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Research TriangleHoliday lights

This week’s events, in your region, on one page.

An empty town square at dusk with a tall evergreen strung with warm lights, brick shops with lit windows behind a snowy plaza.

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

A tall lit Christmas tree topped with a star against a black night sky.

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

Painting of a lantern-lit arch and glowing trees along a path at night.

Nov 20 – Dec 31

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

Visitors walking a dark meadow path past glowing strands of holiday lights.

Nov 20 – Dec 31

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

A towering lit Christmas tree topped with a star under falling snow at night.

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

An empty town square at dusk with a tall evergreen strung with warm lights, brick shops with lit windows behind a snowy plaza.

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

An empty garden at dusk with a glowing arched light tunnel and trees wrapped in warm lights beyond a dark lawn.

Nov 21 – Jan 10

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

7 Festival Gazette North Carolina Research Triangle Holiday lights

We are an independent weekly regional event list. This week’s events, in your region, on one page.

We find public events from calendars, venues, and local guides, then check each listing on the organizer’s own site before it goes in the paper. Listings checked against an official organizer URL. Nothing auto-lists.

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Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or selling tickets for the events we list. Hours and prices come from the organizer and can change — check the source before you go.

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