Enjoy The Holidays In Cary With These Events!
Cary invites you to experience the Heart of the Holidays: Season of Celebration! Now through December 30, downtown Cary comes alive with joyful events and timeless traditions to bring our community together during this season of celebration. Visit carync.gov/hoh for a full schedule of events and more details.
Looking for an easy way to explore downtown Cary during the Heart of the Holidays? Hop on the festively decorated GoCary Downtown Loop bus! It’s a great option for easy access to experience many of the Heart of the Holidays event locations. Available Thursday – Sunday. Visit gocary.org for route and schedule information.
Featured Holiday Events:
This year’s holiday celebrations kick off on December 7 with the highly anticipated Tree Lighting Ceremony at Downtown Cary Park at 6 p.m. Live music, arts and crafts, and festive cheer throughout Downtown Cary Park bookend the tree lighting from 2-10 p.m.
For those looking to experience the charm of a bygone era, the Victorian Christmas at the Page Walker offers a unique opportunity to step back in time. Taking place on December 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Page Walker Arts & History Center, this event will feature carolers, sweet treats, and even a visit from a special guest, ensuring a delightful afternoon filled with nostalgia.
On December 14, the festive spirit continues with the Parade to Park Festivities. Following the Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade, families can enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment and activities at Downtown Cary Park, beginning at 3 p.m. Please note the parade is managed by Cary Jaycees and all inquiries and updates about the parade should be directed to caryjaycees.org/parade.
As the year winds down, Cary celebrates the diversity of its community with two special events. On December 29, the Kwanzaa Celebration at the Cary Arts Center will honor cultural traditions with a vibrant program of activities from 1 to 7 p.m. The next evening, December 30, the community is invited to Downtown Cary Park for the Menorah Lighting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., celebrating the sixth night of Hanukkah with music, treats, and the lighting of the menorah. Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, December 25 to January 2, the menorah at Cary Arts Center will be lit each evening.
Additional Holiday Highlights and Programming:
Earlier in the season, children are invited to send their holiday wishes directly to Santa through Santa’s Mailbox, available from November 18 to December 8 at Downtown Cary Park. Every letter will receive a special reply from the North Pole.
Downtown Cary will transform into a showcase of creativity and community engagement with the Gingerbread House Competition, displayed across local businesses from December 7 to 15, and the Gifting Tree Project from December 7 to 26 will feature beautifully decorated trees along S. Academy St.
Be sure to check out the numerous holiday light displays throughout downtown Cary. An interactive map will be available online by the beginning of December at carync.gov/hoh to help you discover and navigate these dazzling holiday installations. While you’re admiring the sparkling lights, plan a stop at Downtown Cary Park to enjoy ice skating in the heart of downtown. Visit downtowncarypark.com/calendar for hours and details.
At the Cary Arts Center, experience the classic holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Cary Ballet Company from December 20 to the 22, and the soulful performance of “The Motown Sound of Christmas,” featuring some of the Triangle’s finest singers and dancers on December 27 and 28.
Celebrate the season with a festive lineup of holiday classics at The Cary Theater! Enjoy timeless favorites such as; “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Home Alone,” and “Elf,” along with the hilarious antics of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Don’t miss the chance to participate in a special “White Christmas” sing-a-long or revisit the nostalgic charm of “A Christmas Story.” For more event details and ticket information, visit thecarytheater.com.