Holiday Happenings - Wake Living

November 3, 2025

Turkey Bowl V

November 8, 1–3 p.m.
Morrisville Community Park

The Morrisville Police Department and Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department face off in a game of kickball. Admission is one nonperishable food item for families in need.

Turkey Trot 5k

Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m.
Apex Community Park
apexnc.org/538/Turkey-Trot-5K-Run

The course will take you through the park and around a scenic lake. Registration is limited to the first 600 individuals. Competitive and recreational divisions for adults and youth. $12–$30.

Trophy Trot 5k

November 27, 9 a.m. to noon
Dix Park, Raleigh
nogrunclub.com

Set out Thanksgiving morning for a trot through Dix Park benefiting Healing Transitions, followed by an after party at Trophy Brewing & Taproom. $40–$50.

Kids Holiday Craft Fair

November 23, 2:30–5 p.m.
Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex

Children sell handmade holiday art and crafts in a fun atmosphere and are encouraged to donate a portion of profits to charity.

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

November 15 to January 11 (closed Christmas Day)
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
boothamphitheatre.com

Now in its 10th year, this walk-through experience features thousands of handcrafted lanterns, plus nightly Chinese traditional stage performances. See website for pricing.

Mingle & Market Local

November 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
White Street, Wake Forest

Spend Small Business Saturday crossing names off your list. Giveaways for early shoppers, plus food, music, raffles, and a Cards for Service Members booth.

Fuquay-Varina Chorale Holiday: Snow

December 5, 7:30 p.m.
December 6, 2 & 7:30 p.m.
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
app.arts-people.com/?show=294535

Dream of snow and hear the beautiful voices of this popular ensemble. $10 per person.

Snowman Stroll on Salem

December 5–14
Downtown Apex
apexnc.org/2017/Snowman-Stroll-on-Salem

Print a passport or pick one up from the Apex Welcome Center or a participating business. Get stamps from Snowman Stops and self-guided merrymaking activities. Turn in your passport for entry into a raffle.

Winter Wonderland Crafts Extravaganza

December 10, 6:30–8 p.m.
Cedar Fork Community Center, Morrisville

Show your creative side and enjoy festive snacks and hot chocolate.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

December 28 to January 11
Durham Performing Arts Center
dpacnc.com

Experience the wizarding world like never before — direct from Broadway! $55 and up.

Cary Kwanzaa Celebration

December 29, 1–6 p.m.
Cary Arts Center

Embrace African culture through displays of dance, drumming, storytelling, and visual arts.

Jingle All the Way

ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade

November 22, 9:30 a.m.
Downtown Raleigh
grma.org/christmas-parade

The largest Christmas parade between Atlanta and Washington, DC, now in its 81st year!

Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade

December 7, 4 p.m.
Downtown Fuquay-Varina
fuquayvarinachristmasparade.org

More than 80 decorated floats and vehicles, sponsored by hometown businesses and organizations, caravan through Main Street in downtown Fuquay-Varina.

Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade

December 13, 2–4 p.m.
Downtown Cary

Bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches join forces for this beloved annual spectacle that runs from E. Chatham Street to the Cary Arts Center, now in its 46th year.

Happy Holly Days Parade

December 13, 10 a.m.
Holly Springs Village District
hollyspringsnc.gov

Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, and marching groups travel Main Street through downtown Holly Springs.

Apex Rotary Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 6, 5 p.m.
Downtown Apex
apexnc.org/1710/Rotary-Christmas-Parade

The only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County! Benefiting multiple local charities, including the Western Wake Crisis Ministry.

Let There Be Lights

Waverly Place Tree Lighting

November 21, 5–8 p.m.
Waverly Place shopping center, Cary

Performances, treats, and lots more!

Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 4, 6–8 p.m.
Vance Street parking lot (across from Ashworth’s Clothing)
fuquay-varinadowntown.com

The town tree and menorah are lit during a day of holiday cheer. Buy a ticket to enjoy a sleigh ride.

Apex Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 5, 4:30–7 p.m.
Apex Town Hall Campus

Join community members and the Apex Town Council as the tree is lit in the center of Town Hall Campus!

Cary Tree Lighting Celebration

December 6, 2–10 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park

Farmers and vendor markets, photos with Santa, storytime with Peter Rabbit, a penguin playground, food trucks, a skating rink, performances from local organizations, and a handbell performance all lead to the official tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Morrisville Christmas Tree Lighting

December 6, 3–6 p.m.
Indian Creek Trailhead

Santa Claus and the Town Council will be counting down the lighting of the tree at 5:45 p.m.

Apex Holiday Tour of Lights

December 6–31, 6–9 p.m.
apexnc.org/1718/Seasonal-Tours

Put on your favorite holiday playlist and follow a map for the most efficient route to see all the displays at homes and businesses across town.

Light the Springs

December 6, 5–8 p.m.
Holly Springs Cultural Center

Live music, festive food, free holiday crafts, Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greets, and the town’s menorah and tree lighting.

Fieldstream Farm Light Show

Throughout December
Fieldstream Farm, Raleigh
fieldstreamfarm.com

An agritourism farm decks out with over 2 million lights for a drive-through show. Advance ticket purchase required, $20 per vehicle up to 8 passengers.

Illuminate Art Walk

December through early January
Downtown Raleigh
downtownraleigh.org/illuminate

Storefronts, plazas, and public spaces house large-scale illuminated art installations from local artists.

Join Chabad of Cary for festive menorah lightings that bring the community together. chabadofcary.org

Chanukah Wonderland

December 14
Apex Senior Center

Games, crafts, food, and lighting the menorah on Town Campus.

Cary Menorah Lighting

December 16, 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park

Holiday music plus a sweet treat and kids’ activity.

Fenton Menorah Lighting

December 17, 5–7 p.m.
Fenton Square, Cary

Ice skating, and even an ice menorah.

Morrisville Menorah Lighting

December 21, 5:30 p.m.
Indian Creek Trailhead

Accompanied by live music.

The Nutcracker

Opportunities abound to catch the iconic holiday production. See websites for pricing information.

City Ballet Raleigh

December 5, 7 p.m.
December 6, 2 and 7 p.m.
Stewart Theatre at NC State University
city-ballet.com/nutcracker

Professional guest artists join talented students for a lavishly staged production.

Infinity Ballet

December 5, 8 p.m.
December 6, 3 p.m.
December 7, 2 & 4 p.m.
Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex
apexnc.org/1965/Infinity-Ballet-Presents

A one-hour storybook series rendition of Nutcracker Dances.

Cary Ballet Company

December 6
Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts, Raleigh
December 18–21
Cary Arts Center
caryballetcompany.org/nutcracker

Multiple showtimes include the full-length ballet, one-hour Nutcracker Suite, and sensory-friendly production with softer music and other accommodations.

Carolina Ballet

December 11–24
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
carolinaballet.com/program/the-nutcracker

Live music accompanies every show, including the NC Symphony Dec. 19–21.

Worth the Drive

The Southern Lights

November 21 to December 23, 5:30–9 p.m.
The Gardens of Southeastern NC, Willard
thesouthernlightsnc.com

Stroll a dazzling garden light display, peruse a 12 Days of Christmas–themed art exhibit, take a whimsical wagon ride, and enjoy a range of seasonal treats, from coffee and cocktails to s’mores and soup. $12 online, $15 at the gate. VIP bundles available.

Topsail Christmas Market and Flotilla

December 13
Market noon to 6 p.m.
Flotilla 5–7 p.m.
Soundside Park, Surf City
topsailchamber.org

Live music, food trucks, shopping, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by a floating light parade from Bush Marina to Soundside Park.

Candlelight

December 13 & 20
Tryon Palace, New Bern
tryonpalace.org/events/candlelight-2025

Tour the historic Governor’s Mansion by candlelight as costumed interpreters present an engaging story. Enjoy other festive activities and food trucks as you await the black powder fireworks display to close the evening. See website for pricing.