November Events in the Triangle
Table of Contents
Check your town website for more events in your area!
NOVEMBER
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.
11/21 raleigh Tree Lighting and Holiday Market (5:30p-8p) – Moore Square – FREE
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.
11/22 WRAL Celebrates The Raleigh Christmas Parade (9:30a) – FREE
The largest Christmas parade between Washington, DC, and Atlanta will step off at 9:30 a.m.
The Raleigh Christmas Parade has been a beloved community tradition as its inception in 1939.
11/22 – Light the Square at Fenton (3p-7p) – FREE
Light the Square has something for the entire family. From live music to ice skating to horse-
Raleigh and Surrounding Areas Shine with Holiday Events
If you were lucky enough to get tickets to this sold-out event at Pullen Park,than you will experience lots of holiday-themed fun and get to see some lovely light displays.
Here’s a look at other festive events happening in and around Raleigh:
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.
holiday Events in the Triangle: December 2025
The Triangle area of North Carolina offers a vibrant array of holiday events in december 2025, from festive parades to soulful theatrical performances. This guide provides details on some of the key happenings to help you celebrate the season.
Community Celebrations
Dale Christmas Parade (December 6,2025)
The town of Dale,North Carolina,will host its annual Christmas Parade on December 6,2025,at 10:00 a.m. The parade route begins on First Avenue near Knightdale Station Run. This free event is a beloved tradition for local families. More facts can be found on the Knightdale town website.
Performing Arts & theatrical Experiences
Black Nativity Durham (December 19-21, 2025)
Triangle Performance Ensemble will present its 2025 production of Black Nativity Durham at Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina, from December 19th to 21st. This stirring and soulful gospel party retells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, inspired by Langston Hughes’ adaptation of the Christmas story. Tickets and further details are available on the official Black Nativity Durham website.
Key Takeaways
* Dale Christmas Parade: A free, family-friendly parade on December 6th.
* Black Nativity Durham: A powerful theatrical performance from December 19-21,celebrating the birth of Jesus through gospel music and Langston Hughes’ storytelling.
This is just a glimpse of the many holiday events planned for the Triangle in December 2025. As the season approaches, be sure to check local event listings and websites for a complete schedule of festivities.