from Raleigh to anywhere

Let the Winter fun begin, check out this list of all the family friendly events around the triangle or can’t miss things to do in North Carolina. Kid Friendly events so you can start creating your family traditions.

Christmas Tree Lightings in Raleigh Family Friendly

• Lafayette Village (North Raleigh) Nov 15th 3pm – 6pm
• Moore Square (Downtown) Nov 21st 5:30pm – 8pm
• Wavery (Cary) Nov 21st 5pm – 8pm
• Fenton (Cary) Nov 22nd 3pm – 7pm
• North Hills Nov 22nd 6pm
• Rockefeller Center Dec 3rd *NYC!!! in case you wanted to book a flight 😉
• Wake Forest Dec 5th 5pm – 8pm
• State Tree Lighting Dec 11th 5:30pm

Holiday Parades in Raleigh 2025

• Down Raleigh Christmas Parade Nov 22nd 9:30am
• Rolesville Christmas Parade (Rolesville) Dec 7th 2pm – 3pm
• Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade (Cary) Dec 13th 2pm – 4pm

Ice Skating Rinks in Raleigh

• Rink @ Red Hat Amphitheater (Downtown) Nov 22nd – Jan 4th
• Fenton Ice Skating (Cary) Nov 7th

Holiday Lights in Raleigh Kid Friendly

• Winter Song, Bedford (North Raleigh)
• Wood Family Light Shows (Wake Forest)
• Stephens Family Light Show (Raleigh)
• Historic District (Wake Forest)
• Piper’s Lights (Rolesville/Wake Forest)

Special Events in Raleigh Kid Friendly Winter, Festival’s & Markets

• Moonlight in the Garden (Raleigh) Nov 7th – 8th, Nov 14th – 15th & Nov 21st – 22nd
• Chinese Lantern Festival (Cary) Nov 15th – Jan 11th , this is a favorite and a great experience if you have family visiting!
• Festibull of Lights (Durham) Nov 20th- Jan 3rd
• Moore Square Winterfare (Downtown) Dec 11th – Dec 14th
• MAKRS Holiday Fest Dec 6th 11am – 6pm
• Marble’s Evening with Elves (Downtown) Dec 5th 6pm -8:30pm
• Holiday Express Pullen Park
• Illuminate Art Walk FREE (Downtown) Dec 5th – Jan 6th
• Museum of Life & Science Holidays in the Park (Durham) , add on the Train Ride an awesome experience starting Dec 3rd, select days/times in Dec
• Marble’s Gingerbread Jamboree (Downtown) Dec 13th & Dec 14th

Beyond Raleigh Around North Carolina Family Friendly Winter Events

• Biltmore Estate Christmas Now – Jan 4th *heading there midweek, check ticket prices for a savings ** select weekdays
• Bryson City Polar Express
• Spencer Transportation Museum Polar Express
• Snow Tubing Beech Mountain
• Snow Tubing Hawksnest Seven Devils, NC

Sporting Events in Raleigh Nov – Jan

• Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild, Raleigh, Nov 6 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Buffalo Sabres, Raleigh, Nov 8 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals, Raleigh, Nov 11 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Vancouver Canucks, Raleigh, Nov 14 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Edmonton Oilers, Raleigh, Nov 15 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• TCU Horned Frogs at NC State Wolfpack Women’s Basketball, Raleigh, Nov 16 2025, 1:00 PM – link SeatGeek
• VCU Rams at NC State Wolfpack Men’s Basketball, Raleigh, Nov 17 2025, 7:00 PM – link SeatGeek
• Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at NC State Wolfpack Women’s Basketball, Raleigh, Nov 19 2025, 6:00 PM – link SeatGeek
• Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers, Raleigh, Nov 26 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Winnipeg Jets, Raleigh, Nov 28 2025, 5:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Calgary Flames, Raleigh, Nov 30 2025, 5:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Toronto Maple Leafs, Raleigh, Dec 4 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators, Raleigh, Dec 6 2025, 7:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs San Jose Sharks, Raleigh, Dec 7 2025, 5:00 PM – link Ticketmaster
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets, Raleigh, Dec 9 2025, 7:30 PM – link Cloudinary
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers, Raleigh, Dec 14 2025, 5:00 PM – link Cloudinary
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers, Raleigh, Dec 23 2025, 7:00 PM – link NHL
• Carolina Hurricanes vs Detroit Red Wings, Raleigh, Dec 27 2025, 7:00 PM – link NHL
• Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers, Raleigh, Dec 29 2025, 7:00 PM – link NHL
• 2025 Raleigh Half Marathon (Holiday Themed), Raleigh, Dec 6 2025, 8:00 AM – link Visit Raleigh