Christmas Tree Lightings in Raleigh + the Triangle (2025)

Christmas tree lightings often herald the start of the holiday season. These events are always filled with anticipation, community spirit, and lots of family fun.

We’ve compiled a list of all the local tree lightings we could find around the Triangle. Any new events or additional information will be added as it becomes available.

PS: You can see all of the top Raleigh Christmas activities for kids here.

If you love lights, don’t miss these amazing holiday light displays around the Triangle!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Raleigh

Lafayette Village Tree Lighting

• Saturday November 15th, 2025 | 3:00pm-6:00pm
• Lafayette Village, Raleigh
• More info

Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit at our Spectacular Tree Lighting Ceremony in North Raleigh’s charming Lafayette Village! Join us on Saturday, November 15th, from 3 PM to 6 PM for an unforgettable evening filled with festive cheer.

Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree Lighting

• Friday November 21st, 2025 | 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Moore Square
• More info

Kick-off the holiday season at our 17th Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Market presented by Publix—this year, in a new location!

Watch as the Raleigh Christmas Tree comes to light, get free pictures with Santa Claus, shop for presents at the local vendor market, enjoy festive performances by local artists, and so much more all in downtown’s historic Moore Square park.

Christmas at North Hills Tree Lighting

• Saturday November 22nd, 2025 | 4:00pm-7:00pm
• North Hills Commons
• More info

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 15th, 2025 | 4:00pm-7:00pm
• Parkside Town Commons, Cary
• More info

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

Rain Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025

Waverly Place Tree Lighting Celebration

• Friday November 21st, 2025 | 5:00pm-8:00pm
• Waverly Place, Cary
• More info

The Waverly Place Tree Lighting celebration will begin at 5:00pm. More details coming soon.

Light the Square – Fenton

• Saturday November 22nd, 2025 | 3:00pm-7:00pm
• Fenton Square, Cary
• More info

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in the most magical way at Light the Square, our beloved annual tree lighting event!

Join us for:

Santa’s Grand Entrance: Watch as Santa himself lights the tree, officially launching the holiday season in spectacular style!

Christmas Market: Shop local vendors for unique gifts, seasonal treats, and handcrafted holiday treasures.

Photo Opportunities: Snap festive photos with dazzling backdrops and holiday characters.

Kid’s Area: Enjoy crafts, games, and holiday fun designed just for little ones.

Ice Skating: Glide into the season with outdoor ice skating for all ages.

Live Stage Show: Starting at 6:00 PM, enjoy music, dance, and special performances to warm your heart.

Downtown Cary Park Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Saturday December 6th, 2025 | 2:00pm-10:00pm
• Downtown Cary Park
• More info

Kick off the holiday season with festive cheer at our FREE Tree Lighting Celebration in Downtown Cary Park. Throughout the day enjoy holiday activities, programs, and performances all leading to the official Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Don’t miss this magical evening that promises to ignite your holiday spirit!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Durham

Downtown Durham Holiday Tree Lighting

• Friday November 21st, 2025 | 5:00pm-9:00pm
• CCB Plaza, Durham
• More info

Kick off the holiday season in the heart of downtown Durham!

Join us for a night of holiday magic for all ages, including performances by Rissi Palmer, The Lover Boyz and other surprises. Visit with Santa, make a craft with Fate & Folklore, catch some holiday movie shorts with Film Durham, sip hot cocoa and cider, and so much more!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Holly Springs

Light the Springs

• Saturday December 6th, 2025 5:00pm-8:00pm
• Holly Springs Cultural Center
• More Info

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 and Mrs. Claus. The festivities kickoff with the menorah lighting and end with Santa and the mayor lighting the Town tree. You won’t want to miss this fun filled community event!

Christmas Tree Lightings in Morrisville

Morrisville Tree Lighting

• Saturday December 6th, 2025 | 3:00pm-6:00pm
• 101 Town Hall Drive
• More info

Celebrate the joy and wonder of the season at our annual Christmas Tree Lighting — a beloved tradition that brings our community together in the spirit of faith, hope, and love. Join us for an evening filled with carols, prayers, fellowship, entertainment and the joyful anticipation of Christmas as we illuminate the tree! Let us come together to celebrate the blessings of the season.

The Town Tree and Town Hall Drive will be lit at 5:45 p.m

Christmas Tree Lightings in Apex

Apex Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Friday December 5th, 2025 | 4:30pm-7:00pm
• The Depot
• More info

Join community members and the Apex Town Council as the tree is lit for the very first time on Town Hall Campus! Southbound Santa and Mrs. Claus will join in on the fun for attendees to grab the season’s first photos.

This year’s event features:

• Entertainers like Poetry Fox and Cirque de Vol
• Free Photo with Santa where attendees can snap a photo with Santa and receive a 4×6 and digital copy that night!
• Craft stations to make reindeer food and write your letter to Santa 
• Holiday vendors from the Apex Farmers Market
• Food vendors such as Arepa Culture, Cafecito Coffee, Little Blue Bakehouse, and Mac Daddy’s Food Truck. 

Christmas Tree Lightings in Wake Forest

Lighting of Wake Forest

• Friday December 5th, 2025 | 5:00pm-8:00pm
• Centennial Plaza
• More info

You’re invited to experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season at the 2025 Lighting of Wake Forest on Friday, December 5, 2025!

This year’s ceremony will feature the lighting of the Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa Claus.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Fuquay-Varina

Fuquay-Varina Town Tree Lighting

• Thursday December 4th, 2025 | 6:00pm-9:00pm
• Downtown Fuquay
• More info

Celebrate the joy of the holiday season at the annual Town Tree Lighting on December 4! The tree and menorah will be lit at 6:00 pm in the Vance Street parking lot.

Town of Hillsborough Annual Tree Lighting

• Saturday December 6th, 2025 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
• Old Orange County Courthouse
• More info

Join us for a candlelight procession from the Visitors Center to the Old Courthouse for the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony and community sing-along of holiday favorites.

The procession will start at the Hillsborough Visitor Center at 5:30 pm at 150 East King Street and we will proceed to the Old Courthouse at 104 East King Street where the tree will be lit after the sing along time.

Rolesville Tree Lighting

• Monday December 8th, 2025 | 5:00pm-8:00pm
• Redford Place Park, Rolesville
• More info

Our ceremony will be a joyful event filled with special moments! We’ll begin by lighting the tall 14-foot tree, followed by the classic reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Enjoy a charming performance by the Sandford Creek Songbirds, take photos with Santa, and join in fun family activities. Add in some magical snow flurries, and there’s even more to experience!

Town of Carrboro Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Friday December 5th, 2025 | 6:00pm
• Carrboro Town Hall
• More info

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 Light Up Main

• Saturday November 29th, 2025 | 1:00pm-7:00pm
• Downtown Garner
• More info

Kick off the holiday season in true Garner style at Light Up Main – our annual celebration packed with festive fun, local pride, and holiday magic for all ages!

✨ Event Highlights Include:

• 🛍️ Small Business Saturday (all day) – Shop local and support Garner’s amazing small businesses with special deals and holiday gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
• 🎅 Experiences with Santa – Meet Santa right here in Downtown Garner! Bring your wish lists and cameras for unforgettable moments.
  • 1:00 – 4:00 Drop by any of these participating locations for a fun holiday activity and catch Santa stopping by for a visit:
  • Nana’s Lil Sweets: Cookie Decorating
  • Garner Area Historical Society at Shady’s: Ornament Making
  • Shady’s: Santa Games
  • Steep Right Up: Hot Cocoa Bar
  • Zin Yoga Studio & Wine Lounge: Letters to Santa
• 🎤 Live Performances – Enjoy festive entertainment from local choirs, dancers, musicians, and performance groups. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
  • 4:00 – 5:45 – Santa’s Stage: Various Performances
• 🌟 Town of Garner Annual Tree Lighting – Join Mayor Buddy Gupton and Santa as they light up our beautiful town tree in a heartwarming ceremony you won’t want to miss!
  • 5:45 – Very Merry Read-a-Loud with Santa
  • 6:00 – Tree Lighting

🎁 Whether you’re shopping for unique gifts, making memories with Santa, or enjoying the sounds of the season, Light Up Main is the perfect way to start your holidays in Garner.

Town of Clayton Christmas Village & Tree Lighting

• Thursday December 4th | 5:00pm-8:00pm
• Main Street, Downtown Clayton
• More info

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Main Street transforms into a winter wonderland filled with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season. From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, enjoy a lively open house with local businesses, twinkling light displays, live performances, and holiday treats around every corner.

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 PM.

With music, lights, and holiday cheer filling the air, Clayton’s Christmas Village and Tree Lighting is the perfect way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year.

Mark your calendar and join us for an unforgettable night in the heart of Downtown!

Christmas on First Avenue – Knightdale

• Friday December 5th | 6:00pm-8:00pm
• Knightdale Station Park
• More info

Join us as we kick off the Holiday season by lighting the tree at Knightdale Station Park. Take pictures with Santa, watch local entertainment, enjoy holiday treats and activities, and then help countdown the lighting of our Christmas Tree.

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