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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!