Holiday Events 2025

Aberdeen

• Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 12/4/2025, 6:15 PM
  • Location: Union Station Railroad Museum
  • Details: Come out and enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Then there will be a visit from Santa Claus, special performances and light refreshments.
• Christmas Parade 2025
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 11:00 AM
  • Location: Downtown Aberdeen on Main Street
  • Details: Holiday fun for all ages in Historic Downtown Aberdeen, featuring a special appearance by Santa.
• Malcolm Blue Farm Old Fashioned Christmas
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: 1177 Bethesda Road
  • Details: Enjoy the annual Old-Fashioned Christmas event at the Malcolm Blue Farm in Aberdeen on Saturday, December 13th | 1pm-5pm! Come celebrate Christmas in the spirit of the 1800s! The farmhouse will be open and decorated in the fashion of the 1800s. The pack house will be open with children’s activities such as letters to Santa with feather pens and making bird feeders. The museum will also be open to visitors. Music and light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free and open to the public

Angier

• Christmas on the Square
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/5/2025, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Location: 19 W Depot Street
  • Details: Experience the joy of the season with refreshments, visits with Santa, train rides, crafts for the kids, live entertainment, Christmas Tree Lighting, hayrides to a live nativity scene at Jack Marley Park.
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 10:00 AM
  • Location: 19 W Depot Street
  • Details: Come out and enjoy all the festive sights and sounds of the Angier Christmas Parade.  It’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Apex

• Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/5/2025, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: Town Hall Campus – 73 Hunter St
  • Details: Enjoy the very first Tree lighting on Town Hall Campus!  There will be entertainers, craft stations, holiday and food vendors, band, chorus and dance performances from local schools and free photos with Santa!
• Rotary Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 5:00 PM
  • Location: Salem Street
  • Details: The only night-time parade in Wake County, with floats, entertainment, bands, and more.

Archdale

• Archdale Community Christmas
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: 214 Park Drive
  • Details: Enjoy this free community event full of family fun activities.  There will be a Tree Lighting Ceremony, Chili cook-off, snow globe, Santa, ice skating rink, petting zoo, local vendors, train, movie with s’mores, crafts for kids, live music and more!
• Archdale Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 12/7/2025, 3:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Get into the Christmas spirit with the Archdale Christmas parade.  Bring the entire family for a great tradition with floats, marching bands, classic cars, churches, clubs and Santa.

Asheboro

• Annual Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: 629 Industrial Park Ave
  • Details: Kickoff the most wonderful time of year with the Annual Tree Lighting.  Enjoy free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free tinsel hair and coloring books, free hot chocolate and cookies. Plus, live music, local choirs, reindeer games, ornament decorating and more.  It will be a night to remember!
• Asheboro Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/5/2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Corner of Church and Sunset Avenue
  • Details: Join Downtown Asheboro as they kick off the holiday season!  This event will be filled with music, beautifully decorated floats and people celebrating the season.
• Christmas on Sunset
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/12/2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Asheboro
  • Details: Christmas in Downtown Asheboro will come alive for an old-fashioned Christmas. Enjoy the musicians and carolers, live outdoor entertainment, live nativity scene at First Baptist Church, Wagon and Carriage rides through Bicentennial Park, hot cider, hot chocolate & treats, Marshmallow roasting, Photo opportunities, trees spruce saplings giveaway and more.

Bennett

• Christmas in Bennett
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 11:00 AM
  • Location: Bennett
  • Details: Christmas in Bennett starting at 11 AM with food, vendors, kiddie tractor pull, Christmas carols, snow cones, cookies with Santa, the parade at 1 PM, followed by the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

Broadway

• Annual Broadway Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 12/7/2025, 4:00 PM
  • Location: NC Veteran’s Memorial
  • Details: Watch the magic happen with the lighting of the Christmas tree with thousands of twinkling lights! There will be carols and Santa for photos, along with hot chocolate and tasty holiday treats. It will be a night of lights, music, and community spirit!
• Broadway Lions Club Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 2:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Broadway
  • Details: The Broadway Lions Club is hosting an Old Fashioned Christmas Parade. Come out and enjoy the floats, local groups, local school bands, clowns, horses, fire engines, and more.

Buies Creek

• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 12/14/2025, 4:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Come out and enjoy the floats/cars, bands, and more of the annual Christmas Parade. It’s a magical day filled with smiles, community spirit, and holiday joy.

Cameron

• Town of Cameron Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 11/29/25, 5:00 PM
  • Location: 325 McNeill Street
  • Details: Welcome the Christmas season with the lighting of the big magnolia tree! There will be Christmas refreshments provided by community churches, music, a live nativity scene, children’s story time, and an opportunity to meet with a special guest – Santa!
• Christmas Parade 2025
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 10:00 AM
  • Location: Carthage Street
  • Details: Come out and enjoy the festive sights and sounds. It’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Carthage

• Holiday Open House at the Bryant House
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 12/7/2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: 3361 Mt. Carmel Road
  • Details: Travel Back in Time this holiday season with the Moore County Historical Society! Enjoy music, tours, and refreshments at the historic 1820s Bryant House and 1780s McLendon Cabin! There will be warm drinks, homemade cookies, and live music. Get a little taste of how early settlers celebrated Christmas.
• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: 1 Courthouse Square
  • Details: Come out and enjoy the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and night Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 13th! The Carthage Christmas Parade holds a special kind of magic that only the lights of the season can bring! Starting promptly at 6:00 PM, the parade passes through the heart of Carthage, spreading good cheer, peace, and the warmth of Christmas spirit. Come out and see Santa, enjoy the bands, and watch the colorful floats – it’s fun for the whole family!

Cary

• Tree Lighting Celebration
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Location: 327 S Academy Street
  • Details: The most magical night of the season awaits! This FREE celebration transforms the entire park into a holiday wonderland. Enjoy festive activities, live performances, and special programs throughout the day, all building to the spectacular Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 PM. Watch as thousands of lights illuminate the night and officially launch the holiday season in style!
• Annual Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: E Chatham Street at Ward St
  • Details: Enjoy the holiday cheer at the annual Christmas parade. The parade is a jolly celebration which includes bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches.

Dunn

• Christmas Extravaganza
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Broad Street
  • Details: Get ready for a magical night in Dunn! The 2025 Christmas Extravaganza returns with the Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, student carolers, Santa, lightings, carriage rides & more – all under the glow of twinkling lights!

Erwin

• Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Date/Time: Monday, 11/24/2025, 6:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Erwin
  • Details: Come out and celebrate the most beautiful time of the year. The evening begins with the Tree Lighting followed by Christmas music from local bands, food, and a special guest appearance of Santa!
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Monday, 12/1/2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Denim Dr/N 13th Street
  • Details: Enjoy the floats, music, dances, and more at this year’s Christmas Parade.

Fayetteville

• A Dickens Holiday
  • Date/Time: Friday, 11/28/2025, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Fayetteville
  • Details: Step back in time and enjoy holiday shopping, seasonal food and drink, roving Dickens characters (like Father Christmas and the Cast of A Christmas Carol), live performances, holiday songs, carolers, and magic. The evening features the Candlelight Procession leading to the Illumination Ceremony followed by Dickens After Dark. Everyone is welcome to share the magic!
• Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 10:00 AM
  • Location: Downtown Fayetteville
  • Details: Come out and enjoy Fayetteville Rotary Club’s holiday tradition with bands, dance groups, motorcycles, horses, floats, and of course, Santa!

Franklinville

• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Parade); 5:00 PM (Tree Lighting)
  • Location: Church Street and Riverside Park
  • Details: Come out and enjoy this fun, small-town Christmas parade! No entry fees, and all participants are welcome. Line-up begins on Church Street at 10:30 AM. Then enjoy the Christmas Tree Lighting, Caroling in the Park, and Free Bicycle Giveaway at 5:00 PM at Riverside Park!

Fuquay-Varina

• Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 12/4/2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Vance Street Parking Lot
  • Details: Celebrate the joy of the holiday season at the annual Town Tree Lighting! The tree and menorah will be lit.
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 12/7/2025, 4:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Everyone will enjoy the wonders of Christmas at this festive parade.

Goldston

• Goldston Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 11:00 AM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Join Goldston for their annual Christmas parade – a joyful celebration filled with festive floats, local groups, marching bands, and of course, Santa!

Hamlet

• Parade of Lights
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 12/4/2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Light up the holidays with Hamlet’s Annual Christmas Parade of Lights. Enjoy the sparkling floats, local organizations, local school marching bands, and more. Watch downtown brighten up for the holidays!

Holly Springs

• Light the Springs
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center
  • Details: Ring in the start of the holiday season with Light the Springs! Families and children of all ages can celebrate the season with live music, festive food and beverages options, and free holiday crafts. Kids can bring their letter to Santa at our mailbox before meeting him in person. The festivities kickoff with the menorah lighting and end with Santa and the mayor lighting the Town tree.
• Happy Holly Days Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 10:00 AM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Get in the holiday spirit as floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, marching groups, and all sorts of entertaining entries travel along Main Street through downtown Holly Springs!

Hope Mills

• Christmas at the Lake
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/5/2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Location: Hope Mills Lake
  • Details: Enjoy a magical evening at Hope Mills Lake. Bring your chairs & blankets and cozy up while listening to Christmas music. Enjoy complementary hot chocolate and desserts. Visit with friends from the North Pole! You won’t want to miss Santa, who will be available for captivating photos and memories.
• Christmas Parade of Lights
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 5:00 PM
  • Location: Rockfish Elementary to Hope Mills Middle School
  • Details: It’s Hope Mills’ brightest traditions! Bring your family and friends to enjoy the festive floats, twinkling lights, and holiday cheer.
• Paws & Claus Pet Pics
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
  • Location: Town Hall Gazebo
  • Details: Bring your furbabies to meet Santa Claus! Meet Santa at the gazebo next to Town Hall to get a photo of your pets with the big guy!

Laurinburg

• Christmas on Main
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 11/23/2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Come to downtown Laurinburg for crafts, food, entertainment, carriage rides, ice skating, and a tree lighting ceremony.
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 3:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Laurinburg
  • Details: Be a part of the tradition and kick off the holiday at the Annual Laurinburg Christmas Parade! Enjoy the homemade floats, bands, dance teams, and of course, Santa!

Liberty

• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Greensboro Street and Depot St
  • Details: Join the festivities at the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Festival! This amazing day of activities will begin at 2:30 PM with the Christmas Parade and immediately followed with the Tree Lighting festival. There will be tons of food, vendors, live music, s’mores roasting, and even an appearance from Mr. Claus himself!

Lillington

• Christmas on the Cape Fear
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 12/11/2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: 151 East Duncan Street
  • Details: The evening will be full of fun and festivities including the Tree Lighting, Santa’s Workshop, Letters to Santa, Pictures with Santa, Cookies & Milk, hot chocolate, ornament making, inflatables, and more!
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 10:00 AM
  • Location: Along Front and Main Streets
  • Details: Come out and enjoy the floats, bands, and more at the annual Christmas Parade.

Pinehurst

• Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/5/2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: Village of Pinehurst
  • Details: The Village of Pinehurst is holding the annual Christmas Tree Lighting festivities. Once a year, the Village of Pinehurst comes alive with holiday spirit at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Bring your family and friends to Tufts Memorial Park for music, holiday cheer and of course, the chance to see Santa! Enjoy festive fun with the official lighting taking place at 6:30pm. 

Pittsboro

• Holly Days – Pittsboro Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 11/23/25, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Pittsboro
  • Details: Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon and evening the whole family will enjoy.  There will be a magical tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa Claus, live entertainment, a train ride, bounce house and vendor market.
• Pittsboro Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 3:00 PM
  • Location: Martin Luther King Drive
  • Details: Santa Claus will return to Pittsboro! The annual Pittsboro Christmas Parade features beautifully decorated floats built by local groups and businesses, filled to the brim with cheer, live entertainment, and festive custom floats. Includes walking groups, light, and sound!

Raeford

• Hometown Christmas on Main Street
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Come shop, sip coco, and celebrate the season during Raeford’s Hometown Christmas on Main Street!  Main Street will come alive with holiday cheer, featuring an arts & crafts vendor market, live Christmas music and a festive costume contest. You will also enjoy the school performances, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the tree lighting, train rides and more.

Ramseur

• Ramseur Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 5:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Everyone will enjoy the Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting. The Parade is fun for the entire family and features a visit from Santa atop the Fire Department’s original 1939 Ford fire truck. Christmas Carols and a visit from Santa Claus will take place on the front lawn of Town Hall in Downtown Ramseur.

Randleman

• City of Randleman Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 12/4/2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: 204 S Main Street
  • Details: Enjoy the floats, music, dances, and more at the followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting in Commerce Square Park.

Robbins

• Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Greenspace
  • Details: Its Christmas in Robbins!  It all starts with the Tree Lighting at 5:00pm at Greenspace. Then all ages will enjoy the 33rd Robbins Christmas Parade and holiday cheer! Following the parade, visit Santa in the Depot. Be sure to bring your camera for photographs.

Rockingham

• Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Date/Time: Tuesday, 12/2/2025, 7:00 PM
  • Location: Cole Plaza
  • Details: It’s the 23rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cole Plaza next to City Hall the LJ Bell Elementary School Chorus will be singing Christmas carols before and after the tree lighting.  Cookies and Hot Cocoa will be served after the lighting.
• Christmas on the Square
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown
  • Details: Come out and enjoy Christmas on the Square with arts, crafts, food, and entertainment. It’s fun for the whole family! There will also be a collection for new unwrapped toys and gently used winter coats for “One Perfect Gift”

Sanford

• Sunday with Santa
  • Date/Time: Sunday, 11/23/2025, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Carthage Street
  • Details: Spend a “snowy” afternoon in Downtown Sanford with Santa! Make crafts, write a letter to Santa with the Elves, and check out the photo opportunities.   Then, gather around the tree as the mayor and friends light the downtown tree with twinkling lights. Kick off your holiday season and enjoy loads of festive family fun in front of Visit Sanford Welcome Center 229 Carthage Street.
• Sanford Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Monday, 12/1/2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Sanford
  • Details: Come out and enjoy the longest-running night-time parade.  It’s an annual tradition that is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Siler City

• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Monday, 12/8/2025, 7:00 PM
  • Location: E Main Street
  • Details: Come out to see a true small-town Christmas parade! The parade begins at 7 PM and the Christmas Car Parade is back! Grab a seat and walk into the businesses to see the North Pole!

Seagrove

• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: E Main Street
  • Details: Come out to see a wonderful Christmas parade in downtown Seagrove. Feel the Christmas magic as Santa and others walk and ride through Seagrove on his way to the North Pole!

Siler City

• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Thursday, 12/4/2025, 7:00 PM
  • Location: Downtown Siler City
  • Details: It’s A Small Town Christmas Story!  Bring the whole family out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas.  Then join Santa in the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the end of the parade.
• Holiday in the Park
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/12/2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: Northwest District Park
  • Details: Join the fun at this free, indoor/outdoor event including pictures with Santa, holiday themed games, crafts, candy canes, warm drinks, letters to Santa, and the tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. to kick off the event!
• Cookies & Cocoa with Santa
  • Date/Time: Friday, 12/12/2025, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Location: Ernest Ramsey Gym
  • Details: Santa’s swinging by Siler City and he’s bringing cookies on Friday December 12 from 5 to 7:30 at Ernest Ramsey Gym!  Enjoy crafts, face painting, cocoa, cookies and a visit with Santa.  Free, fun and full of holiday cheer and maybe a few cookie crumbs!

Southern Pines

• Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 11/29/2025, 4:30 PM-6:30 PM
  • Location: Green Space at Sunrise Theater
  • Details: The festivities start with Santa arriving by fire engine at 4:30 and will be available for pictures until 6:15 p.m. (BYO Camera) Entertainment begins at 5:00 p.m. and the Tree will be lit at 6:15 p.m.
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 11:00 AM
  • Location: Broad Street
  • Details: Come out to the Annual Christmas parade and get in the holiday spirit! The parade will feature high school bands, dance teams, floats, fire trucks, antique cars, Misses and Princesses, …and of course, Santa Claus! The parade will begin at Sunrise Theater heading South down Broad Street to Massachusetts Avenue where it will cross the tracks and make its way back up North Broad Street to Connecticut Avenue.
• Christmas Carriage Parade 2025
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Location: Downtown Southern Pines
  • Details: The Moore County Driving Club presents the annual Christmas Carriage Parade in Downtown Southern Pines on Saturday, December 13th at 1:00pm! This parade is a treat for all ages as you watch the parade of beautiful horses and carriages decorated for the holidays.

Star

• Star Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 2:00 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Get into the festive spirit for the Annual Star Christmas parade. Enjoy the floats, antique cars, horses, tractors and more.

Troy

• Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, 11/26/2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Get ready for a magical evening filled with holiday cheer at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event. Enjoy a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Clause, yummy hot chocolate and cookies, music and of course the lighting of Main Street.

Vass

• Tree Lighting
  • Date/Time: Friday, 11/28/2025, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
  • Location: Corner of Main Street and S Alma
  • Details: Start the Christmas holiday with the Town of Vass! The festivities are held on the corner of Main St. and S. Alma St. Enjoy family friendly activities with live music, crafts, letters to Santa, food, shopping and more. Be sure to bring your camera for photo opportunities with Santa in his sleigh and a snowy Christmas tree lighting!
• Christmas Parade
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 12/20/25, 11:00 AM
  • Location: Main Street
  • Details: Bring your holiday spirit and enjoy a parade of colorful floats, classic cars, community groups and more!