Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on November 17, 2023.
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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, NC, and its surroundings in Cumberland County, there are plenty of fun things to do.
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.
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)
Christmas in Fayetteville (Downtown Lights and Festivities)
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.
The shopping gets hyper-local at the CCC annual holiday market, a three-week expose of the area’s artists and craft collectives. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while you find the perfect handcrafted gift.
Read More: Why and How to Support Local Businesses Every Day
The Poe House Holiday Jubilee
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
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 24! 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
Cape Fear Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
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.
Christmas in the Park is one of the top Fayetteville Christmas Events, usually held on weekends throughout December.
Read More: Outdoor Attractions in Fayetteville
Shop Local for Christmas in Fayetteville
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
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 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
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!)
Leclair’s General Store
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 Sip Room
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
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, this is the perfect shopping spot for 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!
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.
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
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
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 a 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 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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
It sounds like there are a lot of fun things to do there. Definitely places I’d like to visit.
Definitely! We hope that you do and let us know what you think!
My Dad accually works at the Museum of the Cape Fear and Poe House, it’s a really beautiful and nice place to take the family Especially during the holidays.
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 😉
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!
Thank you for this thoughtful piece on our wonderful city! Dickens Holiday is always the day after Thanksgiving, and one of the best days to be in downtown in the winter!
We’re definitely putting that our on list for next year! Thanks for stopping by, Betsy!
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
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.