Nov 19Open tonight
Light Up Brentwood
The Shoppes at Brentwood light up for the holidays.
WHO Everyone
WhenThu Nov 19, 2026 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereThe Shoppes at Brentwood, 2801 Ward Blvd, Wilson
CostSee organizer website for details
Research Triangle Holiday Lights 2026
A lantern trail in Cary, 30-plus acres of lights with trains in Benson, and tree lightings in downtown Raleigh, Durham and North Hills.
Start here
Nov 21 – Jan 10NC Chinese Lantern FestivalIlluminated lanterns line a walk-through trail at Booth Amphitheatre, open daily into January.
Nov 20 – Dec 31Meadow LightsEastern North Carolina's oldest light show covers 30-plus acres, with three trains running through the displays.
Nov 21Holiday Tree Lighting (Downtown Durham)Music, dance, Santa and a kid zone surround the tree at CCB Plaza on lighting night.
Nov 20Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting & Holiday Vendor Market
Nothing in this guide matches that right now. Clear the filter to see every spot.
This weekend Sat Oct 31 – Sun Nov 1
Opening soon one night or one weekend
Nov 20Open tonight
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting & Holiday Vendor Market
Downtown Raleigh lights its tree in Moore Square, with a holiday vendor market around it.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri Nov 20, 2026 · 5:30 PM–8 PM
WhereMoore Square, 200 S Blount St, Raleigh
CostSee organizer website for details
Photo: Downtown Raleigh Alliance via downtownraleigh.org
Nov 21Open tonight
Christmas at North Hills: Tree Lighting Celebration
Santa lights North Hills' 41-foot tree, with live music, a vendor village and kids' crafts.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 21, 2026 · 4 PM–7 PM
WhereNorth Hills Commons, 4191 Main at North Hills St, Raleigh
CostSee organizer website for details
Photo: North Hills via visitnorthhills.com
Nov 21Open tonight
Holiday Tree Lighting (Downtown Durham)
Downtown Durham lights its holiday tree at CCB Plaza, with music, dance, Santa and a kid zone.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 21, 2026 · 4:00–8:00 PM
WhereCCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St, Durham
CostSee organizer website for details
All season runs of a week or more
Nov 20 – Dec 31Open tonight
Christmas at Contentnea
Contentnea VFD lights up for Christmas, with Santa preview nights before the season opens.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri Nov 20 – Thu Dec 31, 2026 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereContentnea Volunteer Fire Department, 4146 NC Hwy 42, Wilson
CostSee organizer website for details
Nov 20 – Dec 31Open tonight
Meadow Lights
Eastern North Carolina's oldest Christmas light show spreads across 30-plus acres, with three trains through the displays.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri Nov 20 – Thu Dec 31, 2026 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereMeadow Lights, 4546 Godwin Lake Rd, Benson
CostSee organizer website for details
Nov 21 – Jan 10Open tonight
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Illuminated lanterns light a walk-through trail at Booth Amphitheatre for the NC Chinese Lantern Festival.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 21 – Sun Jan 10, 2027 · Daily 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Twilight session entry from 4:30 PM)
WhereKoka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
CostSee organizer website for details
This guide is done for the season. See you next November.
Plan by date
By night one night or one weekend
Thu Nov 19
- Nov 19Light Up Brentwood
Fri Nov 20
All season runs of a week or more
- Nov 20 – Dec 31Christmas at Contentnea
- Nov 20 – Dec 31Meadow Lights
- Nov 21 – Jan 10NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Nothing in this guide matches that right now. Clear the filter to see every spot.
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