These things to do in North Carolina in January will get your year started on the right foot! Our guide shares the best events during our coldest winter month.
January is a month of new beginnings in North Carolina, where you can slow down and relax after the holiday hustle and bustle. And while our state isn’t nearly as busy as November or December, you’ll find there are still plenty of events going on throughout.
Because there are holdovers from Christmas, exciting sports events, and more fun going on, we’ve organized this post into the following sections:
- Christmas and Holiday Celebrations (Christmas at Biltmore, Speedway Christmas, and More!)
- Winter Sports (NBA, NCAA, NFL, and Hockey)
- More Things to Do in North Carolina in January
As we’ve done with previous monthly roundups, we’ve ordered these January events by starting date and alphabetized by city.
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Enter the Conversation!Things to Do in North Carolina in January (Christmas and Holiday Celebrations)
These Christmas and Holiday celebrations carry over from December and are still going strong for a few more days in January!
Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville
2026 Event Dates: Through January 4, 2026
Event Info
December is the biggest winter month for Christmas and holiday home tours, but Christmas at Biltmore is also one of the best things to do in Asheville in January.
The massive event wraps up after another run at America’s Largest Home and we are sad to see it go. Of course, there are only 10 more months until the next one!
Read More: 80+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (The Asheville Bucket List)
More Christmas Lights Festivals
Those are not the only flashy things to do in North Carolina in January. Here are more holiday lights festivals wrapping up during the year’s first month.
- Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights in Clemmons (Through January 1, 2026)
- North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary (Through January 11, 2026)
- Speedway Christmas in Concord (Through January 4, 2026)
Read More: Unique Things to Do in North Carolina (The NC Bucket List)
Things to Do in North Carolina in January (Winter Sports)
Winter sports are on full display during January in North Carolina. We start with the hardest-hitting teams in the business.
Hockey (All Month)
Seeing the Carolina Hurricanes is one of the best things to do in Raleigh. Here’s how their home schedule looks in January 2026:
- Montreal Canadians (January 1)
- Colorado Avalanche (January 3)
- Dallas Stars (January 6)
- Anaheim Ducks (January 8)
- Seattle Kraken (January 10)
- Florida Panthers (January 16)
- Buffalo Sabres (January 19)
- Chicago Blackhawks (January 22)
- Utah Mammoth (January 29)
Carolina Hurricanes Ticket Info
Minor League Hockey will also be in full swing in January and throughout the winter months. Keep an eye out for these teams’ home games this January:
Read More: Things to Do in Fayetteville
NBA Basketball (All Month)
Not to be overshadowed by the NCAAs, watching NBA basketball’s Charlotte Hornets is one of the best things to do in North Carolina in January.
The Hornets will kick off 2026 with home games at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte throughout January.
- Toronto Raptors (January 7)
- Indiana Pacers (January 8)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (January 21)
- Washington Wizards (January 24)
- Philadelphia 76ers (January 26)
- Brooklyn Nets (January 29)
- San Antonio Spurs (January 31)
NCAA Basketball (All Month)
If you know North Carolina, then you know that Men’s and Women’s college basketball starts getting into high gear with conference play during the first month of the year.
- American Athletic Conference (AAC)
- Charlotte 49ers
- East Carolina Pirates
- Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
- Duke Blue Devils
- NC State Wolfpack
- UNC-Chapel Hill Tar Heels
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Atlantic Sun Conference (ASun)
- Queens Royals
- Atlantic 10 Conference
- Davidson Wildcats
- Big South Conference
- Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
- High Point Panthers
- UNC-Asheville Bulldogs
- Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
- Campbell Fighting Camels
- Elon Phoenix
- North Carolina A&T Aggies
- UNC-Wilmington Seahawks
- Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
- North Carolina Central Eagles
- Southern Conference
- UNC-Greensboro Spartans
- Western Carolina Catamounts
- Sun Belt Conference
- Appalachian State Mountaineers
There are always some interesting conference games during January between in-state foes in North Carolina on both sides. UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke, and Wake Forest are the largest universities with intense rivalries.
We typically use Ticketmaster.com to buy tickets to basketball games in NC.
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
More Things to Do in North Carolina in January
Here are more things to do in North Carolina in January that aren’t related to Christmas, the holidays, or sports.
Statewide First Day Hikes (January 1)
To kick off the new year in nature, all North Carolina State Parks hold a series of First Day Hikes (many guided) throughout the day.
Whether you’re in Western North Carolina near Chimney Rock State Park (and Chimney Rock Village), or at Carolina Beach State Park near Wilmington, there’s a hiking trail for you.
Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina
Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte
2026 Event Date: January 2, 2026
Duke’s Mayo Bowl returns to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte as teams from the SEC and the ACC battle during the first week of January.
Events surrounding this college football game include the Fan Central Party the night before and a concert the day of the big game!
Hot Cocoa Crawl in Elizabeth City
2026 Event Dates: Through January 3, 2026
Event Info
Elizabeth City transforms into the “Hot Cocoa Capital of the World” for its annual Hot Cocoa Crawl.
More than 40 local businesses create a trail of hot chocolate treats and cocoa-inspired experiences to savor. It’s the perfect event for the whole family.
Read More: 10+ Great Places to Visit in Camden County NC
Animal Park Tree Toss in Burlington
2026 Event Date: January 17, 2026
Event Info
Have you ever wondered what happens to all those leftover Christmas trees? In Burlington, many trees are donated to the Conservator Center Animal Park.
Used as special enrichment, the animals enjoy the smells and new textures from the trees at the annual Tree Toss.
Guests are invited to walk around the park to watch the animals enjoy the trees. You’ll also get a chance to create a craft to take home. Tickets do sell out so make sure to buy them in advance!
Read more: 30+ Awesome Things to Do in Greensboro (Truly Unique Places!)
Book Harvest’s Annual Dream Big Celebration in Durham
2026 Event Date: January 19, 2026
Event Info
Book Harvest hosts its annual Dream Big Book Drive and Community Celebration from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm at Boxyard RTP in Durham.
You can donate new and gently used children’s books (for ages 0 to 18). Donated books will be available to families in Durham and beyond through Book Harvest’s many programs.
The organization provides books and literacy support to children starting at birth.
Read More: Independent Bookstores in North Carolina (25+ of the Best!)
Blowing Rock Winterfest
2026 Event Dates: January 22-25, 2026
Event Info
Blowing Rock Winterfest features lots of fun events over four days in one of our favorite small towns. There’s a Polar Bear Plunge in Chetola Lake, Winterfeast (15 restaurants in one place), Ice Carving in Memorial Park, and much more.
Read More: Things to Do in Blowing Rock
NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting in Durham
2026 Event Date: January 24, 2026
Event Info
The annual NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting celebrates new and exciting flavors in hops. Attendees learn about the 50 to 55 beers being poured, while enjoying local eats, too!
This event will raise funds and awareness for The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling.
Read More: Craft Breweries in Durham: The Go-To Guide for a Bull City Pint
Astronomy Days in Raleigh
2026 Event Dates: January 24-25, 2026
Event Info
Get to see the bigger picture at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences during Astronomy Days. During this free event, stations across the museum allow guests to interact, learn and ponder.
Create a rocket, play a Jeopardy-style game from the Raleigh Astronomy Club, and learn about constellations during the out-of-this-world and kid-friendly fun!
Read More: 10 of the Best Museums in Raleigh, NC (Downtown and Beyond)
Ice Fest Weekend in Haywood County
2026 Event Dates: January 29-February 1, 2026
Event Info
The coolest event in Western NC is back with Visit Haywood Ice Fest Weekend. Over four days, a variety of events await.
They include the Cool Jazz Concert at HART Theatre in Waynesville and a Visit Haywood Ice Stroll in downtown Waynesville.
Returning festivities include live ice-carving demonstrations, ice games, and a variety of vendors at the Maggie Valley Ice Festival. The fun continues around Haywood County, with an ice skating rink in Canton, a “Frosty 5K” in Clyde, and more!
Read More: Staying at Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley (and 10+ Things We Love About it!)
Johnnie Mercers Pier Dogfish Tournament in Wrightsville Beach
2026 Event Date: January 31, 2026
Event Info
The annual Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament will host hundreds of anglers, with cash prizes awarded through a raffle drawing.
Note: All fish entered must be released alive to be considered for prizes.
Inside the snack bar area, there will be some additional family-friendly fishing fun to congratulate the winners of this Wrightsville Beach event.
Read More: 10 Amazing Beaches Near Wilmington (Which One is the Best?)
Ready for These Things to Do in North Carolina in January?
January 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 North Carolina things to do in January will you attend?
Also, what events do you think we should add to this list?
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More Things to Do in North Carolina in January (and Beyond)
We’ve featured these North Carolina things to do in January in many of our NC Travel Guides. Here are a few of them.
