Discover the magic of the holiday season in Greensboro, NC, where festive events abound to create lasting memories. From the nostalgic charm of Christmas at the Carolina Theatre, where vintage decorations and classic films transport you to a glamorous past, to the luminous spectacle of the Festival of Lights, featuring synchronized displays set to holiday tunes, Greensboro offers something special for everyone.
Venture downtown to the Winterfest Ice Skating Rink for a taste of northern winter, right here in the South. Whether you're a local or visiting, Greensboro's diverse lineup of Christmas events is sure to fill your heart with seasonal cheer and create unforgettable experiences.
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The Top Christmas Events in Greensboro
- Christmas at the Carolina Theatre
- Festival of Lights
- Winterfest Ice Skating Rink
- Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Triad Stage Holiday Production
- McLaurin Farms Country Christmas Train
- Blandwood Mansion Holiday Open House
- Science of Santa at Greensboro Science Center
- Holiday Pops Concert by Greensboro Symphony
Greensboro Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display with synchronized music
Description:
Greensboro's Festival of Lights illuminates the night with a dazzling drive-through experience. Unlike static displays, this event features synchronized light shows set to holiday tunes broadcast through your car radio. The route winds through Greensboro's scenic parks, showcasing over 100 animated and static displays. Visitors can vote for their favorite exhibit via a mobile app. This eco-friendly event uses energy-efficient LED lights, continuing Greensboro's commitment to sustainability that dates back to its early days as a Quaker settlement.
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Greensboro Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market
What to Expect:
Curated selection of handmade and artisanal gifts
Description:
The Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market showcases a carefully curated selection of handmade and artisanal gifts. This event stands out for its focus on local and regional craftspeople, offering unique items you won't find in big box stores. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts like glassblowing and woodcarving. The market's roots trace back to Greensboro's textile heritage, celebrating the city's long tradition of skilled craftsmanship. As you browse, the aroma of freshly baked goods from local bakeries wafts through the air.
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Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market
Greensboro Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at the Carolina Theatre
What to Expect:
Historic art deco theater transformed for Christmas
Description:
The Carolina Theatre, a 1927 art deco gem, transforms for the holiday season. Vintage decorations adorn the grand lobby, evoking the glamour of Christmases past. Visitors can admire the meticulously restored architectural details while enjoying classic holiday films on the big screen. The theater's rich history includes hosting performances by legendary artists like Katharine Hepburn. As you settle into your plush seat, the scent of freshly popped popcorn fills the air, transporting you to a bygone era of cinema magic.
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Christmas at the Carolina Theatre
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Local dancers perform alongside professional guest artists
Description:
Greensboro's production of The Nutcracker Ballet blends the talents of local dancers with guest artists from renowned companies. This unique collaboration elevates the performance, offering audiences a professional-caliber show with a hometown heart. The production features elaborate sets and costumes, many handcrafted by local artisans. Greensboro's ballet tradition dates back to the 1960s, with The Nutcracker becoming an annual fixture in 1974. During intermission, you can explore an exhibit showcasing the evolution of the production's costumes over the decades.
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Triad Stage Holiday Production
What to Expect:
Original holiday play with local themes
Description:
Triad Stage's holiday production breaks from tradition by presenting an original play rooted in local history and culture. This innovative approach offers audiences a fresh perspective on holiday themes. The production incorporates multimedia elements, blending live performance with digital projections. Audience members can participate in a post-show talkback with the playwright and actors. Triad Stage, founded in 1999, has become a cornerstone of Greensboro's cultural renaissance. The theater's commitment to new works reflects the city's growing reputation as a hub for creativity and innovation.
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Triad Stage Holiday Production
Holiday Pops Concert by Greensboro Symphony
What to Expect:
Classical and popular holiday music with audience sing-along
Description:
The Greensboro Symphony's Holiday Pops Concert blends classical masterpieces with beloved popular tunes in a unique musical celebration. This event distinguishes itself by encouraging audience participation through a festive sing-along segment. The symphony performs on instruments spanning several centuries, showcasing the evolution of orchestral sound. Greensboro's symphony, founded in 1959, has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural life for over six decades. As the music swells, the concert hall's acoustics envelop you in a rich tapestry of sound, creating an immersive auditory experience.
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Holiday Pops Concert by Greensboro Symphony
Greensboro Other Holiday Activities
Winterfest Ice Skating Rink
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in a southern city
Description:
Greensboro's WinterFest brings a touch of northern winter to the South with its outdoor ice skating rink. The rink, unusual for the region, offers a rare opportunity to glide across real ice under the open sky. Skaters can practice their pirouettes or take their first wobbly steps on the ice. The rink's location in the heart of downtown connects skaters to Greensboro's vibrant urban scene. This winter tradition harkens back to the city's early 20th-century boom when outdoor recreation became a cornerstone of community life.
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McLaurin Farms Country Christmas Train
What to Expect:
Christmas celebration on a working farm
Description:
McLaurin Farms' Country Christmas Train offers a rustic holiday experience on a genuine working farm. This event stands out for its authentic rural setting, far from the typical urban holiday fare. Visitors can take a tractor-pulled train ride through fields adorned with lights and decorations. The farm's history dates back to the early 1900s, and many of its original structures are incorporated into the Christmas displays. You can warm up with a cup of hot apple cider pressed from the farm's own orchard while learning about sustainable farming practices.
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McLaurin Farms Country Christmas Train
Blandwood Mansion Holiday Open House
What to Expect:
19th-century Christmas traditions in a historic home
Description:
Blandwood Mansion's Holiday Open House transports visitors to a 19th-century Christmas celebration. This event distinguishes itself by meticulously recreating holiday traditions from the 1800s. Guests can explore the mansion's rooms, each decorated according to the customs of different decades. The mansion, built in 1795 and expanded in the 1840s, was home to two-term North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead. As you tour the house, the aroma of period-appropriate holiday treats wafts from the kitchen, where costumed interpreters demonstrate 19th-century cooking techniques.
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Blandwood Mansion Holiday Open House
Science of Santa at Greensboro Science Center
What to Expect:
Scientific explanations for Santa's feats
Description:
The Greensboro Science Center's Science of Santa event offers a unique, educational twist on holiday traditions. This innovative program explores the scientific principles behind Santa's legendary feats. Visitors can participate in hands-on experiments demonstrating concepts like aerodynamics and thermodynamics as they relate to Santa's journey. The center, which opened in 1957, has a long history of making science accessible and engaging for all ages. During the event, you can observe live animal demonstrations featuring Arctic species, connecting holiday lore to real-world wildlife conservation efforts.
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Science of Santa at Greensboro Science Center
Nearby Events
Santa Train at the North Carolina Transportation Museum (Spencer)
What to Expect:
Ride with Santa on a historic train
Description:
The North Carolina Transportation Museum's Santa Train offers a journey through time on vintage rail cars. Unlike typical Santa meet-and-greets, this experience puts you aboard a moving piece of history. Passengers can explore different eras of train travel as they chug along the museum's grounds. The museum itself is housed in the former Spencer Shops, once Southern Railway's largest steam locomotive repair facility. During the ride, children can participate in holiday-themed activities and crafts, creating memories that will last long after the train returns to the station.
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Santa Train at the North Carolina Transportation Museum
Tanglewood Festival of Lights (Clemmons)
What to Expect:
Millions of lights in a historic park setting
Description:
Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights transforms the historic estate into a luminous wonderland. Over a million LED lights create intricate displays throughout the park's winding roads. This event stands out for its sheer scale and the beauty of its natural setting. Visitors can stop at the Gift Village to roast marshmallows over open fire pits. The park itself has a rich history, once serving as the lavish country estate of tobacco magnate William Neal Reynolds. As you drive through, the twinkling lights reflect off the park's lake, creating a mesmerizing double display.
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High Point Holiday Festival Parade (High Point)
What to Expect:
Furniture-themed floats celebrating local industry
Description:
High Point's Holiday Festival Parade celebrates the city's furniture-making heritage with uniquely crafted floats. Unlike typical holiday parades, many entries showcase elaborate designs using furniture elements. Local marching bands fill the air with festive tunes as they pass by. Spectators can participate in a scavenger hunt, spotting specific design elements on the floats. This parade has been a High Point tradition since 1924, evolving alongside the city's reputation as the "Furniture Capital of the World." The event culminates with the lighting of the city's Christmas tree, crafted from locally sourced materials.
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High Point Holiday Festival Parade
The Nutcracker by High Point Ballet (High Point)
What to Expect:
Nutcracker performance with furniture-inspired set design
Description:
High Point Ballet's rendition of The Nutcracker incorporates the city's furniture-making heritage into its set design. This unique approach sets the production apart, blending classical ballet with local industrial artistry. Dancers perform amidst elaborate backdrops and props crafted by local furniture artisans. The production includes a special prologue explaining the connection between the ballet and High Point's history. High Point's ballet company, founded in 1989, has become known for its innovative interpretations of classic works. During intermission, you can view an exhibit showcasing the design process behind the furniture-inspired sets.
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The Nutcracker by High Point Ballet
Christmas by Candlelight Tour at Old Salem Museums & Gardens (Winston-Salem)
What to Expect:
18th-century Moravian Christmas traditions
Description:
Old Salem's Christmas by Candlelight Tour immerses visitors in authentic 18th-century Moravian holiday traditions. This event stands out for its historical accuracy and attention to detail. Guests can participate in hands-on activities like making traditional Moravian stars or dipping candles. The tour explores the unique customs of Salem's early settlers, including their distinctive holiday foods and decorations. Old Salem, founded in 1766, was a Moravian community known for its craftsmanship and education. As you walk the candlelit streets, the sound of traditional Moravian brass music fills the air, creating a truly immersive experience.
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Christmas by Candlelight Tour at Old Salem Museums & Gardens