North Carolina events › By month › December 2026
North Carolina events in December 2026, week by week: festivals, holiday lights, concerts, sports and arts, with the town, region and price as each organizer lists them. The list updates itself from our checked events dataset.
90 events on our North Carolina calendar run during December 2026.
This list is rebuilt from our North Carolina events dataset (calendar last re-checked Oct 21, 2026). Every date and price was read on the organizer’s own page; “See event page” means the organizer does not publish one. Plans change, so check the organizer’s page before you drive.
90Events
6Free To Enter
34Towns
20Run All December
Don’t Miss in December
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Morganton Christmas Parade | Tue, Dec 1 (6:00 PM) | Morganton · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Snowshoe Guided Tours at Sugar Mountain Resort | Tue, Dec 1: not published (page shows 00:00) | Sugar Mountain · High Country | See event page |
| Sylva Christmas Tree Lighting | Fri, Dec 4 (6:00 PM-7:00 PM) | Sylva · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
| ACC Football Championship Game Our guide | Sat, Dec 5 (Kickoff noon ET on ABC) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Gingerbread Jamboree (Marbles Kids Museum) Our guide | Dec 12-13 (Sessions 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM each day) | Raleigh · Triangle | $18 member | $20 general public per attendee; reusable gingerbread house $25 |
| Warren Haynes Presents Christmas Jam Our guide | Sat, Dec 12 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
Running All December
Not checked for each date: these run for weeks, and some open only on certain days or nights.
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Scavenger Hunt (Fort Macon State Park) | Oct 24-Feb 15, 2027: 10:00 AM (state parks list); detail page shows 10-11 AM | Atlantic Beach · Coast | See event page |
| Fort Macon free daily guided tour | Oct 24-Apr 14, 2027 (Daily 1:00 PM, about 45 minutes, mid-Oct to mid-April) | Atlantic Beach · Coast | Free |
| Museum of the Cherokee People | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM daily (last ticket 4:00 PM) | Cherokee · Smoky Mountains | Adults $15; children 6-12 $8; children 5 and under free |
| NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 (Daily 9 AM-5 PM) | Pine Knoll Shores · Coast | See event page |
| NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 | Manteo · Coast | See event page |
| NC Museum of Natural Sciences (downtown Raleigh) | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 | Raleigh · Triangle | Free general admission |
| WNC Nature Center | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 (not published) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | Adults $16.95 plus tax ($11.95 City of Asheville residents); seniors 65+ $15.95 ($10.95); more prices on the event page |
| Carolina Panthers home games (Bank of America Stadium) | Oct 25-Jan 3, 2027 | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen (SPHL) home games at Crown Coliseum | Oct 29-Mar 27, 2027 | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| UNCW Seahawks men's basketball home games (Trask Coliseum) | Nov 2-Mar 2, 2027 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore | Nov 3-Jan 9, 2027 (not published) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (Great Smoky Mountains Railroad) Our guide | Nov 5-Jan 3, 2027: not published (choose date/time at booking) | Bryson City · Smoky Mountains | Coach Class from $50.85 adult (13+), $33.52 child (2-12), $0.00 infant; more prices on the event page |
| Tanglewood Festival of Lights Our guide | Nov 13-Jan 1, 2027 (6:00 PM - 11:00 PM daily) | Clemmons · Triad | Per family vehicle (cars, vans, trucks): Mon-Thu $20 cash / $23 card; more prices on the event page |
| Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum | Nov 13-Jan 3, 2027 (Gates open 6:00 PM, last entry 9:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| National Gingerbread House Display at The Omni Grove Park Inn Our guide | Nov 17-Jan 3, 2027 | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Greensboro Science Center Winter Wonderlights | Nov 18-Jan 3, 2027 | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Speedway Christmas (drive-thru light show) | Nov 20-Jan 3, 2027 (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, rain or shine) | Concord · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (11th year) Our guide | Nov 21-Jan 10, 2027 | Cary · Triangle | See event page |
| Carowinds WinterFest | Nov 27-Jan 3, 2027: not published (page says check the Carowinds app for show times) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Sandhills Garden of Lights | Nov 27-Jan 9, 2027 (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays) | Pinehurst · Sandhills | See event page |
Week of Dec 1-6, 2026
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escape at the Millpond (Merchants Millpond State Park) | Oct 26-Dec 14 | Gatesville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| ECU Pirates men's basketball non-conference home games (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum) | Nov 2-Dec 21 | Greenville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (NC Transportation Museum) Our guide | Nov 6-Dec 23 | Spencer · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Dowdy Park Holiday Markets | Nov 14-Dec 12 (Saturdays Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 12, 9 AM-12 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free and family-friendly) |
| Wicked (Steven Tanger Center) | Nov 18-Dec 6 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil | Nov 25-Dec 6 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Tweetsie Christmas | Nov 27-Dec 30 | Blowing Rock · High Country | Adults 13+ $65; children 3-12 $45; ages 2 and under free; parking free |
| Holidays at the Garden (Daniel Stowe Conservancy) | Nov 28-Dec 30 | Belmont · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Visits with Santa and Carriage Rides, Courthouse Square | Nov 28-Dec 20 | Morganton · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Christmas Town U.S.A. light display (McAdenville) Our guide | Dec 1-26 (5:30 PM - 10:00 PM nightly; walk or drive through downtown) | McAdenville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Downtown Morganton Christmas Parade | Tue, Dec 1 (6:00 PM) | Morganton · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Rhythm Street Movement's Who Brought the Humbug? (Thalian Hall) | Tue, Dec 1 (4:00 PM and 7:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Snowshoe Guided Tours at Sugar Mountain Resort | Tue, Dec 1: not published (page shows 00:00) | Sugar Mountain · High Country | See event page |
| Reynolda Family Evergreen Workshop | Wed, Dec 2 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | $30; $24 members and Friends of Reynolda Gardens at Family level or above |
| Fuquay-Varina Town Tree Lighting | Thu, Dec 3 | Fuquay-Varina · Triangle | See event page |
| Get the LED Out: A Celebration of The Mighty Zep | Thu, Dec 3 (Time not published) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight (Crown Coliseum) | Thu, Dec 3 (Doors open one hour before show time; show time not published) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Ballet for Young Audiences: The Nutcracker (Thalian Hall) | Dec 4-5 (showtimes not published on the page) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Chamber Music by Candlelight (Tryon Palace) | Fri, Dec 4 (7:00-9:00 PM) | New Bern · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| Evening with Elves (Marbles Kids Museum) | Fri, Dec 4 (6:00-8:30 PM) | Raleigh · Triangle | $27 member | $30 general public; every attendee needs a ticket |
| Oak Island Christmas Tree Lighting (Middleton Park Complex) | Fri, Dec 4 (5:00 PM-7:00 PM) | Oak Island · Coast | Free |
| Olde Fashioned Christmas with Santa on the Square | Fri, Dec 4 (5:00 PM-8:00 PM) | Hendersonville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Sylva Christmas Tree Lighting | Fri, Dec 4 (6:00 PM-7:00 PM) | Sylva · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
| 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney | Sat, Dec 5 (11:00 AM-2:00 PM) | Chimney Rock · Asheville & Foothills | Included with park admission; more prices on the event page |
| ACC Football Championship Game Our guide | Sat, Dec 5 (Kickoff noon ET on ABC) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Battleship Alive! (Battleship NORTH CAROLINA) | Sat, Dec 5 (8 AM-5 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Carolina Hurricanes vs Toronto Maple Leafs | Sat, Dec 5 (Time not published on this page on the venue list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Hendersonville Christmas Parade | Sat, Dec 5 (6:00 PM) | Hendersonville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| NASTAR Racing at Sugar Mountain Resort | Sat, Dec 5: 12:00 PM (page lists 12:00PM) | Sugar Mountain · High Country | See event page |
| Old Salem St. Nick at Old Salem and the Moravian Market | Sat, Dec 5 (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | See event page |
| The Big Crafty | Dec 5-6 | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | Saturday $10; Sunday free to the public (online may add processing fees) |
| Western Carolina Catamounts Men's Basketball vs The Citadel (SoCon opener) | Sat, Dec 5 (1:00 PM) | Cullowhee · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
Week of Dec 7-13, 2026
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hometown Heritage Christmas Parade | Mon, Dec 7 (6:00 PM-8:00 PM) | Waynesville · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
| NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet | Mon, Dec 7 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Pentatonix: Christmas in the City Tour | Mon, Dec 7 (7:00 PM) | Raleigh · Triangle | Visit Ticketmaster.com for pricing (no dollar amount on the venue page) |
| The Bodyguard (Broadway at DPAC) | Dec 8-13 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $50 plus tax (DPAC list) |
| Carolina Ballet: The Nutcracker | Dec 10-24 | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic (Crown Coliseum) | Dec 10-13 | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol (Big Dawg Theatre Company) (Thalian Hall) | Dec 10-20 (times not published on the listing) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Matthew West: Come Home for Christmas Live on Tour | Thu, Dec 10 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| McAdenville Yule Log Parade | Thu, Dec 10 (Singing begins 5:30 PM at 100 Main Street near the Yule Log) | McAdenville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Raleigh) | Thu, Dec 10 (7:00 PM; doors 6:00 PM) | Raleigh · Triangle | Visit Ticketmaster.com for pricing (no dollar amount on the venue page) |
| Charlotte Invitational (tennis: Osaka, Anisimova, Tiafoe, Tien) | Fri, Dec 11: Starts 12:00 PM (arena calendar) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Miracle on 34th Street The Musical (Thalian Association Community Theatre) (Thalian Hall) | Dec 11-20 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Pre-Season Ski Clinic at Sugar Mountain Resort | Fri, Dec 11 (not published) | Sugar Mountain · High Country | See event page |
| 27th Annual Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade | Sat, Dec 12 (10:00 AM-12:00 PM) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| An Enchanted Christmas at Reynolda | Dec 12-15 (Dec 12 and Dec 15, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | $25 adults, $10 youth; museum members $20 adults, $8 youth |
| Candlelight at Tryon Palace | Dec 12-19 | New Bern · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| Gingerbread Jamboree (Marbles Kids Museum) Our guide | Dec 12-13 (Sessions 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM each day) | Raleigh · Triangle | $18 member | $20 general public per attendee; reusable gingerbread house $25 |
| Old Salem ChristmasFest | Sat, Dec 12 (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | See event page |
| Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve | Sat, Dec 12 (Two shows: 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Warren Haynes Presents Christmas Jam Our guide | Sat, Dec 12 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins (last home game before Christmas break) | Sun, Dec 13 (1:00 PM ET) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Thievery Corporation 30th Anniversary Tour | Dec 13-14 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM both nights) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
Week of Dec 14-20, 2026
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tobacco Road Classic: UNC vs NC State | Tue, Dec 15 (7:00 PM) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic | Dec 16-20 | Raleigh · Triangle | Visit Ticketmaster.com for pricing (no dollar amount on the venue page) |
| Dowdy Park Candy Cane Hunt | Wed, Dec 16 (5:00 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free) |
| Fayetteville Marksmen Nightmare Before Christmas Night vs Pee Dee | Fri, Dec 18 (7:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Grahame Lesh & Friends | Fri, Dec 18 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Fayetteville Anime Fest (Crown Expo) | Sat, Dec 19 (not published) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen Peanuts Night vs Pee Dee | Sat, Dec 19 (6:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Holiday Train Rides with Mountain Fresh Orchards | Sat, Dec 19 (5:00 PM-8:00 PM) | Hendersonville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Old Salem St. Nick Returns to Salem | Sat, Dec 19 (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | See event page |
| Wake Forest vs West Virginia men's basketball (Holiday Hoopfest) | Sat, Dec 19 (Time not published on this page on the venue event list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
Week of Dec 21-27, 2026
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Marksmen Mischief Night vs Macon | Sat, Dec 26 (6:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Winter Train Rides (NC Transportation Museum) | Dec 26-31 (Sat/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu 10 and 11 AM, 1 and 2 PM; Sun 1, 2 and 3 PM) | Spencer · Charlotte Region | Museum only $10 adult, $9 senior or military, $8 child 3-12; more prices on the event page |
Week of Dec 28-31, 2026
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamma Mia! (Broadway at DPAC) | Dec 29-Jan 3, 2027 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $50 plus tax (DPAC list) |
| New Year's Eve Gala 2026 (Thalian Hall) | Thu, Dec 31 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| New Year's Eve: Hot in Herre 2000s Dance Party | Thu, Dec 31 (Doors 9 PM; show 10 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| The Avett Brothers New Year's Eve | Thu, Dec 31 (Doors 7:00 PM; show 8:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
December by Region
- Smoky Mountains events 5 in December
- Asheville & Foothills events 19 in December
- High Country events 4 in December
- Charlotte Region events 11 in December
- Triad events 10 in December
- Triangle events 14 in December
- Sandhills events 9 in December
- Eastern Plain & Inner Banks events 4 in December
- Coast events 14 in December
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest North Carolina events in December 2026?
The “Don’t Miss” list at the top picks one-off events from the regions, starting with those that have our own full guide. The week-by-week lists below show every checked event.
Are the dates and prices confirmed?
Every row was read on the organizer’s own page on the checked date shown in our events dataset. Where an organizer publishes no price we say “See event page”. Plans change, so confirm before you go.
Why do some events run all December?
Light shows, exhibits and markets run for weeks or months. They are listed once under “Running All December” with a note to check the night you want, because some open only on certain days.
Is my town missing?
Small-town calendars are often posted only on social media, which we do not use as a source. Send us the organizer’s page and we will check it.
Keep Planning
- All North Carolina events by region
- North Carolina events this weekend
- North Carolina events by month
- Regions: Smoky Mountains, Asheville and Foothills, High Country, Charlotte Region, Triad, Triangle, Sandhills, Eastern Plain and Inner Banks, Coast
- Drive times to North Carolina attractions and the State Parks Passport
Sources
- Each event links to the organizer’s own page, where its date, hours and price were read.
- North Carolina events open dataset (CSV and JSON, with a checked date on every row).
How we check: editorial standards, verification log, corrections.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “North Carolina Events in December 2026”, itsnorthcarolina.com/north-carolina-events-in-december/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.