Check your town website for more events in your area!
NOVEMBER
Other WRAL Top Stories
11/12-1/11 NC Chinese Lantern Festival – Cary
The beloved walk-through festival returns to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre for eight weeks with more than 40 new displays with LED lights. Date-specific tickets are already available online.
11/20-1/3/2026 FestiBULL of Lights -- DBAP
FestiBull of Lights transforms the Durham Bulls Athletic Park into a dazzling winter wonderland!
Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights synchronized to festive music, meet Santa, hop aboard the NC by Train Holiday Express, create seasonal crafts, roast s’mores, savor festive food and drinks, and enjoy even more holiday fun — all surrounded by a breathtaking display of lights!
General admission is $12 per person, ages 3 and up. Purchase online, at the Bulls Box Office or by calling 919-687-6500.
DECEMBER
12/2 - 12/18 – Holiday Express at Pullen Park
If you were lucky enough to get tickets to this sold-out event at Pullen Park, then you will experience lots of holiday-themed fun and get to see some beautiful light displays.
12/3 - WRAL Tower Lighting (7p) – FREE
Lighting of the WRAL-TV tower, a 300-foot beacon to light Santa's way to Raleigh, and lighting the towers at sister properties at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham and Rocky Mount Mills.
12/4 – Clayton Christmas Village and Tree Lighting (5p-8p) - FREE
Families can hop on a trackless train ride, snap photos in the giant inflatable snow globe, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and watch the kids light up with glitter tattoos and seasonal crafts. As the evening winds down, gather in Town Square for the main event, the lighting of the Town of Clayton Christmas Tree at 7:15 p.m.
12/6-12/31 Apex Holiday Tour of Lights (Every night from 6p-9p) – FREE
Residents and businesses across Apex join together to share light displays each year. The Tour of Lights provides a map of the most efficient ways to see all the stops along the tour.
12/6 – WRAL Presents: The Apex Rotary Club Christmas Parade (5p) – FREE
Wake County's only nighttime holiday parade returns on the first Saturday of December at 5 p.m.
12/6 - Cary Tree Lighting Celebration 2025 (2p-6p) - FREE
Join the Town of Cary, marking the start of the holiday season by lighting up Downtown Cary Park's towering tree. Children can share their holiday wishes with Santa, engage in arts and crafts and enjoy seasonal treats.
12/6 - Garner Holiday Block Party, Christmas Parade, & Tree Lighting (2p-6:30p) - FREE
The town of Garner will wrap up its holiday celebrations with the annual Garner tree lighting, Christmas parade and community block party at the recreation center on Main Street.
12/10-12/14 - A Christmas Carol - Presented by Theatre in the Park – DPAC Durham, North Carolina
Ira David Wood III’s musical comedy adaptation, A Christmas Carol, returns to DPAC for six performances on Dec. 10 - 14, 2025. Cited as "one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theater history.”
12/13 – WRAL Presents: The Durham Holiday Parade (10a) - FREE
Enjoy this holiday parade in downtown Durham on Main Street starting at 10 a.m. Seating will not be provided. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.
12/13 – WRAL Presents: The Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade (2p) – FREE
This annual parade starts at 2 p.m. in downtown Cary. The parade is a joyful celebration which includes bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups and churches.
12/13 – Clayton Christmas Parade (3p) – FREE
Grab a seat anywhere on Main Street from Smith to Robertson to celebrate the season.
12/13 – Knightdale Christmas Parade (10p) – FREE
This parade begins at 10 a.m. on First Avenue near Knightdale Station Run.
12/19-12/21 - Black Nativity Durham - Hillside High School, Durham, North Carolina
Triangle Performance Ensemble will present its 2025 production of Black Nativity Durham. Come experience a stirring, soulful, gospel celebration about the birth of Jesus Christ based upon Langston Hughes’ version of the Christmas story.
