Experience the festive fun with the Burlington community! Explore all the events in our holiday guide. Whether you're a Burlington veteran or a rookie, this guide helps you navigate the holiday hustle and bustle.
One highlight of the season is WinterFest at Carowinds, where thrilling rides meet enchanting holiday decorations, creating a unique experience for visitors. Adding to the charm of the season, Speedway Christmas transforms the speedway into a dazzling display of lights and festive scenes. And the Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring breathtaking light installations set against the stunning backdrop of nature. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Burlington
- WinterFest at Carowinds (Charlotte)
- Speedway Christmas (Concord)
- Polar Express Train Ride (Spencer)
- Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum (Asheville)
- Boone Christmas Celebration (Boone)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
- Greenville Holiday Fest (Greenville)
- Kersey Valley Christmas (Archdale)
- Community Holiday Light Show (Various)
See these and even more events listed below!
Burlington Holiday Light Displays
Speedway Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic speedway course.
Description:
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway features over five million lights along a four-mile course, including the legendary oval and infield road course. The show is open from 6 to 10 p.m., rain or shine, with synchronized lights and music on 101.3 FM. It also includes drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night until Christmas.
Where: Concord | More Info: Speedway Christmas
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
What to Expect:
Over one million lights in a festive garden setting.
Description:
The North Carolina Arboretum's Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show featuring over one million lights, including a 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden. This event supports the arboretum's mission-driven programming and is a significant annual fundraiser.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
WinterFest at Carowinds
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday event with extensive light displays and festive activities.
Description:
Carowinds WinterFest offers a holiday celebration with millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, and holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: WinterFest at Carowinds
Tweetsie Christmas
What to Expect:
Historic steam locomotive train ride through dazzling Christmas lights.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Tweetsie Railroad with a 20-minute nighttime train ride through over 1 million Christmas lights, a heartwarming live Christmas variety show, kid-friendly amusement rides, and meetings with Santa in his Gingerbread House.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
Community Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Unique community-created light displays benefiting local nonprofits.
Description:
The Community Holiday Light Show in Danville, VA, features elaborate Christmas light displays created by various groups, including churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Each display is unique and showcases creative use of materials like cardboard, wood, and animatronics. The event benefits participating nonprofits through a Best in Show vote.
Where: Various | More Info: Community Holiday Light Show
Burlington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Greenville Holiday Fest
What to Expect:
Combines a traditional holiday market with European-inspired festivities.
Description:
The Greenville Holiday Fest is a comprehensive holiday event featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, and various activities like the Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, and holiday movie nights. Local artisans and crafters are showcased alongside purveyors of gifts for everyone on the shopping list.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Greenville Holiday Fest
Burlington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with hot chocolate and cookies.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride at the North Carolina Transportation Museum features a holiday favorite inspired by the hit movie. Families enjoy a trip to the North Pole with hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of Chris Van Allsburg's classic. Passengers deboard to watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas and receive their own sleigh bell before exiting at Candy Cane Lane.
Where: Spencer | More Info: Polar Express Train Ride
Burlington Other Holiday Activities
Kersey Valley Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with diverse activities.
Description:
Kersey Valley Christmas offers a variety of activities including light displays, train rides, tractor rides, big slides, zip lining, bungee jumping, pedal racing, and fire pits. Visitors can also meet Santa and the Grinch amidst a festive environment.
Where: Archdale | More Info: Kersey Valley Christmas
Boone Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Free admission with live Winter Queen characters and Santa visits.
Description:
The Boone Hall Christmas Tree Festival offers a variety of Christmas activities for the whole family, including a Holiday Ferris Wheel, Christmas crafts and decorations, live music, and visits with Santa. Attendees can also browse fresh-cut trees and handmade wreaths, enjoy holiday treats, and take part in festive photo opportunities.
Where: Boone | More Info: Boone Christmas Celebration
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Greensboro (20 miles)
- Carrboro (24 miles)
- Chapel Hill (25 miles)
- Durham (31 miles)
- High Point (33 miles)
- Danville (34 miles)
- Asheboro (34 miles)
- Kernersville (36 miles)
- Thomasville (39 miles)
- Morrisville (39 miles)
- Apex (41 miles)
- Cary (42 miles)
- Sanford (45 miles)