Last Updated on December 3, 2024
Bright lights, festive decorations, and happy memories! Feel the holly, jolly spirit when you take in some of the best and brightest holiday events in and around the North Carolina Triangle.
Skate the Square at Fenton
November 8–February 9, 2025
The Fenton Skate the Square rink is open! Skate in a wintery village right in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Purchase general sale tickets or a season pass to enjoy the fun all season. Every Tuesday is Holiday Heroes Day, with discounted skating tickets for local and military heroes.
9th North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
November 16–January 12, 2025
Cue the lights, because the region’s most stunning holiday tradition is back! Come see the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary transformed into a magical setting of illuminated lanterns. Chinese artisans crafted more than 40 all-new displays, each one comprising hundreds of parts and thousands of LED lights. These larger-than-life lanterns will captivate you at every turn with their amazing craftmanship and artistic beauty. Cultural arts performances will take place each night on the main stage.
The Rink in Downtown Raleigh
November 23–January 20, 2025
Skaters and spectators at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Downtown Raleigh can enjoy a Winter Wonderland-themed ice rink throughout the season. The rink circles a 20-foot decorated holiday tree and features a variety of activities, including decoration stations for holiday photos, giant Jenga and cornhole gameboards, and a snack bar with hot cocoa, beer, wine, sweet treats, and more. Stay warm at the outdoor lounging stations with heat warmers and fire pits.
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
November 27–December 31
Experience this spectacular, drive-in-style light show, featuring more than 400,000 total lights synced to holiday music. This year, there’s a walkway around the lights and through the tallest tree. Stand or bring chairs to sit and watch the lights. Come on Saturday nights to see special visits from Santa himself!
Museum of Life + Science Holidays in the Park
November 30–December 29 (select nights)
Join the museum as they light up the park in celebration of the holiday season! Enjoy a memorable stroll, following shimmering pathways to the wild lights along the Dino Trail. Enjoy the tropical temperatures inside the Magic Wings Butterfly House, or see glowing trees from the gardens. Take an illuminating train ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway, passing colorful light displays along the way!
Downtown Raleigh’s Illuminate Artwalk
December 6–January 6, 2025
Downtown Raleigh comes to light every holiday season with Illuminate Art Walk, presented by Wake Tech. Enjoy a free and self-guided tour of downtown’s wonderland of art and light—fun for people of all ages. A highlight of this year’s celebration is The TUNNEL, an interactive, 100-foot beacon of light with towering, mirrored LED structures that reflect vibrant colors, patterns, and mesmerizing effects.
Duke Chapel by Candlelight: Christmas Open House
December 18 @ 12:00–2:00 PM
Welcome the splendor of the season with Christmas music and decorations at Duke Chapel’s annual Christmas by Candlelight. All are invited to see the Chapel fully decorated for the season and listen to familiar Christmas music. Drop in and stay for as little or as long as you’d like.
Cary’s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
December 29 @ 1:00–7:00 PM
Head over to the Cary Arts Center to learn more about and celebrate the seven principals of Kwanzaa through demonstrations, performance, and art activities. There will be food trucks and vendors, as well. Join a vibrant community for this engaging event for all ages.
Additional holiday activities in and around the North Carolina Triangle
- See the esteemed State Ballet Theater of Ukraine perform “The Nutcracker” at Carolina Theatre of Durham.
- Take a Christmas cookie decorating class from Little Barb’s Bakery.
- Dress up for an ugly Christmas sweater party hosted by the Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus.
- Become a part of a tradition: the beloved musical comedy of “A Christmas Carol” presented by Theatre In The Park has been an annual event for more than 40 years.
- Visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops to take a complimentary photo and video with Santa.
- Enjoy festive holiday décor, unlimited sweet treats, plus the area’s largest hot cocoa bar at the holiday themed dessert café The Dessertery, back for the third year.
- Jam out with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at PNC Arena.
About Allen Tate Realtors
Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Upstate SC, Highlands/Cashiers and Asheville/Mountain regions. Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the U.S., with 500 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states. For more information, visit www.allentate.com and www.howardhanna.com.
