City of "Wander": The Holidays in Downtown
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
Embrace the magic of the holidays by wandering around in the wonder of downtown Durham! In partnership with Durham Next, we invite you to slow down, explore, and discover the festive surprises waiting around every corner.
From holiday window art installations and surprises at CCB Plaza to more than 30 downtown businesses decked out in holiday cheer, there’s so much to discover.
Make a day of it, support local businesses, and experience the season in the heart of the Bull City.
Downtown Durham Tree Lighting
Kick off the holiday season at Downtown Durham’s Annual Tree Lighting!
Join your neighbors for an evening of festive cheer featuring live music, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of downtown’s holiday tree.
Free and open to all ages.
Mark your calendars, November 21, 4-8 PM.
Eats/Drinks:
Entertainment:
Our DJ/MC for the evening – Pierce Freelon
4:00 PM Nina School of Dance
4:30 PM Batala
5:00 PM Takiri
5:30 Al Strong Brass Band
7 PM Tree Ceremony
7:30 Mayor Leo & Honored Guests
PLUS SURPRISES
Crafts/Activities:
Thank you to our 2026 Tree Lighting sponsors:
Weird Windows
Downtown Durham holiday storefronts, on display from Third Friday November through early January!
This holiday season, local “weird artists” are taking over downtown storefronts for Weird Windows, a project by Weird Productions.
Each artist transforms a window into their own offbeat holiday display – think sci-fi robots, toy-like scrap-wood workshops, and totem-like sculptures – turning a stroll through downtown into a scavenger hunt for holiday weirdness.
Map to come!
Downtown Durham Holiday Crawl 2026
All season long, downtown Durham restaurants, bars and shops will turn festive.
Over 30 of our favorite local restaurants, bars, and shops trade their everyday look for full holiday sparkle. Think twinkle lights strung across storefronts, wreaths on every door, and windows dressed up like something out of a postcard.
Grab your friends, your family, or your favorite plus-one and wander from stop to stop, sipping seasonal cocktails, sampling festive bites, and browsing gifts from the small businesses that make this city what it is.
An “in no way complete” list of festive downtown businesses. Pick up a map at the Downtown Durham Visitors Center.
- 5 Points Gallery
- Alley 26
- Ashleigh Bakes Daily
- Bull City Burger and Brewery
- Bull City Ciderworks
- Cheeni’s
- Conniption
- Dashi
- Dolly’s
- Dosirak Outpost
- EO’s
- Fate & Folklore
- Federal
- Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery
- Fonda Lupita
- Fullsteam
- Gavin Christianson Bridal
- Guildhall Games
- Kingfisher
- Liberty and Plenty Distillery
- Max Jr Mini Mini Mart
- Milkshake Factory
- Montwood Café
- Oak and Glow MedSpa
- Parker & Otis
- Pie Pushers
- Queenies
- Ramblers Beer and Wine
- Rubies
- Spring Roll Durham
- The Boulder Garden
- The Durham
- The Parlour
- The Waiting Room
- Toast
- Velvet Hippo
Other Downtown Holiday Events
Sip & Sleigh: A Downtown Durham Holiday Shopping Day
Saturday, December 5
Mark your calendars for December 5th and head downtown for Sip & Sleigh, a festive day of shopping, sipping, and holiday cheer throughout Downtown Durham!
Local shops will be decked out for the season, offering fun treats, cozy sips, and merry surprises around every corner. Whether you’re crossing names off your gift list or just soaking in the holiday spirit, it’s the perfect excuse to shop small, support local businesses, and celebrate the season in the heart of the Bull City.
American Tobacco Campus Tower Lighting
Wednesday, December 2, 5-9 PM
December 2nd ring in the season at the annual lighting of the American Tobacco Water Tower. Pre-show entertainment kicks off the celebration, with the tower lighting up shortly after. Past years have featured performances by local choirs and dance groups, along with a visit from Santa Claus. Stick around after the lighting for more holiday fun at Diamond View Park.
The Durham Holiday Parade
December 12: Durham Holiday Parade
Main Street.
Cheer on hometown bands, drill teams, schools, and community groups as they make their way down Main Street at the Durham Holiday Parade. The procession will conclude with a guest appearance from Santa. Free and open to all.
FestiBull of Lights
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
November 19 – January 2
Durham Bulls Athletic Park transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland for FestiBull of Lights, an immersive holiday experience. Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights synchronized to festive music, meet Santa, hop aboard the NC by Train Holiday Express, create seasonal crafts, roast s’mores, and savor festive food and drinks.
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Twas the Night Before
DPAC
November 25 – December 6
Catch this magical, family-friendly twist on a classic Christmas Eve tale at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) from November 25-December 6 see Cirque du Soleil: ‘Twas the Night Before at the DPAC. Expect the acrobatics, aerial artistry, and stunning visuals Cirque du Soleil is known for, wrapped in a heartwarming holiday story.
The Nutcracker with a Live Orchestra
Carolina Theatre
Wednesday, December 23 at 7:00 PM
The Nutcracker with a Live Orchestra is a holiday classic that will be brought to life with a full live orchestra, 40 world-class dancers, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, and lavish handcrafted sets. Follow young Marie on a magical Christmas Eve adventure as her Nutcracker comes to life, whisking her away through swirling snowflakes, a battle with mice, and into the dazzling Kingdom of Sweets.
Thank you to our partner in "City of Wander" Holiday Programming.