How to Enjoy the Holiday Season at North Hills (Festive Events, Shopping, & eats)

Forget the North Pole, the North Hills is where it’s at when you want to soak up the holiday spirit in Raleigh. This vibrant neighborhood is a one-stop destination for everything festive; from holiday markets to family-friendly events, pop-up shopping spots, and a lineup of local dining options that make it the perfect place to spend your holiday season.

The North Hills District has all you need for a magical season! It’s one of our favorite areas in Raleigh to eat and play, and in this guide, we share all the seasonal events, best places to shop, and Holiday deals for 2025. Leave a comment to let us know what you’re most looking forward to, or if we’ve left anything off the list?

The Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

There’s no better way to start the holiday season in North Hills than with their annual tree lighting event on Saturday, November 22nd from 4pm – 7pm. Gather around their gorgeous 41-foot tree that takes center stage in the North Hills Commons.

This year is the 21st anniversary tree lighting event and will feature a similar theme to previous years. As always, there’s a place for kids’ crafts and activities, face painting, food trucks, a vendor village and live entertainment. Not to mention the 41-foot Christmas Tree being lit up for the Holiday season. But wait, before you claim your spot in front of the tree for the lighting, arrive a few hours early to participate in all the other festive fun, such as…

Holiday Shop & Stroll

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season while you enjoy a leisurely stroll around North Hills and shop for everyone on your list. Their special Shop and Stroll event is on from 12pm – 4pm on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025.

Spend $150 and receive a FREE $25 North Hills Gift Card – one per person, while supplies last. Why not choose one of the yummy new restaurants below for a lunch break!

The North Hills Santa Experience

If you’re bringing the kids along for some Christmas shopping, why not pop in and get your photo taken with Santa? Santa will be waiting to meet all the Raleigh children in his festive new festive home in the Lassiter District (in the former lululemon space) from Friday 21st November until December 24th.

As with all Santa sightings in Raleigh, expect queues, or avoid disappointment and book your visit online. A $20 deposit goes towards a photo, but you can also walk in. On some nights, you can also bring your fur babies. Check the website for times though, as this is only on selected days.

North Hills Holiday Market

Don’t miss the Holiday Market on November 22nd, 2025. This market is a special event filled with seasonal vendors, unique gift options, and local finds that make holiday shopping a joy.

We loved the North Hills holiday experience last year. It has a real magical quality about it, especially with the holiday markets and live music in the common outside of Restoration Hardware. The fairy lights and stunning purple sunset add to the magic. So did the delicious seasonal cocktail we had at True Foods (some of our favorite cocktails in the city).

Plus, the Holiday Market Day aligns with North Hills’ annual Holiday Shop & Stroll and Tree Lighting, which will make the whole area glow with festive lights and community cheer.

The Winter Market

From November 8th to April 4th, the Winter Market will be in full swing at North Hills. Think of it as a mini, cozy, holiday-spirited version of the Midtown Farmers’ Market, complete with fresh seasonal produce, meat, prepared foods, baked goods and more. You can also bring along your food scraps for composting!

Retailers Ready for the Season

Just in time for the holidays, several amazing stores have opened at North Hills giving you even more reasons to explore. Pop into Alo Yoga for classic, stylish activewear, signature apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products, and EVEREVE for the refined and elevated fashionista in your life. Altar’d State has just opened in time for your holiday shopping much to the delight of fashion-conscious young women. Both our girls love it!

johnnie-O’s is new to North Hills for this holiday season – you’ll find perfect outfits here for the sports loving man in your life. Other men’s clothing stores to purchase holiday gifts from include Peter Millar, Liles Clothing Studio, Tecovas, and Bonobos.

For children’s Christmas gifts head to Lamb’s Ears, Pink Chicken, and Learning Express Gifts. Quail Ridge Books, and REI have gifts for all ages! Paper Source, Paper Buzz, La Maison, and Qunitessentials have homeware, gifts, stocking stuffers, and Christmas decorations.

And of course, pick up your holiday meal supplies from Harris Teeter, Total Wine, or Foxcroft Food & Wine Co. See the full North Hills shopping directory here.

If your loved ones are in need of a bit of self-care (I guess that means’ everyone on your Christmas list) A gift card to Woodhouse Spa could be their best gift ever. That way they can choose the self-care treatment the want. Woodhouse Spa will offer a special gift to go along with the gift cards starting Black Friday – we will be sharing that on our Instagram and Facebook – and will update this post also! Subscribe to our email so you don’t miss it! 👇

New Restaurants in North Hills

Good Graces

With all that shopping, you’re going to need some fuel! Luckily, North Hills has you covered with a fresh lineup of eateries. We’ve always loved eating at North Hills, but we’ve been blown away by the restaurants that opened up in 2025. North Hills is leading the Raleigh charge for that coveted “Foodie City” accolade.

Good Graces is the new glamorous spot for brunch, coffee, lunch, light bites and cocktails! Foxcroft Food & Wine is perfect for holiday wine tasting gatherings, Village Tavern for brunch and heated patio dining, Sweet Greens will fuel you up with a healthy lunch in between shopping, and Tifa Chocolates and Gelato offer a more casual catchup with coffee that is worth returning for.

Dine elegantly at the RH Rooftop Restaurant, or savor organic, seed-oil-free dishes at True Food Kitchen, which also offers gluten-free options and expertly crafted cocktails. It’s no wonder True Food Kitchen has become a new favorite spot in Raleigh!

We still have our fingers crossed that this holiday season, you’ll be able to walk through the newly opened doors of Benchwarmers Bagels for fresh-milled, pre-fermented bagels baked in a wood-fired oven or grab a craft beer and elevated bar food from the North Hills location of Standard Beer + Food. (We’ll let you know when they open!) These dining spots in North Hills add even more flavor to the holiday shopping experience.

Support Local at Makers Alley

For those who love supporting local businesses, Makers Alley is a must-visit during the holiday season (or any season). From handmade crafts to unique local treasures, it’s the ideal place to find one-of-a-kind gifts.

We’re big fans of the vibrant plants from Green Rabbit Plants that add life to any space; and the luxurious, sweet-smelling candles from Ky’s Candles. Men will love the new Unlikely Professionals, designed for the edgy hipsters opened in the new Innovation District! There’s even a small bar here for your female partners to enjoy a drink while you shop 😜 Oh okay then, you can sit with them too!

You might even want to join one of Ky’s special candle-making classes, often set up with a date-night feel or paired with treats like champagne or s’mores.

Special Holiday Events for Families

Quail Ridge Books / Flower Power Kids Cooking

North Hills has an amazing lineup of kid-friendly events that capture the holiday spirit. Don’t miss these festive gatherings:

• Holiday Kick Off Storytime at Quail Ridge Books on November 22nd at 10:30 a.m. Come dressed in your best holiday sweaters for an event featuring treats, activities, decorations and a special heartwarming story time with Adam Rex that will set the tone for the season
• Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio is hosting a series of holiday events including Holiday Traditions, where you can learn to make gingerbread men, Cookie Jar, where you can learn to make Christmas cookies, and Santa’s Workshop. Check their calendar for all the dates and let the kids get hands-on with some holiday treats and crafts. Our youngest has done a cooking class here before and loved it. It’s a fun thing to do with kids in North Hills.
• Sur LA Table has a wide range of holiday cooking classes for friends, couples, and families including their Kids 5-day holiday baking series and festive bread workshop
• On November 29th, visit Quintessentials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where Santa will be making an appearance. Snap a photo, share your Christmas wishes, and enjoy this classic holiday experience in the heart of North Hills.

Whether you’re shopping for loved ones, spending quality time with family, or just indulging in the holiday spirit, North Hills has everything you need for a festive season to remember. See you there for all the holiday fun!🎄

Looking for a place to stay in North Hills? Consider the Renaissance Raleigh Hotel (<- click for review)