With holiday arts events scheduled every week from November 26 through New Year’s Eve, the Raleigh Arts Partners will help you, your friends, and family celebrate all the good things the holiday season brings. Find your favorite kind of holiday joy in the events listed below, then come out as our community celebrates the holidays together!
Holiday Cheer 2025
Wednesday, November 26 – Saturday, November 29
Cirque Holiday Pops
North Carolina Symphony
Kick off the festive season with something a little different: spellbinding grace and daredevil feats, acrobats performing on stage and 40 feet above it! The North Carolina Symphony will accompany the aerial delights as they amaze the audience. Heads up to parents: Come early to visit Santa in the lobby. Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South Street. Learn more about Cirque Holiday Pops
Thursdays, December 4 and 11
Pottery + Plants, Holiday Edition
Artspace
Artspace is the place for ages 16 and up to hand-build a ceramic plant pot and get a free plant to gift to a lucky someone. Students will form a small pot in Session 1, which Artspace will fire for students to glaze in Session 2. Students will pick up their finished pot and plant at Copperline Plant Company in downtown Raleigh. Held at Artspace, 201 East Davie Street. Learn more about Pottery + Plants - Holiday Edition
Friday, December 5
Carols of Christmas
Raleigh Youth Choir
The Raleigh Youth Choir will delight the entire family (and all their friends!) with its annual presentation of yuletide favorites in Carols of Christmas. The choir is made up of over 100 children ages 6-18. Yet another affordable and stellar holiday treat for families! Performed at First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh, 112 South Salisbury Street. Learn more about Carols of Christmas
Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7
David Ira Woods III’s A Christmas Carol
Theatre in the Park
Ira David Wood III’s musical adaptation of the Dickens classic has been a Theatre in the Park holiday tradition for over 50 years. To date, more than a million people in Europe and the US have experienced the magic, music, and humor injected into a classic tale that tickles the funny bones of the young and young at heart. Performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South Street. Learn more about Ira David Wood III's A Christmas Carol
Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 21
Cinderella
Raleigh Little Theatre
With elegant costumes, toe-tapping tunes, and plenty of laughs, for decades, audiences have been enchanted by this mirthful, musical version of Cinderella. Join Ella, her mischievous stepfamily, a charming prince, and everyone’s favorite Fairy Godmother in this uplifting celebration of kindness, courage, and holiday magic! Performed at Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue Street. Learn more about Cinderella
Saturday, December 6
Holiday Concert
Community Music School
Community Music School students make the season bright with their annual holiday concert! From traditional songs like “Jingle Bells” to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, there’s something for everyone on this special night. Performed at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road. Learn more about Community Music School's Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 7
Holiday Artist Market
Theatre Raleigh
Come and shop for the holidays at Theatre Raleigh’s third annual Holiday Artist Market! Get all your shopping done at this joyful event that highlights artists from across the Triangle. Theatre Raleigh’s lobby bar will be open with special treats, and enjoy live performances throughout the entire event. Held at Theatre Raleigh, 6638 Old Wake Forest Road. Learn more about the Holiday Artist Market
Tuesday, December 9
Joy of the Season
North Carolina Master Chorale
The 170 voices of the North Carolina Master Chorale, Chamber Choir, and Youth Choir join forces to celebrate the sounds of the holidays with song. The Chorale’s annual concert includes a mix of familiar carols like "Jingle Bells" and "Joy to the World," and new and contemporary arrangements of old favorites. Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South Street. Learn more about Joy of the Season.
Thursday, December 11 – Sunday, December 14
The Heart of Christmas Cabaret
North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre
Join North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre for an evening of holiday classics, a story or two, and a lot of merrymaking. Friends old and new will take the stage to create an atmosphere sure to leave you in the holiday spirit. All are welcome to gather round and share the good times and laughter. Performed at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, 7713-51 Lead Mine Road. Learn more about The Heart of Christmas Cabaret
Thursday, December 11 – Wednesday, December 24
The Nutcracker
Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a timeless and enchanting holiday treat. Follow young Clara on her imaginative journey, from a spirited battle with the Rat King to the land of the Sugarplum Fairy. The Nutcracker has captivated generations with its holiday magic! Performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South Street. Learn more about The Nutcracker
Sunday, December 14 – Monday, December 15
Holiday Concerts
The Raleigh Ringers
What better way to ring in the season than by joining The Raleigh Ringers for their annual holiday concert! Featuring unique interpretations of sacred, secular, and popular music, including famous rock ’n’ roll tunes arranged just for handbells, could there be a better way to enjoy the holiday season? Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South Street. Learn more about Holiday Concerts
Wednesday, December 31
First Night Raleigh
Artsplosure
Join in the Raleigh’s favorite New Year’s Eve tradition by ushering in the new year at First Night Raleigh. Downtown’s festivities begin with the Children’s Celebration then continue throughout the evening across multiple indoor and outdoor downtown venues, featuring art, food vendors, and musical performances before ending with the Raleigh Acorn Drop and fireworks. Learn more about First Night Raleigh.