Gift Local This Weekend: 5 Chapel Hill Favorites + Holiday Parade + Inclusive Pop-Up Market

Skip the crowded malls and endless shipping delays. These five local spots have everything you need to check off your gift list—and you'll be supporting the people who make our community what it is.

The Gift: A gift card for someone who loves good food and great vibes.

The Heel & Horn has become a Franklin Street staple since opening in the former Spanky's location. With a menu that spans wood-fired steaks, Southern comfort classics, and a cocktail program that doesn't mess around, a gift card here says "let's celebrate." Perfect for the foodie in your life—or the couple who never gets a night out.

The Details: 1502 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill | theheelandhorn.com

The Gift: Brunch, coffee, or a full dinner for the plant-curious (or plant-committed) person in your life.

Tamara and Steve Lackey opened Coco with a mission: to prove that plant-based food can be seriously delicious. Located in the bright, airy Gwendolyn Building at Glen Lennox, Coco serves everything from whipped feta and fig toast to Impossible burgers on housemade brioche buns. Even the most dedicated carnivores leave impressed. Gift cards are available, or just bring someone you love for brunch—the Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles (yes, plant-based) is a revelation.

The Details: 101 Glen Lennox Dr, Suite 180, Chapel Hill | cocochapelhill.com | (919) 883-9003

The Gift: A stack of handpicked reads (or a gift card for the book lover who insists on choosing their own).

Tucked into Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, McIntyre's has been a Triangle treasure since 1989. The staff doesn't just shelve books—they read them. Pete Mock, who's been there since '95, reads 4-5 books a week to keep the mystery section stocked with hidden gems. The children's section is equally curated, and right now the shop is filled with Jellycat plush characters and holiday-themed board books. Make a morning of it: grab a book, wander past the Belted Galloway cows, and stop for coffee at The Goat next door.

The Details: 220 Market Street, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro | mcintyresbooks.com | (919) 542-3030 | Wed-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm

The Gift: Something beautiful for the person who has everything.

SOUTH describes itself as "classic and refined with a fresh and slightly whimsical twist"—and that's exactly right. This Chapel Hill gift shop carries fine stationery, home goods, hostess gifts, and those perfect little items you didn't know you needed until you saw them. Great for monogrammed cutting boards, unique baby gifts, and the kind of candles that actually smell like something. The staff can help you find exactly the right thing, even if you're not sure what that is yet.

The Details: 201 S Estes Dr, Chapel Hill | southchapelhill.com

The Gift: A full afternoon of local shopping—plus mulled wine.

If you want to knock out multiple gifts in one glorious afternoon, the Carolina Inn Holiday Market is your answer. This European-style market brings together vendors from across North Carolina selling handcrafted gifts, from chocolates and jewelry to ornaments and specialty foods. The Bier Garten serves craft beers, mulled wine, and signature cocktails. Cozy up by the fire, wander the beautifully decorated halls, and call it holiday shopping well done.

The Details: 211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill | December 7th & 14th, 12pm-4pm | carolinainn.com

What I've learned about carrying grief through the holidays. Maybe it will help you or help you help someone else.

We all know the script.
“This is the most wonderful time of the year.”
There are lights, parties, ugly sweaters, kids’ events, office potlucks… and underneath all of that, some of us are just trying not to fall apart in the car before we walk inside.

In 2020, my mother died from stage IV cancer.

We were not ready. It felt like the floor dropped out from under our family. One minute, we were still arguing about recipes and sending each other memes, and the next minute, we were trying to learn a new language: life without her.

My siblings and I didn’t magically pull together and become this super-bonded grief squad. We scattered. Everybody hurt in their own corner. And I think, in our own ways, we all felt abandoned and like we were abandoning each other at the same time.

Then the holidays came.

FIND OUT HOW I FOUND GRATITUDE AND GOT THROUGH→

Carrboro Tree Lighting 6 pm | Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W Main St Kick off the holiday season with music from local schoolchildren, community, and the official lighting of the Carrboro tree. Bring non-perishable items for the PORCH food drive. Free.

Carrboro-Chapel Hill Community Holiday Parade ⭐ 10 am-12 pm | Begins at 501 W Weaver St (Carrboro), ends at 140 W Franklin St (Chapel Hill)

This is the big one. More than 40 arts, cultural, and community groups will parade through downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill, with four performance zones featuring musical numbers and dancing along the route. Arrive early to stake out a curbside spot—Main Street and Franklin Street will be packed. After the parade, stick around to explore the shops and restaurants along the route.

Traffic Note: Road closures begin at 7 am on W Weaver Street and expand to Main and Franklin by 9:30 am.

Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show 9 am-3 pm | St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael St, Chapel Hill Now in its 17th year, this craft show features 60 talented artisans from throughout North Carolina. Bake sale, raffle, and Mr. Cheesesteak food truck. Free admission. Perfect timing to swing by before or after the parade.

Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market ⭐ 10 am-1 pm | Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures, 200 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill Shop for holiday gifts while making a positive social impact. This market features disability-owned small businesses and disability-inclusive local employers—vendors include B3 Coffee, Extraordinary Gifts (handmade candles and soaps), Harvest's Table, Purple Bowl, The Mad Popper, Cely's House, Creature Camp Studio, and more. Go behind the scenes and see Extraordinary Gifts employees in action, making their products. Free admission.

Hillsborough Jingle & Joy Weekend All afternoon | Downtown Hillsborough Start at the Visitors Center (150 E King St) for a free multicultural holiday fair. Mrs. Claus reads at 3 pm, Santa photos from 3:15-4:45 pm, free games and crafts. At 5 pm, join the procession to the Historic Courthouse for the annual tree lighting.

Carolina Inn Holiday Market 12 pm-4 pm | The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill (Also December 14th)

Hillsborough Light Up the Night Holiday Parade 4 pm (Running of the Elves) | 4:20 pm (Parade) | Downtown Hillsborough Get there early to catch the Running of the Elves at 4:05 pm—it's exactly what it sounds like and absolutely worth seeing. The parade follows at 4:20 pm with floats, music, bands, and holiday surprises. This year's theme: "Candyland." After, stroll through downtown to see the Gingerbread Display in local shop windows.

Binkley Christmas Vespers: A Service of Lessons and Carols 7 pm | Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Dr, Chapel Hill

NC Chinese Lantern Festival Through January 11 | Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary Now in its 10th year, this spectacular walk-through festival features more than 40 all-new displays made from thousands of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns. Nightly cultural performances are included. Tickets required.

Hillsborough Gingerbread Display December 7 – January 5 | Downtown Hillsborough shop windows This year's theme: "Candy."

Mack Brown's Chapel Hill Mansion Sells for $6 Million. Former UNC football coach Mack Brown and his wife Sally, have sold their historic Chapel Hill home at 330 Tenney Circle for $6 million—nearly $4 million more than they paid in 2019. The 9,913-square-foot home in the Chapel Hill Historic District features five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a saltwater pool, a rooftop terrace, and a golf simulator. It's within walking distance of campus and Franklin Street.

The new owner? Peter S. Evanovich, son of bestselling mystery author Janet Evanovich (of Stephanie Plum fame). The Evanovich family already calls Chapel Hill home.

The Casual Pint Closing After Six Years. Say goodbye to one of Chapel Hill's favorite craft beer spots. The Casual Pint, located on South Elliott Road, announced that it will close permanently in mid-December. Owners Bill and Donna Darragh cited rising costs as a factor in their decision, calling it "difficult" after six years of serving the community. During its run, The Casual Pint won Chapel Hill Magazine's "Best Beer Selection," "Best Place to Watch a Game," and "Best Wings." If you want to raise a final glass, they're open for full service until closing day.

Ed King Cartoon Map Meetup Was a Hit. Last Saturday's Small Business Saturday meetup at Caribou Coffee brought together trivia winners, Ed King fans, and Chapel Hill Insider readers for our first-ever community gathering. It was great to meet our neighbors and hear your feedback and ideas. Thanks to everyone who came out—and to Ed for signing those beautiful poster maps. We're already thinking about the next one.

Carrboro Tree Lighting Tomorrow Night: A reminder that the Carrboro Tree Lighting happens tomorrow (Friday) at 6 pm at Carrboro Town Hall. It's a lovely way to ease into the weekend before Saturday's parade.

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