When is the Christmas tree lighting or parade in your Triangle town? Check our list
We’ve put together a collection of tree lightings and parades taking place in towns across the Triangle throughout the month of December.
We’ll update this list throughout the month, so bookmark it online and check back in. If you see something we missed that you think we should include, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com.
To see a more complete list of all holiday events happening in the Triangle this month, visit newsobserver.com and search for: 2021 holiday events.
Important: In all cases, please check the website for each event or venue prior to heading out to verify hours of operation (which can change) and to learn more about rain dates and COVID safety guidelines. Some venues do require proof of vaccination to attend.
Clayton Christmas Village and Tree Lighting
The 31st annual Christmas Village and Tree Lighting will also have a visit from Santa (who arrives via firetruck). The Tree Lighting happens at 8 p.m. in Horne Square.
Date: Dec. 2 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) Location: Main Street (from O’Neil to Smith), Clayton. Tickets: Free. Info: facebook.com
Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting
The town’s official tree lighting has choir performances and a visit from Santa.
Date: Dec. 2 (6 p.m.) and Dec. 5 (3 p.m.) Location: Main Street/Vance Street Public Lot, 205 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina. Tickets: Free. Info: fuquay-varina.org
Knightdale Christmas Tree Lighting
The annual Christmas tree lighting at the Station will also give kids a chance to write letters to Santa. Local entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies — then a visit from Santa.
Date: Dec. 3 (6:30-9 p.m.) and Dec. 4 (2 p.m.) Location: Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Ave. Tickets: Free. Info: knightdalenc.gov.
Morrisville Christmas Tree Lighting
Santa Claus and the Morrisville Town Council will do the countdown to light up the tree. There will also be musical entertainment and refreshments.
Date: Dec. 3 (6-8 p.m.) Location: Indian Creek Greenway and Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville. Tickets: Free. Info: townofmorrisville.org
Youngsville Tree Lighting
Caroling, pictures with Santa, food truck vendors and more at this Old Fashioned Christmas celebration.
Date: Dec. 3 (4:30-7 p.m.) Location: Near Benchmark Community Bank on South College Street, Youngsville. Tickets: Free. Info: townofyoungsville.org.
Cary Tree Lighting
The official tree lighting ceremony will also include actors, singers and musicians from the community, who will be performing holiday-themed acts.
Date: Dec. 4 (6 p.m.) Location: Cary Town Hall, 216 N. Academy St., Cary. Tickets: Free. Info: townofcary.org.
Youngsville Christmas Parade
Date: Dec. 4 (10-11 a.m.) Location: Parade starts on South College Street, Youngsville Tickets: Free. Info: townofyoungsville.org
Light Up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade
Chris Spatola, college basketball analyst for ESPN, is the parade’s grand marshal. A tree lighting and community sing take place after the tree lighting ceremony.
Date: Dec. 5 (4 p.m.) Location: Downtown Hillsborough. Tickets: Free. Info: hillsboroughchamber.com
Hanukkah Parade and Menorah Lighting
Congregational Sha’arei Israel / Chabad Center of Raleigh is celebrating Chanukah with a parade (which will pass by the Brookdale and Cardinal Senior Centers) followed by a Menorah Lighting at Lafayette Village with music, dancing and doughnuts.
Date: Dec. 5 (4:30 p.m.) Location: Congregational Sha’arei Israel / Chabad Center of Raleigh-Jewish Life Center, 7400 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh Tickets: Free Info: jewishraleigh.org.
State Capitol Tree Lighting
The governor will light the tree in person again, but the Capitol and Executive Mansion will not host the traditional Holiday Open Houses this year due to continuing concerns around covid. Neither building will be open for visitation following the tree lighting. The Capitol is decorated and visitors can view the decorations during normal operating hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will release a virtual tour of the Mansion’s holiday decorations online the morning of Dec. 9.
Date: Dec. 9 (5:30-6:30 p.m.) Location: North Carolina State Capitol, 1 E Edenton St, Raleigh Tickets: Free.
Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
This 42nd annual parade will feature bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups and churches.
Date: Dec. 11 (2-4 p.m.) Location: Starts on East Chatham Street at Ward Street, to South Academy Street, ending at Dry Avenue. Tickets: Free. Info: caryjaycees.org/parade.
Durham Holiday Parade
This annual parade will have floats, hometown bands, drill teams, mascots and other groups, concluding with Santa.
Date: Dec. 18 (11 a.m.) Location: Main Street, downtown Durham (starting at Main and Dillard streets, ending near Duke East Campus at Main Street and Buchanan Boulevard) Tickets: Free. Info: dprplaymore.org.
Garner Christmas Parade
This year’s parade travels down Main Street only.
Date: Dec. 18 (9:30 a.m.) Location: Main Street (from New Rand Road to Benson Road/Hwy 50), downtown Garner. Tickets: Free. Info: garnerchristmasparade.com
This story was originally published December 2, 2021 at 10:52 AM.
