‘Tis the season to be filled with merriment and partake in fun Raleigh Christmas Events. We’ve put together some of the top Christmas events in Raleigh for friends and family to enjoy during your holiday visit to The City of Oaks.
Raleigh Christmas Parades
The Raleigh area offers Christmas parades in all sizes, celebrating the cultures and traditions of North Carolina.
Raleigh Christmas Parade
November 23, 2024 at 9:30 am
For the largest parade between Atlanta and Washington, DC, stand streetside in Downtown Raleigh for the 80th annual Christmas parade on Nov. 23. Starting at 9:30 a.m., the 1.4-mile-long parade meanders through historic Downtown Raleigh, and includes themed floats, jumbo-sized balloon characters, marching bands, and plenty of local talent to delight parade-goers. The Raleigh parade lasts until noon, right after Santa makes his celebrity appearance. If you don’t feel like dealing with crowds, the Downtown Raleigh Christmas Parade is just as much fun to watch on the television in one of our cozy rooms at The StateView Hotel. Order breakfast in bed, grab the remote, and start your holiday season right.
Cary Christmas Parade
December 14, 2024 at 2 pm
Enjoy the Cary Jaycees’ 43rd annual Christmas Parade as it winds through quaint downtown Cary on Saturday, December 14, from 2–4 p.m. A holiday showcase of marching bands, mascots, local businesses, churches, and community groups, the Cary Christmas Parade celebrates the season in this fun-filled event.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade: Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland
December 7, 2024 at 10 am
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade returns on Saturday, December 7, at 10 a.m. A celebration of diverse winter holiday traditions, this parade focuses on the many cultural customs of the area and highlights arts, entertainment, and creative, festive parade floats by local artists and community groups.
Raleigh Christmas Shows
Set a festive mood for your holiday season when you take in a Christmas show. Raleigh offers some of the best holiday spectaculars for you and your family to enjoy during your stay at The StateView Hotel.
Clara’s Trip – A Cirque and Dance Nutcracker Story
Multiple showings December 20 – 22, 2024 at Fletcher Opera Theatre
Experience The Nutcracker like you’ve never seen it before, with gravity-defying cirque, music, and festive storytelling that elevates this holiday classic beyond your wildest imagination at Clara’s Trip – A Cirque and Dance Nutcracker Story. Dancers soar through the air with ropes, suspended hoops, silks, and trapeze, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and a modern take on main character Clara’s story.
Theatre in the Park’s A Christmas Carol
Multiple showings December 6 – 8, 2024 at Memorial Auditorium
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol defines the season, and you can see this wonderful story come to life onstage thanks to Theatre in the Park. This musical comedy adaptation is brought to life at Memorial Auditorium. Follow along with this staging of Ebenezer Scrooge’s adventures with the Ghosts of Christmas this season in Raleigh.
The Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Multiple showings December 12 – 24, 2024 at Memorial Auditorium
Clara, Drosselmeyer, and the cast of favorites from the Land of the Sweets return in The Carolina Ballet’s annual staging of The Nutcracker. This is the Carolina Ballet’s most attended production ever, featuring a live symphony orchestra, fresh choreography, vibrant sets, and stunning costumes. See this enchanting version of the classic original at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium from December 12 – 24, 2024 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
December 18, 2024 at 7 pm at Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena)
Complete with pyrotechnics, thrashing guitar solos, and quick maneuvers into heavenly choral singing, Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Lost Christmas Eve Tour is a seat-rumbling, heart-pounding extravaganza. TSO performs this visually dazzling orchestral rock show at Raleigh’s PNC Arena on December 14.
Other Festive Activities in Raleigh
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting
November 22, 2024 in Lichtin Plaza
If you’ll be staying with us on November 22, be sure to attend the Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The annual lighting of the tree takes place in front of the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts and officially kicks off the holiday season for charming, bustling Downtown Raleigh. Enjoy vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment as you sip a glass of beer or wine and wait for the magic. Be sure to get there by 6:15 p.m. to see the tree lighting. Jolly Old St. Nick himself will be there for photos with the kids. A short 9-minute drive from The StateView Hotel, the Tree Lighting Celebration is a great event for everyone.
The Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market
November 29 – December 1, 2024 at the NC State Fairgrounds
Head to the NC State Fairgrounds November 29 – December 1 to shop to your heart’s content at the 2024 Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market. For 37 years, The Christmas Carousel has been a Raleigh area Thanksgiving Weekend tradition, hosting more than 250 exhibitors in 90,000 square feet of space. Find local arts, crafts, homemade food, holiday decorations, and more at the largest Christmas gift show in North Carolina. Santa will be there as well to hear everyone’s Christmas wish list.
Lights on the Neuse
November 29 – December 24, 2024 at Boyette Family Farms
Lights on the Neuse brings the North Pole to Raleigh with its amazing light show at Boyette Family Farms. Enjoy cookie decorating in the Sugar Barn, Santa’s Sweet Shoppe, an old-time hay ride through the lights, and other fun activities. Lights on the Neuse is at 1620 Loop Road in Clayton, NC, and is open throughout November and December. Tickets are available now.
Christmas Craft Fair
December 7, 2024 at Pace Family Farms
Pace Family Farms is excited to host their 6th annual Christmas Craft Fair. From 9 am to 3 pm on December 7, browse vendors offering handmade items, vintage finds, jams and preserves, and more. No direct sales representatives (like Scentsy and Mary Kay) are allowed at this event, ensuring that the items available speak to the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas craft fair.
Fieldstream Farm Lights
November 29 – December 31, 2024
Fieldstream Farm is offering a spectacular holiday season light show to enjoy from the comfort of your car. Beginning November 29, the Farm opens its dazzling drive-through light show that includes more than two million Christmas lights. Admission is $20 for vehicles with 1–8 passengers and increases in price for larger vehicles. Enjoy the show Monday–Thursday from 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m, on Friday from 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Whether it’s a tree lighting, parade, or show, Raleigh offers so many opportunities for holiday fun for you and your family. Don’t miss out: Book your stay at the StateView Hotel now. We’re located at the epicenter of the top Raleigh Christmas Events and all that the historic city has to offer. If you’re looking for even more fun while you’re here, check out other things to do in Downtown Raleigh.