Christmas Events in Raleigh, NC
Get ready to jingle all the way through the merriest time of the year with our comprehensive guide to the top Christmas events in Raleigh, NC! From dazzling light displays that twinkle like stars to festive markets brimming with holiday cheer, see what Raleigh has to offer.
The Polar Express & Train Rides
Festive Activity
Weekends Nov-Dec
Bryson City, NC
Ride one of the fun and festive trains in NC. Located in Spencer at the NC Transportation Museum & Tweetsie Railroad
Old Salem
Festive Activity
Saturdays 9:30-4:30 starting November 15th
Winston-Salem, NC
Take a walk through historic Old Salem.
Holidays at Tryon Palace
Festive Activity
December 9 & 16th. 4:30-9:30
New Bern, NC
Take a tour of the governor’s palace by candlelight. Other tours in December of decorations.
Garner Christmas Parade
Christmas Parade
December 2nd. 4:30pm
Main Street, Garner, NC
Tree lighting at 6pm.
Apex Christmas Parade
Christmas Parade
December 2nd. 5-7pm
Ambergate Station and The Peakway
Christmas Parade
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
Christmas Parade
December 3rd. 4Pm
Historic District, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Christmas Parade
Holly Springs Christmas Parade
Christmas Parade
December 9th. 10Am
Main Street, Holly Springs, NC
Christmas Parade
Knightdale Christmas Parade
Christmas Parade
December 9th. 10am.
Knightdale Station Park, Knightdale, NC
Christmas Parade
Cary Christmas Parade
Christmas Parade
December 9th. 2-4pm.
122 E Chatham St. Cary, NC
Christmas Parade
Durham Tree Lighting
Festive Activity
November 29th. 7-8pm.
Durham, NC. American Tobacco Campus
Tree Lighting
Apex Tree Lighting
Festive Activity
December 1st. 4:30-6pm.
Apex Historic District
Tree Lighting
Wake Forest Tree Lighting
Festive Activity
December 1st. 5-8pm.
Wake Forest Centennial Plaza
Tree Lighting
Brier Creek Tree Lighting
Festive Activity
December 1st. 6-8pm.
Brier Creek
Tree Lighting
Cary Tree Lighting
Festive Activity
December 2nd. 9-9:30pm.
Downtown Cary Park
Tree Lighting
Garner Tree Lighting
Festive Activity
December 1st. 6-6pm.
Garner Recreation Center
Tree Lighting
Skate the Square at Fenton
Festive Activity
November 5th-February 5th 2024
Fenton. Cary Town Blvd, Cary
Ice Skating
Chinese Lantern Festival
Festive Activity
November 17th-January 14th 2024
Koka Booth Amphitheater, Cary
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The Rink
Festive Activity
November 18th-January 16th 2024
Red Hat Amphitheater, McDowell St
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Wool-E-Bull Winter Wonderland
Festive Activity
November 22nd-December 31st
Durham Bulls Park
Lights, sledding, train ride, igloos
NC Symphony Performance
Festive Activity
November 22nd-25th
Meymandia Concert Hall, Raleigh
Holiday at Hogwarts
NC Symphony Performance
Festive Activity
December 1st-2nd
Meymandia Concert Hall, Raleigh
Handel Messiah
NC Symphony Performance
Festive Activity
November 21st-December 21st
Meymandia Concert Hall, Raleigh
Holiday Pops
NC Symphony Performance
Festive Activity
December 22nd-23rd
Meymandia Concert Hall, Raleigh
Candlelight Christmas
Holiday Express
Festive Activity
December 1st-11th. December 13th-18th.
Pullen Park, Raleigh
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Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market
Festive Activity
December 9-10
Raleigh Iron Works
Sip, shop, and celebrate the season at the Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market! Join us December 9th and 10th at Iron Works for the perfect opportunity to sip local beer, shop for local treasures, and cherish the community coming together to celebrate the season!
Pop Up Raleigh
Festive Activity
December 16th 12-5pm
Trophy’s Maywood Brewery
Pop-Up Raleigh hosts a monthly market every third Saturday from 12-5 pm at Trophy’s Maywood Brewery. Shop a rotating selection of art & vintage from dozens of vendors while enjoying some of Trophy’s delicious brews and dining from one of the Triangle’s many delicious food trucks.
Turkey Chase
Festive Activity
November 25th. 8am-11am
William B. Umstead State Park (N. Harrison Ave. entrance at Exit 287 off HWY 40)
Fit & Able is proud to bring back the Turkey Chase! We hope you enjoyed the delicious Thanksgiving eats with your friends and family. But now it’s time to burn off the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pie! With three distances – including a 5K, 10K, and 20K – you can choose your challenge! Invite your friends, pick your race,
Pawtraits with Santa
Festive Activity
December 3rd. 11am-2pm
Tap Yard, Raleigh
Join us Sunday December 3rd from 11am-2pm at Tap Yard in Raleigh for Santa Photos and a Mini Howliday Pet Market. Donations from the Santa Photos will benefit the Friends of Wake County Animal Center. While you are there shop the Mini Howliday Pet Market for some unique one of a kind pet and pet themed gifts from local handmade
Pho-ho-ho-tos with Santa
Festive Activity
December 3rd. 12pm-2pm
Rosecomb Beer Garden
Our annual Pho-ho-ho-tos with Santa is a great opportunity to help dogs while getting a great photo of your pupper and Santa! Your minimum donation of $20 goes toward Canine Community Outreach’s ongoing campaign to spay, neuter and vaccinate dogs in need across the Triangle. You’ll get web-resolution digital versions of your picture, perfect for printing as holiday cards or framing as a keepsake!
Cary Night Market
Festive Activity
December 15th 5-9pm
Old Cary Library Site
Monthly pop-up market in Downtown Cary! Find locally-made goods and enjoy a night filled with music and entertainment with Triangle area artisans, food, and drinks one Friday a month in Downtown Cary at the old library site. For more information about this month’s market, visit the Raleigh Night Market: Facebook Instagram Website
Last Mile
Festive Activity
December 31st 8am-10am
Lake Crabtree County Park
amilies that end the old year focusing on fitness will begin the New Year building on that healthy mission. Pursuing a healthy lifestyle is not a short-lived New Year’s Resolution but a way of life that you carry from year to year. So, join Fit & Able to Run Out the Old Year together!
Mutts & Marshmallows
Festive Activity
January 6, 2024 8am-11am
WakeMed Soccer Park
Back by popular demand for the 11th year, it won’t be long before its time to greet the New Year again with a a fun run with friends and a big mug of hot chocolate! As always everyone who finishes the race gets a great mug and medal and all the hot chocolate they can drink!