Wake Forest NC Blog

2023: New Businesses in Wake Forest, NC

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 17:09:32 GMT

2023: New Businesses in Wake Forest, NC

We all know it is important to shop local and support family owned businesses in our community. Be sure to check out some of the new local businesses that have opened their doors in Wake Forest during 2023. One might end up being your new favorite spot!

Summer Moon Coffee

This coffee shop is exactly what Wake Forest needed. It is decorated to perfection and offers a bright and modern feel. Moon Milk is their signature sweet cream and it is delicious to say the least. Summer Moon offers excellent customer service and is the perfect place to grab a coffee, get work done, or meet up with friends.

Blackbird Brewery

This family owned brewery offers a variety of in-house craft beers, wine by the glass, and non-alcoholic drinks. The large family friendly patio features cozy couches, table top fire pits, and lawn games. Be sure to check specials and events on their website! Guests can also enjoy free delivery from Romeo’s Pizza next door.

Cravin’ Confections Dessert Bar

Come try Wake Forest’s ONLY dessert bar! This privately owned business offers bakery items such as cookies, cupcakes, and pastries during the day and switches to a nighttime bar focus in the evening featuring desserts and cocktails. The menu offers slices of cake and pies, plated desserts, wine, beer, and cocktails. The chocolate cake is TO DIE FOR, just saying.

Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge

This husband and wife owned lounge is the perfect place for a date night, meeting up with friends, or a quick golf practice on a rainy day. The golf simulators offer camera-based systems that display ball flight and provide feedback. In addition to golf, the simulators also offer a variety of other sports and games. Brookfields is located on the second floor of the Factory and overlooks the ice rink.

Cape Fear Seafood Company

Wake Forest is the 6th location for NC owned Cape Fear Seafood Company. This franchise was voted “Best Seafood Restaurant” in the Raleigh Area in 2022. If you’re a seafood lover you must try this restaurant. Be sure to get their signature shrimp and grits!

Fortnight Brewing Company

This brewery’s 24 tap system features craft beers, prosecco, cider, and more. Fortnight also offers an extensive wine menu including wine slushies! Their large TV’s make this the perfect place to grab a drink and watch a football game. The covered outdoor seating area is equipped with heaters for to keep you warm on fall and winter nights. Calendar events include live music, trivia Mondays, and music bingo Wednesdays!

Lavish Rose Events

Lavish Rose Events is a luxury picnics and special event planning service. Luxury picnics consist of details, decor, and design that offer an upscale take on classic picnicking. They are perfect for date nights, celebrations, bridal showers, dinner parties, and so on. You name the occasion, Lavish Rose will design a beautiful event that embodies elegant sophistication. Set up, design, and clean up is provide. You simply attend, relax, and enjoy. Review packages and book now her e !

https://summermooncoffee.com/

https://blackbirdbeer.com/

https://www.cravinconfections.com/

https://brookfieldsindoorgolf.com/

https://www.capefearseafoodcompany.com/

https://www.trianglearoundtown.com/trianglearoundtown/cape-fear-seafood-wake-forest

https://www.fortnightbrewing.com/wake-forest/

5 Date Night Ideas: Wake Forest NC

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:09:32 GMT

Looking for a fun new date night idea to spice up your routine or surprise your partner? I've got you.

Zinchouse Winery & Brewery

This beautiful winery opened in 2022 and sits on 87 acres of land tucked between Wake Forest and Durham off Highway 98. Zinchouse offers an extensive selection of wine and craft beer along with a scenic landscape that has a mountaintop feel. The property is equipped with plenty of seating and roof decks where you can have a drink and take in views of the vineyard and estate.

Zinchouse’s calendar is full of live music, food trucks, wine tastings, and events. The property is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday. Be sure to check it out for an evening of relaxation and beautiful views!

Amalia’s

This Italian restaurant is a Wake Forest staple. Amalia’s operates out of a renovated historic home which provides the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. The ambiance is welcoming and cozy with table lamps that provide intimate lighting.

Amalia’s offers fine dining with seasonal menus featuring authentic Italian cuisine. Weather you’re celebrating a special event/achievement or seeking an intimate date night, Amelia’s is the perfect place to do so. Be sure to make a reservation as tables are limited!

Strike and Barrel

Strike and Barrel is the perfect date night for all the competitive couples out there! The facility includes 10 traditional bowling lanes along with 6 duckpin bowling lanes. Duckpin is a smaller version of bowling where lanes are shorter, pins are smaller, and the ball fits in your hand. This is a must-do if you haven’t tried it already!

Additional games at Strike and Barrel include bocce, snookball, cornhole, shuffleboard, and a variety of arcade games. They also offer a full bar and food menu.

Epic Axe - Axe Throwing and Social House

Looking for a unique date night idea? Axe throwing is the perfect solution. Epic Axe also has a bar featuring wines, beers, and bar style snacks.

Epic Axe is located in the Factory, reservations recommended. Be sure to check out specials and events on their website!

Plan a Luxury Picnic!

Plan a romantic and intimate night you’ll never forget. Lavish Rose Events offers private luxury picnics with enchanting setups complete with a wood dining table, formal place settings, cozy pillows and blankets, and themed decor. Each picnic includes a basket of card games, some are competitive and others ask meaningful questions with the purpose of deepening your connection. This makes for the perfect date night.

Additional items that can be setup at your picnic upon your arrival include chocolate covered strawberries or a a bouquet of roses. You can also add a projector and screen to create a cozy movie night. Learn more about our services here .

https://www.zinchouse.com/

https://amaliaswakeforest.com/

https://strikeandbarrel.com/

https://epic-axe.com/

2023 Holiday Activities To Do in Raleigh

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:09:32 GMT

Enjoy these local family friendly activities to get in the holiday spirit this season!

2023 Christmas things to do in Raleigh, North Carolina:

PARADES

11/18 Raleigh - Christmas Parade

12/2 Youngsville - Christmas Parade

12/3 Rolesville - Christmas Parade

12/9 Knightdale - Christmas Parade

12/9 Cary - Jaycees Christmas Parade

12/9 Holly Springs - Happy Holly Days Parade

12/9 Durham - Holiday Parade

SHOPPING

11/11 Fenton Makers Market 11AM-4PM @ Fenton in Cary

30+ booths of local artists to shop from

11/25 Small Business Saturday Market 10AM-4PM @ Raleigh Iron Works in Raleigh

A great way to shop local and check out the new Raleigh Iron Works consisting of retail shops, restaurants, and more!

11/24 - 11/26 Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market @ Jim Graham Building on the fairgrounds

250+ vendors to shop from for unique and beautiful handmade creations!

11/26 Sleigh A Winter Market 2-8PM @ Zinchouse Winery & Brewery

80+ vendors, holiday music, and special guest Santa Claus!

12/2 Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market 10AM-4PM @ Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

Features hand made items from local artists! Held outdoors rain or shine.

TREE LIGHTING

11/18 Raleigh - Lighting of the Tree 3-6PM @ Lafayette Village

Music, carriage rides, shopping, face painting, and more! Tree lighting at 6PM.

12/1 Wake Forest - Lighting of Wake Forest 5-8PM @ Centennial Plaza

Musical performances, shopping, crafts, and see special appearances from the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who! Tree lighting ceremony will take place at approximately 6:15PM.

12/1 Youngsville - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30-8PM

12/2 Holly Springs - Light the Springs Tree Lighting 5-8PM @ Holly Springs Cultural Center

12/2 Cary - A Gift To Cary Celebration

Cary’s annual tree lighting! Check out the town’s website for more information.

12/17 Raleigh - Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting 5:30-8PM @ Lichtin Plaza (in front of Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

Photos with Santa, shopping, food trucks, live music, and more!

PERFORMANCES

Raleigh - Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

11/17 - 11/18 | Carolina Youth Ballet - Nutcracker

11/22 | A Magical Cirque Christmas

11/24 | Martina McBride - the Joy of Christmas 2023 Tour

12/2 | Cary Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

12/8 - 12/10 | A Christmas Carol - Theatre in the Park

12/9 - 12/17 | Elf the Musical - North Carolina Theatre

12/12 | NC Master Chorale - Joy of the Season

12/14 - 12/21 | The Nutcracker presented by PNC - Carolina Ballet

12/16 - 12/17 | Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concerts

12/22 - 12/23 | A Candlelight Christmas - NC Symphony

Cary - Cary Arts Center

12/1 - 12/4 | Cary Players Presents: A Gift to Remember

12/9 | Concert Singers of Cary Present: Holiday Pops

12/15 - 12/17 | Cary Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

12/21 - 12/23 | The Motown Sound of Christmas

Durham - Performing Arts Center

11/27 Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Christmas

12/2 The Hip Hop Nutcracker

12/3 The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show

12/5 - 12/10 | Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas

12/ 13 - 12/17 | A Christmas Carol - Presented by Theatre in the Park

12/20 - Nutcracker - Magical Christmas Ballet

CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS

Youngsville - Festival of Lights @ Hill Ridge Farms

Drive though light show

Raleigh - Nights of Lights @ Dorothea Dix Park

Drive through light show

Raleigh - Magic of Lights @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park

Drive through light show

Cary - North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival @ Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre

11/17 - 1/14 displays with thousands of LED lights

Durham - Wool E’s Winter Wonderland

2023 will be kicking off Durham’s first Winder Wonderland at the Bull’s ballpark. This event will transform the ballpark into magical walk through light scene. Tickets available for select days of November and December. Additional ticket options include sledding and train rides around the park! Tickets can be purchased on their website.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

11/5 - 2/5 Ice skating in the square @ Fenton

Tickets can be purchased on Fenton’s website!

11/17 - 12/23 The Dessertery @ Kennedy Theatre - Martin Marietta Center

A festive holiday themed dessert cafe where you can indulge in ALL YOU CAN EAT cupcakes, hot cocoa, cheesecakes, and more while enjoying the decor and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the box office.

11/20 - 12/10 Letters to Santa @ Downtown Cary Park

Drop off letters to Santa at Cary Park's Santa mailbox!

11/2 Holiday Open House 3-5PM @ Lafayette Village

Thrive Motherhood's first Fa la la Festival! There will be carolers, a Santa letter writing station, music, ornament decorating, cookies, and more!

12/2 Victorian Christmas 2-5PM @ Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary

Get in the holiday spirit with carolers, cookies, carriage rides, and special guests!

12/2 - 12/9 Annual Gingerbread House Competition @ Downtown Cary

Houses will be on display in businesses throughout downtown Cary.

12/8 Snowball Dance 6:30-8:30PM @ Wake Forest Community House

A Snowball Dance is held for residents aged 10-30 with disabilities for a night of music, dancing, refreshments, and fun. Tickets are $15 per person, pre-registration required.

11/25 - 1/14 Book a Christmas Igloo with Lavish Rose Events

Christmas igloos include a custom wood table, place settings, Christmas decor, a fireplace heater to keep you warm & cozy, blankets, and pillows. Lavish Rose has partnered with local businesses to offer clients the option to add delicious food items, pricing varies. Add on a projector and screen to watch your favorite Christmas movie in the igloo! Learn more here .

https://www.martinmariettacenter.com/

https://www.dpacnc.com/

https://www.woolebull.com/