The weekend before Thanksgiving is a chance to take a breath before the whirlwind of cooking, hosting, and family gatherings begins. This year, make it something special. Plan a quick getaway to Fayetteville for a weekend filled with laughter, music, and a touch of holiday magic.
The holiday season moves fast, but this is your chance to slow it down. Take a weekend to enjoy soft lights, great food, and time with the people who make life sparkle. Fayetteville always shines bright, but even more so the weekend before Thanksgiving with date-night theater, live music, twinkling lights, and incredible local food, creating the perfect way to unwind before the holiday rush.
Friday: Check In and Step Into the Story
Arrive in Fayetteville and settle into one of the city’s welcoming hotels, ideally one with a cozy coffee shop where you can enjoy a warm drink before the evening begins. Then make your way downtown for dinner at Pierro’s Italian Bistro, a local favorite known for its inviting atmosphere and classic pastas that feel like a warm hug.
After dinner, walk a few blocks to the Gilbert Theater for A Christmas Story. This stage version of the holiday classic brings Ralphie’s antics to life with humor, nostalgia, and a little bit of Christmas wonder. It’s an intimate theater experience that feels personal, charming, and full of heart; the perfect way to start your weekend.
Saturday: Music, Lights, and Holiday Cheer
Start the morning slow. Enjoy a cup of coffee at your hotel or nearby café and savor the quiet before the day’s excitement.
For lunch, head to Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen, where fresh ingredients and Southern hospitality come together beautifully. It’s the kind of meal that lingers in your memory long after the table is cleared.
That afternoon, the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour takes the stage at the Crown Complex. Expect a dazzling mix of live instruments, lights, and multimedia effects that capture the joy of the season.
When the show wraps up, drive to the Haymount Holiday Market and Tree Lighting. Browse handmade gifts, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy festive treats from local food trucks. As evening falls, the crowd gathers for the annual tree lighting. It's always a cheerful moment that feels like the official start of the holiday season.
End the night with a late dinner at Luigi’s Italian Chophouse and Bar, where warm lighting, attentive service, and a glass of wine set the scene for a relaxing end to your day.
Sunday: Brunch and a Sweet Goodbye
Sleep in, then return to Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen for brunch before heading home. Enjoy familiar faces, comforting dishes, and one last cup of coffee as you share stories from your weekend. You’ll leave Fayetteville refreshed, reconnected, and ready for the holiday season ahead.
As the weekend winds down, you’ll carry more than shopping bags and ticket stubs back home. You’ll carry the sound of laughter that filled the theater, the echo of Mannheim Steamroller’s music, and the sparkle of Fayetteville’s holiday lights reflected in the faces of the people you love to road trip with.
This is the calm before the holiday rush, a moment to simply be surrounded by warmth, joy, and the kind of memories that linger long after the season ends. Plan your getaway today before the holiday visitors arrive and the turkey goes in the oven. Discover how bright the beginning of the season shines when you slow down to savor it.
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