What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some festive activities? Throughout the Triangle area and beyond, there are SO many events and activities happening each day that you don’t want to miss out on. From festivals to concerts and unique holiday festivities, the Triangle area has it all. Our team at NC Seafood loves the holidays and local events, so, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites. Here are just 5 holiday activities to do around Raleigh.

Enjoy a Holiday Light Show

One of the best things about the holidays is certainly all the fabulous lights! For all the festive light enthusiasts out there, there are many wonderful holiday lights shows around the Triangle to choose from. Some of the best are:

  • Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell, and you certainly don’t want to miss it. It is one of the largest Christmas displays in North Carolina that features almost a quarter of a million lights which dance systematically to holiday music. Better yet, Santa will be there to take pictures with kids! This free event takes place every Saturday until Christmas from 7 pm to 9 pm at 10 S. Cypress Street in Wendell.
  • Piper Lights. Piper Lights has been spreading smiles and holiday joy for the past 30 years. Run by a festive family who even won the Great Christmas Light War by ABC Television, the spectacular light shows spans across around 7 acres. Along with the drive-through display, there’s a mini train ride, old-fashioned candy store, and Santa visits! From Sunday to Thursday, the lights are on display from 5:30 to 9 pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the event lasts from 5:30 pm to 10 pm. This free event is located at 5725 Fixit Shop Road in Wake Forest, and lasts until January 3rd.
  • NC Chinese Lantern Festival. The NC Chinese Lantern Festival is a local holiday favorite and definitely a must-see. The festival exhibits thousands of LED lights, 20 hand-made lantern displays, a 200-feet long dragon, and more. The event lasts from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Parkway, Cary) on every day except Monday. Tickets range from $10 to $18 and can be purchased here.

Attend a Holiday Concert

The holidays aren’t complete without festive holiday music! Fortunately, there’s plenty of holiday concerts available to enjoy. A few of them are:

  • O Holy Night Concert by Vocal Arts Ensemble | 8 pm | Free | Duke University Chapel | December 14th
  • The Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concert | 3 pm | $18.00 | Duke Energy Center for The Performing Arts | December 15th
  • A Christmas Carol | Triad Stage at Hanesbrands Theatre in Winston Salem | View show dates, times, and ticket prices here

Go Ice Skating

One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is through ice skating! Bundle up with scarves, hats, and gloves; grab your friends and family, and enjoy going ice skating on your own Winter Wonderland! Fortunately, there’s plenty of ice skating rinks to choose from around the Triangle, such as:

  • The Ice Factory at American Tobacco Campus | Durham
  • Ipreo Raleigh Winterfest | Downtown Raleigh
  • Polar Ice House | Cary, Garner, Wake Forest
  • Raleigh Iceplex | Raleigh
  • Triangle Sportsplex | Hillsborough
  • Raleigh Center Ice | Raleigh

Partake in the Holiday Festivities at Twelve Days of Christmas

Every year, The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill contributes to the holiday spirit with gorgeous decorations and fun activities that you definitely don’t want to miss. The decorations are inspired by the well-known holiday song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and are none short of impressive. The activities include:

  • Brunch with Santa
  • Breakfast with Santa
  • Make Your Own Gingerbread House
  • Afternoon with The Sugar Plum Fairy
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides
  • Holiday Teas
  • Holiday Express
  • And more!

The Carolina Inn is located at 211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill and tickets for all the different events can be purchased here.

Experience the First Night Raleigh New Year’s Eve Celebration

There’s no better way to bring in the New Year than with the First Night Raleigh New Year’s Celebration! First Night Raleigh features a day packed with entertainment and activities that lead up to the big acorn drop at midnight. Countless live performances, carnival rides, roller skating, sleigh rides, dancing, and, of course, the acorn drop are just a few of all the fun this event has to offer. A pass, which grants you access to all the events throughout the entire day, costs $11 in advance and $15 on the day of the festival, and can be purchased here. Although you don’t have to purchase a pass to be on Fayetteville Street, if you want to enjoy all the activities, you should definitely purchase one! To learn more about all the activities, check out the event’s website.

After All the Holiday Fun, Fill Your Tummies with the Best Seafood in Town!

Enjoying all the numerous fun holiday activities will make you work up an appetite! When that happens, stop by the best seafood restaurant in Raleigh for a generous portion of fresh, local, scrumptious seafood. Check out our menu and head on over or order online now!

Also, our team at NC Seafood hopes you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!