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The Triangle Life Newsletter

Don’t Lock In Christmas Plans Until You See This 👀


Happy Tuesday, Triangle!

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you're anything like me, you're either scrambling to figure out dinner plans or trying to find something festive to do that won't have you stuck in traffic for hours.

Well, I'm here to help! I've put together everything you need: restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Day, the best Chinese spots for takeout, holiday bars that are actually fun, and light displays worth the drive.

Doesn't matter if you call up your friends, family, or just have some fun by yourself; there's something for everyone.

Let’s dive in! ⬇️

—Brette Davis

Your Go-To Triangle Holiday Guide!

I pulled together 15 of the best holiday events around the Triangle so you can plan December without digging for info.
Tap to see the full list on IG:

Restaurants Open Christmas Eve & Day

Great for: Anyone who'd rather skip the kitchen chaos and still get a great meal

If cooking isn't your thing this year (no judgment here), the Triangle has you covered. Here's where you can grab a solid meal without the stress:

Open Both Days

Time-Out Restaurant

201 East Franklin St., Chapel Hill

Open all day, every day—including

Christmas. A Chapel Hill institution.

🔗 timeout247.com

Waffle House

Multiple locations

Open 24/7, 365 days a year. You know what you're getting.

🔗 wafflehouse.com

The Willard

9 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh

Christmas Day buffet: $60 per person ($25 for kids 5-12). Make reservations.

🔗 thewillardraleigh.com

Sullivan's Steakhouse

410 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh

Special holiday menu. Call 919-833-2888 for reservations.

🔗 sullivanssteakhouse.com

Talulla's

456 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill

Turkish holiday menu, $52 per person.

919-933-1177

🔗 talullas.com

Beansprout

3721 Hillsborough St., Raleigh

Open regular hours both days: 11 AM – 10:30 PM

🔗 beansproutraleigh.com

C&T Wok

130 Morrisville Square Way, Morrisville
Both days: 11 AM–2:45 PM & 4:30–9:30 PM

🔗 ctwokrestaurant.com

Imperial Garden

7713 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh

Both days: 4 PM – 9:30 PM

🔗 imperialgardenrestaurant.com

Jumbo China

311 Leland Dr., Raleigh

Both days: 11 AM – 10 PM

🔗 jumbochinaonline.com

Peace China

802 Smart Drive, Raleigh

Both days: 11 AM – 8:30 PM

🔗 peacechinanc.com

Christmas Eve Only

Death & Taxes

105 W Hargett St, Raleigh

Make reservations at 984-242-0218

🔗 ac-restaurants.com/death-taxes

Poole's Diner

428 South McDowell St, Raleigh

Call 919-832-4477 for reservations

🔗 ac-restaurants.com/pooles

Irregardless

901 W Morgan St, Raleigh

For vegetarian-friendly options

919-833-8898

🔗 irregardless.com

Featured Listing

Christmas-Themed Pop-Up Bars

Great for: Festive drinks without the family angle; couples; groups

These bars are going all out with decorations and holiday cocktails through the end of December:

Raleigh

The Haymaker

Downtown on Fayetteville Street

Nov 20–Dec 31

🔗 thehaymakerraleigh.com

Killjoy Cocktail

Glenwood South

Nov 20–Dec 31

🔗 killjoycocktail.com

Wye Hill (Tropical theme)

Warehouse District

Nov 14–Dec 28

🔗 wyehill.com

Durham

Coupe & Stein Champagne Bar

Golden Belt

Nov 19–Dec 31

🔗 coupeandstein.com

Expect themed cocktails like the Snowball Fashioned and Sugar Plum Mai Tai. Most drinks involve whiskey or rum, with nice and naughty shot options.

SEE MORE PLACES AROUND NC→

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Top Holiday Light Displays

Great for: Getting into the holiday spirit without fighting traffic or crowds; families

Now, everyone loves Christmas lights, but not everybody knows that you have many options to see around this area. And you can even dance or bring your dog to some of these!

So skip the crowded neighborhood drives and hit these instead:

Lake Myra Christmas Lights

0 S Cypress St, Wendell

Daily 5:30–10 PM. Dog-friendly.

Free admission, donations accepted.

SEE THE LIGHTS→

Mangum Family Christmas Lights

510 Guess Rd, Hillsborough

Daily at 5:30 PM through Dec 31

Tune to 90.3 FM for synchronized music.

SEE THE LIGHTS→

Piper Lights

725 Fixit Shop Rd, Wake Forest
Sun–Thurs: 5:30–9 PM | Fri–Sat: 5:30–10 PM
Drive-thru display. Free, donations accepted.

SEE THE LIGHTS→.

Holidays on Hemby

001 Hemby Ridge Lane, Morrisville
Partnering with Diaper Bank of NC. Train runs 5:30–8:30 PM select nights.
Dec 13: Candy Canes & Cocoa night.

SEE THE LIGHTS→

Holland Road Lights

09 Holland Road, Fuquay-Varina
Daily from dusk (around 5 PM) to 10:30 PM
New Year's Eve dance party goes past midnight.

SEE THE LIGHTS→

Goldman Family Lights

631 Deerview Dr, Raleigh
Through end of year. Turn off headlights, tune to 90.9 FM.

SEE THE LIGHTS→

Raleigh Christmas Lights

612 Beehnon Lane, Raleigh
Opens Dec 5. Tune to 90.3 FM. Song touch screen included.

SEE THE LIGHTS→

The Rogers Family Christmas Lights

00 Bay Bouquet Ln, Apex
Free synchronized show. Donations support Cure SMA.

SEE THE LIGHTS→


Other Things Around The Triangle:


That's everything you need to make your Triangle holiday plans without the stress. If you hit up any of these spots, let me know how it goes!

Happy holidays!

Follow me on social to always be in the loop, you won't regret it!

—Brette Davis

Check out our Instagram page to stay updated on real estate insights, local events, things to do, and major news around the Triangle.

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