Your ultimate guide to the Triangle’s Christmas parades and tree lightings
Santa breezed through the Triangle for the Raleigh Christmas Parade last month.
But now is when things get serious.
Santa, Mrs. Claus and all of their elf buddies (plus some other holiday pals) will be making the rounds over the next few weeks.
Hillsborough and Zebulon already have had Christmas parades. Note that Garner canceled its parade, originally scheduled Dec. 7, due to concerns of disruption, but will still have its tree lighting Dec. 6. Wake Forest also canceled its parade for Dec. 14.
Here is your Triangle guide to parades, tree lightings and holiday events.
Apex
▪ Christmas on Salem Street in downtown Apex is Dec. 6-8 with a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 as well as Christmas carols. Horse-drawn carriage rides between Center and Hunter streets are 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Children 2 and younger ride free. There also will be a children’s train ride from 6 to 9 p.m., starting in front of the Halle Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are $5. apexdowntown.com
▪ On Dec. 7, the Apex Rotary Pancake Breakfast is 7 to 11 a.m. at the Apex Downtown Fire House. Photos with Santa are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. The Apex Rotary Christmas Parade starts down Salem Street at 5 p.m.
▪ On Dec. 8, the Apex Historical Holiday Home Tour is 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 the day of the tour at the Apex Chamber of Commerce or at the houses on the tour. apexhistoricalsociety.com
Carrboro
▪ The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade through both town’s downtowns starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The route proceeds from the Morehead Planetarium on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and ends on Main Street at Carrboro Town Hall. The parade is organized by the Raleigh Jaycees and town of Chapel Hill. chapelhillholidayparade.com
Cary
▪ The Heart of the Holidays Celebration is Saturday, Dec. 7. There will be several events: crafts at Santa’s Workshop at Herbert C. Young Community Center at 10 a.m. (two non-perishable food items or a cash donation is admission); Page-Walker Arts & History Center Holiday Open House from 3 to 6 p.m. with carriage rides, music from Victorian carolers and the Triangle Folk Ensemble and warm cider; five showings of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (presented by the Cary Players) through the weekend at the Cary Arts Center; 6 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Town Hall campus (lighting at 6:45 p.m.); plus gingerbread house compeition in downtown businesses. townofcary.org/joy.
▪ The Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade in downtown Cary is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, along East Chatham Street and South Academy Street. The event is rain or shine. caryjaycees.org
Chapel Hill
▪ A Conscious Holiday Bazaar is on the Plaza at 431 W. Franklin St. on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Carolina Inn has holiday gift markets Dec. 8, 15 and 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at 211 Pittsboro St. downtownchapelhill.com
▪ A holiday ArtWalk with luminaries will be in downtown Chapel Hill Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Santa’s Rooftop Rescue is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 140 West Plaza, on the corner of Church and Franklin streets, with music, cocoa and treats.
▪ The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade through both town’s downtowns starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The route proceeds from the Morehead Planetarium on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and ends on Main Street at Carrboro Town Hall. The parade is organized by the Raleigh Jaycees and town of Chapel Hill. chapelhillholidayparade.com
Clayton
▪ Clayton’s annual Christmas parade is at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, on Main Street downtown. The event is held rain or shine. claytonchristmasparade.org
Durham
▪The 15th American Tobacco Water Tower Lighting starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at American Tobacco off Blackwell Street downtown. Performers include Tyler Butler-Figueroa of “America’s Got Talent,” the cast of “White Christmas” from the Durham Performing Arts Center and other groups. The first 1,500 people to arrive will receive a free light wand. americantobaccocampus.com
▪ Downtown Durham Inc. will have a tree lighting Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. following the Tower Lighting at American Tobacco Campus, with Paperhand Puppets and Oxente. CCB Plaza at 201 Corcoran St., near the Major the Bull statue.
▪ A Christmas Tree Garden — with 20 lit trees — is on display Dec. 6 to 30 at Diamond View Park, 318 Blackwell St. Trees are lit 5:30 to 11 p.m.
▪ The Durham Holiday Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The parade will start at the Health Department (Main and Dillard streets) and end near Duke University East Campus (Main Street and Buchanan Boulevard).
There will be performance areas at the intersections of Mangum and Main, Chapel Hill and Main and Duke and Main streets. There will be no parking on Main Street on Dec. 14 beginning at 6 a.m.
▪ The parade will be followed by a fun fest from 1 to 4 p.m. on Blackwell Street between Morehead and West Lakewood avenues. The free event includes the Peppermint Plunge, which is snow sledding for children and adults, with sleds provided, along with two snow play areas. Children can also meet Santa Claus and decorate holiday cards for home bound people in the community. dprplaymore.org
▪ A free Hanukkah Festival is Sunday, Dec. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Levin Jewish Community Center, 1937 West Cornwallis Road, Durham. levinjcc.org/calendar
▪ In northern Durham County, the Bahama Christmas Parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the intersection of Country Knoll and Bahama roads and end at the Ruritan Club, 8202 Stagville Road, where there will be free hot chocolate and doughnuts.
Fuquay-Varina
▪ Fuquay-Varina’s tree lighting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Main/Vance Street Lot. There will be an ice skating rink from 4 to 9 p.m. and sledding from 5 to 9 p.m. on Vance Street; visits with Santa on Main Street from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; and sleigh rides ($3) from 6 to 8 p.m. at 120 S. Main St. fuquay-varinadowntown.com or fuquay-varina.org
▪ The Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in downtown Fuquay-Varina on Main Street. The route will start at East Academy Street and South Fuquay Avenue, head south before it turns on East Vance Street, then heads north on South Main Street before traveling the length of North Main Street and ending at the intersection of North Woodrow Street. Find route and street closings at fuquay-varina.org.
Garner
▪ Garner’s Light Up Main is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Garner on Main Street. There will be children’s activities, a talent showcase, face painting, food trucks and cookies and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free. The event is held rain or shine. garnernc.gov
Hillsborough
▪ Santa Claus visits downtown Hillsborough’s main police station at 127 N. Churton St. For children 15 years and younger. Toy donations accepted through Dec. 12.
Holly Springs
▪ Main Street Christmas is Friday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Holly Springs with visits from Santa (until 7:15 p.m.) at Town Hall, storytelling with Mrs. Claus, Mistletoe Market, stories with the Nutcracker, hayrides, the town tree lighting and refreshments. It ends with the tree lighting at 8 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center lawn. hollyspringsnc.us/359/Main-Street-Christmas
▪ The Holly Days Christmas Parade is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at Holly Springs Road, going along Main Street and ending at Rogers Street. This year, the parade route is a block longer, going past the new Town Hall Commons development. Pre-parade perfromances on Main Street are at 10 a.m. The the Bandit Flight Team is performing a national anthem flyover to kick off the parade at 11 a.m. The event is rain or shine. hollyspringsnc.us
Knightdale
▪ The Knightdale Christmas on First tree lighting and parade are Saturday, Dec. 7. The tree lighting ceremony is at 4:30 p.m. followed by the lighting at 6 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Ave. The parade follows a different route this year, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park, travels south on First Avenue and ends at Knightdale Elementary on Fayetteville Street. knightdalenc.gov
Morrisville
▪ Morrisville’s tree lighting is 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Indian Creek Trailhead Shelter, 101 Town Hall Drive. There will be entertainment, crafts, train rides, Santa and more. If there is bad weather, call 919-463-6215. townofmorrisville.org
Pittsboro
▪ The Pittsboro Christmas Parade is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. The route starts on MLK Drive, continues down East Street and ends at Farrell Street. pittsboronc.gov
Raleigh
▪ The Levin Jewish Community Center hosts a Hanukkah Party from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. at Imurj, 300 S. McDowell St., Raleigh. For 21 and older. $25 at the door. levinjcc.org
▪ The State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony is Thursday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. on Capitol Square with holiday music and luminarias. The tree lighting follows on the South Grounds at 6:15 p.m. at 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. There will be cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus.
▪ The holiday open house in the Capitol follows Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. There will be holiday music in the rotunda from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 to Dec. 14. 919-733-4994 or nchistoricsites.org/capitol.
▪ The North Carolina Executive Mansion will be open Dec. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. The mansion will be open for open house tours Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1-4 p.m.
Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for a holiday food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. foodbankcenc.org/give/donate-food/
Rolesville
▪ The Rolesville Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 8. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at Thales Academy, moves to Storage Drive to Main Street, turns left onto Main Street, right onto East Young Street and ends at Rolesville Baptist Church. A Christmas Wonderland is 12 noon to 2 p.m. with music, food trucks, games, bounce houses and more. rolesvillechamber.org
Wake Forest
▪ The Lighting of Wake Forest is 5:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Centennial Plaza, Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. There’s a 6:15 p.m. lighting of the town’s 30-foot Christmas tree, followed by musical performances and free hot chocolate. Photos with Santa require a time ticket, which can be picked up in the Town Hall lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m.
There will be a Festival Street Celebration and Winter Wonderland from 5:30-8:30 p.m. along East Owen Avenue to commemorate the street’s re-opening. There will be a snow play area and sledding. Time in the snow play area is limited to 5-minute increments.
Bring new socks of all sizes for Note in the Pocket, which provides clothing to needy and homeless children in Wake County. Collection bins will be outside the Town Hall entrance. wakeforestnc.gov
▪ The Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market is Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. A downtown holiday open house is Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. in downtown. Photos with Santa will be taken at Cotton Company Event Gallery, 306 S. White St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
▪ UPDATED: The Wake Forest Christmas Parade scheduled for Dec. 14 has been canceled. But carolers will gather at the town’s Christmas tree at Town Hall at 1 p.m. Dec. 14. After singing, the group will visit local restaurants and stores.
This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 8:30 AM.