Christmas in Fayetteville (the 10+ Best Holiday Events!)

Last Updated on September 20, 2022

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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 happen to spend Christmas in Fayetteville and its surroundings in Cumberland County, there are plenty of fun things to do.

Read More: Things to Do with Kids in Fayetteville

Since we frequently visit the area, we’ve found more than a few 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.

For this guide, we’ll start downtown and venture around to 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.

Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events)

Christmas in Fayetteville (Downtown Lights and Festivities)

Fayetteville NC Winter Image

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 get a head start on the holidays and Christmas in Fayetteville. Deck Your Halls does exactly that from November 4 to 7.

During this holiday open house, local businesses will be offering special discounts, giveaways, and more!

Read More: Why and How to Support Local Businesses Every Day

The Poe House Holiday Jubilee

Christmas in Fayetteville

The 1897 Poe House gets decked out and hosts its annual Holiday Jubilee. On December 8, Check it out and join the fun that includes carolers, festive and historic decor, and Santa Claus! 

Read More: December in North Carolina

Dickens Holiday

If you feel even more fun, Downtown Fayetteville goes above and beyond offering horse-drawn carriage rides during its Dickens Holiday on November 26! 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 chocolate from The Coffee Cup. That way, you’re sure to enjoy the sites of Downtown Fayetteville in warmth!

Read More: Christmas Lights Displays in North Carolina

Cape Fear Botanical Garden Holiday Lights

Winter in Fayetteville Cape Fear Botanical Gardens Image

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 in the Park

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. 

Here are dates for 2021’s Christmas in the Park:

  • December 5 to 9, 12 to 16, and 19 to 21

Read More: Outdoor Attractions in Fayetteville

Shop Local for Christmas in Fayetteville

Events in Fayetteville NC Every Weekend Farmers Market Image
Shop local at the City Market, even during the winter!

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.

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!

Read More: Great I-95 Exits in North Carolina

Leclair’s General Store

Fayetteville NC LeClaires General Store Image
Inside Leclair’s General Store. This place rules!

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.

Sip some wine or a nitro cold brew while you browse and take home something that sings to your soul.

Read More: Delicious Restaurants in Fayetteville

The Wine Cafe

Before you head home, make sure to stop by The Wine Café and Angie will help you select the perfect bottle to gift your friends and family. You can also find something to take home for yourself!

Read More: The MacPherson House in Fayetteville (and 5 Reasons Why We Love It!)

Christmas in Fayetteville City Center Gallery and Books

We’re also huge fans of City Center Gallery & Books and usually make it one of our first stops. 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, then this is the perfect shopping spot during Christmas in Fayetteville. There are even some great books covering the history of Fayetteville and its surroundings, too.

Don’t forget about the great kids’ section in the back.At City Center Gallery & Books, you’ll find local artistic creations alongside the eclectic mix of books.

Do you have any favorite shops to add for Christmas in Fayetteville? Kindly email us and let us know!

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!)

Float Away

A visit to Floating Shanti tops all other relaxing ways to enjoy Christmas and beyond during winter in Fayetteville. Here, you can literally float in a calm space with the minerals your body craves.

There’s something symbolic about letting go of gravity and floating in a tub of magnesium-enriched water. Rejuvenate yourself with a soak and then center your mind with a private yoga session or massage.

Not only will your body feel refreshed from the winter elements, but so will your mind.

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. 

US Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum

If you live in Fayetteville because you or someone in your family are serving in our military, thank you, first and foremost.

As you may already know, there are plenty of ways to celebrate our military history in the area. One thing we love doing is strolling through the US Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

The main exhibit starts with the history of airborne and special operations from the 1940s to current units.

Read More: Amazing Museums in North Carolina

Veterans Park and Constant Vigilance

If you brought a jacket or it’s not too cold outside, take a moment to soak in Iron Mike, the 3,235-pound statue dedicated to all past, present, and future paratroopers.

Another place to take pause is in front of is the bronze statue of Constant Vigilance, the first memorial for K9 soldiers killed in action.

Walk across the street to Veterans Park and take in the dog tag chandelier, made of 33,500 tags dedicated to North Carolina veterans.

Read More: Interesting Facts about North Carolina

Where to Eat and Drink

We already mentioned Dirtbag Ales but want to share a few more spots that we love. Considering the fact that we often travel for food (especially for coffee and brunch), this list is a labor of love.

Rude Awakening Coffee Shop

Saved from demolition, Brady’s Soda Shop is now the iconic Rude Awakening Coffee Shop. The back patio is most certainly something to write home about and many people have done just that.

It’s open until midnight, so you can enjoy a latte anytime!

Circa 1800

Restaurants in Fayetteville Circa 1600 Brunch Image

Circa 1800 is a place where we can brunch every weekend morning, especially around Christmas in Fayetteville! Offered on both Saturday and Sunday, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

From a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar to the signature Chicken and Waffles, Circa 1800 prides itself on locally sourced ingredients. Sip on North Carolina draft beers or Craft Pickle Martini with North Carolina spirits.

Read More: Delicious Restaurants in Fayetteville

Ready to Enjoy Christmas Fayetteville and Winter, Too?

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 likes these during Christmas in Fayetteville, you know that winter is filled with fun seasonal events. 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 Things to Do (Beyond Christmas in Fayetteville)

13 thoughts on “Christmas in Fayetteville (the 10+ Best Holiday Events!)”

  1. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Fayetteville, but these are all fun ideas! Mmmm I’m always a sucker for coffeeshops and it would be fun to explore the botanical garden 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • It’s such a fun place all year round! But it’s especially cool when you can find a place to explore during the winter too! Happy New Year to you as well, Liz!

      Reply
  2. I’ve only ever traveled through Fayetteville; I’ve never actually stopped for a visit. But it sounds like there are so many fun things to do that I might have to plan to spend the day there the next time we’re traveling through! I would love to visit and honor the Constant Vigilance statue, as well.

    Reply
    • It’s definitely worthy of a weekend or more! Especially for the food! We’ll have a post on that coming up soon! Thanks for stopping by Nikki!

      Reply
  3. Hi Christina!! Thanks for shining such an awesome spotlight on the things we have here in Fayetteville. Always happy when you come for a visit.Circa is one of my faves and who can resists a visit to LeClair’s 😉

    Reply
    • Hi Tiffany, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. You’re a great example of that awesome community in Fayetteville. Looking forward to continuing visiting and spreading the word about your great town!

      Reply
  4. We recently moved to Fayetteville,NC,this is so helpful especially since we don’t have any friends or family out here to show us around. We’re a family of 7(5 kids)originally from nyc and I’m so excited for the change of pace and getting to know our new hometown

    Reply
  5. I really enjoy Christmas in Fayetteville. If you don’t have children to take too see the beautiful display of light consider taking your parents. As the saying goes “twice a child and once an adult”. Parents of certain age enjoy seeing the lights as much as children. I’m taking my mom.

    Reply

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