Last updated: November 11, 2024
Excited for holiday fun in Cary? Our guide will lead you to all the festive activities! For Cary natives and visitors alike, this guide reveals the city's holiday magic.
One enchanting attraction this season is the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, where vibrant, illuminated lanterns create a breathtaking display that spans the park. You can also enjoy the Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration, featuring live music and the illumination of a grand tree, fostering a sense of community warmth. And the Cary Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing colorful floats and festive cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Cary Holiday Light Displays
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
- What to Expect
- Spectacular handcrafted lanterns and cultural performances.
- Description
- The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre features over 40 handcrafted lantern displays, including a 200-foot-long dragon, and nightly cultural performances. The event showcases the artistry of Chinese lantern making, which dates back over 2,000 years, with each lantern composed of hundreds of parts and thousands of LED lights.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Cary Tree Lighting Ceremony
- What to Expect
- Live music and aerial performances.
- Description
- Cary's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive event held at Downtown Cary Park, featuring live music, aerial performances, and children's activities.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : Cary Tree Lighting Ceremony
Light the Square in Fenton
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music and Santa's visit.
- Description
- Light the Square in Fenton features live music, ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a special appearance by Santa Claus, making it a delightful holiday event for the entire family.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : Light the Square in Fenton
Illuminate Raleigh
- What to Expect
- Interactive light-based art installations showcasing local and international artists.
- Description
- Downtown Raleigh comes alive with Illuminate Art Walk, featuring large-scale, interactive, and light-based art pieces from local, regional, and international artists. This self-guided walk includes installations like Talking Heads, which react to each other and visitors with 4,000 individually controllable LEDs, and Firefly Footpath, bringing the wonder of the rare Blue Ghost Firefly to a festive light display.
- Where
- Raleigh | More Info : Illuminate Raleigh
Magic Of Lights
- What to Expect
- Interactive light displays with life-sized holiday characters.
- Description
- Magic Of Lights is a drive-through holiday light display featuring over 2 million sparkling lights, including larger-than-life displays of Holiday Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs. The event offers a variety of festive scenes and activities, making it a memorable experience for all ages.
- Where
- Raleigh | More Info : Magic Of Lights
Cary Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration
- What to Expect
- Free Santa photos and local vendor market.
- Description
- Downtown Raleigh's Annual Tree Lighting features a decorated Christmas tree, free Santa photos, local vendor market, and performances by local artists.
- Where
- Raleigh | More Info : Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration
Cary Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Raleigh Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Largest Christmas Parade between Washington, DC and Atlanta.
- Description
- The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a beloved annual tradition featuring over 115 entries, including marching bands, specialty vehicles, and decorated floats. It winds its way through downtown Raleigh, drawing nearly 80,000 visitors to see the pageantry and excitement of the holiday season.
- Where
- Raleigh | More Info : Raleigh Christmas Parade
Cary Other Holiday Activities
Cary Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Joyful celebration with bands and community participation.
- Description
- The Cary Christmas Parade is a joyful celebration featuring bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches. The parade starts on E. Chatham Street at Ward Street, proceeds down E. Chatham to S. Academy Street, and ends at Dry Avenue in front of the Cary Arts Center.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : Cary Christmas Parade
Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker
- What to Expect
- Traditional holiday celebration with special guest from the North Pole.
- Description
- Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas at the historic Page-Walker Hotel with cookies, carolers, activities for kids, and holiday stories. A special guest from the North Pole might even make an appearance.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker
Skate the Square Fenton
- What to Expect
- Community-driven event with live music and markets.
- Description
- Skate the Square Fenton is an event where participants can enjoy a fun and lively atmosphere with various activities, including live music, markets, and community gatherings.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : Skate the Square Fenton
Holiday Carriage Rides at Fenton
- What to Expect
- Horse-drawn carriage rides through historic Main Street.
- Description
- Take a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride through the charming streets of Fenton, enjoying the holiday season with family and friends.
- Where
- Cary | More Info : Holiday Carriage Rides at Fenton
Holiday Express At Pullen Park
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday experience with Santa's sleigh ride and elf training.
- Description
- Holiday Express at Pullen Park is an immersive holiday event featuring a train ride, life-size snow globe, Santa's mobile workshop, and various activities for all ages.
- Where
- Raleigh | More Info : Holiday Express At Pullen Park