Here’s a list of 15 can’t-miss holiday events in the Raleigh, Durham area
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- This local roundup lists 15 popular annual holiday events across Raleigh and Durham.
- Events span light displays, live theatre, symphony shows, ice rinks and Santa visits.
- Buy tickets early, check venue sites for hours, sensory sessions and rain plans.
Here’s a list of popular holiday events taking place throughout the Triangle this holiday season.
From Santa mall photos to ice skating sessions to candlelight tours, the Raleigh area is full of ways to spend time with loved ones this December into the new year.
Important: Whenever possible, 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 for outdoor events.
Holiday Express at Pullen Park
Raleigh’s Pullen Park transforms into a winter wonderland each year, offering train rides and holiday lights with Santa appearances, carolers and more. Two sensory-friendly nights will take place Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 14. Gates will open 4:15 p.m. (except during sensory-friendly nights), and the event runs from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets sold out fast, but if you’re lucky enough to be going, here’s what you need to know. When: Dec. 2-18 Where: Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave. in Raleigh Info: raleighnc.gov/parks/services/holiday-express
Theatre in the Park’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
Ira David Wood III’s “A Christmas Carol” celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. This year, you can watch the show at the Martin Marietta Center for The Performing Arts in Raleigh or at DPAC in Durham. Tickets start at $40. When: Dec. 5-7 at Martin Marietta Center and Dec. 10-14 at DPAC Info: theatreinthepark.com
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
This is Koka Booth Amphitheatre’s 10th anniversary of the lantern festival. You can purchase a ticket for any night, a Twilight Ticket experience or an Evening Session ticket. There are also date-specific tickets and a sensory friendly night, which will be Tuesday, Dec. 2. There are four Chinese traditional stage performances each night starting at 5:30 p.m. (weather permitting, and holidays have different schedules). When: Nov. 15-Jan. 11, minus Christmas Day Where: 8003 Regency Pkwy in Cary Info: boothamphitheatre.com
Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Ten properties in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood open their doors to visitors during the Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour. Tickets are $40 each and discounted for groups. This is a rain or shine event. When: Dec. 13 and 14, 1-7 p.m. each day Where: The Tucker House, 418 N. Person St. in Raleigh Info: historicoakwood.org
Holiday tour of the Governor’s Mansion
The state’s Executive Mansion will open its doors again for the annual Holiday Open House. Admission is free, and there are no reservations. When: Dec. 11-13 Where: 200 N Blount St. in Raleigh Info: dncr.nc.gov
North Carolina Symphony
The NC Symphony plays at the 1,700-seat Meymandi Concert Hall, located at 2 E. South St. in Raleigh. Info & tickets: ncsymphony.org/concerts-events.
- Cirque Holiday Pops: Contortionists and acrobats will perform 40 feet above the Symphony. Five shows will be performed between Nov. 26-29.
- Handel’s Messiah: This performance will include the Hallelujah Chorus. Three shows will be performed between Dec. 5-7 in Raleigh and Chapel Hill.
- Holiday Pops: Holiday classics brought to life. Four shows will be performed Dec. 12-13, and the 3 p.m. show on Dec. 13 will be ugly sweater-themed.
- A Candlelight Christmas: This candlelight-illumined show features a full orchestra and children’s choir. Five shows will be performed Dec. 19-22.
Santas of Color in Raleigh & Durham
Santas Just Like Me has been providing Santas of color across North Carolina since 2013. Here’s where you can visit with a Black, brown or interracial Santa in the Triangle this year. Make an appointment at santasjustlikeme.com/book-now. Some events allow walk-ins for no cost. Santas can be found this year at:
- Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Durham
- The Pope House, located at 511 S. Wilmington St. in Raleigh
- Top Green Community Center, 401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Raleigh
Santa mall photos
You can also visit local malls and some big box stores to see Santa (sometimes with your pets) and buy photos:
- Raleigh’s Crabtree Valley Mall: Until Wednesday, Dec. 24. Pet day events are Mondays through Dec. 8. Reservations are strongly encouraged and require a $20 deposit at the time of booking, which includes a credit toward the purchase of your photos and/or digital downloads. Info: shopcrabtree.com/events
- Durham’s The Streets at Southpoint Mall: Until Wednesday, Dec. 24. Southpoint offers visits and photos with Santa, along with pet photos (Mondays and Tuesdays through Dec. 16) and a sensory friendly visit day (Sunday, Dec. 7). Reservations are strongly encouraged, though walk-ins are accepted. Visit packages range from about $20 to $50, which is due at the time of booking. Info: streetsatsouthpoint.com
- Raleigh’s North Hills: Through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Reservations are strongly encouraged ($20 which goes toward photo purchases). Photo products range from about $5 to $46. Info: visitnorthhills.com
- Raleigh’s Triangle Town Center: Santa visits are free. Info: triangletowncenter.com
- Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s (+ free photos): Visits come with a “free 4x6 photo with Santa” and “a free shareable video.” Photo packages with more prints begin at $20. There’s a Bass Pro Shops in Cary, a Cabela’s in Garner and another Bass Pro Shops in Concord. Info: basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland
A Christmas Carol by Center Theater Company
There are over 50 multi-generational Triangle community members in the production. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. When: Dec. 5-21 Where: Center Theater, 300-G E Main St. in Carrboro Info: centertheatercompany.com
Carolina Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
The Nutcracker is performed at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, and tickets start around $40. The NC Symphony will join Dec. 19-21 performances. When: Dec. 11-24 Where: 2 E. South St., Raleigh Info: carolinaballet.com/the-nutcracker
‘Cinderella’ by the Raleigh Little Theatre
The musical comedy is a holiday tradition here and is appropriate for all ages. Showtime is approximately 90 minutes without an intermission. Tickets are $36-40 for adults and $33-$37 for children (ages 12 and under). When: Dec. 5-21, Fridays through Sundays Where: Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, 301 Pogue St. in Raleigh Info: raleighlittletheatre.org
Triangle Treasure Hunt: Holiday Edition
Follow holiday-themed clues to find the treasure chest. The hunt involves walking a distance of up to two miles and is a rain or shine event. Tickets start at $15. When: Dec. 6-20 (weekends only) Where: Raleigh, Mebane and Wendell locations Info: triangletreasurehunt.com
Holidays in the Park at the Durham’s Museum of Life & Science
The museum lights up the park for select evenings in December, letting you stroll through indoor and outdoor spaces under twinkling holiday lights. You can also take an “illuminating train ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway, passing colorful light displays along the way.” Tickets start at $18. When: Dec. 3-31 on select nights Where: Museum of Life & Science, 433 W. Murray Ave. in Durham Info: lifeandscience.org/explore
Ice skating
- Fenton’s Skate the Square: Reservations include skate rental and 75 minutes of ice time. General sale tickets at $18 (Mondays are $15). When: Nov. 7 to Feb. 8 Where: 21 Fenton Main St. in Cary Info: fentonnc.com/event
- The Rink at Red Hat: Tickets for two-hour skate sessions are $15 and include skate rentals. A sensory-friendly session will be held Sunday, Jan. 19. When: Nov. 22-Jan. 4 Where: 500 South McDowell St. Raleigh Info: redhatamphitheater.com/the-rink
First Night Raleigh
Every New Year’s Eve in Raleigh, the downtown scene explodes with art installations, carnival rides and main-stage live music to ring in the new year, counting down to the beloved Acorn Drop at midnight. Where: Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh (the main stage is at City Plaza, 443 Fayetteville St.) Info: artsplosure.org/events
This story was originally published November 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
