Explore the festive wonders of West Raleigh with our ultimate holiday guide. From West Raleigh die-hards to casual visitors, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal splendor.
One highlight of the holiday season is the Tanglewood Festival of Lights, a dazzling display that transforms the park into a magical wonderland of illuminated scenes. Featuring festive decorations and glowing displays, the Raleigh Christmas Parade adds to the holiday excitement with its lively floats and local performances. And the Charlotte Speedway Christmas Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a spectacular drive-through experience filled with festive light displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around West Raleigh
- Tanglewood Festival of Lights (Clemmons)
- Raleigh Christmas Parade (Raleigh)
- Charlotte Speedway Christmas Lights (Concord)
- North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Cary)
- Charlotte Christmas Village (Charlotte)
- Asheville Winterfest (Asheville)
- Durham Christmas Parade (Durham)
- Winston-Salem Festival of Lights (Winston-Salem)
- Virginia Beach Holiday Lights at the Beach (Virginia Beach)
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade (Chapel Hill)
See these and even more events listed below!
West Raleigh Holiday Light Displays
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Spectacular Chinese lantern displays with cultural performances.
Description:
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival features over 2,500 handcrafted lanterns and 15,000 LED lights, showcasing Chinese culture with nightly stage performances and interactive displays.
Where: Cary | More Info: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Tanglewood Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
One of the largest and most spectacular Christmas light shows in North Carolina.
Description:
Tanglewood Festival of Lights is a spectacular holiday event featuring over a million twinkling lights along a five-mile drive-thru route. The festival includes refreshments, a gift shop, and special events like horse-drawn carriage rides and hayrides.
Where: Clemmons | More Info: Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Charlotte Speedway Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic racing track.
Description:
Charlotte Speedway Christmas Lights features over five million lights on a four-mile course, including the legendary oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6-10 p.m., rain or shine, with synchronized lights and music on 101.3 FM, plus drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night.
Where: Concord | More Info: Charlotte Speedway Christmas Lights
Asheville Winterfest
What to Expect:
Gently illuminated candles and crackling fireplaces create a childlike wonder.
Description:
Biltmore Estate transforms into a holiday spectacle with Candlelight Christmas Evenings, featuring fragrant wreaths, glittering garland, and thousands of ornaments. The event includes a magical tour of Biltmore House, choirs, and live musicians, with the front lawn glowing with a 55-ft. Norway spruce and hundreds of luminaries. Select ticket options include access to the Chihuly Biltmore exhibition and free next-day grounds access.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Asheville Winterfest
Winston-Salem Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-thru light display with musical elements.
Description:
The Winston-Salem Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park features over a million twinkling lights along a five-mile route, accompanied by festive music and interactive displays.
Where: Winston-Salem | More Info: Winston-Salem Festival of Lights
Virginia Beach Holiday Lights at the Beach
What to Expect:
Largest and longest curved LED light tunnel in the U.S.
Description:
The BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach features over 25 new light displays, including a 600 ft. LED tunnel, jumping fish, musical crabs, and a 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree. The event is held nightly from November 17 to December 31, with special events like Military Monday and Bike Night.
Where: Virginia Beach | More Info: Virginia Beach Holiday Lights at the Beach
Richmond Tacky Light Tour
What to Expect:
Customizable holiday light bus tour with BYOB.
Description:
Explore Richmond's best holiday lights displays on a festive bus tour. Customizable routes allow you to see specific homes or make pit stops. Bring your own beverages and snacks, and enjoy the wildest, brightest, and tackiest light displays in town.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Richmond Tacky Light Tour
Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Two million lights in a three-mile driving tour.
Description:
The Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park features a three-mile driving tour with over two million shimmering lights, including a newly refurbished Cooper River Bridge display. The event also offers family attractions like a holiday train, enchanted walking trail, Victorian carousel, Santa's Sweet Shoppe, and marshmallow roasting.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
Myrtle Beach Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Free, extensive oceanfront light display.
Description:
Myrtle Beach Winter Wonderland features a free, one-mile oceanfront light display along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, accompanied by a 3-Day Family Fun Festival with activities like tree lighting, holiday market, and entertainment for all ages.
Where: Myrtle Beach | More Info: Myrtle Beach Winter Wonderland
West Raleigh Holiday Markets and Shopping
Charlotte Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Traditional German decor and local artisanal goods.
Description:
Charlotte Christmas Village is a European-inspired holiday market in uptown Charlotte, featuring handcrafted gifts, international holiday treats, and traditional German games and activities. The village showcases artisans selling unique items and offers a charming atmosphere with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: Charlotte Christmas Village
West Raleigh Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Raleigh Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas Parade between Washington, DC and Atlanta.
Description:
The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a beloved annual tradition featuring over 115 entries, including marching bands, specialty vehicles, and helium balloon characters, as it winds its way through downtown Raleigh for 1.4 miles.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Raleigh Christmas Parade
Raleigh Little Theatre's "A Christmas Carol"
What to Expect:
50-year-old holiday tradition with a cast of over 100.
Description:
Ira David Wood III's musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol is a joyous, family-friendly show celebrating 50 years of holiday tradition. With a cast of over 100, it brings Charles Dickens' classic to life with great songs and tremendous heart, featuring topical humor and satire.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Raleigh Little Theatre's "A Christmas Carol"
West Raleigh Other Holiday Activities
Durham Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community groups and local bands celebrating the holiday season.
Description:
The Durham Holiday Parade features hometown bands, drill teams, schools, and community groups marching down Main Street, concluding with a guest appearance from Santa.
Where: Durham | More Info: Durham Christmas Parade
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Non-vehicular parade with foot, bike, and scooter traffic.
Description:
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is a festive and entertaining event where arts, cultural, and community groups parade down Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro. This inclusive celebration features diverse cultural and community traditions, making it a highlight of the winter holiday season.
Where: Chapel Hill | More Info: Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade
Pittsboro Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with creative floats and festive lights.
Description:
The Pittsboro Holiday Parade features beautifully decorated floats built by local groups and businesses, filled with holiday cheer and fun costumes. Twinkling holiday lights add to the festive atmosphere as marching bands, dancers, and Santa Claus parade through downtown.
Where: Pittsboro | More Info: Pittsboro Holiday Parade
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Unique parade with numerous floats and vehicles in Historic Downtown Fuquay District.
Description:
The Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade is a vibrant celebration featuring over 80 floats and vehicles traveling through Historic Downtown Fuquay District, attracting a large crowd from surrounding municipalities.
Where: Fuquay-Varina | More Info: Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
Garner Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-focused holiday celebration with safety measures.
Description:
The Garner Christmas Parade is a community-driven event featuring the Town of Garner's Holiday Block Party and Tree Lighting. It includes festive activities, a parade, and safety measures to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for all participants and spectators.
Where: Garner | More Info: Garner Christmas Parade
Holly Springs Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Variety of entertaining entries including floats and marching groups.
Description:
The Happy Holly Days Parade in Holly Springs, NC, features floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, and marching groups traveling through downtown Main Street. Participants can create their own entries or rent pre-decorated floats.
Where: Holly Springs | More Info: Holly Springs Christmas Parade
Apex Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County.
Description:
The Apex Rotary Christmas Parade is a nighttime holiday event in Wake County, featuring over 100 floats, classic cars, and a special appearance from Santa. Proceeds benefit local charities, primarily Western Wake Crisis Ministry.
Where: Apex | More Info: Apex Christmas Parade
Morrisville Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Santa-led tree lighting with local student performances and hot chocolate.
Description:
Join Santa Claus and the Town Council for the official tree lighting event in Morrisville, featuring music, local student performances, hot chocolate, and the unveiling of new tree ornaments.
Where: Morrisville | More Info: Morrisville Christmas Parade
Cary Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with strict safety protocols.
Description:
The Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade is a joyful celebration featuring bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches. The parade starts on E. Chatham Street at Ward Street, proceeds down E. Chatham to S. Academy Street, and ends at Dry Avenue in front of the Cary Arts Center.
Where: Cary | More Info: Cary Christmas Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Raleigh (2 miles)
- Garner (6 miles)
- Cary (7 miles)
- Morrisville (9 miles)
- Apex (11 miles)
- Holly Springs (13 miles)
- Wake Forest (16 miles)
- Fuquay-Varina (16 miles)
- Durham (19 miles)
- Chapel Hill (24 miles)
- Carrboro (25 miles)
- Sanford (36 miles)
- Wilson (42 miles)