Samaritan Ministries | Support the Penny Campaign to help fight hunger and homelessness in our community. It only takes 325 pennies to provide one hot meal!

The Salvation Army | Make some noise for a good cause. Ring bells for the annual Red Kettle Campaign, a holiday staple that’s even better as a group outing with your family or office!

Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministries | Donate gifts to the Christmas with Dad program, which allows incarcerated parents to choose and give gifts to their children.

Love Out Loud | Help throw Winston-Salem’s biggest Christmas party! Volunteer at Christmas for the City on December 19 to decorate, greet guests, take photos, or even play an elf in Santa’s workshop.

Historic West End: A 2-bed, 2-bath condo with soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, and a screened-in porch. Walk to Trade Street, or stroll 10 minutes to Louie and Honey.

Pfafftown: This brick 3-bed, 2-bath has its own little bridge straight into Long Creek Park. Inside are a sunroom overlooking the deck, a den with a gas fireplace, and a workshop shed.

Bent Tree Farm: A private 1.76-acre, 5-bedroom estate with a heated saltwater lap pool and spa, an elevator to all three floors, and a lower level with a home theater and bar. Every bedroom has its own bath, too.

Guided Mahjong Play - New to the tiles? Camel City Mahjong instructors walk you through dealing, the Charleston, and hand selection at 500 W 5th. 6-8 PM

Author Visit - Bring the kids to Bookmarks to meet Max Brallier, bestselling author of "The Last Kids on Earth"! The afternoon includes themed games, a Q&A, and a book signing. Free with registration. 4 PM

Artist Tour - Tour NCMA WS Downtown’s “Process as Practice” exhibit with one of its artists, then help make a large-scale group drawing! 6 PM

Souljam's Final Show - Send off Souljam as they play one last show at Wise Man Brewing before their 2027 break! 8-11 PM

Holly Jolly Craft Festival - It’s holiday shopping season. Browse the booths for handcrafted gifts at South Fork Community Center! Runs through Saturday.

DJ on Ice - Skate to a live DJ at the Fairgrounds during this music-and-lights public skating session for all ages. 7-9 PM

Justin Moore - Catch the country star at LJVM Coliseum with Priscilla Block, his partner on the Platinum duet "You, Me, and Whiskey." Doors open at 7 PM.

Comfy Club - Bring your knitting, puzzle, or sketchbook and work alongside others at this low-key meetup with Mac & Cheese Productions at 500 W 5th. 6-8 PM

Candle Making Workshop - Choose your scent, vessel, and decorations to pour an 8 oz soy candle at Lizzie’s All Natural Products’ new downtown store. A drink and a raffle ticket are included. 7:30 PM

Rayson Around the World - Sample 7 wines, each paired with food from a different region, and browse local artisan booths at Rayson Winery. 11 AM - 7 PM

Miles for Meals - Run a nighttime 5K through Tanglewood's Festival of Lights, with proceeds going to the Hillsdale Church Food Ministry. 5:30 PM

Thunderbirds Hockey - Hockey is back! Cheer on the Twin City Thunderbirds as they take on the Blue Ridge Bobcats at the WS Fairgrounds Arena. 6:05 PM

Stitch Club Destash - A little fall cleaning for your stash. Join Winston-Salem Stitch Club at Winston Fabrics for a meetup and destash, and stitch alongside friends. 10:30 AM

Holiday Cards: Check one thing off early! Order beautiful custom holiday cards by Nov. 7 and save up to 25%. Select in-store pick up to save on shipping!

Entertaining: From hosting Thanksgiving dinner to Friendsgiving, find festive plates, napkins, cups, and more to elevate your party.

Gifting: Candles, notebooks, kitchenware, and baby gifts, plus in-store gift wrapping!

🍔 Now Open: A fast-casual burger joint just opened at 1915 Hampton Inn Ct! Jaggers, a newer chain from the company behind Texas Roadhouse, serves burgers, chicken sandwiches, tenders, and milkshakes at the counter or the drive-thru. Word’s already out: more than 1,600 people showed up during the soft opening!

🛍️ Shop Local: Knock out some of your holiday list at Shop the Block, with deals and discounts at 25 downtown businesses through Sunday, Nov. 8. Pro tip: Downtown parking is free after 5 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends.

🏫 Education: About 2,500 WS/FCS students will get a new school assignment in 2027-28 under the district’s new boundary plan. That doesn’t mean they all have to switch schools: families can apply to stay at their current school. Applications opened Oct. 31 and close Jan. 29. (FOX8)

🔥 Food & Drink: Firepit season is here! East of Texas kicks it off this Friday from 6-10 PM with a free hot chocolate bar (with the option to add a little something extra) and $5 s’mores kits. Also on our radar: Small Batch’s limited-time pumpkin spice milkshake.

🍺 Announced: A new taproom and coffee shop is headed downtown! Harlem Brew South will open in spring 2027 in the historic Nissen Wagon Works Building. Plans include a 150-person taproom, the Depot Coffee Shop, a seasonal patio, and an outdoor event space. Get a first look at its free Harvest Festival on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 12-5 PM. Fun fact: Co-founder Celeste Beatty was the first African American woman to launch a commercially successful craft beer company in the U.S.

Background: Owner Ariana launched Grandma’s Coffee as a mobile trailer in August 2024 to honor her late grandmother. Now it has a permanent home.

The Menu: Espresso, specialty lattes and matcha, plus baked goods from Dulce Aroma and Ginger Bread Man Bakery. Try the Biscoff latte, banana bread latte, or salted caramel cookie matcha!

Visit: Inside the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts at 251 N. Spruce St. Browse the gallery while you sip!

Our Take: The outpouring of support for Ariana at the grand opening and online has been so encouraging. It’s exactly what we love about Winston-Salem’s small business community: they show up for each other.

They’re already up - 7%

Thanksgiving weekend - 64%

I wait until December - 29%

Wake Up Winston - Expand your network. Connect with fellow professionals over coffee and breakfast at Pilot View Center on November 11, hosted by Greater Winston-Salem.

Furnish Hope, Spark Freedom - Raise support for A Bed and A Book and The Lantern Project with free light bites, wine, and beer at The Barn at Reynolda on November 11. Free to attend; RSVP required.

Lyndhurst Holiday Event - Treat yourself. Visit Lyndhurst Rejuvenation + Aesthetics on November 12 for exclusive savings, hors d’oeuvres, and giveaways!

Another Sunrise & Before It All Goes Dark - Two operas, one night. Experience the NC premiere of two stories of Holocaust survival and legacy, sung in English by Piedmont Opera at Hanesbrands Theatre, November 12–22.

Opalicious Eats & Treats - Grab baklava, spanakopita, and more at this nearly 70-year-old Greek bake sale at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on November 14. Proceeds support local nonprofits.

🗳 Team member Christy was 5th in line this morning at her polling place! She took an obligatory picture of her “I Voted” sticker, which was designed by Paloma Kuzmovich, an 11-year-old student at The Arts Based School who won the Forsyth County’s student sticker contest earlier this year!

🍁 Guide of the Week: Fall Bucket List — colors are peaking in Winston-Salem this week!