5K RALEIGH JINGLE BELL RUN
When: Saturday, December 1 (1 Mile Fun Run/Walk-10 am; 5K Run-10:30 am; Reindeer Dash-11:15 am; Awards-11:30 am)
Where: Downtown Raleigh

Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping others. Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run a 5 kilometer route, run or walk the 1-mile fun run and celebrate the season.

The Jingle Bell Run is a member of the Second Empire Grand Prix Series. For more information, click here.

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The historic neighborhood of Boylan Heights in downtown Raleigh will host its Fifteenth Annual Artwalk.

Over 100 artists display and sell their work from porches, homes and studios. This is a wonderful opportunity to stroll through a historic neighborhood and shop for special gifts for the holidays.

For more information, click here.

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STATE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND FESTIVAL
When: Wednesday, December 5 (5 pm-7:30 pm)
Where: North Carolina State Capitol

Festivities begin with the lighting of luminaries and musical performances on the Capitol grounds. The Governor and First Lady will light the State Christmas Tree during the traditional ceremony on the west grounds. After the ceremony, visitors are invited inside the Capitol for an open house to take in the Raleigh Garden Club’s decorations. The Junior Women’s Club of Raleigh will host a holiday festival featuring music and children’s activities on Union Square, in the museums, and on Bicentennial Plaza.

For more information, click here.

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Another holiday season brings another Fayetteville Street holiday tradition.  The holiday season of 2006 was the first winter Raleigh had enjoyed since reclaiming its main street.  The city celebrated with the first ever lighting of the trees lining Fayetteville Street. 

Mayor Charles Meeker will continue that tradition by throwing the switch on the more than 25,000 twinklers at 5:15 pm, Friday, December 7 on the south side of Fayetteville Street between Morgan and Hargett Streets. The lights will enlighten and enliven the 64 trees that flank Fayetteville Street. Victorian carolers and free horse-drawn carriage rides will complete the Dickinson scene. The lighting and the event are being sponsored by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

The new holiday tradition to join the street lighting will be the Countdown to First Night, which is an outdoor visual art display of 30 banners created by local students, professional artists and community organizations.  Each banner will depict a way in which the citizens of Raleigh celebrate the joys of the season.  A banner will be unveiled at 5 pm each day leading up to First Night 2008. The banners will festoon the Alexander Square Parking Deck located on Fayetteville Street between Morgan and Hargett Streets. 

Among the creators of the banners are Broughton High School Art Club students, Millbrook High School Art Club students, Athens Drive High School students, members of the Southwest Wake YMCA Teen Program and the Washington Boys and Girls Club, Jason Craighead, Keith Norval, Matthew Curran, Loaves and Fishes, Marbles Kids Museum and George Le Chavellier.

For more information, click here.

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Look for the First Friday Flags (see rendering) to easily locate participating merchants.  A detailed map/guide will be available at each location.  Pick up your very own FREE copy for easy event navigation. 

Launched in August, the new First Friday website, www.GoDowntownRaleigh.com/FirstFriday, lists all participating venues and offers other exciting event details. Explore the site and learn more about this fun-filled event.

For more information, click here.

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36TH ANNUAL HISTORIC OAKWOOD CANDLELIGHT TOUR
When: Saturday, December 8 - Sunday, December 9 (Sat: 1 pm-7 pm; Sun: 1 pm-7 pm)

Step back in time this holiday season by visiting the grand Victorian-era homes in Raleigh; take a carriage ride through the historic streets of Oakwood – home to some of Raleigh’s earliest families. Enjoy Victorian charm, entertainment, rides by Raleigh Rickshaw, and other holiday activities. 

Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 day of tour available at the Oakwood Inn.

Tickets can be purchased in advance starting mid-November at locations throughout the Triangle and online. Visit www.HistoricOakwood.org or phone 832-9712 for ticket purchase information.

This year First Night Raleigh will celebrate 1967—the summer of peace and love.  Turn back the clock by enjoying great performances in 25 indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Raleigh.  The festival includes the early afternoon Children's Celebration, early & late countdowns, the People's Procession, music, dance, theatre, comedy, the giant Acorn Drop, and fireworks. Don’t miss a special performance by Tift Merritt in honor of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission’s 30th anniversary.  The singer-songwriter will perform on the Main Stage at 10:30 pm leading up to the Countdown to Midnight.

Admission buttons go on sale Saturday, December 1st and are available at local Harris Teeter and Rite Aid stores, as well as other local outlets.  Buttons are $9 in advance for children ages 6-12 and adults.  Children five and under are admitted free.  Buy your button early for a chance to win one of two $500 Harris Teeter gift cards.  Also, save on tickets to presentations by Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, Broadway Series South, and Raleigh Little Theater.  At the event, buttons are $10 for children ages 6-12 and $12 for adults.

For more information, click here or call 919-832-8699.

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COUPONS AND HALF-OFF GIFT CERTIFICATES

Coupons:

To access the coupon for Helios, click here.

To access the coupon for Laurie Hayes, L.M.B.T., click here.

To access the coupon for Iatria, click here.

Half off gift certificates. Purchase a gift certificate for half the price of its value. (For example, buy a $50 gift certificate for only $25.) Limited supply available.

To access the gift certificate available for purchase, click here.

To access the gift certificate available for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate available for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate for purchase, click here.

To access the certificate for purchase, click here.

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Stop by Chick-fil-A located at 400 Fayetteville Street and drop your business card in "the register to win box" between November 26-December 14. (Please include your email address so that you can receive information about upcoming promotions!)

On December 17, one name will be selected to receive a catered lunch for 20 on December 21 to include: one large nuggets tray; one medium brownie tray; one medium chicken salad sandwich tray; and one small fruit tray.

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The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is pleased to announce that the seventh issue of "About Downtown Raleigh" magazine (published in partnership with the News and Observer) is now available for download. To download this issue of "About Downtown Raleigh," click here.



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DOWNTOWN RALEIGH RECYCLES
Recycling is a daily habit for many citizens, and is fast becoming a regular practice in the bar and restaurant industry.  More than 55 businesses have joined Downtown Raleigh Recycles!, a curbside collection service offered by the City of Raleigh, since it began in September 2006.  Now the City’s Solid Waste Services Department is partnering with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance to recruit more bars, restaurants and nightclubs into the recycling program.


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GREEN PLANET CATERING
Phone: 919.832.6767
Website: www.greenplanetcatering.com

The philosophy at Green Planet, located in Downtown Raleigh, is to give back to the community and the world in which we live through sustainable catering solutions.

The staff and management team at Green Planet Catering is focused on delivering high quality catering services that feature foods that are locally grown, pesticide and hormone free, and meet our high standards of quality.

Green Planet makes every effort to distribute their services in the most energy efficient way as possible. Their delivery vehicles run on vegetable oil to cut down on CO2 global warming emissions, and most of the paper and plastic products used are compost or biodegradable. The employees take pride in recycling, donating to food banks and worthy causes, and choosing trade free, eco-friendly goods whenever possible.

Green Planet Catering is committed to operating a business that not only benefits the community in which we operate, but the world in which we live—saving the planet one meal at a time.

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THE PIT
Location: 328 W Davie St (Former location of Nana's Chophouse-will honor Nana's Chophouse gift cards)
Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs (5 pm-10 pm); Fri & Sat (5 pm-11 pm); Lunch Service - Coming Soon
Bar & Lounge Hours of Operation: Mon-Wed (5 pm-11 pm); Thurs-Sat. (5 pm-2 am) * Bar menu will be served until 10 pm on Mon-Thurs and until 2 am on Thurs., Fri. & Sat.*
Phone: 919.890.4500
Website: www.thepit-raleigh.com

About The Pit...

Legendary Pit master Ed Mitchell and Empire Eats are proud to introduce The Pit: Authentic Whole Hog Pit Cooked BBQ.  Featuring all natural, free range pigs raised right here in North Carolina. The Pit is located at 328 W Davie Street in Downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District. The Pit will establish North Carolina’s Capital City as a destination for the state’s signature cuisine.

The Menu...

Together, Ed Mitchell and Empire Eats Executive Chef, Jaimy Waters, have crafted a menu that features Ed’s signature North Carolina BBQ, slow cooked over hickory and coal and Chef Water’s BBQ inspired seasonal appetizers, entrees, sides and delicious desserts. Our commitment to utilize the freshest, locally grown produce and seasonal ingredients allows the menu to continually evolve throughout the year.

Private Dining...

The Pit has private dining accommodations for parties of almost any size.  They can cater to your very individual desires by making the process easy, while customizing menus according to your needs and budget.  Contact the Private Dining Coordintor, Misty Ash (misty@empire1792.com), to plan your next event at The Pit.

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For more information about Downtown Raleigh, visit www.GoDowntownRaleigh.com.

Special thanks to our sponsors: