Things to do › Winter Events
North Carolina winter events from December through March, with dated events listed apart from the ones that run for weeks.
152 winter events are still ahead on our calendar (Dec 1-Mar 31, 2027): 123 with a single date or a short run, 29 that run for weeks, and 5 free, in 35 towns.
152Winter Events
123With Dates
29Run for Weeks
5Free
Events come from our North Carolina events dataset (last re-checked Oct 21, 2026); each date and price was read on the organizer’s own page, and “See event page” means the organizer does not publish one. Plans and rules change, so check the organizer or park page before you drive.
Winter Events With Dates
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators (New Year's weekend home game) | Sat, Jan 2 (Puck drop time not published in the team's schedule release) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Death Becomes Her (Steven Tanger Center) | Jan 5-10 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| UNC men's basketball vs NC State | Tue, Jan 5 (Tue 9:00 PM, TV ESPN2) | Chapel Hill · Triangle | See event page |
| The Gala 2027 Women's Gymnastics Competition | Jan 8-10 (Doors 7:00 AM daily) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | Tickets only at the door, cash only: adult $25 (weekend $40); more prices on the event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen Shrek Night vs Athens | Sat, Jan 9 (6:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Carolina Hurricanes home games at Lenovo Center, Jan 2027 (Flyers Jan 15, Golden Knights Jan 17, Ducks Jan 23, Islanders Jan 28, Kings Jan 30) | Jan 15-30 (Puck-drop times not published on this page on the arena list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Sons of Cream | Fri, Jan 15 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Monster Jam (35th anniversary) | Jan 16-17 (Sat Jan 16 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM; Sun Jan 17 12:00 PM) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| UNC men's basketball vs Virginia | Sat, Jan 16 (Sat 2:15 PM) | Chapel Hill · Triangle | See event page |
| Jeff Dunham at Steven Tanger Center | Thu, Jan 21 (Time not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Marc Maron: Yammering Into The Void Tour | Thu, Jan 21 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Weekend (Class of 2027: Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Larry Phillips) | Jan 21-22 | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Charlotte Restaurant Week (Queen's Feast), winter edition | Jan 22-31 (Restaurant hours vary by participant) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| The Red Clay Strays at Lenovo Center | Fri, Jan 22 (Time not published on this page on the arena list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen Star Wars Night vs Quad City | Sat, Jan 23 (6:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| NC State vs Wake Forest at Lenovo Center | Sat, Jan 23 (12:00 PM; doors 11:00 AM) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Shen Yun | Jan 23-24 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Pirates of Penzance (NYGASP) (Thalian Hall) | Sun, Jan 24 (3:00 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| 29th Annual Blowing Rock WinterFest | Jan 28-31 (Schedule at blowingrockwinterfest.com; not published on page read) | Blowing Rock · High Country | See event page |
| TobyMac's Hits Deep Tour 2027 with Jeremy Camp, Seph Schlueter and Katy Nichole (Crown Coliseum) | Thu, Jan 28 (Show time not published) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Andrea Bocelli: Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour | Fri, Jan 29 (8:00 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert | Jan 29-30 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Braxton Keith with Wild Bill and The Bruisers | Sat, Jan 30 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Carmina Burana with Immersive Projection Art | Sat, Jan 30 (Doors 7:00 PM; show 8:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers | Sun, Jan 31 (7:00 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Billy Strings Winter 2027 Tour (five nights) | Feb 4-9 | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Carolina Ballet: Giselle | Feb 4-14 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Thalian Association Community Theatre) (Thalian Hall) | Feb 5-14 (times not published on the listing) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| NC Opera: Turandot | Feb 5-7 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| The Wiz (Wilson Center, PNC Broadway and the Beach) | Feb 6-7 (Show times not published) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| UNC men's basketball vs Louisville | Sat, Feb 6 (Sat 2:15 PM) | Chapel Hill · Triangle | See event page |
| ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience | Sun, Feb 7 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| UNC men's basketball at Duke | Mon, Feb 8 (Mon 6:00 PM, TV ABC) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| NC Symphony: Dancing in the Street, The Music of Motown | Feb 12-13 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Greensboro Symphony: An Evening with Bernadette Peters | Sat, Feb 13 (Time not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| UNC men's basketball at Wake Forest | Sat, Feb 13 (Sat 5:30 PM, TV ACCN) | Winston-Salem · Triad | See event page |
| Gary Allan at Steven Tanger Center | Fri, Feb 19 (Time not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Taylor Tomlinson: Nobody Asked You to Do That | Fri, Feb 19 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| WWE SmackDown | Fri, Feb 19 (7:30 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Taylor Tomlinson | Feb 20-21 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Bluey's Big Play (Greensboro) | Feb 24-25 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Cory Wong featuring dodie with special guest PREP | Wed, Feb 24 (Doors 5:30 PM; show 6:30 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Bluey's Big Play | Feb 26-28 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| NC Symphony: Beethoven Symphony No. 9 | Feb 26-27 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Wizard of Oz on Ice | Sun, Feb 28 (Doors 2:00 PM; show 3:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Duke at UNC men's basketball | Tue, Mar 2 (Tue 9:00 PM) | Chapel Hill · Triangle | See event page |
| Mamma Mia! (Steven Tanger Center) | Mar 2-7 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Carolina Ballet: The Little Mermaid | Mar 4-21 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Twitty & Lynn (Thalian Hall) | Sat, Mar 6 (7:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Hans Zimmer Live: The Next Level | Tue, Mar 9 (7:30 PM; one show only) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Joe Bonamassa at Steven Tanger Center | Tue, Mar 9 (Time not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| T. Rowe Price ACC Men's Basketball Tournament | Mar 9-13 (Session times TBA for Mar 9-13) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| NEEDTOBREATHE: The Long Surrender Tour | Thu, Mar 11 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen LEGO Night vs Huntsville | Fri, Mar 12 (7:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Greta Van Fleet: Into the Beginning World Tour (with The Kooks and Luna Li) | Fri, Mar 12 (7:00 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| NC Symphony: Totally 80s | Mar 12-13 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| St. Patrick's Day Train Ride (dinner train, NC Transportation Museum) | Mar 12-13 (Fri and Sat; first boarding 5:15 PM, second 7:30 PM) | Spencer · Charlotte Region | Pricing listed as coming soon |
| WHITNEY: One Moment in Time (Thalian Hall) | Fri, Mar 12: 7:30 PM (90-minute show per the page) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Tobacco Road Marathon and Half Marathon (17th running) | Sun, Mar 14 (Sun 7:00 AM start at USA Baseball, 7445 Green Hope School Road) | Cary · Triangle | See event page |
| Harlem Globetrotters: Rivalry Tour (Crown Coliseum) | Wed, Mar 17 | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| 2027 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, First and Second Rounds | Mar 19-21 | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
Winter Events Running for Weeks
Not checked for each date: these run for weeks, and some open only on certain days or nights. Check the organizer’s page for the day you want.
| 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 |
| Escape at the Millpond (Merchants Millpond State Park) | Oct 26-Dec 14 | Gatesville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen (SPHL) home games at Crown Coliseum | Oct 29-Mar 27, 2027 | Fayetteville · Sandhills | 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 |
| 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 |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (NC Transportation Museum) Our guide | Nov 6-Dec 23 | Spencer · Charlotte Region | See 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| ECU Pirates men's basketball American Conference home games (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum) | Jan 7-Mar 2 | Greenville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
Keep Planning
- By month: October, November, December, January, February, March
- Regional event hubs: Triangle, Asheville & Foothills, Charlotte Region, Triad, Coast, Sandhills, Smoky Mountains, Eastern Plain & Inner Banks, High Country
- By day: Today, Tomorrow, This Weekend, Next Week, By Month
More Topic Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a winter event?
Anything on our calendar that overlaps December through March, from holiday lights to ski days to basketball.
Is there skiing on the list?
Only events that organizers have published, such as ski clinics and racing days on the high-country resorts. Slope conditions change daily and are on the resort’s own page.
How far ahead does the list go?
As far as organizers have published dates that we have checked. It grows as we re-check calendars.
Sources
- Each event links to the organizer’s own page, where its date, hours and price were read; all rows are in the North Carolina events dataset with a checked date on every row.
How we check: editorial standards, verification log, corrections.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Winter Events”, itsnorthcarolina.com/things-to-do/winter-events/ (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.