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The month ahead

November 2026 with Kids in Raleigh & the Triangle

234 family events on our calendar · Updated Sep 28

The big ones: 5th Annual Kid's Holiday Craft Fair, North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival and NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Then each weekend's best, the days off school and what's free.

Don't miss

The biggest family events in November

Weekend by weekend

What's on each weekend

Nov 6–8

Arts

Pumpkin Smash Party!

· 12pm–6pm
Steel String Brewery at Pluck Farm, Mebane
Check price

Bring a bucket if you want to take pumpkin scraps home for your animals.

Nov 13–15

Film

Fuquay Film Festival

· 6pm
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, Fuquay-Varina
Check price

Grab an All Festival Pass for twenty dollars to get access to both days.

Nov 20–22

Nov 27–29

Community

Turkey Chase

· See event details
William B. Umstead State Park, Reedy Creek Shelter #2, Cary
Check price
Community

Leftovers Trail Run

· See event details
Great Meadow Park at Briar Chapel, Chapel Hill
Check price

Plan the days off

No-school days in November 2026

  • Monday, Nov 2: Required Teacher WorkdayDurham Public Schools
  • Tuesday, Nov 3: Teacher WorkdayWake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
  • Wednesday, Nov 11: Veterans DayWake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
  • Monday, Nov 23: Teacher WorkdayDurham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
  • Tuesday, Nov 24: Annual Leave DayDurham Public Schools
  • Tuesday, Nov 24: Teacher WorkdayChapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
  • Wednesday, Nov 25: Thanksgiving BreakWake County Schools, Durham Public Schools
  • Wednesday, Nov 25: Teacher WorkdayChapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
  • Thursday, Nov 26: Thanksgiving DayWake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
  • Friday, Nov 27: Day After ThanksgivingWake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools

Get every day off in your phone calendar (Wake, Durham, Chapel Hill-Carrboro and each Wake track) →

Costs nothing

Free in November

Every free family event →

Every Thursday

Get each weekend's list before you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's happening in Raleigh for kids in November 2026?
The biggest family events this November: 5th Annual Kid's Holiday Craft Fair (The Halle Cultural Arts Center); North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Koka Booth Amphitheatre); NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet (Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)); North Carolina Whirligig Festival in Wilson. There are 234 family events on our calendar for the month, and the list grows as venues announce more.
When are the no-school days in November 2026?
Monday, Nov 2: Required Teacher Workday (Durham Public Schools); Tuesday, Nov 3: Teacher Workday (Wake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools); Wednesday, Nov 11: Veterans Day (Wake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools); Monday, Nov 23: Teacher Workday (Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools); Tuesday, Nov 24: Annual Leave Day (Durham Public Schools); Tuesday, Nov 24: Teacher Workday (Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools); Wednesday, Nov 25: Thanksgiving Break (Wake County Schools, Durham Public Schools); Wednesday, Nov 25: Teacher Workday (Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools); Thursday, Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day (Wake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools); Friday, Nov 27: Day After Thanksgiving (Wake County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools). Our no-school calendars add every day off to your phone.
What's free for kids in November 2026?
Christmas at North Hills Tree Lighting Celebration, 82nd Annual ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade, Chestnut Carnival at The Plant in Pittsboro and Market Bunch | Kids Activities at the Carrboro Farmers' Market are free. The Free Stuff page lists every free family event.
How is this list put together?
It updates every day from more than 20 local calendars. Picks are ranked by how rare an event is, how many local calendars list it and how many people on Facebook say they're interested, so a once-a-year festival beats a weekly class. Check the organizer's page before you go.