101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill - 2023

KidsOutAndAbout is the Triangle's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, and please keep in mind that events could be canceled... so click through to make arrangements. Enjoy the holidays!

If we're missing an activity that should be on our list, please email Mindy Mangan at mindy@kidsoutandabout.com. Please make sure to include a link to the event when you email. Thank you!

Below are items that have been posted to our calendar. If you are affiliated with a business hosting a holiday event that should be on our calendar, we'd love to see it there... it's free to post! Click here for instructions about how to add your organization to our list and easily post your events to our calendar!

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Santa Sightings

Multiple dates starting Nov 4, 2023	Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's
Multiple dates starting Nov 16, 2023	Pictures with Santa at The Streets at South Point
Nov 18, 2023	79th ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh
Nov 18, 2023	Santa's Arrival to Mebane
Multiple dates starting Nov 18, 2023	Letters to Santa - City of Mebane
Nov 20, 2023	Pet Picture Night with Santa - The Streets at South Point
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023	Christmas with the Kringles - Millstone Creeks Orchard - Ramseur, NC
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023	Christmas on the Farm - Phillips Farms of Cary, NC
Dec 1, 2023	Santa Paws 2023 - Durham Parks and Recreation
Dec 1, 2023	2023 Mebane Christmas Parade
Dec 2, 2023	Brier Creek Commons Letters to Santa
Dec 2, 2023	2023 Christmas on Main - Kenly, NC
Dec 2, 2023	Santa's Workshop - Town of Cary, NC
Dec 2, 2023	Breakfast with Santa - The Grocery Bag
Multiple dates starting Dec 2, 2023	Brunch with Santa - The Carolina Inn
Multiple dates starting Dec 2, 2023	Santa's Reindeer Roundup Express at Triangle's Train: New Hope Valley Railway
Dec 3, 2023	Donuts with Santa & Mrs. Claus - Millstone Creek Orchards - Ramseur, NC
Dec 3, 2023	Santa Cares - The Streets at South Point
Dec 3, 2023	Christmas Parade 2023 - Rollesville Chamber of Commerce
Dec 3, 2023	Afternoon with Santa - The Sutherland Estate & Gardens
Dec 3, 2023	Fuquay-Varina's Annual Christmas Parade
Dec 3 & 17, 2023	Maggiano's Breakfast with Santa - Durham, NC
Dec 6, 2023	Cookies with Santa (Ages 2-6) - Durham Parks and Rec
Dec 7, 2023	Franklinton Christmas Parade
Dec 7, 2023	Smithfield Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec 9, 2023	Breakfast with Santa - Rollesville Chamber of Commerce
Dec 9, 2023	Holiday Parade - Durham, NC
Dec 10, 2023	Santa on the Roof - The Durham Hotel
Dec 12, 2023	Santa Cares: Sensory-Friendly Visit - Holly Springs, NC
Dec 14, 2023	Christmas Smithfield Parade

Old-Time Christmas

Dec 2, 2023	Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker
Nov 18, 2023	Hometown Holiday Celebration - Destination Downtown Mebane, NC
Dec 1, 2023	Yuletide By Lanternlight at Historic Halifax
Dec 1 & 8, 2023	Christmas by Candlelight - Duke Homestead
Dec 2, 2023	Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker
Multiple dates starting Dec 2, 2023	Holiday At The 1870 Farm
Dec 16, 2023	Christmas in the Piedmont during the Civil War
Dec 16, 2023	Christmas Candlelight Tour Program - Bennett Place Historic Site

Light Displays

Nov 17, 2023	Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration
Multiple dates starting Nov 17, 2023	Meadow Lights - Benson, NC
Nov 18, 2023	Holiday Market & Lighting of the Trees - Lafayette Village - Raleigh
Multiple dates starting Nov 22, 2023	Lake Myra Christmas Lights
Multiple dates starting Nov 22, 2023	Lights On Cedar 2022
Multiple dates starting Nov 23, 2023	Drive Thru Festival of Lights 2023 - Hill Ridge Farms
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023	Christmas Lights On The Farm - Middlesex, NC
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023	Lights On The Neuse 2023
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023	Fieldstream Farm Festival of Lights Drive Thru
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023	Piper Lights 2022 - Wake Forest, NC
Nov 25, 2023	Christmas Tree Lighting - Town of Franklinton, NC
Nov 30, 2023	Christmas Village & Tree Lighting - Clayton, NC
Nov 30, 2023	Town Tree Lighting - Town Fuquay-Varina, NC
Dec 1, 2023	Knightsdale Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec 1, 2023	The Lighting of Wake Forest
Dec 1, 2023	Tree Lighting Ceremony - Brier Creek Commons
Multiple dates starting Dec 1, 2023	Holidays in the Park - Museum of Life + Science
Dec 2, 2023	Tree Lighting Ceremony - Town of Garner, NC
Dec 2, 2023	Annual Tree Lighting Cermony - Morrisville, NC Parks & Rec
Dec 2, 2023	Town of Cary Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Reception 2023
Dec 2, 2023	Light the Springs - Holly Springs, NC
Dec 5, 2023	Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting - Selma, NC

Holiday Races

Dec 2, 2023	Grinch Stink Stank Stunk 5k Toy Run or Jingle Bell Jog (walk) - Smithfield, NC
Dec 2, 2023	2023 Reindeer Romp 5K
Dec 2, 2023	Jingle Bell Run Raleigh - Arthritis Foundation
Dec 9, 2023	Reindeer Run 5k- Chatham County Partnership for Children

Holiday Theatre

Nov 22, 2023	A Magical Cirque Christmas
Multiple dates starting Dec 1, 2023	A Gift To Remember - The Cary Players
Dec 2, 2023	The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Multiple dates starting Dec 2, 2023	The Nutracker - Cary Ballet Company
Dec 3, 2023	Holiday Theatre Performance – Oberlin Regional Library
Dec 5 - 10, 2023	Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Durham Performing Arts Center
Dec 8 & 9, 2023	The Nutcracker - Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Dec 9, 2023	Jill M. Taylor Dance Company's The Nutcracker
Multiple dates starting Dec 9, 2023	Elf: The Musical - North Carolina Theatre
Multiple dates starting Dec 11, 2023	Christmas Jubille LIVE@THE RUDY
Dec 13 - 17, 2023	A Christmas Carol: Presented by Theatre in the Park
Multiple dates starting Dec 14, 2023	The Nutcracker - Carolina Ballet
Dec 15 & 16, 2023	Sensory-Sensitive Nutcracker Suite - Cary Ballet Company
Dec 20, 2023	NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

Holiday Concerts

Nov 22, 2023	The Embers Holiday Show - Fuquay-Varina, NC
Multiple dates starting Nov 22, 2023	Holidays at Hogwarts – NC Symphony
Nov 24, 2023	Martina McBride - The Joy of Christmas Tour 2023
Nov 25, 2023	A Drag Queen Christmas
Nov 26, 2023	Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas
Nov 28, 2023	A Motown Christmas - Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 29, 2023	Holiday Music on the Roof: United Strings of Color - The Durham Hotel
Nov 29, 2023	Home Free for the Holidays Tour 2023 - Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 1 & 2, 2023	Holiday Harmony with the Fuquay-Varina Chorale
Dec 1 & 2, 2023	Handel's Messiah - NC Symphony
Dec 6, 2023	Eddie Miles Christmas Special LIVE@THE RUDY
Dec 8, 2023	Winterfest '23 - Cary Town Band
Dec 8 & 9, 2023	Holiday Pops - NC Symphony
Dec 9, 2023	Route 55 Jazz Orchestra Concert - Holly Springs, NC
Dec 10, 2023	The Snowman and other Holiday Favorites - Triangle Wind Ensemble
Dec 10, 2023	Holly Springs Community Band Concert
Dec 12, 2023	Joy of the Season - NC Master Chorale
Dec 13, 2023	2023 The Embers Christmas Show (featuring Craig Woolard) LIVE@THE RUDY
Dec 13, 2023	The Ghosts of Christmas Eve - Trans Siberian Orchestra
Dec 15, 2023	The Hall Sisters Holiday Show - The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Dec 16 & 17	Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concert
Dec 17, 2023	Raleigh Flute Choir Holiday Concert - North Carolina Museum of History
Dec 20, 2023	Holiday Music on the Roof: Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus - The Durham Hotel
Dec 21 - 23, 2023	A Motown Christmas - Pure Life Theatre & Town of Cary
Dec 22 & 23, 2023	Candlelight Christmas - NC Symphony

Christmas Tree Experience

Starting November 2023	Millstone Creek Orchards - Ramseur, NC
Starting November 2023	Jordan Lake Christmas Tree Farm - Apex, NC
Starting November 2023	The Family Farm on Avent Ferry - Holly Springs, NC
Starting November 2023	Phillips Farms of Cary, NC
Starting November 2023	Medlin Farm - Wake Forest, NC

Ice Skating

Year Round	Orange County SportsPlex
Year Round	Polar Ice Cary
Year Round	Polar Ice Garner

Hanukkah

Nov 11, 2023	Sparkle Night 2023 - Parkside Town Commons - Cary, NC
Nov 30, 2023	Cteen (Early) Chanukah at the Canes
Dec 2, 2023	Light the Springs - Holly Springs, NC
Dec 3, 2023	Handmade Hanukkah Market 2023
Dec 3, 2023	Chanukah Story Hour
Dec 10, 2023	Apex Chanukah Festival
Dec 10, 2023	Chanukah Parade - Chabad Center of Raleigh
Dec 10, 2023	Menorah Lighting On The Green - Lafayette Village - Raleigh, NC
Dec 12, 2023	Chanukah @ Fenton: Fire and Ice Spectacular
Dec 13, 2023	Celebrate the Festival of Lights - Town of Cary, NC
Dec 13, 2023	Family Chanukah Party - Chabad Center of Raleigh
Dec 14, 2023	Morrisville Chanukah Celebration

Kwanzaa

Dec 29, 2023	2023 Kwanzaa Celebration - Town of Cary
Jan 1, 2024	African American Dance Ensemble's 38th Kwanzaafest

Shopping & Craft Fairs

Nov 11, 2023	The Southern Bostonian Holiday Open House
Nov 11, 2023	Holiday Shop Opening Party - Raleigh Iron Works
Nov 11 & 18, 2023	Mistletoe Markets at Millstone Creek Orchards - Ramseur, NC
Nov 12 & Dec 3, 2023	MADE 4 the Holidays Marketplace
Nov 18, 2023	Winter Wonderland Craft Show - City of Mebane, NC
Nov 18, 2023	Holiday Arts & Craft Fair - Cary, NC
Nov 18, 2023	Christmas Market in the Grove
Nov 18, 2023	Holiday Market & Lighting of the Trees - Lafayette Village - Raleigh
Nov 18 & 19, 2023	The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market
Dec 1, 2023	Fridays in Franklinton Christmas Market
Dec 2, 2023	Fifth Annual Christmas Craft Fair - Pace Family Farms
Dec 2, 2023	The Holiday Market at NCMA
Dec 2, 2023	Holiday Open House - Lafayette Village - Raleigh
Dec 2, 2023	Wake Forest Artisans Market
Dec 3, 2023	Winter Craft Market - North Carolina Botanical Garden
Dec 3, 10, & 17, 2023	The Carolina Inn Holiday Market
Dec 6, 2023	Holiday Market at The Durham Hotel
Dec 9, 2023	Merry & Bright: A North Pole Market – Paper & Stars Studio
Dec 9, 2023	Carlee Farm Holiday Marketplace
Dec 9, 2023	Fenton Holiday Maker's Market
Dec 10, 2023	Durham Craft Market Holiday Show 2023
Dec 16, 2023	Art-n-Soul Christmas Market - Waverly Place - Cary, NC

New Year's Eve

Dec 30, 2023	New Year's Count Down Party - Wendell Community Library
Dec 31, 2023	Noon Year's Eve - Museum of Life + Science
Dec 31, 2023	Not Quite New Year's Eve - Morrisville Community Library
Dec 31, 2023	New Year's Eve Party 2024 - East Regional Library

Miscellaneous

Multiple dates starting Nov 4, 2023	Nutcracker Painting Workshops - Triangle Cultural Art Gallery
Multiple dates starting Nov 17, 2023	The Dessertery: A Holiday Dessert Cafe
Nov 18, 2023	2023 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off
Multiple dates starting Nov 20, 2023	Letters to Santa: Santa's Mailbox 2023 - Town of Cary, NC
Multiple dates starting Nov 20, 2023	Santa's Mailbox - Holly Springs, NC
Multiple dates starting Nov 22, 2023	Woole's Winter Wonderland
Multiple dates starting Nov 25, 2023	It's Snowing in Mebane
Multiple dates starting Nov 29, 2023	Holiday Express at Pullen Park
Nov 30, 2023	Sleigh Rides in Downtown - Fuquay-Varina, NC
Multiple dates starting Dec 1, 2023	Crossroads Holiday Tea - Carolina Inn
Dec 2, 2023	Holiday Open House - Lafayette Village Raleigh
Dec 2, 2023	Downtown Holiday Open House - Wake Forest, NC
Dec 2, 2023	Natural Ornaments (Family Workshop) - North Carolina Botanical Gardens
Dec 2, 2023	Holiday Block Party - Garner, NC
Dec 2, 2023	In Heavenly Peace: Bentonville Christmas Open House
Dec 2 & 16, 2023	Christmas Wreath Class - Eno River Farm
Multiple dates starting Dec 2, 2023	Cary's Gingerbread House Competition Display
Dec 3 & 17, 2023	Santa's Workshop: Centennial Birthday Celebration - Carolina Inn
Multiple dates starting Dec 3, 2023	Bier Garten at the Carolina Inn
Dec 8, 2023	Evening With Elves - Marbles Kids Museum
Dec 9, 2023	Tea With the Sugar Plum Fairy - The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Dec 9, 2023	Knightdale Christmas Parade
Dec 9, 2023	Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade
Dec 9, 2023	2023 Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
Dec 9, 2023	Live Nativity Scene - CSHC Raleigh
Dec 14, 2023	Rolesville Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Party
Dec 16, 2023	Wreaths Across America - Knightdale Station Park
Dec 16 & 17, 2023	Gingerbread Jamboree - Marbles Kids Museum
Dec 16 & 17, 2023	Christmas Wreath Making Workshops - Millstone Creek Orchards - Ramseur, NC
Dec 20 - 22, 2023	Gingerbread Build - Carolina Inn
Dec 22, 2023	Free Family Movies: Elf - Holly Springs Cultural Center