Editor-in-Chief at Raleigh Family Adventure

Amy Hartle is the enthusiastic force behind Raleigh Family Adventure as its Editor-in-Chief and founder. She resides in the North Carolina Triangle area with her husband and their adventurous toddler. Amy has worked as a content creator since 2012, specializing in travel and lifestyle. On this site, Amy marries her expertise with her passion to bring Raleigh parents the best in local family fun.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Raleigh

Lafayette Village Tree Lighting

Saturday November 16th, 2024 | 3:00pm-6:00pm
Lafayette Village, Raleigh
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Take a stroll through The Village, enjoy music, and shop at The Village shops. There is sure to be something for everyone on your holiday list. Enjoy live music, horse and carriage rides (YES THEY ARE BACK!), and more. Greetings from Enchanted Wishes Holiday characters including Mr. & Mrs. Claus!

Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday November 22nd, 2024 | 5:30pm-8:00pm
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts – Lichtin Plaza
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The Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting includes a vendor market, free pictures with Santa, live music, and more.

Christmas at North Hills Tree Lighting

Saturday November 23rd, 2024 | 4:00pm-7:00pm
North Hills Commons
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The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, located in the heart of Midtown Raleigh, is a beloved holiday event. For over a decade, North Hills has hosted thousands of guests for a fabulous holiday program featuring live entertainment, kids crafts, and a vendor village. As Santa Claus arrives, the 41 foot Christmas Tree is lit amidst a joyous chorus of “Santa Clause Is Coming to Town.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Cary

Sparkle Night at Parkside Town Commons

Saturday November 16th, 2024 | 4:00pm-7:00pm
Parkside Town Commons, Cary
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Join us as we flip the switch to start the Parkside Town Commons holiday season! Bring the kids and join the free family fun:

• Lighting of Christmas Tree
• Santa
• Face Painting
• Games & Prizes
• Trackless Train Rides
• Fun SNOW Effect
• Music

Waverly Place Tree Lighting Celebration

Friday November 22nd, 2024 | 5:30pm-8:30pm
Waverly Place, Cary
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The Waverly Place Tree Lighting celebration will begin at 5:30. The Embers will be performing. We will have kids activities and a special appearance by Santa!

Crossroads Plaza Holly Jolly Jamboree

Saturday November 23rd, 2024 | 3:00pm-6:00pm
Crossroads Plaza, Cary
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Join us on Saturday, November 23 from 3 to 6 PM on The Patio (where Subway is) for an afternoon filled with fun for the whole family! We will have music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, kids activities, and much more! Plus, come enjoy the holiday decorations and the tree

Light the Square – Fenton

Saturday November 23rd, 2024 | 3:00pm-7:00pm
Fenton Square, Cary
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Join us for a magical night at our annual Light the Square event! Light the Square has something for the entire family. From live music to ice skating to horse-drawn carriage rides and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

Downton Cary Park Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday December 7th, 2024 | 2:00pm-7:00pm
Downtown Cary Park
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Kick off the holiday season with festive cheer at our Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Cary Park. Gather around as we officially light up the Park’s towering tree, marking the start of a season filled with joy and wonder. Enjoy heartwarming activities like Photos with Santa, where children can share their holiday wishes and capture cherished memories. Engage in creative arts & crafts, indulge in seasonal treats, and embrace the spirit of togetherness with friends and family.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Durham

Downtown Durham Holiday Tree Lighting

Saturday November 23rd, 2024 | 1:00pm-7:00pm
CCB Plaza, Durham
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Event Highlights: Live Music & Performances, Peppermint Place Pop-Up Market, Strolling Santa, Kid Zone, and more!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Holly Springs

Light the Springs

December 7th, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Holly Springs Cultural Center
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Ring in the start of the holiday season with our brand new Light the Springs ceremony. Families and children of all ages can celebrate the season with games, live music, festive food and beverages options, and free holiday crafts. Kids can bring their letter to Santa at our mailbox before meeting him and Mrs. Claus. To start the festivities, we will be lighting our holiday menorah with the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh. To end the festivities, Santa and the mayor will start the season by lighting the town tree. You won’t want to miss this fun filled community event!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Morrisville

Morrisville Tree Lighting

December 7th, 2024 | 3:00pm-6:00pm
101 Town Hall Drive
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The event will have music, local student performances, and hot chocolate, as well as the official tree and building lighting ceremony. Come out to enjoy all the fun, celebrate the official unveiling of the new tree ornaments, and stop by the Town table to take home a Town of Morrisville holiday ornament while supplies last.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Apex

Apex Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday December 6th, 2024 | 4:30pm-6:00pm
The Depot
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Join community members and the Apex Town Council in downtown Apex as the tree at The Depot is lit!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Wake Forest

Lighting of Wake Forest

Friday December 6th, 2024 | 5:00pm-8:00pm
Centennial Plaza
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Experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza during the “Lighting of Wake Forest” on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m. The evening’s festivities will begin with the lighting of the Town’s Christmas tree, followed by a visit from Santa who will arrive aboard a shiny red fire truck! PLEASE NOTE: The lighting of the Town Christmas tree typically takes place at approximately 6:15 pm.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Fuquay-Varina

Fuquay-Varina Town Tree Lighting

Thursday December 5th, 2024 | 6:00pm-9:00pm
Downtown Fuquay
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Celebrate the joy of the holiday season at the annual Town Tree Lighting on December 5! The tree and a menorah will be lit at 6:00 pm in the Vance Street parking lot. Join us from 6:00 to 9:00 pm throughout Downtown Fuquay for performances by local choral groups, an Artist Village, sleigh rides, s’mores, and pictures with Santa in Fuquay Mineral Spring Park.

Other Christmas Tree Lightings in the Triangle and Beyond

Franklinton Christmas Tree Lighting + Market

Saturday November 30th, 2024 | 5:00pm-9:00pm
Downtown Franklinton
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Join us for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Market in Downtown Franklinton on Saturday, November 30, 2024! Visit with Santa Claus, make an ornament to hang on the Town Christmas Tree, and get a start on your Christmas shopping!

Town of Hillsborough Annual Tree Lighting

Saturday November 30th, 2024
Old Orange County Courthouse
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Join the town and residents of Hillsborough for their annual tree lighting. Photos and story time with Santa and Mrs Claus, games, choral groups and more will be hosted by the Visitors Center prior to the parade from 3-5pm.

Siler City Christmas Market and Tree Lighting

Sunday December 1st, 2024 | 12:00pm-6:00pm
106 W. Raleigh St.
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A vendor street fair with crafts, retail, food, and entertainment to culminate with a tree lighting at 6:00.

Rolesville Tree Lighting

Monday December 2nd, 2024 | 5:00pm-8:00pm
Redford Place Park, Rolesville
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Our ceremony will feature the lighting of our new 14ft Tree, Reading of the Night before Christmas, a beautiful performance from the Rolesville Elementary chorus, as well as Pictures with Santa, Family Activities, Snow Flurries, and much more!

Youngsville Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday December 6th, 2024 | 5:30pm-8:00pm
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Christmas tree lighting ceremony in vicinity of Benchmark Community Bank / S. College Street.

Angier Christmas on the Square

Friday December 6th, 2024 | 6:00pm-8:30pm
Angier Depot
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Join us at the Angier Depot for refreshments, children’s crafts, children’s train rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hayrides to the live nativity scene at Jack Marley Park, tree lighting, and more.

Town of Carrboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday December 6th, 2024 | 6:00pm
Carrboro Town Hall
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Join us at Carrboro Town Hall as we welcome our community to gather and celebrate the festive season! We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree.

Garner Holiday Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting

Saturday December 7th, 2024 | 4:30pm
Main Street in Downtown Garner
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PS: Don’t miss the huge holiday block party happening just before the parade from 2:00pm-4:00pm. The Garner Optimist Club, Christmas Parade Committee and the Town of Garner are partnering this year to combine the town’s holiday block party and tree lighting with the Christmas Parade.

The parade begins at 4:30pm and the tree lighting will take place at 6:00pm.