2023 Holiday Activities To Do in Raleigh

PARADES

11/18 Raleigh - Christmas Parade

12/2 Youngsville - Christmas Parade

12/3 Rolesville - Christmas Parade

12/9 Knightdale - Christmas Parade

12/9 Cary - Jaycees Christmas Parade

12/9 Holly Springs - Happy Holly Days Parade

12/9 Durham - Holiday Parade

SHOPPING

11/11 Fenton Makers Market 11AM-4PM @ Fenton in Cary

30+ booths of local artists to shop from 

11/25 Small Business Saturday Market 10AM-4PM @ Raleigh Iron Works in Raleigh

A great way to shop local and check out the new Raleigh Iron Works consisting of retail shops, restaurants, and more!

11/24 - 11/26 Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market @ Jim Graham Building on the fairgrounds

250+ vendors to shop from for unique and beautiful handmade creations!

11/26 Sleigh A Winter Market 2-8PM @ Zinchouse Winery & Brewery

80+ vendors, holiday music, and special guest Santa Claus!

12/2 Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market 10AM-4PM @ Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

Features hand made items from local artists! Held outdoors rain or shine.

TREE LIGHTING

11/18 Raleigh - Lighting of the Tree 3-6PM @ Lafayette Village

Music, carriage rides, shopping, face painting, and more! Tree lighting at 6PM. 

12/1 Wake Forest - Lighting of Wake Forest 5-8PM @ Centennial Plaza

Musical performances, shopping, crafts, and see special appearances from the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who! Tree lighting ceremony will take place at approximately 6:15PM.

12/1 Youngsville - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30-8PM

12/2 Holly Springs - Light the Springs Tree Lighting 5-8PM @ Holly Springs Cultural Center

12/2 Cary - A Gift To Cary Celebration

Cary’s annual tree lighting! Check out the town’s website for more information. 

12/17 Raleigh - Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting 5:30-8PM @ Lichtin Plaza (in front of Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

Photos with Santa, shopping, food trucks, live music, and more!

PERFORMANCES

Raleigh - Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

11/17 - 11/18 | Carolina Youth Ballet - Nutcracker

11/22 | A Magical Cirque Christmas

11/24 | Martina McBride - the Joy of Christmas 2023 Tour 

12/2 | Cary Ballet Company - The Nutcracker 

12/8 - 12/10 | A Christmas Carol - Theatre in the Park 

12/9 - 12/17 | Elf the Musical - North Carolina Theatre

12/12 | NC Master Chorale - Joy of the Season

12/14 - 12/21 | The Nutcracker presented by PNC - Carolina Ballet

12/16 - 12/17 | Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concerts

12/22 - 12/23 | A Candlelight Christmas - NC Symphony

Cary - Cary Arts Center

12/1 - 12/4 | Cary Players Presents: A Gift to Remember

12/9 | Concert Singers of Cary Present: Holiday Pops

12/15 - 12/17 | Cary Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

12/21 - 12/23 | The Motown Sound of Christmas 

Durham - Performing Arts Center

11/27 Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Christmas

12/2 The Hip Hop Nutcracker

12/3 The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show

12/5 - 12/10 | Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas

12/ 13 - 12/17 | A Christmas Carol - Presented by Theatre in the Park

12/20 - Nutcracker - Magical Christmas Ballet

CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS

Youngsville - Festival of Lights @ Hill Ridge Farms

Drive though light show

Raleigh - Nights of Lights @ Dorothea Dix Park

Drive through light show

Raleigh - Magic of Lights @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park

Drive through light show

Cary - North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival @ Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre

11/17 - 1/14 displays with thousands of LED lights

Durham - Wool E’s Winter Wonderland

2023 will be kicking off Durham’s first Winder Wonderland at the Bull’s ballpark. This event will transform the ballpark into magical walk through light scene. Tickets available for select days of November and December. Additional ticket options include sledding and train rides around the park! Tickets can be purchased on their website.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

11/5 - 2/5 Ice skating in the square @ Fenton 

Tickets can be purchased on Fenton’s website!

11/17 - 12/23 The Dessertery @ Kennedy Theatre - Martin Marietta Center 

A festive holiday themed dessert cafe where you can indulge in ALL YOU CAN EAT cupcakes, hot cocoa, cheesecakes, and more while enjoying the decor and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the box office. 

11/20 - 12/10 Letters to Santa @ Downtown Cary Park

Drop off letters to Santa at Cary Park's Santa mailbox!

11/2 Holiday Open House 3-5PM @ Lafayette Village

Thrive Motherhood's first Fa la la Festival! There will be carolers, a Santa letter writing station, music, ornament decorating, cookies, and more!

12/2 Victorian Christmas 2-5PM @ Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary

Get in the holiday spirit with carolers, cookies, carriage rides, and special guests!

12/2 - 12/9 Annual Gingerbread House Competition @ Downtown Cary

Houses will be on display in businesses throughout downtown Cary.

12/8 Snowball Dance 6:30-8:30PM @ Wake Forest Community House

A Snowball Dance is held for residents aged 10-30 with disabilities for a night of music, dancing, refreshments, and fun. Tickets are $15 per person, pre-registration required.  

11/25 - 1/14 Book a Christmas Igloo with Lavish Rose Events

Christmas igloos include a custom wood table, place settings, Christmas decor, a fireplace heater to keep you warm & cozy, blankets, and pillows. Lavish Rose has partnered with local businesses to offer clients the option to add delicious food items, pricing varies. Add on a projector and screen to watch your favorite Christmas movie in the igloo! Learn more here.

https://www.martinmariettacenter.com/ 

https://www.dpacnc.com/ 

https://www.woolebull.com/