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Holiday Events in Raleigh
Are you searching for the best holiday events in Raleigh, NC, this season? Here are the biggest holiday events in Raleigh that are perfect for the whole family!
The holiday season is the happiest time of year and is known for bringing friends and family together to celebrate. Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of the best places to be during the holidays because it hosts many festive light displays, holiday markets, parades, tree lightings, outdoor skating rinks, and other seasonal events.
Whether you are a longtime resident or considering making Raleigh your home, the Triangle area offers an extraordinary array of holiday events that create lasting memories and showcase why this region is such a special place to live.
Most holiday events in Raleigh begin in November and end in the new year, meaning there is plenty of time to purchase tickets and plan for events you and your family want to attend. For those exploring Raleigh as a potential new home, the holiday season is the happiest time of year and showcases the area's vibrant culture and community.
Whether you want to visit a pop-up cocktail bar with friends or attend a special holiday performance with a loved one, Raleigh offers both ticketed and free events. Let's explore the ten best holiday events that make Raleigh and the Triangle one of the most festive destinations in the Southeast.
Check out these popular holiday events in Raleigh this year
1. The Nutcracker, presented by the Carolina Ballet
Performance Dates: December 11-24, 2025
The Nutcracker is a classical ballet presented by the Carolina Ballet annually at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. Considered Carolina Ballet's most attended performance, this beautiful ballet features stunning costumes and new choreography each year.
This production has been cited as one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theater history. The Carolina Ballet has gained a formidable reputation for this production, incorporating grand-scale illusions that keep audiences of all ages captivated.
Set on Christmas Eve in a child's imagination, there is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than by seeing The Nutcracker performed live. Tickets to this family-friendly performance can be bought online or at the box office.
2. Skate the Square at Fenton
Rink Dates: November 7th, 2025 through February 8th, 2026
Skate the Square is a fun and family-friendly event at Fenton in Cary from the beginning of November through February. This outdoor ice skating rink in Fenton Square began in November 2022 and has become an event many Triangle residents look forward to each year.
Each skating session lasts 75 minutes and includes skate rentals, with general admission priced at $18 plus tax. All skaters must be three years or older, and an adult must accompany any skater under the age of 12. Tickets are available online and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
What makes this outdoor skating rink so special is that the large Christmas tree overlooks the rink, with string lights and music creating a great community atmosphere. This is the perfect holiday thing to do for families, date nights, and groups of friends looking for outdoor winter fun.
3. A Christmas Carol, presented by Theatre in the Park
Performance Dates: December 5-7, 2025, in Raleigh and December 10-14, 2025, in Durham
A Christmas Carol, presented by Theatre in the Park, is a unique adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novella, considered a timeless Christmas story. A Raleigh tradition, this performance will occur December 5-7, 2025, at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Raleigh and December 10-14, 2025, at the Durham Center of Performing Arts, which is known for its live music performances and comedy shows.
This musical comedy adaptation has been cited as one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theater history, turning Scrooge's tale into a joyous musical comedy packed with spirit and show-stopping tunes while preserving the poignant heart of the original. With over one million people having experienced the magic of A Christmas Carol throughout the years, the show regularly sells out.
4. Christmas Parades Throughout the Triangle
There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a parade. Raleigh and its many beautiful suburbs are known for hosting Christmas parades that spread joy and get everyone excited about the upcoming holidays.
The Triangle region celebrates with multiple festive parades, each offering its own unique charm and community spirit.
Check out these local favorite Christmas parades throughout the Triangle:
Raleigh Christmas Parade: The 80th annual Raleigh Christmas Parade will occur on November 22nd, 2025, in Downtown Raleigh and is presented by Shop Local Raleigh. The 1.4-mile parade route starts near the corner of Hillsborough Street and Glenwood Avenue, cruises down Hillsborough Street, snakes onto Fayetteville Street, and ends at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Cary Jaycee Christmas Parade: Occurring on December 13th, 2025, this Christmas parade starts on E. Chatham Street at Ward St, proceeds down E. Chatham to S. Academy Street, and ends at Dry Ave in front of the Cary Arts Center.
Apex Rotary Christmas Parade: Visit the Rotary Christmas Parade in Apex on December 6th, 2025, at 5 PM. It is known to be the only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County. The parade starts at Apex Peakway and Ambergate Station, turns down Salem Street, and ends at Moore Street, with proceeds benefiting local charities, especially Western Wake Crisis Ministry.
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade: On December 7th, 2025, at 4 PM, this parade features over 80 festive floats through the Historic Downtown Fuquay District.
Holly Springs Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade: This parade will be held on December 13th, 2025, at 10 AM and will feature floats, bands, dancers, and decorated vehicles.
5. Tree Lightings Throughout the Triangle
Multiple communities celebrate the start of the holiday season with magical tree lighting ceremonies. If you are still looking for a Christmas tree for your home, check out a tree lighting.
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration: Located at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Raleigh, watch as the Christmas tree shines on November 21st, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8 PM. The event includes free pictures with Santa Claus, a local vendor market, and festive performances by local artists at Moore Square Park.
North Hills Christmas Lighting Event: This annual Christmas tree lighting celebration is a beloved event in the heart of Midtown on November 22nd, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM. This event features a 41-foot tree, live music, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Cary: The Cary Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Cary Park will be held on December 6th, 2025, at 6 PM. It is free and open to the public. This event will feature Santa photos, crafts, and the official lighting of the park's tree.
Light the Square Fenton: This annual tree lighting ceremony, perfect for the whole family, will occur on November 22nd, 2025, from 3 PM to 7 PM. There will be ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, and an appearance by Santa Claus.
6. North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Dates: November 15th, 2025, to January 11, 2026
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that occurs annually in Cary, North Carolina, during the holiday season. Located at Koka Booth Amphitheater, known for its live music, cultural festivals, and community events, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival will return to the area for its tenth year.
Attracting over 200,000 visitors each year, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is one of the most anticipated events in Cary. In 2023, it had a $7 million impact on the local economy, $1.8 million more than in 2022.
Each lantern is created by hand on silk fabric stretched over steel frames and lit with upwards of hundreds of LEDs, designed exclusively for this event with materials shipped from China. Beyond the lanterns, the festival welcomes nightly stage performances at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 pm featuring martial arts, traditional dance, acrobatics, and drum performances.
Food includes crispy spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken bites, wonton soup, coffee, beer, wine, and hot chocolate, which adults can get spiked with Bailey's. This festival is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends.
7. Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market
Date: December 6th, 2025
Time: 11 AM to 5 PM
Get your holiday shopping done at the Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market at Raleigh Iron Works. Hosted by Shop Local Raleigh, the market showcases over 50 local vendors offering unique gifts, with activities for kids including Reindeer Food, Letters to Santa, and Jingle Bell Jewelry, plus photo ops with Santa.
This is the perfect event to bring the whole family. Not only is this market free to attend, but it is a great way to support small businesses in the Triangle area and discover local vendors. Enjoy a variety of festive beverages while you get your shopping done.
8. Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Dates: December 13th and 14th, 2025
Time: 1 PM to 7 PM each day
Ticket Price: $43 for regular tickets and $40 for large groups
If you want to learn about history this holiday season, attend the 54th Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour. Presented by The Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood, this event helps to preserve and protect the Historic Oakwood neighborhood since it is considered the largest intact 19th-century residential neighborhood in North Carolina.
As one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Raleigh and most sought-after by young professionals, Historic Oakwood is located in the middle of Downtown Raleigh and is a community of homes that date from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.
Ten properties in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood open their doors to visitors, showcasing Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman architectural styles from homes dated from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Tickets are limited and are known to sell out.
The tour is self-guided with guides inside each property, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace and in any order. The immaculate care of the exteriors is only a prelude to the beauty and attention to detail given to the interiors.
Check-in for the tour is required at The Tucker House on Person Street, and properties can be toured in any order at your own pace. It is reccommended to allow at least three hours for the tour.
9. See a North Carolina Symphony Performance
The North Carolina Symphony presents multiple holiday concerts throughout December at Meymandi Concert Hall in the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
While specific 2025 dates vary, the symphony typically offers Cirque Holiday Pops (combining acrobatics with holiday music), Classical Christmas concerts, Candlelight performances, and Handel's Messiah performances.
The North Carolina Symphony is recognized for performing at an exceptionally high level, with concerts featuring festive favorites, classical selections, and memorable collaborations. The combination of world-class musicianship with the acoustics of Meymandi Concert Hall creates an unforgettable experience.
10. Visit a Holiday Pop-Up
Many Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bars are opening up all over the Triangle, and they are a fun way to get festive this holiday season. They feature magical decorations, specialty holiday drinks, and plenty of holiday music.
Check out the over-the-top holiday-themed pop-ups in Raleigh:
AVA Wonderland in Cary: AVA Wonderland in Fenton at AVA Rooftop Bar is a great way to celebrate the holidays. This rooftop bar transforms into a winter wonderland and features holiday themed drinks.
Sippin' Santa at Wye Hill: Celebrate the holidays at Wye Hill between November 14th and December 28th, 2025, for over-the-top decorations and a creative cocktail menu. The menu uses traditional holiday ingredients like gingerbread, mulled wine, nutmeg, and chai, served in fun and unique glassware designed exclusively for Sippin' Santa.
Angus Barn: No discussion of Raleigh holiday experiences would be complete without mentioning the legendary Angus Barn Christmas transformation. This iconic local steakhouse transforms over the holiday season and features more than 20,000 decorations installed throughout the restaurant.
FAQs
How long is the Raleigh Christmas Parade route?
The Raleigh Christmas Parade travels approximately 1.4 miles through Downtown Raleigh, making it the perfect holiday event for the whole family.
Why is the Raleigh Christmas Parade so early?
Since 1939, the Raleigh Christmas Parade has been held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season, promote local businesses, and encourage residents to shop. The weather in November also tends to be sunny with beautiful fall foliage.
When was the last White Christmas in Raleigh, NC?
The last time a true White Christmas occurred in Raleigh was 90 years ago, in 1935, when it snowed 4.6 inches. In 2010, it only snowed 0.4 inches on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, there is less than a 10% chance that a White Christmas will occur in Raleigh.
Methodology
To determine the best holiday events in Raleigh, NC, data and information were sourced from ABC 11 Eyewitness News, WRAL, and the Raleigh News and Observer.
Fun Holiday Events in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
The holiday season in Raleigh and the Triangle is nothing short of magical. From the elegance of The Nutcracker to the whimsy of the Chinese Lantern Festival, the region offers an unmatched variety of celebrations that honor tradition.
For those considering a move to the Raleigh area, the holiday season offers a wonderful preview of what life here looks like year-round. You'll find a community that celebrates together, supports local businesses and artists, and creates opportunities for families to build traditions.
If you are ready to make Raleigh your home and experience these holiday traditions year after year, contact Raleigh Realty today to discover your perfect home in a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood.
