The biggest and best holiday events to check out in North Carolina
There are a ton of holiday events coming up in the Triangle area. These are some of the best to check out.
Best tree lightings to check out in the Triangle
Nov. 17: Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting - There will be food trucks, live music and dance performances, beer and wine, a local vendor market, Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.
Nov. 17-19: Winter Wonderland at Park West Village - Kids of all ages will enjoy a variety of activities including train rides around the district, storytime with Santa, food trucks and hot beverages, face painting and holiday crafts.
Nov. 18: North Hills Tree Lighting - The event features snow slopes, trackless train rides, kids crafts and activities, a bounce house, and a vendor village.
Nov. 18: Light the Square at Fenton - Live music to ice skating to horse-drawn carriage rides and a special appearance by Anna and Elsa from Frozen make this a great event to go to each year. We also love that they have an outdoor ice skating rink you can book a reservation for.
Nov. 29: American Tobacco Tower Lighting - The iconic water tower is lit plus there will be appearances from Imagine Circus, Wool E. Bull, Rudolph, Frosty, Lisa Gaither Art and Mr. & Mrs. Claus. After the tower lights, grab a hot cocoa, stroll the river and enjoy post-show music, art, and entertainment.
Dec. 1: Wendell Wonderland - With activities like the Lake Myra Light Show, trolley rides, a holiday market, dance and chorus performances, Santa Claus, a cookie walk, tree lighting ceremony, food trucks and more. Visitors are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for children in need up to the age of 12 at multiple donation sites while enjoying the festivities.
Best holiday parades in the Triangle
Nov. 18: Raleigh Christmas Parade - The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street.
Nov. 18: Post-parade Holiday Market - The market is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Transfer Co. Food Hall.
Dec. 9: Durham Holiday Parade - Enjoy this holiday parade in downtown Durham on Main Street starting at 10 a.m.
Dec. 9: Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade - This annual parade starts at 2 p.m. in downtown Cary.
Best light displays in the Triangle
Nov. 22-Dec. 31: Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland - A walk-through holiday light event transforms Durham Bulls Athletic Park into a winter wonderland.
Nov. 17-Jan. 14: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival - The beloved walk-through festival returns to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre for eight weeks with more than 40 new displays with LED lights. Date-specific tickets are already available online.
Nov. 29-Dec. 15: Pullen Park's Holiday Express - If you were lucky enough to get tickets to this sold-out event at Pullen Park, then you will experience lots of holiday-themed fun and get to see some beautiful light displays.
Best holiday performances in the Triangle
Dec. 1-7: Raleigh Little Theatre presents: Cinderella 2023 - RLT’s holiday tradition returns for the 39th year. Kids of all ages will love this retelling of the beloved fairy tale, filled with music, laughs, and a sparkle of magic.
Dec. 2: The Hip Hop Nutcracker - This show is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together.
Dec. 2 and Dec. 15-17: Cary Ballet Company presents: The Nutcracker - This holiday classic will be presented at AJ Fletcher Opera Theater on Dec. 2 and at Cary Arts Center from Dec. 15-17.
Dec. 5-10: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage at DPAC.
Dec. 9-17: Elf- The Musical - This hilarious musical follows the smash-hit 2003 movie that’s now a Holiday classic – and is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. See it at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
Dec. 9-10: Black Nativity In Concert - See this show at Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Theater in the Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh for two performances on Dec. 9 and one on Dec. 10. Tickets required for adults and children. It is $5 per person and children 12 years and younger are admitted for free.
Dec. 13-17: A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park - Ira David Wood III’s beloved musical comedy, A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park, returns to DPAC for six performances.
Dec. 15-17: Black Nativity Durham - Triangle Performance Ensemble will present this show at Hillside High School in Durham. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $17 for seniors, students and children.
Best holiday markets in the Triangle
Nov. 24-26: The Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market - The annual Christmas Carousel shopping event at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds features hundreds of vendors. Tickets are on sale now.
Dec. 2: Scandinavian Christmas Fair - Held annual at the Kerr Scott building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, this event is an authentic celebration of the traditions of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. There will be crafts, food and performances. Tickets are $7.
Dec. 3: Handmade Hanukkah Market at Temple Beth Or - This market is free to attend and features Jewish artisans selling their jewelry, baked goods, pottery, textiles and woodwork.
Dec. 8-9: Sts. Cyril and Methodius' St. Nicholas European Christmas Market - This annual holiday market features food and gifts from around the world. it is located at the Holshouser Building at the state fairgrounds. Admission is free.
Dec. 10: Durham Craft Market Holiday Show - Shop from more than 50 local artists and crafts people at this event at Durham Central Park. Admission is free.
