Make the most of the holiday season in New Bern with our guide. We’ve gathered all the best events and activities for you. For New Bern natives and visitors alike, our guide reveals the city's holiday magic.
This year, step into a winter wonderland at WinterFest at Carowinds, where thrilling rides and festive festivities create a memorable experience for all ages. Enjoy dazzling light displays and holiday attractions during Speedway Christmas, featuring twinkling lights and a festive drive-through. And the Polar Express Train Ride is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a magical journey inspired by the beloved story. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around New Bern
- WinterFest at Carowinds (Charlotte)
- Speedway Christmas (Concord)
- Polar Express Train Ride (Spencer)
- The Nutcracker at Blumenthal Performing Arts (Charlotte)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
- Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum (Asheville)
- A Christmas Carol at Raleigh (Raleigh)
- Christmas Market Weekends at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (Charlotte)
- Kersey Valley Christmas (Archdale)
- Candlelight Nights at Tryon Palace
See these and even more events listed below!
New Bern Holiday Light Displays
Speedway Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic speedway 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. The event also includes drive-in movies 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
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
What to Expect:
Over one million LED lights in a festive holiday display.
Description:
The North Carolina Arboretum's Winter Lights features over one million energy-efficient LED lights in a spectacular open-air walk-through light show. The event includes favorites like the 50-foot lighted tree and Quilt Garden, along with new details designed to delight and surprise. Pets are not permitted, but service animals are welcome.
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 offers a variety of activities including a Wild West Christmas train ride, John Deere-pulled wagon rides, and numerous light displays. The event features festive food options, photo opportunities, and visits with Santa and the Grinch. It is a family-friendly event with something for all ages.
Where: Archdale | More Info: Kersey Valley Christmas
Tweetsie Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday 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 live Christmas variety show, kid-friendly amusement rides, and meetings with Santa in his Gingerbread House filled with candied furnishings.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
New Bern Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market Weekends at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
What to Expect:
German-inspired holiday market with local vendors and craft beers.
Description:
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery hosts Christmas Market Weekends, offering a charming atmosphere with seasonal items, traditional German fare, and a variety of handcrafted beers.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: Christmas Market Weekends at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
New Bern Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with live theatrical performances and historic train ride.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride at the North Carolina Transportation Museum is a holiday event inspired by the hit movie. Families take a trip to the North Pole, enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, a reading of Chris Van Allsburg's classic, and receiving a silver sleigh bell upon arrival. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas for the ride.
Where: Spencer | More Info: Polar Express Train Ride
Ho Ho Christmas Show at Mike’s Farm
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music and lighted scenes.
Description:
The Ho Ho Christmas Show at Mike’s Farm features a down-home country menu, a musical variety show with Christmas classics and comedy, and a festive lights hayride.
Where: Beulaville | More Info: Ho Ho Christmas Show at Mike’s Farm
A Christmas Carol at Raleigh
What to Expect:
A joyous musical comedy adaptation of Dickens' classic.
Description:
Ira David Wood III's musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol returns to Raleigh, celebrating over 50 years of holiday tradition. This Broadway-quality production turns the tale of Scrooge into a joyous musical comedy, packed with spirit, topical humor, and show-stopping tunes, while preserving the poignant heart of the original.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: A Christmas Carol at Raleigh
The Nutcracker at Blumenthal Performing Arts
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker at Blumenthal Performing Arts features Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's choreography paired with Tchaikovsky's music, transporting audiences to a winter wonderland with Clara and the Snow King and Queen.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: The Nutcracker at Blumenthal Performing Arts
Christmas In Davidson
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on downtown buildings.
Description:
Christmas in Davidson is a festive holiday event featuring live entertainment, artisan vendors, and a variety of food options, taking place nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on December 5, 6, and 7.
Where: Davidson | More Info: Christmas In Davidson
A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk
What to Expect:
Authentic small-town holiday celebration with local professional theater performances.
Description:
A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk features a variety of holiday activities including a 5K run, Breakfast with Santa, storytelling, ornament making, cookie decorating, and a Christmas parade with train rides through luminaries. The event also includes a holiday musical variety show and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Banner Elk | More Info: A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk
New Bern Other Holiday Activities
Candlelight Nights at Tryon Palace
What to Expect:
Historic home tours with colonial history storytelling.
Description:
At Tryon Palace, Candlelight Nights feature beautifully decorated historic homes, including the Governor's Mansion, with costumed interpreters sharing colonial history stories. The event includes tours of the decorated Governor's Palace, Stanly House, Dixon House, and Commission House, along with festive activities and entertainment on the Palace grounds. Food and drinks are available from food trucks and at Mistletoe Corner and the King’s Arms Tavern.
Where: New Bern | More Info: Candlelight Nights at Tryon Palace
Four Oaks Christmas
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with local performances and Santa visit.
Description:
The Four Oaks Christmas Parade is a festive event featuring local school and organization performances, a visit to Santa at the Gazebo, and a colorful procession down Main Street. The parade is a highlight of the town's holiday season, bringing the community together for a joyful celebration.
Where: Four Oaks | More Info: Four Oaks Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Havelock (18 miles)
- Kinston (32 miles)
- Jacksonville (33 miles)
- Greenville (39 miles)