Published by Carl. Last Updated on June 19, 2025.
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As the end of the year approaches, there are so many things to do in North Carolina in December. It’s when winter begins to set in, but we don’t mind the dropping temperatures with all these warm, festive events that happen throughout our state.
Our first section in this guide is dedicated to Christmas events and more holiday celebrations. After that, we continue with even more things to do in December, rounding out at more than 100 for the month.
There are even a few that members of our Facebook Group and email subscribers mentioned, so thanks for that, friends! And as we’ve done with previous monthly roundups, we’ve grouped each section of December events by starting date and alphabetized by city or town.
To make the more popular types of events more convenient to find, we grouped a few of them together. Here’s how we’ve organized this guide:
- Christmas Lights Festivals (Tanglewood Festival of Lights near Winston-Salem, Concord’s Speedway Christmas, and More!)
- Christmas Musicals and Productions
- Christmas Parades
- Christmas Tree Lightings
- Christmas Tree Farms
- Holiday Home Tours (Biltmore, Korners Folly, and More!)
- Holiday Train Rides (Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Tweetsie Christmas, and More!)
- Christmas Festivals (Christmas Markets and Holiday Markets)
- New Year’s Eve Events (Runs, Music, and More Celebrations)
- More Things to Do in North Carolina in December
So, with all that out of the way, let’s finish the year strong with a look at the best events during December in North Carolina, with a few that stretch into January.
Read More: Unique Things to Do in North Carolina
Things to Do in North Carolina in December
Note: For those who represent a tourism bureau, destination marketing organization, or PR agency and want placement here, please visit this page for more info.
Throughout this guide, you’ll find events that have carried over from November and some that continue into January.
Note that many December events in NC may decide to cancel or alter times/dates, sometimes at the last minute. Please visit the links we’ve provided and if no link is available, contact local venues to confirm details.
Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events)
Christmas Lights Festivals
Speedway Christmas in Concord
2024 Event Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Ticket Info
4 million lights twinkle around the 3.75-mile course that includes the oval and the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas!
You can drive through the track and enjoy the festive lights. Don’t forget to stop by the Christmas Village which includes fire pits for roasting s’mores, vendors selling souvenirs, and more fun!
Read More: Kid-friendly Events in North Carolina
Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock
2024 Event Dates: November 29 – January 25, 2025
Event Info
Chetola Resort’s annual Festival of Lights is free and open to the public. You can drive or walk around Chetola Lake, where glittering ice skaters, carolers, and more illuminations await.
Read More: Things to Do in Blowing Rock
Additional Lights Festivals and Events in North Carolina
Most of these light festivals celebrate Christmas, with one exception, which, as you’ll see, is one of the most unique things to do in North Carolina in December.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary
2024/2025 Event Dates: November 16, 2024 – January 12, 2025
Ticket Info
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is the one event that does not directly celebrate Christmas, but it is a beloved annual tradition for the Cary community and beyond.
Read More: Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve in Cary
Here are some more lights festivals happening this December in North Carolina.
- Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights in Clemmons (November 15-January 1)
- Mike’s Farm Hayride and Dinner Show at Mike’s Farm in Beulaville (November 16-December 30)
- Tryon Resort Winterfest in Mill Spring near Tryon (November 29-January 1)
- Winter Wonderlights at the Greensboro Science Center (November 20 – January 5, 2025)
- Winterlights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville (November 15 – December 31)
- Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens in Wilmington (November 29 – December 21)
- Winterlights in Manteo on the Outer Banks (Select Dates from November 22-December 28)
- Christmas Town USA in McAdenville (December 1-26)
- Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla in Beaufort (December 7)
- Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville (Every weekend in December)
- Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro (December 6-7 and 13-14)
- Winterfest Flotilla in Southport (December 14)
- Christmas in the Park in Fayetteville (December 8-12 & 15-19)
Read More: Christmas in Fayetteville
Christmas Musicals and Productions
During December in North Carolina, there are plenty of Christmas musicals and productions to keep you occupied. Here are a few traditional favorites, followed by others that you can only find in one place.
The Nutcracker (Starting December 1)
We can think of quite a few places for you to go and get your Nutcracker fix.
- Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte (December 6-22, 2024)
- Thalian Hall in Wilmington (December 6-7, 2024)
- Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee (December 6-7, 2024)
- Stevens Center in Winston-Salem (December 6-8, 2024)
- Raleigh Memorial Auditorium (December 12-24, 2024)
- High Point Theatre (December 20-22, 2024)
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker at DPAC in Durham (December 28, 2024)
Read More: 50+ Awesome Things to Do in Wilmington
A Christmas Carol
2024 Event Start Date: December 5
Versions of “A Christmas Carol” can be found throughout North Carolina in December.
Here are locations in the state where you can watch the more traditional version of the story:
- Sanford (December 5 – December 22, 2024)
- High Point (December 13-15, 2024)
- Durham (December 18-22, 2024)
Read More: Christmas in Durham
Additional Christmas Musicals and Productions in North Carolina
- Mike’s Farm Ho! Ho! Christmas Show at Mike’s Farm in Beulaville (Every Wednesday-Saturday from November 29-December 20, encore show on December 26-28, 2024)
- Playhouse Christmas in Flat Rock (November 29-December 21, 2024)
- The Raleigh Ringers at the Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh (December 14-25, 2024)
- A Magical Cirque Christmas at the Wilson Center in Wilmington (December 11, 2024)
- Carolina Christmas Show at the Old Rock School Auditorium in Valdese (December 20-22, 2024)
Read More: Great I-95 Exits in North Carolina
Christmas Parades
A few Christmas parades in North Carolina take place in November, including Raleigh on November 23. Most parades, though, will take place in December.
Each one is a wonderful showcase of each city and town that we just can’t pick our favorite. Which of these parades should we attend and why?
- Rolesville (December 1)
- Cramerton (December 5)
- Indian Trail (December 6)
- Youngsville (December 7)
- Angier (December 7)
- Cleveland (December 7)
- Four Oaks (December 7)
- Goldsboro (TBD)
- Highlands (December 7)
- Kenly (December 7)
- Mint Hill (December 7)
- New Bern (December 7)
- Murphy (December 7)
Read More: 13 Delicious New Bern Restaurants for the Ultimate Foodie
- Pilot Mountain (December 7)
- South Mills (December 7)
- Valdese (December 7)
- Wilson (December 7)
- Fuquay-Varina (December 8)
- Kernersville (December 8)
- Waxhaw (December 8)
- Morganton (December 10)
- Cary (December 14)
Read More: The Mayton in Cary (+ 7 Things We Love About Staying Here!)
- Kannapolis (December 14)
- Morehead City (December 14)
- Knightdale (December 14)
- Robbinsville (December 14)
- Durham (December 14)
- Clayton (December 14)
- Tarboro (December 14)
- Mount Holly (December 14)
- Lake Norman Christmas Boat Parade in Mooresville (December 21)
Read More: 17 Amazing Eno River State Park Trails (+ Bonus Hikes)
Christmas Tree Lightings
Like Christmas parades, some tree lightings in North Carolina take place in November. More than a few take place in conjunction with Christmas parades, typically held afterward.
Here are a few of them:
- Clayton (December 5)
- Statesville (December 5)
- Murphy (December 6)
- Pinehurst (December 6)
- Angier (December 6)
- Cramerton (TBD)
- Four Oaks (December 5)
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
- Harrisburg (TBD)
- Knightdale (December 6)
- Lumberton (December 6)^
- Mint Hill (December 7)*
- Pilot Mountain (December 7)*
- Valdese (December 5)
*Denotes Christmas Tree Lighting held in conjunction with or after a Christmas Parade.
^Denotes Christmas Tree Lighting held in conjunction with a Christmas Festival.
Christmas Tree Farms
Throughout Western North Carolina, you can choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Starting in mid-November, you can find the perfect Christmas Tree to put up for the holidays.
Frosty’s in Ashe County is one popular option, and they open on November 18. Ashe is the largest Christmas tree-producing county in the US and provided the 2021 White House Christmas tree!
Read More: Christmas Tree Farms in North Carolina
Holiday Home Tours
A tour of one of North Carolina’s amazing historic homes and properties is a must during December.
Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville
2024/2025 Event Dates: November 2 to January 5
Ticket Info
Christmas at Biltmore is the state’s largest-scale holiday home tour in North Carolina. Dozens of Christmas trees are decorated with thousands of ornaments, with luminaries joining lit candles and fireplaces.
All of this together keeps your memory glowing long beyond your visit to America’s largest home in Asheville. Just like Christmas at Biltmore, some holiday home tours started in November and run through January.
Of course, the peak visit time happens during this month.
Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do With Kids in Asheville (and Nearby!)
More Holiday Home Tours
Like Christmas parades and Christmas tree lightings, Holiday home tours also take place in November. Here are some to watch out for during December in North Carolina.
- Holidays at Reynolda, Winston-Salem (December 1 – January 1, 2025)
- Christmas at Korner’s Folly in Kernersville (November 26-January 4, 2025)
- Linbrook Heritage Estate in Trinity (November 22 – December 31)
- Holiday Home Tours at Tryon Palace in New Bern (Mondays and Wednesdays, November 25 – December 18)
- Music by Candlelight at Tryon Palace in New Bern (December 14, 21)
- Christmas Candlelight Tour at the Beaufort Historic Site in Beaufort (December 14)
Read More: Winter Getaways in North Carolina
Holiday Train Rides
Hop on one of these Christmas train rides in NC, among the most popular things to do this month!
Tweetsie Christmas, Blowing Rock (Select Evenings through December 30)
2024 Event Dates: November 29-30, December 1, 6-8, 13-15, 18-23, 26-30.
Ticket Info
Tweetsie Christmas continues the fun for visitors to the High Country. Families flock for the nighttime train surrounded by beautiful lights.
Of course, come say hello to Santa, visit his Gingerbread House, and enjoy Tweetsie Railroad‘s winter wonderland.
Read More: Great Things to Do in Blowing Rock
The Polar Express Train Ride in the Smokies in Bryson City
2024 Event Dates: November 7-December 31 (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Ticket Info
The Polar Express Train Ride brings the holiday magic along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, taking off from Bryson City!
This 75-minute train ride reenacts the classic winter story, and there’s a rumor that Santa himself makes an appearance!
Read More: The Road to Nowhere in Bryson City
The Polar Express Train Ride in Spencer
2024 Event Dates: November 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-30
December 1, 6-8 and 12-23
Ticket Info
You can also take a trip to the North Pole in Spencer at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Take a ride on their Polar Express Train, where you’ll be greeted with hot chocolate, cookies, and Santa himself!
Read More: 7 Incredible Train Rides in NC for Kids (and Kids at Heart!)
Christmas Festivals (Christmas Markets and Holiday Markets)
Christmas festivals stand out as one of the best things to do in North Carolina in December. Here are some that we’ve found for you to enjoy:
- Holiday Market in Cary (November 16)
- Jingle Bell Market at the Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville (November 23)
- Christmas In Davidson, Davidson (December 5-7)
- Four Oaks Christmas in Four Oaks (December 5-7)
- A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk (December 6-8)
Read More: 13 Amazing Restaurants in Banner Elk and Nearby (+ Where to Drink!)
- Festival of Trees at the Hotel Concord in Concord (December 6-8)
- Winterfest Artisan Market in Jacksonville (TBD)
- The Holiday Market in Wilmington (December 6-8)
- Christmas Village in Belmont (December 7)
- Christmas Craft Fair at Pace Family Farms in Clayton (December 7)
- Scandinavian Christmas Fair at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh (December 7)
- Triangle Pop-Up Holiday Market at NC Museum of Art in Raleigh (December 7)
- Great Topsail Flotilla & Christmas Market in Surf City (December 14)
- Christmas Craft Show at WoodMill Winery in Vale (December 7)
- Outdoor Holiday Gift Market at Legacy Architectural Salvage in Wilmington (TBD)
- Firefly Market at Footnote Cafe in Winston-Salem (December 7)
- Merry & Bright, A North Pole Market at Mordecai Historical Park in Raleigh (December 14)
- Uncommon Holiday Market at the Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center in Asheville (December 7-8)
Read More: Amazing Restaurants in Asheville
- Holiday Patchwork Market at the Durham Armory in Durham (December 14-15)
- Jingle all the Way Market at the Winston Junction in Winston-Salem (December 14 & 21)
- Durham Craft Market Holiday Show at Central Park in Durham (December 15)
- Christmas Market Weekends at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Charlotte (Four Weekends Starting November 29-30)
- St. Nicholas European Christmas Market at the Holshouser Building in Raleigh (December 13-14, 2024)
Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina
More Holiday Celebrations
Celebration of Gita Jayanti, Statewide (December 11)
Hindus throughout the world honor the Bhagavad Gita during this celebration, and temples and centers in our state will be doing so, too.
If you know about any in particular that we should mention, please let us know about it here.
Kwanzaa Celebration
2024/2025 Event Dates: December 26-January 1
The seven days of Kwanzaa begin on December 26 and a variety of events throughout the state will celebrate and inform those interested in learning more.
Celebrations can be found throughout the Triangle, in Charlotte, and also in Fayetteville.
If you know of more Kwanzaa festivities, please let us know here.
New Year’s Eve Events in North Carolina (Runs, Music, and More Celebrations)
Ringing in the new year is the last and certainly not least of our favorite things to do in North Carolina in December. Most of these last to midnight and beyond, with a couple of exceptions for those with kids.
Here are the events that you need to plan for:
- The Avett Brothers New Year’s Eve Show in Charlotte
- Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration at Kure Beach
- New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Lodge at Beech Mountain
- First Night in Raleigh
Read More: Chimney Rock State Park (How to Enjoy an NC Icon)
- Jon Reep at the Comedy Zone in Charlotte
- Last Mile Fun Run at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville
- NYE Celebration at Union Station in Raleigh
- New Year’s Eve Celebration at Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock
- New Year’s Noon at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington
- Running of the Lights at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons
Read More: Children’s Museums in North Carolina
More Things to Do in North Carolina in December
If you thought these were the only things to do in North Carolina in December, think again. Here are 20-plus more events in our state to close out the year.
- Holiday Ornament Sale in Star (December 7-31, Closed Sundays)
- ACC Football Championship in Charlotte (December 7)
- Tribal Museums Day in Cherokee (December 7)
- Duck Yuletide Celebration (December 7)
- Chatham Studio Tour in Pittsboro (December 7-8 & 14-15)
- NCHSAA Football State Championships (December 13-14)
- First Flight Anniversary Event at the Wright Brothers National Memorial (December 17)
- Winston-Salem Jingle Jog (December 21)
Holiday Ornament Sale in Star
2024 Event Dates: December 7-31 (Closed Sundays)
Event Info
Montgomery County’s finest glass and ceramics makers are at it again, with a Holiday Ornament Sale at STARworks Gallery. 2,500 ornaments will be waiting for you and all who hope to purchase more than a few.
ACC Football Championship in Charlotte
2024 Event Date: December 7
Ticket Info
Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium will again host the ACC Football Championship Game, with a playoff spot on the line as well. We’ll see who makes it to the end, and who will claim the championship title!
Tribal Museums Day in Cherokee
2024 Event Date: December 7
Event Info
The Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee will join tribal museums and cultural centers throughout Indian Country for the very first Tribal Museums Day, an event organized by the Association on American Indian Affairs.
Don’t forget to support Native artists this holiday season (and beyond) in the Museum Store when you visit.
Read More: How to Enjoy Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (15 Tips)
Duck Yuletide Celebration
2024 Event Date: December 7
Event Info
If you’re enjoying the off-season on the Outer Banks, head up to Duck for their Yuletide Celebration. The fun includes an “Elf Passport,” treats provided by local businesses, music, caroling, and much more.
Read More: The Best Things to Do in the Outer Banks
Chatham Studio Tour in Pittsboro
2024 Event Dates: December 7-8 and 13-14
Event Info
Chatham County’s artists are opening up their studios for the 31th annual studio tour, hosted by the Chatham Artists Guild. 55 local artists will be appearing at 39 studios, so you’ve got your work cut out for you if you want to see them all.
Read More: Staying at the Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro (and 7 Things We Love About It!)
NCHSAA Football State Championships
2024 Event Dates: December 13-14
Event Info
December closes out the high school football season with final matchups held at stadiums in various cities throughout the state. Teams will play for the chance to win one of the eight football state champions.
With North Carolina’s reputation for producing pro talent, this is a great chance to see some future greats right before they make the jump to their respective college teams.
First Flight Anniversary at the Wright Brothers Memorial
2024 Event Dates: December 17
Event Info
If you’re a history nerd like Carl, you’ll want to head out to the Outer Banks to celebrate the accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright, aka the Wright Brothers.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial, the First Flight Society, and Outer Banks Forever will celebrate the famous Wrights and their first “heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight.”
The late Charles McGee, a Tuskegee Airman from World War II to Vietnam, will be inducted into the Paul E. Garber Shrine. His portrait will also be unveiled during this momentous occasion, which will be followed by Ranger-led activities and demos with the replica 1903 Wright Flyer throughout the day.
For the special day, park entrance fees are waived.
Winston-Salem Jingle Jog Christmas Run
2024 Event Date: December 21
Event Info
Get the holidays off to a running start with Winston Salem’s Jingle Jog! Participants can run or walk their way through a 5K or dress up and take things slowly on the Santa Strut fun run. All entrants receive a Santa Hat.
Read More: The Best Restaurants in Charlotte
Ready for these Fun Things to Do in North Carolina in December?
December in North Carolina is a wonderful and busy time for everyone. We look forward to enjoying these Christmas and holiday events while searching for more to share with you.
Before looking ahead to our future adventures, we’d love to know what’s on your mind. Which of these things to do in North Carolina in December will you be attending?
Also, what events do you think we should add to this list?
