Enjoy the magic of the holidays in Chapel Hill with our comprehensive event guide. Whether you're a native or a newcomer, our guide is your key to Chapel Hill's holiday magic.
Popular this season is the enchanting Christmas at Biltmore, where the historic estate comes alive with stunning decorations and festive spirit. This event is perfect for those who enjoy a beautifully transformed setting steeped in holiday charm. There's also the vibrant Christmas Town USA, known for its breathtaking light displays and immersive experiences. And don't forget The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a contemporary twist on the classic tale that blends dance with holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chapel Hill
- Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville)
- Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Durham)
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker (Durham)
- Holiday Pops (Various)
- Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet (Durham)
- A Christmas Carol - Theatre in the Park (Durham)
- Chapel Hill-Holiday Parade
- Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza (Durham)
See these and even more events listed below!
Chapel Hill Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Town USA
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with historical significance.
Description:
Christmas Town USA in McAdenville transforms into a vibrant holiday display each December, featuring over half a million lights and festive decorations.
Where: McAdenville | More Info: Christmas Town USA
Christmas at Biltmore
What to Expect:
Step back in time to the very first Christmas at Biltmore House in 1895.
Description:
Christmas at Biltmore features beautifully decorated Biltmore House and estate, including fragrant wreaths, glittering garland, and thousands of ornaments. The event includes a thrilling Chihuly exhibition and offers a free next-day grounds access with select ticket options. The evening is filled with the scent of fresh pine, the sound of crackling fireplaces, and a feeling of childlike wonder.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Christmas at Biltmore
Chapel Hill Holiday Markets and Shopping
Westend Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Holiday market with local vendors and a biergarten.
Description:
The Westend Holiday Bazaar is a holiday market featuring local vendors selling gifts and seasonal items, accompanied by a biergarten and opportunities to collect points through the Winter Wanderland mobile pass.
Where: Chapel Hill | More Info: Westend Holiday Bazaar
Chapel Hill Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Light up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Diverse parade entries with a "Winter Wonderland" theme.
Description:
The Light Up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade is a vibrant celebration featuring dignitaries, marching bands, local businesses, cheerleaders, dance troupes, classic cars, floats, and Santa Claus. It takes place in downtown Hillsborough, showcasing a "Winter Wonderland" theme.
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Light up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade
Christmas by Candlelight - Duke Homestead
What to Expect:
Historic candlelit walkthrough of a 19th-century North Carolina Christmas.
Description:
Immerse yourself in a 19th-century North Carolina Christmas at Duke Homestead. Enjoy live music, dancing, singing, and holiday cookies as costumed interpreters bring the Duke family home to life. Follow a candlelit walkthrough of the historic area to experience a bygone era.
Where: Durham | More Info: Christmas by Candlelight - Duke Homestead
Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza
What to Expect:
Live music and performances with a special tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Downtown Durham Holiday Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza features live music and performances, a holiday market, and a special visit from Strolling Santa. The event includes a variety of activities such as Empower Dance, Choral Society of Durham, Takiri Folclor Latino, and Batalá Durham, culminating in the tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Elaine O'Neal and a poem by Durham Poet Laureate DJ Rogers. Urban Ministries of Durham will also host a food drive during the event.
Where: Durham | More Info: Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Innovative digital graffiti and visuals blend hip-hop dance with classical music.
Description:
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle that re-mixes and re-imagines the classic Nutcracker story with hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky's timeless music. Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this event features a powerhouse cast of all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow. It transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann's beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to vibrant, diverse contemporary New York City.
Where: Durham | More Info: The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
What to Expect:
Heart-warming holiday tale with iconic Dr. Seuss characters.
Description:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a heart-warming holiday classic featuring hit songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." The Grinch, narrated by Max the Dog, discovers there's more to Christmas than he bargained for as he tries to steal it away from the endlessly cheerful Whos.
Where: Durham | More Info: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
A Christmas Carol - Theatre in the Park
What to Expect:
Joyous musical comedy adaptation of a holiday classic.
Description:
Ira David Wood III's musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, celebrating over 50 years, brings the tale of Scrooge to life with great songs and tremendous heart, preserving the poignant heart of the original while turning it into a joyous musical comedy.
Where: Durham | More Info: A Christmas Carol - Theatre in the Park
Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet features an extraordinary international cast, including Ukrainian Principal Artists, performing classical European ballet with jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets, and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes.
Where: Durham | More Info: Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
What to Expect:
World-renowned jazz orchestra performing original holiday arrangements.
Description:
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis presents Big Band Holidays, an annual tradition featuring original arrangements of seasonal favorites. Guest vocalist Ashley Pezzotti joins the ensemble in this uplifting celebration of the holiday season.
Where: Chapel Hill | More Info: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday concert with Santa and festive music.
Description:
The Boston Pops' Holiday Pops concert features Keith Lockhart leading the orchestra in festive and family-friendly performances, including traditional holiday music, a sing-along, and a visit from Santa Claus. The event includes special kids' matinees and a sensory-friendly concert.
Where: Various | More Info: Holiday Pops
Chapel Hill Other Holiday Activities
Chapel Hill-Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Non-vehicular parade featuring foot, bike, and scooter traffic.
Description:
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is a festive and inclusive event celebrating the winter holiday season. Arts, cultural, and community groups parade down Franklin Street, showcasing diverse cultural and community traditions.
Where: Chapel Hill | More Info: Chapel Hill-Holiday Parade
Christmas Candlelight Tour Program - Bennett Place Historic Site
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of Civil War-era Christmas traditions.
Description:
At the Bennett Place Historic Site, the Christmas Candlelight Tour offers a glimpse into how soldiers observed Christmas during the Civil War. Guided tours led by costumed interpreters take visitors through the historic homestead, showcasing 18th-century Christmas practices. The event includes cooking demonstrations and a military truce gift exchange, providing a poignant and educational experience.
Where: Durham | More Info: Christmas Candlelight Tour Program - Bennett Place Historic Site
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Carrboro (1 miles)
- Durham (10 miles)
- Morrisville (14 miles)
- Apex (17 miles)
- Cary (18 miles)
- Holly Springs (22 miles)
- West Raleigh (24 miles)
- Burlington (25 miles)
- Raleigh (25 miles)
- Fuquay-Varina (27 miles)
- Garner (28 miles)
- Sanford (31 miles)
- Wake Forest (31 miles)
- Greensboro (43 miles)
- Asheboro (45 miles)