The holiday season in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a time of bitter cold and festive cheer. As temperatures plummet and the days grow shorter, a sense of anticipation fills the air, promising a season of wonder and delight. From festive holiday markets to captivating cultural events, there is something for everyone to enjoy during December in Raleigh.
From shivering outdoors to shivering indoors, there’s a unique brand of cheer to be found in every corner of Raleigh in December with several holidays to look forward to including Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years Eve.
Weather in Raleigh in December
December in Raleigh presents a curious meteorological arrangement. Temperatures, while not unkind, tend toward a modest chill, hovering near a peculiar 57°F during the day and descending to a decidedly crisper 36°F once the sun retreats. Precipitation, unfortunately, is a frequent visitor during this period, with an average or 4.1 inches – an inordinate amount of rain – falling over the course of approximately 11 days. Yet, amidst these meteorological trials, one may find solace in the fact that the sun shines for an average 157 hours.
The Best Things to Do in Raleigh in December
1. Be wowed by the Christmas Lights at Fieldstream Farm
When: November 29 to December 31, 2024
- Monday to Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Sunday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Fieldstream Farm, 8008 Old Stage Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603
Fieldstream Farm presents a mile-long drive-through procession of illuminated cheer. Millions of twinkling lights adorn the landscape, a dazzling display of seasonal excess. A particular point of interest is a colossal tunnel, perhaps the longest of its kind, composed of over two hundred thousand LED lights. A truly astonishing sight!
- Advanced tickets are required and available online for as low as $20, depending on the size of your vehicle.
2. Go for a train ride
When: December 2 to 18, 2024
Where: Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
Holiday Express is the excessively popular holiday train that chugs its way through Raleigh’s Pullen Park every December.
After riding the train, one may find themselves ensnared in a myriad of other outdoor distractions. These include the Holidays Highway, Santa’s Toy Shop, dubious delights from Santa’s Snack Shack, a S’mores Station, unlimited dizzying rides on the Carousel, Candy Cane Lane, and games in the Gingerbread Grove and Arctic Avenue, and more!
- Tickets for 2024 went on sale online and sold out on October 16, 2024 so if you’d like to go, keep that in mind for next year.
3. Explore Illuminate Art Walk
When: December 6, 2024 to January 6, 2025 in the evening after sunset
Where: Throughout downtown Raleigh
- City Plaza is a good place to start your wander.
Each December, the heart of Downtown Raleigh is transformed into a whimsical winter wonderland. Illuminate Art Walk, sponsored by Wake Tech, offers a peculiar blend of artistic expression and illuminating displays, captivating the attention of young and weary alike.
THE TUNNEL is a colossal, illuminated conduit, a hundred feet of mirrored LED madness, and the highlight of the 2024 celebration. It promises a disorienting display, a visual spectacle of color and pattern that may induce a sense of wonder or unease, depending on one’s disposition.
- Check the website for a comprehensive list and map of installations from local artists.
- Illuminate is free to the public and self-guided.
4. Shop the Boylan Art Walk
When: December 8, 2024 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Boylan Heights Neighborhood
- Since this event spans the entire neighborhood, it can be hard to know where to start. I’d recommend starting near Sam Jones BBQ and heading west or near Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing and heading south.
Brace yourselves for the annual Boylan Heights ArtWalk, when a most curious congregation of creative souls will converge upon the quaint Boylan Heights neighborhood for a bustling bazaar of artistic oddities.
Local artists display their eccentric creations from glasswork to jewelry, metalwork to woodwork, and a myriad of other artistic products. One may wander the streets, perusing the peculiar wares on porches, lawns, and in studios. A veritable cornucopia of creativity, selected by a discerning jury, awaits the curious visitor.
- This event presents a most timely opportunity to get some holiday shopping done.
5. Visit Santa at the Winter Market
When: December 8, 2024 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: City Market, 306 Parham St, Raleigh, NC 27601
One can expect to see an enigmatic rotund figure, dressed in red and white at the Winter Market and Santa Visit, a free daytime market presented by The Night Market Company. Look for all manner of trinkets and treasures crafted by local artisans and available for purchase. Sustenance, both solid and liquid, will be available for consumption, accompanied by a cacophony of sound, both musical and otherwise.
6. Watch some NCAA Div 1 Soccer
When: December 13 to 16, 2024
Where: WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC 27511
The top four collegiate men’s soccer teams will compete at the 2024 Men’s College Cup. These four teams will converge upon the town of Cary to engage in the battle of skill and strategy known as soccer. The victor will claim the national title and a lifetime of inexplicable bragging rights.
- Tickets are available online. Use code “CHEER” for $10 national championship tickets to the 2024 NCAA Men’s College Cup.
7. Attend the Oakwood Candlelight Tour
When: December 14 and 15, 2024 from 1 to 7 p.m.
Where: Tucker House, 418 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Historic Oakwood is a collection of dwellings dating to the 19th and early 20th centuries. These structures showcase forgotten architectural styles: the ornate Victorian, the whimsical Queen Anne, and the sturdy Craftsman. A concerted effort is made by owners to preserve these aging edifices, their weathered exteriors merely a facade for the opulent interiors that lie within.
Each December, ten residences, steeped in history and shrouded in mystery, open their doors to the curious for the Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour. Within each home, one may encounter knowledgeable guides, eager to share tales of bygone eras. Attendees are free to visit the homes at their own pace and in any order.
- Tickets for the 2024 event cost $40 but are already sold out. Tickets went on sale September 15, 2024 so keep that in mind if you want to go next year.
8. Witness the Menorah Lighting at Crabtree Mall
When: December 26, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Near Abercrombie & Fitch on the second floor of Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates a most curious occurrence when a meager supply of oil, sufficient for a mere day, defied all expectations and endured for eight. This year, Hanukkah is slated to begin at sundown on December 25, 2024 and end at sundown on January 2, 2025. Each evening during this time, a candle is added to the menorah, a multi-branched candelabrum. Candles are lit from left to right and a blessing is said each night.
Join the Jewish Life Center of Raleigh for a Hanukkah gathering, with donuts, songs, and the lighting of the aforementioned menorah.
9. Join the festivities at First Night Raleigh
When: December 31, 2024
Where: Fayetteville Street and other locations in downtown Raleigh
The First Night Raleigh extravaganza begins with musical performances in City Plaza and the Children’s Celebration at 2 p.m. A menagerie of childish diversions will be available throughout the afternoon, culminating in an acorn drop and fireworks at 7 p.m. for the young ones.
The festivities continue throughout the evening, with a variety of perplexing performances and activities scattered across Downtown Raleigh. The night concludes with a cacophony of sound and light, with music on the Main Stage, the midnight acorn drop, and a dazzling fireworks display.
- Tickets will be available online or at the event. Specific details coming soon.
10. Check out some Holiday Popup Bars
When: Throughout December
Where: Various bars throughout Raleigh
Consider a holiday pop-up bar, if you will, a most peculiar establishment. It is a place where the air is filled with the scent of cinnamon and sugarplums, where the walls are adorned with twinkling lights and festive cheer.
One may partake of libations of the most delightful sort. There are eggnogs of unparalleled richness, hot toddies of unparalleled warmth, and cocktails of unparalleled complexity. All served in whimsical wintertime vessels. Here are a few to choose from:
- Miracle at the Haymaker
- Miracle at Killjoy
- St. Nick’s Christmas House
- Sippin’ Santa at Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing
These are popular destinations so reservations are highly recommended.
What are you most excited for in Raleigh in December?
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