Published by Christina. Last Updated on December 5, 2024.
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Christmas in Fayetteville NC is always a special time. Our guide has all the details on how you can enjoy it!
The Cape Fear Region of North Carolina is wonderful throughout the year, but there are so many things happening in specific towns and counties throughout. For example, if you spend Christmas in Fayetteville, NC, and its surroundings in Cumberland County, there are plenty of fun things to do.
Since we frequently visit the area, we’ve found many fun ways to enjoy Christmas in Fayetteville and during the rest of winter. After years of exploring the “colder” months here, we put together this guide full of fun holiday events for you.
We’ll start downtown for this guide and visit some of our favorite spots nearby. If you’re as ready as we are to get moving, let’s explore our favorite ways to enjoy Christmas in Fayetteville together.
Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Fayetteville area and are wondering, “What are the best Christmas activities near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you out!
Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events)
Shop Local for Christmas in Fayetteville
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One of our favorite things to do in Fayetteville is to explore its downtown, as it’s a great group of business owners who understand that you have to work together.
Of course, they also know to deck things out for the holidays and Christmas in Fayetteville. Wander along Main St. and peruse a myriad of Christmas-themed discounts, giveaways, and special deals for everyone on the list.
We love to shop local, and Fayetteville has plenty to peruse. Whether it’s browsing the City Market at the Museum vendors or the shops on Hay Street, Fayetteville has an incredible local scene.
- Dirtbag Ales (5435 Corporation Dr, Hope Mills, NC): Speaking of farmer’s markets in Fayetteville, don’t forget about Dirtbag Ales on Sundays. Buy something local while enjoying their dog park, playground, and beers from one of our favorite breweries!
- Leclair’s General Store (1212 Fort Bragg Rd, Fayetteville, NC): Tucked away in the Haymount District of Fayetteville is not your average general store. Leclair’s General Store is thoughtfully filled with a beautiful collection of antiques, art, and oddities that make you want to start a Pinterest board.
- The Sip Room (106 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC): Before you head home, make sure to stop by The Sip Room and treat yourself after a day of selecting the perfect gifts for your family.
Read More: The MacPherson House in Fayetteville (and 5 Reasons Why We Love It!)
- City Center Gallery & Books (112 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC): At this wonderful bookstore, titles from local authors sit on the shelves side-by-side with national and international names. If you or someone in your family loves books, this is the perfect shopping spot for Christmas in Fayetteville.
Do you have any favorite shops to add for Christmas in Fayetteville? Kindly email us and let us know!
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Events During Christmas in Fayetteville
These special events will make your Christmas in Fayetteville even more meaningful. To keep you organized, we’ve ordered them by starting date.
Dickens Holiday
2024 Event Date: November 29, 2024
If you feel even more fun, Downtown Fayetteville goes above and beyond offering horse-drawn carriage rides during its Dickens Holiday on November 29! Downtown businesses join the fun by decorating their storefronts in Victorian themes.
The day will be filled with festivities, including music by strolling performers, flower girls, and finally, the Community Holiday Tree and Candle Lighting.
All of these festivities pair nicely with a hot drink from Winterbloom Tea. That way, you’re sure to enjoy the sites of Downtown Fayetteville in warmth!
Read More: Christmas Lights Displays in North Carolina
Fayetteville Holiday Lights at Segra Stadium
2024 Event Dates: November 29-December 23, 2024 (Closed December 10)
Event Info
Fayetteville Holiday Lights returns to Segra Stadium, with light shows throughout the ballpark every 30 minutes. At this awesome event, you’ll also find the largest lit-up Christmas tree in the Fayetteville area!
In 2024, for the first time ever, the Woodpeckers will open up their clubhouses for photo ops and other activities!
Read More: Minor League Baseball in NC (15+ Interesting Teams to Watch)
The All-American Holiday Festival
2024 Event Date: December 3, 2024
The All-American (AA) Holiday Festival is a yearly event held at the US Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. The free event brings Paratroopers, families, and the local community together with food, a performance from the 82D DIV Band and Chorus, and family-friendly activities.
If you live in Fayetteville because you or someone in your family are serving in our military, thank you, first and foremost. Second, we hope you’re able to join this event during Christmas in Fayetteville.
Read More: Amazing Museums in North Carolina
Holiday Pops at Fayetteville State University
2024 Event Date: December 3, 2024
Event Info
Celebrate the holiday season with the North Carolina Symphony at FSU’s Seabrook Auditorium. Enjoy Christmas favorites like White Christmas, Carol of the Bells, Christmas at the Movies, and more!
If you arrive early, you can visit Santa in the lobby!
Cape Fear Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
2024 Event Dates: Select Nights December 6-22, 2024
Event Info
Cape Fear Botanical Garden would top our list any time of year (especially during spring), but its “Holiday Lights in the Garden” event makes it one of our favorite ways to enjoy Christmas in Fayetteville!
Bring the kids when the sun goes down for a mile-long stroll of beautiful festive lights, hayrides, a visit from Santa, and S’mores roasting over the fire pit.
Read More: Botanical Gardens in North Carolina
Christmas at Hope Mills Lake
2024 Event Date: December 6
Time: Between 5:45 pm to 6:00 pm
Event Info
Bring a chair and a blanket, and cozy up to watch the lighting of Hope Mills Lake’s Christmas tree. Enjoy Christmas music, complimentary hot chocolate, and desserts during this special event.
Santa will also be available, making time during his busy Christmas schedule. Food Trucks will also be on-site, so bring your appetites along with that Christmas spirit!
The Poe House Holiday Jubilee
2024 Event Date: December 8, 2024
Event Info
The 1897 Poe House gets decked out and hosts its annual Holiday Jubilee. It’s usually decorated in early December!
Check it out and join the fun, including carolers, festive and historic decor, and Santa Claus!
Read More: December in North Carolina
Christmas in the Park
2024 Event Dates: December 8-12 and December 15-19, 2024 (excludes Fridays and Saturdays)
Time: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Head out to Arnette Park and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. During Christmas in the Park, you can drive through a 1/2 mile path and see lights, roast marshmallows, ride a Christmas Express Train, and much more.
Christmas in the Park is one of the top Fayetteville Christmas Events, usually held on weekends throughout December.
Read More: Outdoor Attractions in Fayetteville
Indoor Winter Activities
While we love bragging about those mild North Carolina winters, sometimes the weather just won’t cooperate. Here are some fun indoor activities to enjoy during cold and rainy days.
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
Renaissance Day Spa
A visit to the Renaissance Day Spa tops all other relaxing ways to enjoy Christmas and beyond during winter in Fayetteville. The wide-ranging menu of services here covers everything from classic Manicures and massages to cryotherapy.
The Day Spa’s inclusion of alternative treatments means you can focus on a different way to relax every time you stop by or shop for the day combo pass, combining a few services into one glorious afternoon.
Fayetteville Marksmen Games
Also mentioned in our guide to winter in North Carolina, hockey comes alive with Fayetteville Marksmen games! Actually, the season will have been going on since fall, but hockey and winter go together like Fayetteville and fun!
Come out and cheer on the home team as they battle SPHL rivals for supremacy.
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Ready to Enjoy Christmas in Fayetteville?
If you’ve ever spent a winter in North Carolina, you know that it’s not a complete snowy wonderland found on the Hallmark Channel. And that’s especially true if you get closer to the coast.
But thanks to amazing community efforts and fun Christmas events in Fayetteville, NC, the winter is full of things to do!
Add that to all the cool permanent attractions in Fayetteville, and you’ve got an awesome little city worth visiting.
Seriously, add “Christmas in Fayetteville” to your winter in NC Bucket List, and you won’t be disappointed!
More Fun things to Do in Fayetteville This Weekend (and Year-Round)
We love visiting Fayetteville during Christmas, but the city is also worth exploring throughout the year. Here are a few Fayetteville NC travel guides to get you started.
