Prepare for a holiday adventure in Holly Springs! Our guide features all the top festive happenings. Whether you know Holly Springs like the back of your hand or are discovering it anew, our guide has the festive season covered.
Popular events include the Raleigh Christmas Parade, where you can enjoy a delightful procession featuring floats, music, and community spirit. Additionally, Speedway Christmas transforms the NASCAR speedway into a dazzling display of lights, creating a magical experience for all ages. And the WinterFest at Carowinds is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering winter-themed rides and seasonal entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Holly Springs
- Raleigh Christmas Parade (Raleigh)
- Speedway Christmas (Concord)
- WinterFest at Carowinds (Charlotte)
- Holiday Express at Pullen Park (Raleigh)
- North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Cary)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
- Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum (Asheville)
- Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)
- Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland (Durham)
- Moonlight in the Garden (Raleigh)
See these and even more events listed below!
Holly Springs Holiday Light Displays
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Spectacular lantern displays with interactive cultural performances.
Description:
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre features over 2,500 handcrafted lanterns and 15,000 LED lights in 50 distinct displays, including a 200-foot-long dragon. The festival showcases Chinese culture with nightly performances and interactive displays, offering a unique cultural experience.
Where: Cary | More Info: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Speedway Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic racing track.
Description:
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway features over five million lights along a four-mile course, including the legendary oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, with synchronized lights and music on 101.3 FM. Drive-in movies are also available on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night until Christmas.
Where: Concord | More Info: Speedway Christmas
WinterFest at Carowinds
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday event with festive light displays and family-friendly 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:
Holiday train ride with over 1 million 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
Lighting of Wake Forest
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with tree lighting and Santa's arrival.
Description:
The Lighting of Wake Forest is a festive holiday event featuring the lighting of the Christmas tree, Santa's arrival in a Wake Forest fire truck, children’s craft activities, local musical performances, and special guest appearances.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Lighting of Wake Forest
Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with sledding and train rides.
Description:
At Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland, stroll through the concourse to view large-scale light installations, chat with Santa, and enjoy seasonal snacks. Explore igloos in the infield, hit the Frosty Fun Hill slopes for sledding, and travel around the outfield on the Bulls Express train. Visit the Winterland Market for unique gifts and enjoy fantastic food and beverage options at Jingle Bell Bistro.
Where: Durham | More Info: Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland
Holt Road Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Extensive 12-acre light display at a single-family residence.
Description:
The Holt Road Christmas Lights display is a spectacular holiday event featuring 12 acres of colorful lights across three lots, creating a breathtaking display of festive illumination.
Where: Apex | More Info: Holt Road Christmas Lights
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
What to Expect:
Over one million energy-efficient LED lights in a walk-through format.
Description:
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show featuring over one million energy-efficient LED lights, including a 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden. The event also includes live performances, a G-scale model train, and interactive exhibits.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
Kersey Valley Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with diverse activities and light displays.
Description:
Kersey Valley Christmas transforms an 80-acre tobacco farm into a holiday spectacle with over 2 million LED lights, festive activities, and interactive displays. Enjoy train rides, giant slides, bungee jumping, and meet Santa and the Grinch. The event offers a variety of seasonal treats and photo opportunities.
Where: Archdale | More Info: Kersey Valley Christmas
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, festive music, and community events like the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Yule Log Parade.
Where: McAdenville | More Info: Christmas Town USA
Holly Springs Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Raleigh Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas Parade between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.
Description:
The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a beloved annual tradition featuring marching bands, dancers, superheroes, giant balloons, and Santa Claus. It kicks off the holiday festivities in Downtown Raleigh with a 1.4-mile route starting near Hillsborough St. and Glenwood Ave., passing through the North Carolina State Capitol, and ending at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Raleigh Christmas Parade
Light the Square in Fenton
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music and Santa's arrival.
Description:
Light the Square in Fenton features live music, ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a special appearance by Santa Claus, making it a delightful event for the entire family.
Where: Cary | More Info: Light the Square in Fenton
Holly Springs Other Holiday Activities
HollyFest
What to Expect:
Celebrating community with local art, food, and entertainment.
Description:
HollyFest is an annual family-friendly event celebrating Holly Springs with local artists, businesses, food vendors, children’s activities, and local entertainment.
Where: Holly Springs | More Info: HollyFest
Moonlight in the Garden
What to Expect:
Internationally acclaimed garden illuminated with artfully designed lighting.
Description:
The JC Raulston Arboretum transforms into a spectacular nighttime garden with meticulously designed lighting, live music, food trucks, and fire pits. The event features a unique exhibit of modern Alebrijes art and offers a family-friendly atmosphere.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Moonlight in the Garden
Holiday Express at Pullen Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experiences with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Holiday Express at Pullen Park is an outdoor holiday event featuring a train ride, life-size snow globe, Santa's mobile workshop, and various activities for all ages.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Holiday Express at Pullen Park
Wendell Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show and holiday market with Santa visits.
Description:
Wendell Wonderland is an annual holiday festival in Wendell, North Carolina, featuring craft vendors, food trucks, a cookie walk, and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Santa.
Where: Wendell | More Info: Wendell Wonderland
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fuquay-Varina (5 miles)
- Apex (6 miles)
- Cary (10 miles)
- Morrisville (12 miles)
- Garner (13 miles)
- West Raleigh (13 miles)
- Raleigh (14 miles)
- Chapel Hill (22 miles)
- Carrboro (22 miles)
- Sanford (23 miles)
- Durham (24 miles)
- Wake Forest (29 miles)
- Fort Liberty (37 miles)
- Fayetteville (41 miles)