Walkin' in the Durham Wonderland

It's the most wonderful time of the year when Durham is transformed into a magical winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday fun. Kids from one to 92 can savor the holiday season and experience days packed with festive shows, merry markets, twinkling light displays and maybe even a sighting of The Grinch!

1. See Holiday Light Displays

Between its wholesome snowflake street decorations to light-strewn tobacco warehouses and not one, but TWO holiday "tree" lighting events, you can bask in the glow of holiday lights in Durham without the hours-long car line. Here are the most dazzling and bright displays of the season:

20th Annual American Tobacco Campus Tower Lighting

When: Lighting December 4; display available through New Years
What Time: 7 p.m.
Where: American Tobacco Campus

Gather on the lawn at American Tobacco Campus for a fun, free, family-friendly holiday event for a countdown to the lighting of the historic district and iconic Lucky Strike Tower. Come early to shop and dine at ATC businesses before the big event. At 7 p.m., grab a warm drink and a light wand, and enjoy appearances by local performers and holiday heroes. Return throughout the season to gather, shop, dine and get your fix of holiday cheer!

Tree Lighting at CCB Plaza

When: November 23, 1 - 7 p.m.
Where: CCB Plaza

Gather the whole family for Downtown Durham Holiday, a family-friendly celebration of the holiday season with live performances, a pop-up market, and the CCB tree lighting. Don't forget the Bullpen — downtown’s social district — where you can enjoy a beverage from a local business while you shop and stroll!

Holiday Events at the Museum of Life and Science

Holidays in the Park: Select nights in December

Ready for lights, shimmering pathways, and train rides? Head over to the Museum of Life and Science for magical celebrations of the holiday season at kid-friendly Holidays in the Park.

AfterHours: Holiday Spirits for adults 21+: December 5, 6:30-10 p.m.

All the fun of the kid-friendly Holidays in the Park, sock skating and all, plus adult beverages at cash bars benefitting the museum's conservation and education initiatives.

Mangum Family Christmas Lights

Join Mangum Family Christmas Lights for a free drive-in synchronized light show through the holidays until New Year's Eve. Get cozy in your car, tune in to 90.3 FM on your radio to hear the Christmas music, and sing along as you watch over 100,000 dancing lights.

Grab a Drink at a Festive Holiday Bar

Multiple local watering holes will be getting into the holiday spirit by decorating their bars with lights and more. On November 20th, The Corpse Reviver will transform into a winter wonderland, complete with specialty holiday cocktails. Ponysaurus will also be decking their halls with lights and serving up some seasonal beverages including mulled wine and cider.

2. Experience Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead

Where: Duke Homestead, 2828 Duke Homestead Rd.
When: Dec. 6 & 13, 5:30 - 9 p.m.

Jingle all the way over to the Duke Homestead for an 1870's North Carolina Christmas experience. Enjoy storytelling, cookies and cider, live music, singing, and a whole lot of history as costumed interpreters lead you on a candlelit tour. Tickets are available in November for this unique opportunity to see the Duke family home brought to life.

3. Rock Around to Festive Concerts & Events

Festive entertainment abounds this holiday season! Snap up tickets to turn any Grinch into a Who from Whoville.

Holiday Shows at Durham Performing Arts Center

• The Jinx & Dela Holiday Show — Nov. 10
• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas — Nov. 22
• The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays — Nov. 23
• Derek Hough: Dance for the Holidays — Nov. 25
• 'Twas the Night Before... Cirque de Soleil — Dec. 5 - 15
• A Christmas Carol — Dec. 18 - 22
• Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet — Dec. 24
• The Hip Hop Nutcracker — Dec. 28

Holiday Shows at The Carolina Theatre

• Michael W. Smith: EVERY CHRISTMAS — Nov. 16
• Amahl and the Night Visitors — Dec. 7 & 8
• The Triangle Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker — Dec. 12 - 14
• A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland — Dec. 18
• The Nutcracker — Dec. 19

Christmas at Duke Chapel

What: Handel's Messiah
When: Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m.
Where: Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Dr.

Experience yuletide carols sung by a choir with a performance of Handel’s Messiah at Duke Chapel.

What: Duke Chapel by Candlelight
When: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 12 p.m.

Welcome the splendor of the season with Christmas music and decorations at Duke Chapel's annual Christmas by Candlelight.

Durham Ballet Theatre's Winter Showcase

Where: Durham School for Ballet & the Performing Arts, 608 N. Duke St.
When: Nov. 23, 7 p.m., Nov. 24, 3 p.m.

Embrace the art of Aerial Silks & Lyra and Contemporary Dance with original choreography in an intimate, 50-person setting.

North Carolina Jazz Ensemble's Holiday Concert

When: Dec. 15, 3 p.m.
Where: Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Rd.

Let the NCJE's signature big band sounds and the vocal stylings of Denise Barnes get you in the holiday spirit.

4. Shop Local Gifts at Merry Markets

Find the perfect locally crafted gift for everyone on your list as Durham holiday markets make it easy to shop small!

Golden Belt Holiday Art Market

When: November 9, noon - 5 p.m.
Where: Golden Belt Campus, 800 Taylor St.

Shop fashion, ceramics, paintings, photography, textiles, jewelry and more from over 25+ local artists.

Art-n-Soul Holiday Market at Mystic Farm & Distillery

When: Nov. 9, noon-4 p.m.
Where: Mystic Farm & Distillery, 1212 N. Mineral Springs Rd.

Head out to the farm to enjoy local spirits and shop gifts from local artists. Plus, bring your dog and have its picture made with Santa!

Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Boxyard RTP

When: November 15 - January 15
Where: Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Dr.

Shop through the shipping containers at Boxyard RTP to find thoughtful gifts from local artisans all holiday season.

Durham Night Market

When: Thursdays, November 21 & December 12, 5 - 9 p.m.
Where: American Tobacco Campus

Shop gifts from Triangle makers under the lights at American Tobacco Campus while you enjoy local entertainment, food and drinks.

Durham Arts Council’s Durham Art Walk Holiday Market

When: November 16-17; Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.
Where: 120 Morris St.

The Durham Arts Council's annual weekend festival of fine arts and crafts at strollable indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown.

Winter Nights at Zinchouse

When: December 6 & 13, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Zinchouse Winery & Brewery, 6225 Wake Forest Hwy.

Shop gifts and art from local vendors at the market hosted by the Makrs Society while you enjoy live music and beverages on the expansive Zinchouse property. Free to attend; no kids allowed.

Holiday Market at Soul Sanctuary

When: December 7, noon - 4 p.m.
Where: Soul Sanctuary, 1016 Old Oxford Road

Shop local gifts and art on the beautiful property at Soul Sanctuary. Find handmade jewelry, crafts, artwork, produce and delicious treats.

The Glass Jug Beer Lab's Stuff Your Stockings Holiday Market

When: December 7, 4 - 9 p.m.
Where: Glass Jug Beer Lab RTP, 5410 North Carolina 55, Suite V

Shop for the beer lover on your list in The Glass Jug's festive beer garden while you enjoy hot apple cider and winter slushies.

The Patchwork Holiday Market

When: December 14 & 15, noon - 4 p.m.
Where: The Durham Armory, 212 Foster St.

Over 70 local vendors converge at one of the most popular holiday markets of the season.

Holiday Market at The Durham

When: December 11, 6 - 9 p.m.
Where: The Lobby at The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St.
Buy Tickets

Shop a highly curated selection of art, home goods, gifts, and more with your favorite Durham makers and businesses as you sip seasonal drinks and feel the holiday cheer in the decked out dining room of The Durham Hotel. Ticket sales benefit Y Learning from the Durham YMCA.

Durham Craft Market Annual Holiday Show

When: December 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Durham Central Park Pavilion

Makers from the Durham Craft Market Collective welcome other local artists for this annual holiday show, including more than 50 vendors.

5. Share Holiday Wishes and Selfies with Santa

The Black Santa Experience

When: Various dates in December
Where: Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St.

When: TBD
Where: The Roof at The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St.

Book an appointment for the return of The Black Santa Experience at two locations in Durham, where a visit with a Santa of color from Santas Just Like Me and professional photography make a holiday to remember.

Pictures with Santa at The Streets at Southpoint

When: November 14 - December 24
Where: The Streets at Southpoint, 6910 Fayetteville Rd.

Experience the magic of the season at The Streets at Southpoint where you can make progress on your gift list, and have photos taken with Santa. Reserve your spot, or walk up for photos with yourself, the kids or even your pets. For a sensory-friendly Santa experience, look for the Santa Cares days on the booking calendar.

6. Gather Joyfully and at Community Events

Skip the shopping and get involved with joyful gatherings focused on family, friends, and the fruits of the season.

The Durham Holiday Parade

When: December 14, 10 a.m.
Where: Main Street in downtown Durham

Let the love of community warm your heart as you wave to Santa and cheer on bands, drill teams and local organizations as they show off their holiday spirit with floats and performances on Main Street downtown. Bring your own chairs and blankets.

Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC

When: Various events, TBD
Where: Levin Jewish Community Center of Durham, 1937 Cornwallis Rd.

Immerse yourself in a full lineup of celebrations at the JCC, including a full day of family fun at Hanukkah festival, Smooze and Nosh at a Musical Hanukkah Brunch, nightly candle lighting, a Hanukkah 8k, a family Hanukkah plunge, Tot Shabbat, and volunteer opportunities to give back to families in need.

Kwanzaafest

When: January 1, 12 p.m.
Where: Durham Armory, 212 Foster St.

Delight in African American Dance Ensemble’s 38th annual celebration of Kwanzaafest with performances celebrating the holiday season and the Triangle's diversity while promoting the traditions of African and African American dance and music to the broad community.

7. Book an Overnight Stay

Cozy up at some of Durham’s lodging properties and leave the cold outside.

Enjoy museum displays at 21c Museum Hotel, warm up with beverages and sweet treats at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, or splash around at an indoor pool at one of several hotels near The Streets at Southpoint after holiday shopping.

Book an Igloo at The Patio at Unscripted! Celebrate the holiday season on Unscripted! Escape to their winter wonderland, complete with igloos, and enjoy views of downtown Durham, weekly entertainment and signature bites and libations.

Book a night at Aloft Durham Downtown and make the quick jaunt over to DPAC for a festive night out at a holiday show.