Kids Christmas Events in Raleigh + the Triangle (2024)

by
Amy Hartle
Latest posts by Amy Hartle (see all)

Celebrating Christmas as a family is such a blessing. And what better way to celebrate than by experiencing one of Raleigh’s top Christmas events together?

There are so many holiday events happening in the Triangle this year, there is sure to be something perfect for you and yours. Ready to make some holiday memories? Take a look!

Top Raleigh Christmas Events for Kids & Families

These are the highlights of Raleigh’s Christmas events: the holiday traditions that come around year after year. In our opinion, these are the best kids holiday activities in the Triangle. At the bottom of this list, you’ll see even more local holiday events to check out.

Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting

The Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting includes a vendor market, free pictures with Santa, live music, and more.

  • Friday November 22nd, 2024 | 5:30pm-8:00pm
  • Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Lichtin Plaza
  • Free
  • More info

🎄Here’s our list of all the local Christmas tree lightings. Many of these events have tons of activities to enjoy. Don’t miss! 🎄

80th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade

The Raleigh Christmas parade is a magical annual holiday tradition that typically takes place at the end of November. It is the largest holiday parade between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. This year is the 80th anniversary of the parade.

  • Saturday November 23rd, 2024 | 9:30am-12:00pm
  • Downtown Raleigh
  • Free
  • More info

Chinese Lantern Festival

This image features a large, illuminated dragon sculpture glowing vibrantly against a dark night sky. The dragon's body is adorned with colorful scales, transitioning from fiery red to yellow, with blue accents along its spines. Its serpentine form stretches across the scene, evoking the elegance of traditional Chinese lantern festivals.

The annual North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is absolutely stunning. Huge, impressive lanterns illuminate the night with thousands of LED lights, captivating visitors on a one-hour walking tour.

In addition to the stunning lantern displays, the ticketed event offers a vibrant celebration of Chinese culture, featuring nightly performances with martial arts, traditional dances, acrobatics, drum shows, and more. In past years, they’ve also had swings and other fun interactive elements for kids.

  • November 16th, 2024 – January 25th, 2025 | 6:00pm-10:00pm
  • Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary, NC
  • $11-31+, Kids 2 and under are free. (Pro tip: The most affordable option is to buy date specific tickets.)
  • More info

Ice skating at The RINK at Red Hat Amphitheatre

Enjoy skating in a winter wonderland in the heart of Downtown Raleigh. The RINK at Red Hat is an incredible festive experience. In addition to skating on the ice, guests will enjoy fire pits and Cozy Stations, a 20-foot decorated tree, a snack bar, giant Jenga, and more.

The RINK lasts into the new year, so if you miss it at Christmas, you can catch it in January 2025.

Want an extra special experience? Check out their private igloos!

  • November 23rd, 2024 – January 20th, 2025 | Hours vary
  • Red Hat Amphitheatre
  • $15 skate admission (includes skate rental), $6 non-skater
  • More info

The Dessertery

Imagine a festively-decorated space filled with all-you-can-eat desserts and hot cocoa. That child’s dream is The Dessertery, a family-friendly holiday themed dessert café. In addition to all you can eat sweets and hot cocoa there is also live entertainment on select nights, plus Santa appearances.

  • November 22nd, 2024 – December 23rd, 2024 | Dates/Hours vary, see website for more info
  • Kennedy Theatre, Martin Marietta Center for the Arts, Raleigh
  • $29 for those 7 & above | $15 for ages 2-6 | Children under two are free but must be registered as space is limited
  • More info

Pullen Park Holiday Express

Pullen Park’s annual Holiday Express has become the event of the season in recent years. These days, tickets often sell out within hours of becoming available. If you’re lucky enough to snag tickets, you can expect a holiday train ride, Santa Clause, a Crafty Elves station, and beautiful Christmas lights all over the park.

While the 2024 Pullen Park Holiday Express is indeed sold out, keep an eye on social media as many of the event sponsors run ticket giveaways leading up to the event.

  • December 2nd – 18th, 2024 | 5:00pm-9:30pm
  • 520 Ashe Ave Raleigh, NC 27606
  • $17
  • More info

Lake Myra Christmas Lights Show

This dazzling drive-in-style light show, featuring over 400,000 lights synchronized to festive music, is the masterpiece of the Williams family from Wendell. Every year, they carefully design and assemble this glowing spectacle, which keeps expanding. Visitors can park or stand in the designated viewing area to enjoy the show, which typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the year. Walkways also provide up-close views of some of the largest displays. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome to join the fun!

  • November 27th – December 31st, 2024 | Times TBA
  • Corner of 3rd St and Cypress St, Wendell, NC, United States, 27591
  • Free
  • More info

Evening with Elves at Marbles Kids Museum

This is an annual holiday event the whole family can enjoy. Come to Raleigh’s beloved children’s museum for a night of joy and delight. At Evening with Elves, you will immerse yourself into the magic of the holiday season with s’mores outdoors, arctic museum play, and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy. You’ll also receive your own official elf name and dance the night away with the Marbles Elves.

  • Friday December 6th | 6:00pm-8:30pm
  • Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh
  • $27+
  • More info

Fenton Skate the Square

The image shows a festive outdoor scene featuring a large, brightly lit Christmas tree adorned with colorful ornaments and topped with a glowing star-like decoration. Beneath strings of warm fairy lights, people are skating on an ice rink illuminated in soft purple hues, creating a vibrant holiday ambiance. The setting appears to be in front of modern buildings, adding a lively, urban charm to the celebration.

The elegant Fenton shopping mecca in Cary is an incredible venue for holiday fun. The main event is Fenton Skate the Square, when the open green transforms into a magical ice skating rink. Skating lasts through November and into February, so there is plenty of time to take advantage of this spot. You can even purchase a season ticket if you want to skate regularly!

  • November 8th, 2024 – February 9th, 2024 | Monday-Thursday: 3pm-8pm, Friday: 3pm-9pm, Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 11am-7pm (Holiday hours may differ)
  • Fenton NC – 201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary NC 27511
  • $14+
  • More info

You’ll also want to mark your calendar for Fenton’s other holiday offerings, including Santa in Wonderland and Light the Square.

Downtown Raleigh Illuminate Art Walk

Downtown Raleigh comes to light every holiday season with the gorgeous Illuminate Art Walk. Since the winter of 2020, Downtown Raleigh Alliance has brought energy to Main Street–and beyond–with large-scale, interactive, and light-based art pieces. This year’s dates are still TBA.

Theatre in the Park’s A Christmas Carol

Attending a production of A Christmas Carol is always a holiday bucket list item, and especially so here in the Triangle, where Theatre in the Park has been presenting the show for more than 50 years.

Show creator Ira David Wood III performed the iconic character of Scrooge for 5 decades, ending his run last year. This year, the show is directed by him and will star his son Ira David Wood IV as Ebenezer Scrooge.

There will be two venues where you can catch this production: at the Martin Marietta Center in Raleigh December 6-8, 2024, and then at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) December 18-22, 2024.

Great Raleigh Trolley Holiday Tours

Here’s another of the best things to do in Raleigh at Christmas: a Great Raleigh Trolley Holiday tour! These tours sell out fast because of their popularity. They offer a few tour options, but the one you’ll probably want to check out if you have kids is The Santa Express.

On The Santa Express, you’ll enjoy a ride through Downtown and story time with the guest of honor himself…SANTA. The Big Guy in Red will visit with each kid personally to review their wish list and pose for pictures. Surprises, refreshments, holiday music, and more await those riding The Santa Express.

  • Dates TBA
  • Tickets go on sale 11/4 for the general public, and 11/1 for email subscribers.
  • More info

Carolina Ballet’s Nutcracker

The Nutcracker ballet is such a wonderful holiday tradition for families. There are many companies and dance schools putting on Nutcracker performances this season, so you’re bound to find one that suits you.

One of the outstanding options is our own Carolina Ballet’s version. This professional ballet company will bring The Nutcracker to life this December for 19 performances.

  • December 12-24, 2024
  • Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
  • $28+
  • More info

Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express

A train ride with Santa? Yes, please! This is a perfect kids Christmas activity in the Triangle, and the New Hope Valley Railway is where to find it.

Located in New Hill, The Triangle Train is located just around half an hour from Raleigh. On Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express, you’ll hop aboard a real locomotive, decked out in festive decorations, and enjoy a 50-minute journey filled with holiday fun. Santa Claus will be on hand in the rail yard for family photos (bring your own camera), and young train enthusiasts can join the search for Santa’s nine missing reindeer, including Rudolph, during the ride.

  • December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, and 21st | 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 2:15, 3:45
  • 3900 Bonsal Rd. New Hill, NC 27562
  • $16
  • More info

More Kid-Friendly Holiday Events in the Triangle

Here are even more ways to celebrate the season with your kids:

A festive collage promoting things to do in Raleigh, NC, during Christmas. The top half shows a table with elaborate holiday cakes and snowman-themed cupcakes, while the bottom half features a parade with people wearing Santa hats and a house decorated with glowing Christmas lights. The bold text reads, “Things to do in Raleigh NC for Christmas,” along with the website URL, RaleighFamilyAdventure.com, at the bottom.
A holiday-themed collage highlighting events in the Triangle area. The top left shows a glowing Christmas tree with radiant lights, while the top right features Santa Claus talking with a child on his lap. The bottom left displays a festive train decorated with garlands and ornaments, and the bottom right shows wrapped gifts and holiday decorations on a table. Bold text reads, "Holiday Events in the Triangle," with the website URL, RaleighFamilyAdventure.com, at the bottom
A holiday collage promoting the best Christmas activities in Raleigh, NC. The top left shows a lit Christmas tree on a porch at dusk, while the top right captures a festive train adorned with string lights. The bottom left features Santa Claus talking with a young child, and the bottom right shows a child in a Santa hat decorating a Christmas tree. Bold text reads, "Best Christmas Activities Raleigh NC," with the RaleighFamilyAdventure.com logo at the bottom.