Get ready, Wake Forest! Our holiday guide is packed with events and activities to make your season bright. From Wake Forest residents to seasonal tourists, our guide is your gateway to holiday magic.
Popular during this festive time, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival lights up the season with stunning displays and cultural performances that bring a vibrant touch to the holidays. Another highlight is the Raleigh Christmas Parade, featuring a joyful procession of floats, bands, and holiday spirit. And the RINK presented by UNC Health is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering an outdoor skating experience that captures the joy of winter. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Wake Forest
- Raleigh Christmas Parade (Raleigh)
- North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Cary)
- THE RINK presented by UNC Health (Raleigh)
- Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland (Durham)
- Holiday Express at Pullen Park (Raleigh)
- Moonlight in the Garden (Raleigh)
- Lake Myra Lights Christmas Show (Wendell)
- Light the Square in Fenton (Cary)
- 53rd Annual Oakwood Candlelight Tour (Raleigh)
- Lighting of Wake Forest
See these and even more events listed below!
Wake Forest Holiday Light Displays
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Spectacular Chinese lantern displays with interactive features.
Description:
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre features over 40 handcrafted lantern displays, each made of hundreds of parts and thousands of LED lights. The festival includes nightly stage performances showcasing Chinese culture, martial arts, traditional dance, and acrobatics. Visitors can enjoy a variety of Asian-inspired food and beverages while walking through the colorful lanterns.
Where: Cary | More Info: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
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
Lighting of Wake Forest
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive tree lighting and community activities.
Description:
The Lighting of Wake Forest is a holiday event featuring the lighting of the Christmas tree, Santa's arrival in a fire truck, and various activities including children’s crafts, ornament sales, and musical performances by local choral groups.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Lighting of Wake Forest
Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light show with local artist-designed Neon pieces and festive activities.
Description:
Explore Durham Bulls Athletic Park transformed into a vibrant holiday light display featuring large-scale installations, festive food options, and unique shopping opportunities.
Where: Durham | More Info: Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland
Lake Myra Lights Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a 50-foot decorated Christmas tree.
Description:
Lake Myra Christmas Lights features a spectacular display of almost a quarter of a million lights synchronized to holiday music, including a 50-foot decorated Christmas tree. The event is free, with donation boxes available, and offers a 25-minute light show with a 5-minute intermission between shows.
Where: Wendell | More Info: Lake Myra Lights Christmas Show
Christmas at Biltmore
What to Expect:
Gently illuminated candles and crackling fireplaces create a childlike wonder.
Description:
Christmas at Biltmore features fragrant wreaths, glittering garland, and thousands of ornaments in Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village. The event includes a 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall and 100+ decorated trees with 25,000+ ornaments. It also offers complimentary wine tastings and next-day grounds access with select tickets.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Christmas at Biltmore
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, and kid-friendly amusement rides. Meet Santa in his Gingerbread House filled with candied furnishings and enjoy roasting s’mores over an outdoor fire.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
Enchanted Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with unique Santa photo opportunities and festive realms.
Description:
Walk through Rock City Gardens' winter wonderland featuring over a million sparkling lights, including a 40-foot walk-through Christmas tree and various holiday decorations. Visit Santa in his living room and workshop, and explore festive realms like North Pole Village and Arctic Kingdom.
Where: Lookout Mountain | More Info: Enchanted Garden of Lights
Wake Forest Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Holiday Open House
What to Expect:
Local businesses showcase unique gifts and holiday promotions.
Description:
Downtown Wake Forest comes alive during the Downtown Holiday Open House, where local businesses open their doors for a festive celebration. Stroll through the charming streets with twinkling lights and decorations as you shop for unique gifts and enjoy special holiday promotions.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Downtown Holiday Open House
Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market
What to Expect:
Juried showcase of handmade items from local artists and craftspeople.
Description:
The Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market showcases a wide variety of handmade items from regional artists and craftspeople, featuring a juried selection of quality gifts and personal treasures.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market
Wake Forest 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 festive event featuring marching bands, dancers, superheroes, giant balloons, and Santa Claus, drawing nearly 80,000 visitors through downtown Raleigh.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Raleigh Christmas Parade
Black Nativity in Concert
What to Expect:
Traditional gospel celebration with original and contemporary music.
Description:
Black Nativity Durham is a soulful, gospel celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, featuring over 100 singers, dancers, and musicians. The production, directed by Wendell Tabb and musically directed by Xavier Cason, combines original music with contemporary gospel favorites to create a stirring and spiritual experience.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Black Nativity in Concert
Wake Forest Other Holiday Activities
THE RINK presented by UNC Health
What to Expect:
Unique outdoor ice skating experience with private igloo lounges.
Description:
THE RINK presented by UNC Health is an outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Raleigh, featuring a natural ice rink with stunning views of the city skyline. Enjoy cozy stations with outdoor lounging furniture and heat warmers, fire pits, a 20ft decorated holiday tree, and various activities like giant jenga and cornhole game boards.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: THE RINK presented by UNC Health
Moonlight in the Garden
What to Expect:
Artfully lit gardens with live music and food trucks.
Description:
The JC Raulston Arboretum transforms into a spectacular nighttime garden with live music, food trucks, fire pits, and marshmallows. The event showcases the arboretum's internationally acclaimed garden under artfully lit conditions, offering a unique experience for visitors.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Moonlight in the Garden
Holiday Express at Pullen Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with a sensory-friendly option.
Description:
Holiday Express at Pullen Park is an outdoor holiday event featuring a train ride, snow globe, Santa's mobile workshop, and various activities like crafting reindeer food and visiting a carousel. The event includes sensory-friendly sessions and offers a variety of food options.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Holiday Express at Pullen Park
Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off
What to Expect:
Interactive hockey experience with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Description:
The Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off is a family-friendly event featuring activities like the Carolina Hurricanes Storm Tour, Slapshot Booth, roaming street performers, community performances, and children's craft activities. It also includes the launch of the annual Holiday Donation Drive and opportunities to support local initiatives.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off
Snowball Dance
What to Expect:
Inclusive celebration with music, dancing, and refreshments for individuals with disabilities.
Description:
The Snowball Dance is an evening event for individuals with disabilities, featuring a DJ, dancing, refreshments, and lots of fun in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Snowball Dance
Calls from Santa
What to Expect:
Personalized calls from Santa Claus.
Description:
Children receive personalized phone calls from Santa Claus, creating heartwarming holiday memories.
Where: Wake Forest | More Info: Calls from Santa
53rd Annual Oakwood Candlelight Tour
What to Expect:
Historic home tour with docents highlighting each property's unique features.
Description:
The 53rd Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour offers a self-guided tour of ten historic homes in Raleigh, showcasing Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman architectural styles. Each home is staffed with docents who provide insights into the rich history of the properties. The tour allows visitors to explore at their own pace and enjoy the immaculate care and attention to detail given to the interiors.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: 53rd Annual Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- West Raleigh (16 miles)
- Raleigh (16 miles)
- Garner (19 miles)
- Cary (20 miles)
- Morrisville (21 miles)
- Durham (22 miles)
- Apex (26 miles)
- Holly Springs (29 miles)
- Chapel Hill (31 miles)
- Fuquay-Varina (32 miles)
- Carrboro (32 miles)
- Wilson (38 miles)
- Rocky Mount (40 miles)