Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on January 6, 2025.
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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.
Read More: The NC Tripping Events Calendar
Things to Do in North Carolina in January (Christmas and Holiday Celebrations)
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Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville
2025 Event Dates: Through January 5, 2025
Event Info
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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)
Hot Cocoa Crawl in Elizabeth City
2025 Event Dates: Through January 5
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
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)
- Tryon Resort Winterfest in Mill Spring (Through January 1)
- North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary (Through January 12)
- Speedway Christmas in Concord (Through January 5)
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 2025:
- Minnesota Wild (January 4)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (January 5)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (January 9)
- Vancouver Canucks (January 10)
- Anaheim “Mighty” Ducks (January 12)
- Vegas Golden Knights (January 17)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (January 23)
- Chicago Blackhawks (January 30)
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 2025 with home games at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte throughout January.
- Phoenix Suns (January 7)
- Dallas Mavericks (January 20)
- Portland Trail Blazers (January 24)
- New Orleans Pelicans (January 25)
- Los Angeles Lakers (January 27)
- Brooklyn Nets (January 29)
- LA Clippers (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), nearby South Mountains State Park (home to High Shoals Falls), or at Carolina Beach State Park near Wilmington, there’s a hiking trail for you.
More info on all First Day Hikes and participating parks can be found here.
Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina
Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte
2025 Event Date: January 3, 2025
Duke’s Mayo Bowl returns to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte as the B1G (Big 10 or however many teams they have now!) 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!
MLK Day Book Drive & Community Celebration in Durham
2025 Event Dates: January 12, 2025
Event Info
Book Harvest hosts its annual Dream Big Book Drive and Community Celebration from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm at the historic Golden Belt Campus 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!)
Animal Park Tree Toss in Burlington
2025 Event Date: January 18, 2025
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!)
Fort Fisher Anniversary Event
2025 Event Date: January 18, 2025
Event Info
If you’re in the Wilmington area, head over to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site on January 18, for a special event! During this FREE event (from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm), you can learn about Fort Fisher and its surroundings through living history displays, infantry and artillery demonstrations, guided tours ($10), and more!
Due to limited parking at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site and extra parking at Battle Acre Road, carpooling with friends and family is highly recommended!
Read More: Excellent Day Trips from Wilmington Within 2 Hours
Blowing Rock Winterfest
2025 Event Dates: January 23-26, 2024
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
2025 Event Date: January 25, 2025
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
Ice Fest Weekend in Haywood County
2025 Event Dates: January 30 to February 2, 2025
Event Info
Haywood County in Western NC has extended its Ice Fest Weekend to four days, stretching from the end of January into February! There are also some new events added this year, including a 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 host 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, the Cataloochee Ski Torch Run, and more!
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?
Note: If you’re reaching out on behalf of a business, PR agency, or DMO, please visit this page.
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.
