The Best Events in Raleigh for December 2025: A Spirited guide

Ring the Bells. The Holiday Season is here! It’s a massive month for things to do in Raleigh in December. I have to tell you; this is the most stressed I’ve been putting together these monthly events post for you.

I nearly walked away because I was so overwhelmed with the number of events happening in Raleigh and how I could include all of them without overwhelming y’all too!

Make sure you are part of our email community, as each Monday I share a list of events for the coming week. We’ve split the December events into categories: Ongoing events and then split into weeks, as there are several holiday festivals recurring each dya or week. You can use the table of contents to help you navigate or just keep scrolling and read it all.

Here is another in-depth list of things to do in Raleigh for the Holidays and places to go shopping for Christmas gifts in Raleigh. and places to get your photo with Santa in the Triangle.

Ongoing Events in Raleigh for December

There are a lot of events ongoing for the entire month of December. Fit them in your calendar where you can and maybe plan a few other events around it.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival

• Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
• When: Nov 15, 2025 -Jan 11, 2026
  • Mon.-Sun., 6-10pm; performances: 7pm, 8pm and 9pm, nightly
• Cost: Start at $16.74
• Website: 

The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival has hundreds of larger-than-life lanterns and creatures on display creating an incredible, colorful adventure for you to walk through during the holiday season. Read our guide to the NC Chinese Lantern Festival. This year is absolutely incredible with its mythical creatures theme. I love the Magic Elephant, Butterfly Garden, and Fantasy Forest the best.

Illuminate Raleigh

• Where: Downtown Raleigh
• When: December 5 2025, until January 5, 2026 
• Cost: Free
• Website

A favorite Holiday event in Raleigh is the highly enjoyable Illuminate Art Walk. Parts of the Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South districts transform with large-scale, interactive and light-based art pieces that are unique and family friendly. This years featured art piece will be Trumpet Garden created by Amigo & Amigo, brought to life by Wireframe Public Art.

Grab yourself a coffee or hot chocolate, or thanks to Sip and Stroll maybe something a little stronger and enjoy the art displays on the streets and in storefront windows.

Ice Skating at Red Hat Amphitheater& Fenton

Enjoy the thrill of ice skating in a winter wonderland created in the heart of downtown Raleigh! THE RINK at Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown features a natural ice-skating rink with stunning views of the Raleigh skyline from Nov 22, 2025 – Jan 24, 2026, for $15 including rental. I find the skating here is better than Fentonn – as in better gliding experience. Read our full guide to the Rink ice skating in Raleigh.

We find the Square at Fenton a more magical skating experience and you have Santa photos in an Igloo! November 7, 2025 @ 8:00 am – February 8, 2026, and skating is $18 including rental.

Ride The Great Raleigh Trolley Holiday Tours

• Where: Tap Yard, Mordecai
• When: Nov 29, 2025 through December 300
• Cost: It’s as mysterious as Santa himself. No information given.
• Website (tickets on sale Nov 1 for newsletter subscribers/ Nov 4 general public)

Another hugely popular thing to do in Raleigh for Christmas is to enjoy a themed ride on the historical Great Raleigh Trolley.
This year there are five Holiday tour options to satisfy your Christmas cheer.

• The Santa Express is perfect for the younger kids with Santa visiting each child on the ride. (This one typically sells out in 24 hours)
• Moonshine & Mistletoe is a spirited party tour for adults!
• Ghost lovers will enjoy hearing the tales of Raleigh’s ghosts of Christmas past on the Christmas Sprits Ghost tour
• The Must-See Raleigh Holiday tour visits the most popular holiday sights throughout Downtown.
• There are also a private family holiday trolley rides available.

Holiday Lights in Raleigh

All month will be amazing holiday light displays in neighborhoods around Wake County. We have created a list of some of the best holiday light displays for you to enjoy.

Week 1: Dec 1 – 7, 2025

First Friday, Dec 5, 2025

First Friday is a great opportunity to support local art and businesses. Check out the rotating art on display in the downtown galleries and here are some other fun events happening. This month will be a special holiday themed First Friday. Read our guide to First Friday with more tips.

Cinderella 2025, Dec 5 – 21, 2025

• Where: Raleigh Little Theater
• Time:
  • Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm
  • Saturday & Sunday at 10:30am & 3pm
• Cost: $36 – $40
• Tickets

Another legendary Holiday event in Raleigh is the musical comedy, Cinderella. Expect singing, dancing and gorgeous costumes. Come experience the show that has enchanted Raleigh families for 40 years. Runtime is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. A special Storytime with Cinderella will be on dec 14 at 4:30pm.

Tract Show: The Nice List, Dec 5-7, 2025

• Where: Theatre Raleigh, 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh, NC 27616
• Time:
  • Dec 5; 7pm
  • Dec 6: 2pm & 7pm
  • Dec 7: 3pm
• Cost: $20 – $27
• Tickets

Theatre Raleigh ACT’s holiday show will be “The Nice List,” a new holiday musical for the whole family. When the North Pole’s nicest elf Gumdrop finds herself in charge of Santa’s titular Nice List, she must face her own naughty side to save the day. This new musical is timeless and timely story featuring a contemporary score, an irreverent sense of humor, and lots and lots of toys.

Theatre In The Park Presents A Christmas Carol, Dec 5 – 7, 2025

• Where & When: Martin Marietta Center for The Performing Arts
• Cost: $46+
• Tickets

Another of the hugely popular Christmas events in Raleigh is the comedy adaptation of the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. The show has been performed annually since 1974 and was named one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast.” Cited as “one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theatre history,” We were surprised by how much we enjoyed this performance; it was hilarious, which is why we recommend as one of the best things to do for Christmas in Raleigh! We’re doing it again this year with Craig’s parents visiting from Australia.

Downtown Cary Park Tree Lighting, Dec 6, 2025

• Where: Downtown Cary Park
• Time: 9am – 8pm
• Cost: Free
• Website

Kick off the holiday season with festive cheer at Downtown Cary Park, one of my favorite tree lighting celebrations in the Triangle. The day starts with the Cary Farmers Market, photos with Santa and then moves into fun activities all day – including a snowball fight – with a holiday market, food trucks, and community performances. I love the illuminated art installations throughout the park and lining the downtown Cary streets as well as the miniature Christmas trees decorated by local businesses in Academy St The official tree lighting happens at 6pm.

See more Christmas tree lighting celebrations in the Triangle

Joel Lane Christmas Open House, Dec 6, 2025

• Where: Joel Lane Museum House (160 S St. Mary’s Street)
• Time: 11:00am-3:00pm
• Cost: Free – no reservations needed
• Website

An annual opportunity to walk through the historic Joel Lane house – the oldest house in Raleigh – and talk to costumed re-enactors and volunteers. There will be kids’ crafts like tin punching, candle dipping, and doll making. Hot spiced wassail will be available for free while supplies last.

Cary Ballet’s Nutcracker, Dec 6, 2025

• Where: Fletcher Opera Theater at the Martin Marietta Center
• Time & Tickets  
  • Nutcracker Suite – (1-hour narrated matinee, perfect for families) – 11AM 
  • Traditional, Full-Length Nutcracker: 1:30PM & 5:30PM
  • Diamond Reception: 4pm

As the holiday season descends upon Raleigh, a flurry of festive events fills the calendar. But there’s one tradition that truly captures the spirit of the season: The Nutcracker, performed by the talented dancers of Cary Ballet Company. This enchanting ballet transports audiences into a world of magic, snowflakes, and sweet treats—a perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends!

Read more in our guide to the Cary Ballet’s Nutcracker Performance

Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market, Dec 6, 2025

• Address: Raleigh Iron Works, 1101 E Whitaker Mill Rd
• Dates: Saturday 6th December
• Times: 11:00am – 5:00pm
• Website

Want to honor Raleigh’s small businesses? Come down and support them at the Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market! Grab yourself a cup of locally made drinks and shop for gifts from shops who are owned and run by members of the Raleigh community. There will also be food trucks, kids crafting stations, face painting, and pictures with Santa. You can also listen to the Carolina Harmony Chorus from 4:15pm – 4:45pm. Admission is free. Our favorite holiday store, Beth’s Christmas will be there!

MAKRS Holiday Fest, Dec 6, 2025

• Where: City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh
• Time: 11am – 6pm
• Website

We will have 200+ vendors, food trucks, alcohol and beverages, live music, fun activities for families and more.

Discover more Christmas markets and holiday pop ups in Raleigh this year.

Boylan Heights Art Walk, Dec 7, 2025

• Where:Boylan Heights Neighborhood
• Time: 12pm – 5pm
• Cost: Free
• Website

We really love this small, local event in the neighborhood streets of Boylan Heights – one of the neighborhoods we’d most love to live in Raleigh. Many of the home’s front porches and lawns are given to local artists to showcase and sell their work. It’s where I found my favorite local artist, Amy Friend, and her red thread drawings

It’s a wonderful way to support local artists and feel the community vibe of Raleigh. It’s also the prefect opportunity to grab a local coffee, meal, or drink from this area.

Christmas Parades, Dec 6 & 7, 2025

• Apex Rotary Christmas Parade on Dec 6, 2025, Christmas carols, a marching parade, shopping and food vendors and a visit from Santa in the charming downtown Apex. The parade starts at 5:00pm.
• Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade with over 80 floats is on Dec 7, 2025, and starts at 4pm.

Handmade Hanukkah Market, Dec 7, 2025

• Where: Temple Beth Or
• Time: 11am – 3pm
• Cost: Free
• Website

Jewish artisans will be selling their work including jewelry, baked goods, pottery, textiles, woodwork and more. Shop local and support your community while finding great gifts for your loved ones!

Sporting Events & Concerts this week

• Lenovo Center
  • Dec 4: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Dec 6: North Carolina State Wolfpack Mens Basketball vs. UNC Asheville Bulldogs
  • Dec 6: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators
  • Dec 7: Carolina Hurricanes vs. San Jose Sharks
• DPAC
  • `Dec 2 – 7: The Outsiders (Touring)
• Martin Marietta Center
  • Dec 5 – 7: North Carolina Symphony – Handel’s Messiah

Week 2: Dec 8 – 14, 2025

State Capitol Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House. Dec 11, 2025

• Where: State Capitol Building
• Time: 5:30pm with official start at 6:15pm
• Cost: Free
• Website

Join the State Capitol and Gov. Josh Stein for the annual tree-lighting tradition. The festivities will begin on Capitol Square at 5:30pm with luminaries and holiday music performed by the Raleigh Concert Band. The governor and dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds at 6:15 p.m. to officially begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street – and even Santa is scheduled to make an appearance! After the ceremony, feel free to come into the Capitol to experience its holiday decorations. We really enjoyed this tree lighting last year – it was quite dignified and sweet.

Theatre In The Park Presents A Christmas Carol, Dec 10 – 14, 2025

• Where & When: DPAC
• Cost: $46+
• Tickets

Appearing again in December is Theatre in the Park’s A Christmas Carol! This week it will be at the Durham Performing Arts Center, so if you missed it last week in Raleigh, you get a second chance.

2025 Executive Mansion Holiday Open House, Dec 11 -13, 2025

• Where: Executive Mansion
• Time:
  • December 11th: 5PM to 9PM
  • December 12th: 10AM to 5PM
  • December 13th: 10AM to 5PM
• Cost: Free
• Website

Celebrate the holiday season with beautiful decorations and festive music from performing groups across North Carolina. No reservations are required or accepted; guests will be admitted in the order of arrival. We loved seeing the Executive Mansion adorned beautifully with holiday decorations last year. Governor Roy Cooper was even there for a little bit having photos with visitors. We intend to visit again this year.

The Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Dec 11 – 24, 2025

• Where: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
• When: Various
• Cost: $40+
• Tickets

Another holiday tradition for Raleigh is the Carolina Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker. It’s the only production in the country that uses illusions created by renowned magician Rick Thomas, The Nutcracker will make characters levitate, disappear and reappear before your eyes.

Rock out with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Dec 11, 2025

• Where: Lenovo Center
• When: 7pm
• Cost: $59+
• Tickets

Trans-Siberian Orchestra and their Ghosts of Christmas Eve show is a staple of the Christmas Season. Every year this progressive rock orchestra brings the holiday spirit all across North America.

30th Annual Jingle Ball Gala, Dec 12, 2025

• Where: Marbles Kids Museum
• Time: 7-10:30 p.m.
• Cost: $160
• Tickets

Jingle Ball is one of Raleigh’s largest social events of the season. Look forward to a night of unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails, live music, dueling pianos, DJs, raffles, and food to raise money to buy children Christmas presents. We attended last year and had a blast! It’s a huge event for a great cause. Even better? This year it’s on a Friday night.

Marbles Gingerbuild Houses & Hops, Dec 12, 2025

• Where: Marbles Museum
• Time: 7-9:30pm
• Cost: $25 (event is being sold by tables of 2-6 people each.)
• Website

Marbles is clever enough to understand adults love creating gingerbread houses too – but sans kids! This 21+ event is for a festive outing with friends or lovers. You can decorate your own edible gingerbread house with a few drinks (for purchase)

2025 NCAA DI Men’s College Cup Semi Finals, Dec 12, 2025

• Where: WakeMed Soccer Park
• Time: 5pm
• Cost: $44.90
• Tickets

Time to cheer on the men’s college cup soccer teams in the semifinals. Teams competing will be Washington vs Furman (6pm) and NC State vs Saint Louis (8:30pm) GO PACK!

Christmas Parades, Dec 13, 2025

• Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade in Downtown Holly Springs with floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, marching groups. Parade kicks off at 10:00am.
• Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade The parade is a joyful celebration which includes bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches. After head to Downtown Cary Park for their Parade to Park Festivities’ where it will transform into a vibrant hub of merriment and delight! The parade is from 2:00pm – 4:00pm..

Holiday Open House at Mordecai Historic Park, Dec 13 & 14, 2025

• Where: Mordecai Historic Park
• When:
  • Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 3p.m.
    Sunday, Dec. 14, 1pm. – 4 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Website

Celebrate the holidays at the Holiday Open House and see how the home would have been decorated for the holidays in years past. Enjoy crafts, live music, and more throughout the park! On Saturday the Merry and Bright: A North Pole Market from 10am -3pm will be one where you can do some holiday shopping and meet some holiday characters! On Sunday, there’ll be live music by Triangle Shape Note. See our review of the Mordecai guided tour.

Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour®, Dec 13 & 14, 2025

• Where: Historic Oakwood
• When: 1am – 7pm
• Cost: $43
• Tickets

A wonderful thing to do in December in Raleigh is the Historic Oakwood annual Candlelight Tour. It was created in 1972 in an effort to save the neighborhood from being torn down for new development.

This year 10 Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman architectural style properties open their doors to visitors to see their stunning interior designs and elaborate Christmas decorations, as well as learning more about the history behind each house. Advance registration required, the Saturday tours are sold out.

You need at least 3-hours to visit every home. Start (or end) with a drink at Pelagic Beer and Wine on North Person St, one of the coolest neighborhood watering holes in Raleigh, or enjoy a fancy meal at Crawford and Sons after. Here are more things to do on N Person St.

READ MORE: Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour and you can see our IG Reel for 2021’s event here.

Hannukah Menorah Lighting, Dec 14 – 16, 2025

• Dec 16 @ 5:30pm The Town of Cary Downtown Cary Park will Illuminate the night as we come together for the Menorah Lighting on the 3rd night of Hanukkah. Enjoy an activity for kids, holiday music, a sweet treat and the lighting of the menorah. Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah (December 14 – December 22), the menorah at Cary Arts Center will be lit each evening.
• December 14 @ Lafayette Village will have a menorah lighting. 3:30pm
• Dec. 26: Menorah Lighting at Crabtree Mall at 4:30pm with donuts, singing and more.

Raleigh Ringers Concert, Dec 14 & 15, 2025

• Where: Meymandi Concert Hall
• Time: 4pm (14) 7:30pm (15)
• Cost: $13+
• Tickets

This annual Holiday concert features the group’s unique interpretations of sacred, secular, and popular music, including a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Marbles Gingerbread Jamboree, Dec 13 & 14, 2025

• Where: Marbles Museum
• Time: 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm
• Cost: $18 – $20
• Website

No More Gingerbread House Mess. You can make it of course; you just don’t have to clean it up. Leave that to Marbles with their special event allowing you to create sweet Gingerbread house masterpieces at their kid’s museum. So, grab your friends with kids and head down together.

Sporting Events & Concerts this week

• Lenovo Center
  • Dec 9: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Dec 10: North Carolina State Wolfpack Mens Basketball vs. Liberty University Flames
  • Dec 13: North Carolina State Wolfpack Mens Basketball vs. Kansas Jayhawks
  • Dec 14: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers
• Martin Marietta Center
  • Dec 9: North Carolina Master Chorale presents Joy of the Season 
  • Dec 12 & 13: North Carolina Symphony – Holiday Pops
  • Dec 13: North Carolina Symphony – Ugly Sweater Holiday Pops

Week 3: Dec 15 – 21, 2025

2025 NCAA DI Men’s College Cup Finals, Dec 15, 2025

• Where: WakeMed Soccer Park
• Time: 8pm
• Cost: $31.65+
• Tickets

Time to cheer on the men’s college cup soccer teams in the finals. We’re still waiting to see who is in the finals. It will be a fun event regardless!

Cary Ballet’s Nutcracker, Dec 18 -21, 2025

• Where: Cary Arts Center
• Nutcracker Suite:
  • Thurs 12/18 at 6PM
  • Sat 12/20 at 11AM
• Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Suite – Fri 12/19 at 11AM
• VIP Photo Op – after the Suite (Thurs & Sat only). $10 add-on ticket includes photo with Clara, Nutcracker, Sugarplum & Cavalier, plus one sweet treat per group.
• Traditional, Full-Length Nutcracker
  • Fri 12/19 at 7PM
  • Sat 12/20 at 2PM & 7PM
  • Sun 12/21 at 1:30PM & 5:30PM

In case you missed it at the Martin Marietta Center, you have multiple shows of the Cary Ballet’s Nutcracker to see at the Cary Arts Center in Downtown Cary. Don’t miss the special Nutcracker Tea with Cary Ballet Company on Dec 14 @ 2PM–3:30PM. Experience story time, sweet treats, cocoa/tea, and a chance to meet the dancers. (see more below)
*Tickets $25 – available starting Sun, 11/30 through Town of Cary

Read more in our guide to the Cary Ballet’s Nutcracker Performance

Sporting Events & Concerts this week

• Lenovo Center
  • Dec 17: North Carolina State Wolfpack Mens Basketball vs. Texas Southern Tigers
  • Dec 17 – 21: Disney On Ice presents Jump In!
• DPAC
  • Dec 17 – 21: Water for Elephants (Touring)
• martin Marietta Center:
  • Dec 19 – 21 & 23: North Carolina Symphony – A Candlelight Christmas

Week 4: Dec 22 – 31, 2025

Happy Kwanza, Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas for all those who celebrate! And if you don’t may you have a lovely day whatever you choose to do! We’ll be having a quiet day together at home. We usually choose a movie from our GEN X upbringing to show the girls. We haven’t decided for this year. Leave your suggestions in the comments below!

And of course, Happy New Year! May your 2025 be prosperous and full of peace and joy. My favorite blessing for you, which comes from the Māori people of the now country, New Zealand:

May the rays of sunshine forever dance along your pathways.

The Motown Sound of Christmas, Dec 27 – 28, 2025

• Where: Cary Arts Center
• Time: 7:30 pm (+2pm on Sat)
• Cost: $30 – $35
• Tickets

Enjoy a unique holiday experience full of soul and joy, wrapped up with a message of love with a Motown music celebration. We saw a Motown Christmas Show on our vacation in Myrtle Beach last year and it was fun!

Kwanzaa Celebration, Dec 29, 2025

• Where: Cary Arts Center
• Time: 1:30pm – 6pm
• Cost: Free
• Website

Kwanzaa is a communal, cultural celebration that honors African American people and their heritage. This year’s program, curated by Darrell Stover, will feature the best the Triangle has to offer in traditional Kwanzaa performers and presenters that embrace African culture through dance, drumming, storytelling, and the visual arts.  It will highlight how scholarship and performance intertwine cultural traditions.  

First Night Raleigh, Dec 31, 2022

• Where: Fayetteville St
• Website: FirstNightRaleigh.com

First Night Raleigh, in downtown Raleigh, is North Carolina’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration! Festivities begin with the early afternoon City Plaza outdoor musical performances and the Children’s Celebration at 2pm. We usually leave after the 9pm fireworks as it gets too cold for us to wait until midnight.

The night is capped off with music on the outdoor Main Stage, the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop, and spectacular fireworks show. See other things to do for New Years in Raleigh

Sporting Events & Concerts this week

• Lenovo Center
  • Dec 23: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
  • Dec 27: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings
  • Dec 29: Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers
  • Dec 30: North Carolina State Wolfpack Mens Basketball vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
• Martin Marietta Center
  • Dec 22 & 23: Clara’s Trip Full Show: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story
• DPAC
  • Dec 28- Jan 11: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Touring)
• Dec 23: The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard, Christmas Show, The Rialto

Raleigh accommodation

Traveling to Raleigh for a Christmas event and need accommodation? If you visit Raleigh from out of town for any December events, here are our recommendations for accommodation in Downtown Raleigh.

• Residence inn Downtown Raleigh – fantastic location and big suites
• StateView Hotel – hidden away in a forest on NC State’s Campus
• Casso Hotel Raleigh – a unique boutique hotel stay in Downtown RAleigh
• Sheraton Raleigh – ideal location downtown.
• Check out 10 of our short-term rental favorites

You can also use the list view below to book directly.

If you are visiting from out of town and have a few extra days, here are some guides to help you plan out your days exploring Raleigh:

• 24 hour itinerary guide for Raleigh
• 48 hour itinerary guide for Raleigh NC
• 22 of our favorite downtown Raleigh restaurants
• 5 of the best rooftop bars in Raleigh

If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with your friends!

Comment: Let us know in the comments below what are you doing this December in Raleigh. Were there any fun celebrations or events we missed?