Wendell Wonderland: A Big, Bright, Holly-Jolly Night Out
The Triangle’s most joyful December kickoff—complete with lights, cookies, Santa, snow, and plenty of small-town sparkle.
Shannon
November 27, 2025
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Wendell Wonderland turns the first Friday of December into a full-blown holiday adventure—tree lighting, trolley rides, Santa rolling in on a firetruck, a craft market, cookie walk, live performances, and even a snow machine for that extra sprinkle of magic. If you want to explore every activity (and there are many), you can peek at the full schedule right here—fair warning, clicking may induce festive overplanning.
This isn’t sponsored (we’d tell you if it was). We just admire any event that delivers cookies and a light show for free. (Just so you know: Sponsored content in our newsletter is always marked with “*”).
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🔥 Get The Latest Raleigh Guide:
Craft Beverage Crawl: Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries You Can’t Miss, part of The Raleigh Bundle collection of expert guides, is packed with standout tasting rooms, local favorites, and tips for planning the perfect sip-by-sip itinerary. Even longtime locals will be surprised by what they find inside.
The 919 Deal Drop:
Start Your Week with $3 Sips at Chubby’s Tacos 🔥
Every Monday, Chubby’s serves up $3 house margaritas—no password or secret handshake required. Just show up, order your marg, and enjoy the start of your week with a little extra lime.
📍Where: Chubby’s Tacos
📅 When: Every Monday
Raleigh Real Estate:
🏡 FOR SALE UNDER $300K: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 1,564 SQ FT | .05 ACRES | $269,990
This treelined Juniper townhome in Rollman Farms by Ryan Homes offers 1,564 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a 1-car garage, and a rare finished flex space just 12 minutes south of Downtown Raleigh.* Take a look here →
🏠 FOR SALE UNDER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS | 1,887 SQ FT | .29 ACRES | $324,900
Just 15 minutes from Downtown Raleigh, this updated home features new HVAC, luxury vinyl flooring, fresh paint, and a bright living area with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and a cozy gas fireplace.* Take a look here →
🏘️ FOR SALE OVER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 1,809 SQ FT | .11 ACRES | $429,000
This thoughtfully upgraded home features a first-floor primary suite with a modern walk-in shower and garden tub, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and an open, light-filled layout near RTP, RDU, and I-540.* Take a look here →
🏰 FOR SALE OVER $1M: 4 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHROOMS | 4,073 SQ FT | 17.79 ACRES | $1,495,000
This expansive 4,000+ sq. ft. farmhouse offers timeless country living with modern amenities, featuring an enormous rocking-chair front porch overlooking private grounds and sweeping rural views.* Take a look here →
Raleigh Overtime:
🍴 FOODIE FIND: Peregrine’s A Tribute to Autumn marries sweet potato, persimmon, ginger, and grapefruit for an ethereal, seasonally inspired finish to the meal.
🐾 FOR ADOPTION: REX | DOG | 5 MONTHS | MALE
Rex is a calm, affectionate pup with great house manners who sleeps soundly through the night and brings a gentle, loving presence to any home. Check him out here →
🛍️ GARAGE SALE: Head over to Avalon Peaks, Apex on November 29 at 9AM for handmade candles, children’s book signings, fairy hair, mirror crafts, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, homemade cards, hand-painted fan blades, crocheted items, and more creative finds. More details here →
📝 LOCAL CLASS: Paint Class, Oh Christmas Tree at Wine and Design Chapel Hill on December 1 at 6:30PM.
Paint Class, Oh Christmas Tree offers a fun, music-filled paint-and-sip experience with step-by-step guidance to create a take-home masterpiece—no artistic talent required. Sign up here →
🧠 UNSCRAMBLE, WIN A PRIZE: Unscramble this Raleigh-related phrase, be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a tote bag, stickers, and a magnet in the mail: EGNVORRO’S SONNAMI
🌳 Golden Years Gatherings
Handpicked social, cultural, and community events especially for Raleigh’s older adults.
👋 Event of the day: Pickleboomers - Age 50+ @ Method Road Community Center | December 4 | 5:30PM
Pickleboomers (Age 50+) is a fun, friendly pickleball group that plays with a non-competitive spirit, rotating partners so everyone feels welcome and included. Get details here →
💲 Senior Discount of the Day: Burger King | 10% Senior Discount
Burger King offers 10% off for seniors, plus extra drink discounts for guests 60 and older.
Local Vocals:
🎸 This Week: Black Friday Fun
Slim’s hosts a laid-back Black Friday hangout with $5 Black Fireball shots and a come-as-you-are dive-bar vibe.* | Slim’s Dive Bar | November 28, 4:30PM | More info here →
🎤 Plan Ahead: Conan Gray | Pop
Conan Gray is an American singer-songwriter known for his emotionally charged lyrics and blend of pop, indie, and bedroom-pop influences. | Lenovo Center | March 4, 8PM | Get tickets here →
Save Hours of Searching—These Vetted Pros Are Ready to Improve Your Life (Updated Daily)
When you need to get things done (the right way, and fast), you don’t have time to read endless reviews. We’ve done that for you. These leading local service professionals have earned their stellar reputations and are ready to help you simplify your life.
Call them and tell them we sent you!*
✔️ Auto Mechanic: King’s Auto Service has 630+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted for over 75 years for reliable, expert car care in Raleigh.
✔️ Botox: BeautyCo has 260+ Google reviews and a perfect 5.0-star rating—Raleigh’s go-to spot for expert Botox treatments and natural-looking results.
✔️ Cosmetic Surgeon (Body): Amelia Aesthetics has 580+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted experts for body contouring and enhancement.
✔️ Cosmetic Surgeon (Face): Raleigh Eye and Face has 140+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—expert facial aesthetics and surgical care you can trust.
✔️ Dentist: Russo DDS has 1,500+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted by families all over Raleigh for exceptional dental care.
✔️ Handyman: Ace Handyman Services Greater Triangle and Johnston County has 900+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—because getting things fixed right matters.
✔️ Home Remodeler: Simply Right Remodeling has 100+ Google reviews and a perfect 5.0-star rating—expert craftsmanship to transform your home with style and precision.
✔️ HVAC Services: Air Experts—Raleigh’s go-to HVAC specialists with 7,300+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating. Don’t wait for the next heatwave!
✔️ Laser Hair Removal: BodyLase Med Spa has nearly 900 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating for expert laser hair removal. Book your glow-up today!
✔️ Massage Therapist: Lorena Luca Spa & Skin Clinic boasts 460+ Google reviews and a 4.8-star rating—because you deserve to relax.
✔️ Mortgage Broker: Erika Fonseca - Oak City Lending (NMLS #2679761) has 15 Google reviews, all 5.0 stars. Get the best home loan options with a pro who truly cares!
✔️ Orthodontist: Wake Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry has 1,400+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—creating confident smiles for kids and adults across Raleigh.
✔️ Therapist: Elizabeth Tatum, LCMHC has 5.0 stars and 30+ Google reviews for compassionate, effective therapy. Take care of your mental wellness with one of Raleigh’s best.
✔️ Wealth Advisor: Capitol Financial has 25+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating for expert financial planning. Your future self will thank you.
Let’s Get Laughing:
🎤 This Week: MANDAL at Goodnights Comedy Club | December 5-7 | MANDAL is an Atlanta-based stand-up comedian known for his high-energy delivery and appearances on platforms like Adult Swim, Netflix’s Is A Joke, and the comedy series Scare Tactics. Get tickets here →
😂 Plan Ahead: Anthony Fuentes at Goodnights Comedy Club | January 22-24 | Anthony Fuentes is a Brooklyn-born, Chicago-based stand-up comedian and U.S. military veteran known for his sharp storytelling and candid humor about family life, PTSD, and personal resilience. Get tickets here →
Find Friends in Raleigh:
Curated social events without an emphasis on alcohol or romance:
👋 Latin Dance Social @ Cuya Cocktail Bar | December 3 | 8:30PM
Latin Dance Social is a weekly Wednesday night event featuring a complimentary Salsa/Bachata class at 8:30 PM followed by social dancing until midnight with DJ Kemo. Get details here →
🤝 Permission to Be Ridiculous, High-Energy Adult Games @ East Cloud Kungfu, LLC | December 5 | 7PM
PLAY: Permission to Be Ridiculous is a 90-minute, high-energy adult game session where participants can let loose, be silly, and rediscover pure joy. Get details here →
The Willard’s rooftop is one of those places you take friends when you want to show off the city. Think panoramic views, laid-back drinks, and the kind of sunset that makes Raleigh feel bigger than it is.
—Nigel, a longtime reader
Oak City Job Openings:
💻 WORK-FROM-HOME JOB HIRING IN RALEIGH: Belay Solutions is seeking a Bookkeeper.
💼 CARY JOB: All Together Autism, LLC is seeking a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
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