Head to Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough for holiday things to do. You'll find holiday markets, music, art & craft shows, parades, tree lightings, gingerbread house displays, ice skating shows and the glow of lighted lanterns on the Solstice Lantern Walk. Celebrate Hanukkah at the Carolina Inn and Kwanzaa in Carrboro!
Scroll down for just some of our wonderful events to experience this holiday season.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS is an annual celebration presented by The Carolina Inn! You'll be delighted at the exquisite display of holiday decorations throughout the historic hotel that compliment their favorite events: Brunch with Santa, Merrily Mannered, Wreath Making, Hanukkah Dinner, The Gingerbread Build and the very popular Holiday Market & Bier Garten. Events begin November 30th. Visit their website The Carolina Inn Holiday Events, for all the very merry details!.
Holiday Market at The Carolina Inn by Chapel Hill Magazine
LOCAL ART & CRAFT MARKETS are the perfect places for finding unique gifts and they are popping up all over Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough this December!. View are events calendar and filter by 'Holidays" to find dates and locations.
JINGLE AND JOY WEEKEND. Hillsborough really delivers the magic this time of year. On December 6, begin your holiday fun at the Hillsborough Visitors Center for a free multicultural holiday fair. Listen to a reading with Mrs. Claus (3 pm), get a photo with Santa from 3:15 - 4:45 pm. Free games and crafts plus holiday treats for purchase. Learn about the variety of holidays celebrated in Hillsborough with Kol Haskala and Diamante Arts and Cultural Center. At 5pm join in a group procession heading to the Historic Court House for the annual tree lighting.
Also on December 6, the Tinsel & Traditions Home Tour will feature 6 homes, all within the historic district and each representing a different time period. Tour is from 3-8 pm. Purchase tickets online through the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce website.
Rounding out your holiday weekend in Hillsborough, on December 7,join the hundreds of spectators for the Light Up the Night Holiday Parade, filled with floats, music and merry surprises! For a special treat, get there early to see the Running of the Elves, definitely a sight to see! The 'elves' take off at 4pm with the parade following behind at 4:20 pm. Get the route details here at 2025 Holiday Parade. Be sure to stroll downtown before or after to see the Gingerbread display in the windows of local shops. Details below.
GINGERBREAD DISPLAY: Stroll though town for the Home for the Holidays: A Hillsborough Gingerbread Display featuring Gingerbread scenes in local shop windows in downtown Hillsborough with the theme "Candy" from December 7 – January 5.
Gingerbread House Visit Hillsborough
TREE LIGHTING AND PARADE: There's always a good turnout by the community for Carrboro's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. On Friday December 5, at 6 pm the season kicks off at Carrboro Town Hall with music and the official tree lighting. On December 6, Chapel Hill and Carrboro join together to celebrate the season with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade. Line up along Main Street and Franklin Street to watch the parade which begins at 10 am at the corner of Main & Weaver Street in Carrboro and ends at 140 West on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill Carrboro Holiday Parade by Town of Carrboro
VISIT WITH SANTA & FRIENDS. Did you know that not only does Santa love cookies, he also loves ice cream! Head to Maple View Ice Cream Country Store at 6900 Rocky Ridge Road in Hillsborough for Sundaes with Santa on December 5, 12 & 19 from 3 - 7pm each date. Visit with Santa and his Friends from the North Pole and enjoy seasonal flavors. While there, pickup some Eggnog and Carolina Nut Cracker products for entertaining. Maple View will again be collecting diapers, baby wipes, pull-ups, gift cards for Sam’s Wish Fund at Kids Path of AuthoraCare (formerly Hospice).
CENTER THEATER COMPANY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This beloved annual tradition returns but with a twist. Step directly into the world of this Dicken's classic tale with fresh immersive surprises up close and all around you. Performances by actors of all ages. Shows begin December 5. Center Theater is located at s at 300-G East Main Street, Carrboro. Shows are December 5,6 & 7, 12, 13 & 14, 18, 19, 20 & 21. Visit this website for tickets prices and times.
NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY PERFORMS HANDEL'S MESSIAH. The North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Master Chorale and soloists celebrate the season with passion and beauty, including the 'Hallelujah' chorus at Memorial Hall on December 7. Performance begins at 7:30 pm. Katharina Wincor, conducting. Purchase tickets through The North Carolina Symphony website. Memorial Hall is located at 208 E Cameron Ave, on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
North Carolina Symphony website
ELFLAND CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. Everyone should experience the annual Elfland Christmas Festival at the Farm at Lloyd's Dairy in Efland. Unforgettable Christmas scenes make for great selfies, Santa's workshop with arts, crafts, and holiday gifts, hayrides, treats and more. The festival is two days December 12 & 13 from 6 pm - 9 pm both days. Check out their website for details and ticket information.
HILLSBOROUGH ON ICE. Orange County is fortunate to have an NHL size ice skating rink where locals and visitors can enjoy special holiday shows. Show dates for The Nutcracker are December 19 at 6 pm and December 20 at 11 am. Tickets for the show go on sale in November and can be picked up at the facility or call ahead for will call. The phone number is 919-644-0339. The Sportsplex is located at 101 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC.
SOLSTICE LANTERN WALK AND HOLIDAY MARKET. Each December, the Hillsborough Arts Council celebrates the Winter Solstice with a makers market and lantern walk. Come to Hillsborough's Farmers Market Pavilion to shop giftable work by a select number of local artists and enjoy live music, hot drinks, warm food, and more at the Solstice Market both before & after the walk. After sundown, follow a procession along Hillsborough's River Walk with lanterns lighting the collective path toward warmer, brighter days ahead, together. The event is December 20 from 5 to 8 pm. Registration is requested to participate and spectate. Details can be found on the Solstice Lantern Walk website.
Solstice Lantern Walk by Hillsborough Photography
KWANZAA CELEBRATION! The Town of Carrboro honors the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the African American community. Enjoy live performances, traditional drumming, spoken word, and community storytelling rooted in the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Come be inspired on Saturday, December 27 from 11 am - 4 pm at the Drakeford Library Complex located at 203 S. Greensboro St. The event is FREE!
Header photo Credit CHOCVB
For a printed copy of all our December Holiday Events, click here.
