In partnership with

Good morning, Cary!

Here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

• The BEST holiday events coming up

• Restaurant spotlight: The Provincial

• A Day at Hogwarts

• Plenty of midweek events

— Jake from Cary Digest

News

Cary’s Heart of the Holidays

Cary’s Heart of the Holidays celebration is underway, filling downtown with lights, music, and classic traditions through January 5. From family activities to cultural celebrations, there’s something festive happening almost every day, and the GoCary Downtown Loop makes it easy to hop between events Thursday through Sunday.

Notable Holiday Events

• Photos with Santa on December 5 at Carpenter Fire Station Road

• Tree Lighting Celebration on December 6 at Downtown Cary Park

• Victorian Christmas at Page-Walker on December 6

• 46th Annual Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade on December 13

• Menorah Lighting on December 16 at Downtown Cary Park

• Kwanzaa Celebration on December 29 at the Cary Arts Center

• Gingerbread House Competition December 6–14 across downtown

• Gifting Tree Project December 6–26 along S. Academy Street

Holiday films, live performances, light displays, and Santa’s Mailbox round out the season. Full details are available at carync.gov/holidays.

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

P.S. Want to advertise in Cary Digest this fall? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Restaurant Spotlight: The Provincial

If you haven’t treated yourself to a night out at The Provincial in downtown Apex, you’re missing one of the Triangle’s coziest neighborhood gems. This place nails that sweet spot between casual and elevated, offering scratch-made food that feels comforting without ever slipping into predictable. The menu changes with the seasons, but you’ll almost always find beautifully done staples like their house ricotta, standout burgers, and rotating pasta dishes that somehow always taste like they were made just for you.

The Provincial leans hard into fresh, local ingredients, and you can taste the difference in every dish. The bar program is just as thoughtful, with classic cocktails done right and a curated wine list that’s easy to love even if you’re not a wine person. It’s the kind of restaurant where you settle in, slow down a bit, and forget you’re just steps away from Salem Street. Whether you’re planning a date night, a quiet solo dinner, or catching up with a friend, The Provincial delivers that warm, lived-in hospitality that keeps people coming back.

Community Events

A Day at Hogwarts

A Harry Potter Event is coming to downtown Apex on Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m. at The Studio (106 W Chatham St). Fans can sip butterbeer, shop magical vendors, visit themed classrooms, and dive into a full day of wizarding fun geared toward adults but open to all ages.

Highlights:

• Harry Potter themed mocktails by Cantina Cero

• Tarot readings from “Professor Trelawney”

• Herbology classroom with The Plant Therapy Bus

• Honeydukes sweets and themed snacks

• Harry Potter trivia at 2 p.m.

• Photobooth and handmade wizarding merch

• 25+ local artisans and 7+ vintage vendors

Parking is free across the street at the Baptist church.

Weather

Things to Do This Week

Tuesday, November 18

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Description: Family-friendly lantern festival with thousands of illuminated displays and cultural performances (runs Nov 15–Jan 11).
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival

A Christmas Story (Film)
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Dementia-friendly screening of the classic holiday comedy film.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/a-christmas-story-8/the-cary/cary/

Gen X: The Saga of Forever Chemicals (Documentary Screening)
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Free work-in-progress screening of a local documentary on the PFAS contamination crisis.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/gen-x-the-saga-of-forever-chemicals-work-in-progress-screening/the-cary/cary/

Apex Holiday Wine Night
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Vicious Fishes Brewery, 5212 B Old US Hwy 1, Apex, NC
Description: Holiday wine-tasting event with six select wines and charcuterie pairings (ticketed, $45).
Link: https://www.viciousfishes.com/product-page/apex-holiday-wine-night

Wednesday, November 19

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Description: Family-friendly lantern festival (continues nightly all week).
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival

Wednesday Morning Movie
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Free family film screening on the third Wednesday of the month (title TBA).
Link: https://www.apexnc.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=4293

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (Film)
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Final feature film in the Downton Abbey series (drama, PG).
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-4/the-cary/cary/

The Smashing Machine (Film)
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Biographical drama about MMA/UFC fighter Mark Kerr, chronicling his career and struggles.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/the-smashing-machine-4/the-cary/cary/

NC Team Trivia
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC
Description: Free weekly team trivia night with prizes at a local brewery.
Link: https://www.bondbrothersbeer.com/food-trucks-happenings/

Thursday, November 20

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Description: Family-friendly lantern festival (continues nightly all week).
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (Film)
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Final feature film in the Downton Abbey series (drama, PG).
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-5/the-cary/cary/

The Smashing Machine (Film)
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Biographical drama about MMA/UFC fighter Mark Kerr, chronicling his career and struggles.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/the-smashing-machine-5/the-cary/cary/

Wine’n Wit: Stand-Up Comedy Show
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St 101, 102, Apex, NC
Description: Evening of stand-up comedy paired with wine tasting at a local wine bar.
Link: https://www.peakofthevine.com/event-details/winen-wit-a-stand-up-comedy-show-2025-11-20-19-30

Triangle Rock Club Meetup
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC
Description: Free meetup of a local rock climbing club (every Thursday).
Link: https://www.bondbrothersbeer.com/food-trucks-happenings/

Speed Puzzle Tournament
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC
Description: Monthly competitive jigsaw puzzle tournament (teams, prizes; registration required).
Link: https://www.bondbrothersbeer.com/food-trucks-happenings/

Friday, November 21

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Description: Family-friendly lantern festival (continues nightly all week).
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival

Cary Night Market
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park (Great Lawn), 145 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Open-air market featuring local artisans, crafts, and entertainment (drinks/food available).
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cary-night-market-tickets-1971303857905

Comedy Show: Jeremy Alder & E.J. Masicampo
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Live stand-up comedy featuring Jeremy Alder (headline) and E.J. Masicampo.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/comedy-show-jeremy-alder-and-e-j-masicampo/the-cary/cary/

Winter Wonderland at Park West Village
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Park West Village, 3400 Village Market Pl, Morrisville, NC
Description: Free holiday festival with a miniature train ride, Santa storytime, crafts, and live entertainment (Nov 21–23).
Link: https://parkwestvillage.com/events/winter-wonderland/

Hell on Heels w/ Jimmie Allen (Concert)
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: APEX Entertainment Center (Everett), 200 W Chatham St, Apex, NC
Description: Country music tribute band Hell on Heels opening for Grammy-nominated Jimmie Allen (live concert).
Link: https://hellonheelstribute.com/event/6282734/737823146/hell-on-heels-w-jimmie-allen/

Thanks for reading Cary Digest! If you enjoyed the newsletter, please share it! I’ll send you another email in a few days. If you’ve read a few issues, and want to support local news and the Cary community, please considering buying a paid subscription to show your support.