Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay St., in Raleigh. Grab your wands, imagination, your house colors, and make your way to Fred Fletcher Park on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 2-7pm for Magic and Mischief! This event is being presented by Raleigh Parks and Paper & Stars Studio. The event welcomes any witches and wizards of all ages, and it’s free to attend. “Imagine fantastic beasts, magical crafts, spell practice, stage performances, and most importantly magic and mischief.”
Fest in the West is located at the USA Baseball Training Complex, 200 Brooks Park Ln., in Cary. Gallup on up to Cary for Fest in the West! The annual festival is returning to the USA Baseball Training Complex on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10 am-4 pm. At this event, there will be food trucks, contests, live music, and activities for kids of any age. The event is being put on by Goodtree Studio in partnership with the Town of Cary, which promises to “put on a memorable hootenanny for the whole family!”
The 79th Annual NC Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival is located at the NC State Fairgrounds, Holshouser Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, in Raleigh. Learn more about pumpkins, squash, and gourds at the 79th Annual Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival! The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9am-5 pm, and Sunday, Nov. 7, from 10 am-4 pm. Have friends, family, and children participate in a gourd crafting session, classes, crafts, competitions, demonstrations, and raffles! Additionally, learn new information and how to take care of your new gourd. The cost is $3 per person to enter.
The Durham Art Walk and Holiday Market, which is being held November 17th-18th, is a celebration of visual arts and fine crafts held in downtown Durham. This event features the work of numerous talented artists from all over the area and North Carolina. The event is a great way to start the holiday season, bringing people and art enthusiasts together for the weekend! By attending you can shop and explore everything Durham has to offer. Durham is a great place to visit, offering world class restaurants, live music, shopping, and innovative businesses as well as historic sites!
The NC Chinese Lantern Festival will be held November 19th to January 9th, located at Koka Booth Amphitheater, 8003 Regency Pkwy, in Cary. This is one of the best-known and popular festivals in the Triangle. Admire the beautiful luminous display of lanterns from twilight to nightfall. The expected time to view everything is about 45-75 minutes. Once you have finished the festival, look for the food trucks which will be set up Friday and Saturday nights. Ticket prices range from $15 to $35.
As soon as the Raleigh Christmas Parade announced they were back, social media sites like Instagram erupted with likes and excitement! On Saturday, Nov. 20, everyone will be able to attend the parade from the street-side viewing areas or watch on ABC11 inside their homes with friends and family. The mile-long route will feature 115 groups, including musical acts, floats, and balloons. The parade will start promptly at 9:40 am and is free to the public to attend.
Don’t miss out on this exciting time to enjoy what the community and area have to offer. Some of the festivities are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and experiences, so make sure you can look back and enjoy your holiday season, especially with the ones you love!