Raleigh goes all-in for the holidays, twinkly lights, cozy markets, festive pop-ups, and family-friendly traditions that make the season feel magical. If you’re planning your holiday outings, here’s your curated guide to the best things happening around the city this year.

1. North Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony

Where: North Hills Commons
When: November 22nd, 4pm-7pm

Celebrate the season with live music, kids’ activities, food vendors, and the annual lighting of the North Hills tree — one of Raleigh’s biggest holiday kicks-offs. Great for families, date night, or grabbing cocoa and wandering the shops.

2. Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting & Holiday Market

Where: City Plaza / Fayetteville Street
When: Early December
Downtown gets sparkly. Enjoy vendors, live performances, food trucks, art installations, photo ops, and the big tree lighting. It feels like a holiday block party in the heart of the city.

3. NC Chinese Lantern Festival

Where: Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre
When: November–January
A glowing wonderland of massive hand-crafted lantern displays, cultural performances, and lake reflections. If you want a magical date night or an immersive family experience, this is the one.

4. Moonlight in the Garden

Where: JC Raulston Arboretum
When: November
This beloved Raleigh tradition turns the garden into a glowing, dreamy nighttime walk. Expect food trucks, fire pits, warm drinks, and the most aesthetic walk you’ll take all season.

5. Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market at Raleigh Iron Works

Where: Raleigh Iron Works
When: Early–Mid December weekends
Shop local makers, enjoy food trucks, sip festive drinks, and snag photos with Santa. It’s super family-friendly and a fun way to support local businesses.

6. Theatre in the Park: A Christmas Carol

Where: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Get Tickets Here
When: December
Raleigh’s hilarious and iconic Christmas Carol production is part comedy, part tradition. If you’ve never seen it, this is the year.

7. Moore Square Winterfaire

Where: Moore Square
When: Select weekends in December
Local artisans, vintage vendors, sweet treats, festive drinks, and holiday vibes in one of Raleigh’s cutest event spots.

8. Holiday Express at Pullen Park

Where: Pullen Park
When: December
A kid-favorite. Ride the holiday train, sip hot chocolate, roast s’mores, and enjoy lights and family-friendly activities.

This sells out quickly every year, but you may be able to snag tickets in this Facebook group, please beware of scams!

9. Sippin’ Santa & Christmas Pop-Ups

Where: Wye Hill, The Ark Royal, and others
When: November–December
Holiday pop-ups across the city bring themed drinks, over-the-top décor, and tons of photo opportunities. Perfect for girls’ nights, date nights, or creator-content nights.

Want more things to do in Raleigh?

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