Last updated: November 11, 2024
Anticipating a magical holiday season in Durham? Our guide has you covered for all the festive activities! For both Durham residents and visitors, this guide is your roadmap to the city's holiday delights.
In downtown Durham, the Holiday Parade lights up the streets with festive floats, music, and community spirit, providing a joyful start to the season. The Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza, known for its enchanting display of lights, transforms the plaza into a winter wonderland. And definitely don't forget the Tower and Tree Lighting, which creates a stunning evening atmosphere as the city comes alive with twinkling decorations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Have suggestions or corrections? Contact us!
Durham Holiday Light Displays
Tower and Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Iconic tower lighting with live performances and light wands.
- Description
- Join us at the American Tobacco Campus for the 19th Annual Tower Lighting, featuring the iconic American Tobacco Water Tower illuminated with 2,000 light wands distributed by Dominion Energy and NC 811. Enjoy live performances by young talents from Durham and the Triangle, and shop and dine at local businesses before the celebration begins.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Tower and Tree Lighting
Holidays in the Park at MLS
- What to Expect
- Illuminating train ride with colorful light displays.
- Description
- Explore the illuminated pathways, glowing trees, and tropical temperatures of the Magic Wings Butterfly House at Holidays in the Park. Enjoy a memorable stroll through the outdoor and indoor spaces, featuring holiday music, light displays, and special family photo spots.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Holidays in the Park at MLS
Wool E. Bull's Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Spectacular holiday light show with over 13,000 lights.
- Description
- Durham Bulls Athletic Park transforms into a vibrant holiday light display featuring large-scale installations, seasonal snacks, and festive activities.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Wool E. Bull's Winter Wonderland
Durham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Shop Small in Durham
- What to Expect
- Unique handmade gifts from local artisans.
- Description
- The Durham Craft Market Shop Small Saturday features over 50 local artisans and makers selling unique handmade gifts. This free outdoor market is held at Durham Central Park, offering a variety of high-quality, affordable arts and crafts.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Shop Small in Durham
Golden Belt Holiday Art Market
- What to Expect
- Unique handcrafted gifts and live performances.
- Description
- Golden Belt Holiday Art Market features 25 local artists and resident artists, live performances, and unique handcrafted gifts. The event includes a special Make-Take Ornament project where attendees can create their own custom holiday keepsake.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Golden Belt Holiday Art Market
Durham Arts Council’s Durham Art Walk Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Local artists and live music in downtown Durham.
- Description
- The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market is a weekend event featuring local artists, live music, and world-class restaurants in downtown Durham. It offers great shopping opportunities at easily strollable venues, making it a perfect transition from the harvest to the holidays. The event is free and family-friendly.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Durham Arts Council’s Durham Art Walk Holiday Market
Art-n-Soul Holiday Market at Mystic Farm & Distillery
- What to Expect
- Holiday shopping with local artisans and bourbon tastings.
- Description
- The Art-n-Soul Holiday Market at Mystic Farm & Distillery offers a unique shopping experience with 35 local artisans, delicious food from popular food trucks, and live music in a bourbon barrel-lined event space.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Art-n-Soul Holiday Market at Mystic Farm & Distillery
Holiday Market at The Durham Hotel
- What to Expect
- Supporting local vendors while raising funds for children's academic support.
- Description
- The Holiday Market at The Durham Hotel offers a seasonal celebration with festive drinks and shopping for gifts from local vendors, supporting the non-profit Y Learning of the Durham YMCA.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Holiday Market at The Durham Hotel
Holiday Hoopla Market at Liberty Arts Studios
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts from local artists.
- Description
- The Holiday Hoopla Market at Liberty Arts Studios features a variety of handmade treasures, live demos, and unique gifts from local artists, all available for home shopping.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Holiday Hoopla Market at Liberty Arts Studios
Brightleaf Square Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique shopping experience along the Durham Christmas parade route.
- Description
- Shop over 25 local small businesses at Brightleaf Square, featuring gifts, stationery, clothing, candles, jewelry, desserts, and coffee.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Brightleaf Square Holiday Market
Durham Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Shows at Carolina Theatre
- What to Expect
- World-class performances with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- The Carolina Theatre presents a variety of holiday shows featuring renowned performers and classic holiday music, ensuring a memorable and entertaining experience for all attendees.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Holiday Shows at Carolina Theatre
Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza
- What to Expect
- Live music and performances with a holiday market.
- Description
- Join us at CCB Plaza for the Downtown Durham Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring live music, performances, and a holiday market. Enjoy strolling Santa and a special tree lighting ceremony.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza
Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead State Historic Site
- What to Expect
- Candlelit walkthrough of historic area with costumed interpreters.
- Description
- At Duke Homestead State Historic Site, immerse yourself in an 1870s North Carolina Christmas with live music, dancing, singing, and holiday cookies. Follow a candlelit walkthrough of the historic area to see the Duke family home come to life as it might have been during Christmas in 1870.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead State Historic Site
Durham Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concert
- What to Expect
- World-class symphonic performance with a blend of traditional and contemporary holiday music.
- Description
- The Durham Symphony's Holiday Pops Concert features a diverse repertoire of classical and holiday music, including works by Leroy Anderson, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Tchaikovsky. The program highlights American composers and celebrates the rich musical heritage of the region.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Durham Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concert
N.C. Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert
- What to Expect
- Jazz performance by NC State's jazz ensemble.
- Description
- The N.C. Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert features a dynamic blend of jazz music, showcasing the talents of NC State's jazz musicians in a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : N.C. Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert
The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show
- What to Expect
- Dynamic drag performance with comedic and musical elements.
- Description
- The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show is a spectacular event featuring whip-smart comedy, brand new songs, and annual favorites. Join BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon for an evening of fabulous spectacle that is sure to lift your spirits and make you howl with laughter.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show
The Motown Sound of Christmas
- What to Expect
- Celebrating holidays with soulful Motown music.
- Description
- The Motown Sound of Christmas is a joyful holiday show featuring Triangle's finest singers and dancers, celebrating the holidays with fresh new music selections and surprises.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : The Motown Sound of Christmas
Durham Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Parade
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse parade units.
- Description
- The Durham Holiday Parade features dynamic floats, hometown bands, drill teams, schools, and community groups making their way down Main Street. The procession concludes with a guest appearance from Santa.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Holiday Parade
Santa Paws
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with Santa, pet market, and ugly sweater contest.
- Description
- Join Santa Paws for an evening of holiday fun with your canine friends. Meet Santa, participate in a canine ugly sweater contest, and enjoy a holiday pet market and canine food and toy drive.
- Where
- Durham | More Info : Santa Paws