Raleigh, NC kids' events Dec 4–6, 2026

Raleigh, NC family weekend: Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 6

Filter by age, area, cost, day

Big outings

Nov 21 – Jan 10 · 6pm–10pm

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

Koka Booth Amphitheatre — Cary · Wake Co. · Cary

Giant handcrafted lanterns around Symphony Lake.

Ages 0-2
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-10
11+
Big outing
Paid

Details at Koka Booth Amphitheatre ↗

Museums, gardens & more

Fri, Dec 4 · 6pm–8:30pm

Evening with Elves

Marbles Kids Museum — Raleigh · Wake Co. · Raleigh

Ages 0-2
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-10
11+
Cost not listed
Indoors

Details at Marbles Kids Museum ↗

Nov 27 – Dec 13

The Polar Express 3D

Marbles Kids Museum — Raleigh · Wake Co. · Raleigh

Cost not listed
Indoors

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

Details at Marbles Kids Museum ↗

Dec 5 – Dec 6

The Polar Express 2D Open Caption

Marbles Kids Museum — Raleigh · Wake Co. · Raleigh

Cost not listed
Indoors

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

Details at Marbles Kids Museum ↗

Library storytimes & programs (20, free)

From Wake County Public Libraries and Durham County Library. Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Dec 4

Time variesMaker + STEAM Take and Make: DIY Reuse Art Bird Mask · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

10:30amBragtown's Bilingual Storytime with Ms. Melanie! · Bragtown Branch Library (3200 Dearborn Dr), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

10:30amPreschool Storytime · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

11amA Very Merry Cookie Craft · North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pmThis Week In the Lab: Snap Circuits · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

3pm****NEW DATE**** Make It: Window Clings · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 6-10 · 11+ · Free

4:30pmMix and Make: Scarecrow Cupcake Decorating · East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane), Durham 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Saturday, Dec 5

Time variesMaker + STEAM Take and Make: DIY Reuse Art Bird Mask · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

10amCookie Houses! · East Regional Library, Knightdale 6-10 · Free

10:30amBite into Science · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 6-10 · 11+ · Free

10:30amFamily Storytime @ Southwest Regional · Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

11amCookie Houses · Athens Drive Community Library, Raleigh 6-10 · Free

11amFamily Fables (Storytime) · East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

12pmDuke Ballet & Books · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 6-10 · Free

1:30pmDowntown Durham Chess Club · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 6-10 · 11+ · Free

2pmCanines for Literacy @ East · East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane), Durham 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

2pmCookie Houses · Athens Drive Community Library, Raleigh 6-10 · Free

3pmThis Week In the Lab: Snap Circuits · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

4:30pmDog Days at the Library! · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Sunday, Dec 6

Time variesMaker + STEAM Take and Make: DIY Reuse Art Bird Mask · Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St), Durham 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

About this page · weather

24 events for the weekend of Dec 4–6, with 20 free and 23 indoors.

Updated November 11, 2026