There’s so much to do in Fayetteville, NC this holiday season, from parades to light shows, and more. Check out this great list of 25 Christmas Things To Do In Fayetteville, NC — updated for 2024 — so you don’t miss anything from this season.
For more help planning your trip, check out all of our Fayetteville posts.
We used to consider Fayetteville, NC our home away from home. Pete and I used to drive over there all the time for a long weekend. And few years ago we went during the Christmas season, which is such a great time to go because there’s so much to do there.
If you’re planning on visiting the area this Christmas season, you might be overwhelmed with just how much there is to do. So, we put together this list of the best holiday events in Fayetteville, NC because, really, you can’t do everything.
I tried to mention a lot of things going on all season (like coffee, cookies, and cocktails) so you can do those things no matter when you’re in town. There are a few events that are only happening on certain dates. Be sure to confirm those dates/times before you go.
There’s more to do in Fayetteville besides holiday related activities. So, for help planning your visit, check out our 24 Hours In Fayetteville, NC post. You’ll get ideas for meals, activities, where to stay, and more.
25 Christmas Things To Do In Fayetteville, NC
Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.
Quick note: These are all events happening in Fayetteville in Cumberland County, NC not Fayetteville in Northwest Arkansas.
Visit Holiday Lights in the Garden at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
I’ve been to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden (536 North Eastern Boulevard) a few times, and it was beautiful each time. We always spend a large part of the afternoon walking around, checking out the gardens, spinning Pokestops, and checking out the museum houses.
At Christmastime, there’s Holiday Lights In The Gardens and the entire garden is filled with thousands of lights, Santa and The Grinch are around, and there will be snacks and drinks available for purchase at the vendor market. It’s happening from December 6 to 22 with entry from 5 pm to 7:30 pm and you have to purchase tickets for a specific time slot in advance.
Quick note: The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a part of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program and can use your membership from reciprocal botanical gardens for complimentary admission during normal hours, but not during Holiday Lights in the Garden.
Visit the Sweet Valley Ranch Festival Of Lights
The Festival of Lights at Sweet Valley Ranch (990 Sunnyside School Road) started in 2020 and continues on. It’s a drive through event where you see thousands of sparkling lights. You can tune into 87.9 FM to enjoy Christmas music as you drive through. Then, across the street is Tiny’s Winter Wonderland where you can get up close and personal with the farm’s animals, bounce on inflatables, hang out at a fire pit, and more.
Even better, you can visit with Santa (photos with him are extra), check out vendors and the gift shop, ride on amusement rides, and more.
The Festival of Lights is November 29 and 30, then December 6, 7, 12 to 15, 19 to 23, and 26.
Watch the tree lighting in Hope Mills
The Town of Hope Mills is holding Christmas at the Lake on December 6 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 om at Hope Mills Lake (3607 N Main St).
Bring a chair to sit and enjoy the Christmas music while you wait for the tree to be lit (5:50 pm to 6:15 pm).
There will also be complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, plus food trucks on site with food for purchase.
The next day is the town’s lighted Christmas parade starting at 5 pm, if you want to stay in the area.
Take a ride on the Holly Jolly Singalong Trolley
Get your voices ready for Cool Spring Downtown’s Holly Jolly Singalong Trolley.
The trolley starts at 222 Hay Street will take you around town to see holiday lights and decorations. There will be “songs of the season” led by Michael Daughtry too. You’re encouraged to dress up for the event, so break out your ugly sweater and get your song on.
This is happening December 6 at 6 pm and 7 pm (each ride is about 45 minutes long). Tickets are $25.
Fly through fall foliage at ZipQuest.
I was driving around earlier this week, and I was just taken aback by all the reds and oranges of the foliage. It’s finally fall around here. Now, imagine seeing those reds and oranges from a zipline. You can!
ZipQuest (533 Carver Falls Rd) is actually still open (Friday through Monday from 9 am to 5 pm) — and are still offering holiday deals.
Our morning there was an unforgettable experience, even if I was so incredibly scared on the first zipline.
Check out the Village Community Christmas
Village Baptist Church (906 South McPherson Church Road) is hosting a Christmas celebration with live musical performances, fire pits with hot chocolate and s’mores, plus a petting zoo, train, and crafts for kids.
Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t attend the church on a regular basis.
The event is happening on December 14 from 2 pm to 8 pm.
Shop at the Ladies Night Christmas Bazaar
King’s Grant Golf & Country Club (347 Shawcroft Rd) is hosting a Ladies Night Christmas Bazaar on December 13 at 7 pm at the country club’s clubhouse.
The holiday market will be filled from local vendors so you can find really unique Christmas gifts for your friends and family. Plus, there will be wine tasting, food and drink specials, and prizes.
Visit Santa at the Cross Creek Mall
You can visit Santa at the Cross Creek Mall (419 Cross Creek Mall) from November 15 until Christmas Eve.
You don’t have to make reservations, but they do make things easier, especially later in the season.
If you want to visit with a Black Santa, he’ll be there from November 22 to 25 and again from December 13 to 16.
Santa will also visit with your pets on Mondays (November 18 and 25, then December 2, 9 and 16).
Drink a Peppermint Latte at The Coffee Scene.
Pete discovered The Coffee Scene (3818 Morganton Rd) on one of our trips to Fayetteville and we instantly fell in love. It’s such a cute, cozy place where we could have spent the day sipping coffee, snuggling on a couch in the loft, and eating gelato (there’s so much gelato).
The mocha there is my absolute favorite, so we stop in and grab one every time we’re in town. If you’re there and looking for something wintery and festive, The Coffee Scene can make you a peppermint latte.
Actually, even though that’s not on the menu, The Coffee Scene can make you any version of a peppermint beverage. Sounds like I should take a ride and try a peppermint mocha.
Drive through Christmas in the Park at Arnette Park
We’ve been to a lot of parks in Fayetteville, but somehow, we’ve never made it to Arnette Park (2165 Wilmington Hwy). If you love disc golf, there’s a course there (we have a course at one of our local parks here, too, so I would be curious to compare them). It’s not disc golf weather now. But it is the perfect weather for Christmas in the Park.
Admission is free, which is nice because you used to have to pay per carload. You do have to stay in your vehicle during the entirety of your visit.
Dates are Sunday through Thursday (December 8 to 12 and 15 to 19) from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Have breakfast with Santa
If you want to dine with Santa, he’ll be at the Hope Mills Fire Department (5788 Rockfish Rd) on December 7 from 9 am to 11 am.
Tickets are $10 a person and pancake breakfast (with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage) will be presented by Eggs Up Grill.
You can take your own photos with Santa, but there will be a professional photographer on site and you can purchase those photos if you prefer.
Drink gleuhwine at the German Christmas Market at Dirtbag Ales.
A few years ago, we packed a friend’s very large car and introduced a bunch of friends to the German Christmas market at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom (5435 Corporation Dr., Hope Mills). It was amazing.
The event, happening December 13 to 15 this year, features over 80 craft and food vendors, Dirtbag Ales beers plus the German hot wine gleuhwine, Santa Claus, and live entertainment from barbershop quartet (with way more than four members).
There will be different food trucks each day, but we really suggest eating at Napkins, one of our favorite Fayetteville restaurants, which is the permanent restaurant at Dirtbag Ales.
Vote for your decorations in “Light Up the City”
To dress up downtown, the Cool Spring Downtown District holds “Light Up the City,” a decorating contest for the downtown businesses.
Over 35 local businesses, restaurants, and museums are decorating their storefronts, creating a beautiful path to walkthrough while you’re either window shopping or actual shopping. There are participating storefronts on Hay Street, Person Street, Maxwell Street, and more around town.
You can also vote for your favorite holiday decorations to win the “Viewer’s Choice Award.”
Grab a pint of Jack’d Up Stout at The Mash House.
One of my favorite bites of food, ever, were the pulled pork potato skins at The Mash House (4150 Sycamore Dairy Rd). Last time we went, I almost ordered the chicken potato skins to change it up, but I went with the pulled pork. My stomach was happy. And good thing because, you guys, they’re. off. the. menu.
Anyway. In December, The Mash House releases its annual stout. For 2024, it’s the Sergeant’s Valor Stout, which is aged in BHAWK Distillery whiskey barrels from BHAWK in Southern Pines. You can get the drink at BHAWK, which is part of the Sandhills Pour Tour (a passport program where you can win prizes for stopping by local breweries and distilleries in the area).
Watch the Rotary Christmas Parade
The annual Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade is happening on December 14 at 10 am. It kicks off at Person St., past Market House onto Hay St., and ends at the Railroad Station. The parade should last about two hours.
The parade has be a holiday tradition since 1999, making this year it’s 25th one. The parade features local marching bands, floats, queens, and, of course, Santa.
If you can’t make it, or just want to wax poetic about parades past, you can check out the Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade photo gallery.
Tour the 1897 Edgar Allan Poe House
The 1897 Edgar Allan Poe House (801 Arsenal Ave.) is named for Edgar Allan Poe, the Fayetteville-born businessman not the poet of the same name. That Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston. This Poe owned a house turned museum that is decorated for the holiday season.
The house is decorated for Christmas in December and early January. You can take free guided tours on Tuesday through Sunday and see the decorations. We took a tour there a few years ago and it was great.
And, if you’re on town on Sunday, December 8, that’s when The Poe House Holiday Jubilee is. From 1 to 5 pm, there will a Christmas concert, arts and craft, a visit from Santa, and more. It’s a free event but donations will be accepted.
Meet Krampus at Dirtbag Ales
When we went to the German Christmas market at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom (5435 Corporation Dr., Hope Mills), we kept wondering if we would see Krampus, who our German friend described to us as a demonic who follows Santa around and is mean to kids.
What?
Basically, Santa is nice and gives kids presents, and Krampus punishes kids who misbehave.
Since it’s a German tradition, we thought Krampus would be at the German Christmas market, but just regular, nice, present doling out Santa was there. However, Krampus does show up.
On December 12, from 7 pm to 9 pm, Krampus will be at Dirtbag Ales (taking photos, not pushing children, probably).
Photos are $20 and include a digital upload of your shot.
Holiday Carriage Rides
If you’re looking for a horse and carriage ride, you’re in luck. You can take a Holiday Carriage ride around downtown Fayetteville on Friday, November 29 from 1 pm to 8 pm.
Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and are good for a 15-ish minute private carriage ride through the district. Carriage Rides will depart from the Franklin Street Place (223 Franklin St).
Private carriage ride tickets are $75 per private carriage ride (which can hold 4 adults and 2 children) or a trolly ride for $15.
View the Fayetteville Holiday Lights at Segra Stadium
Segra Stadium, which is home to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, is an amazing addition to the Fayetteville community. Especially this year at Christmas.
The stadium will be open to the public from November 29 to December 23 and will be decorated with over 2 million Christmas lights with light shows, themed displays, and more. Of course, there will also be visits from Santa.
Ticket prices are $15.50 for adults and $13.50 for children. They can be purchased ahead of time here.
Write A Letter To Santa
If your kids haven’t gotten their Christmas list to Santa yet, head downtown.
Santa has a mailbox at the Holiday Alley next to the Cool Spring Downtown District office (222 Hay St). The letters go straight to the North Pole, then get an answer from Santa as quick as possible (as long as the letter writer leaves a return address — so be conscious of that).
More Christmas things to do in the South:
If Fayetteville is just one stop on your Christmas road trip, you’ll definitely want to stop in a few other nearby cities to check out what they’re doing for the holiday.
Holiday parades, holiday cruises, and lights, are just some of the 25 Christmas Things To Do In Wilmington, NC.
Tree lightings, a double decker bus playing The Polar Express, and tons of opportunities to see Santa are the Christmas things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Holiday shopping at local holiday markets and checking out the Christmas village at the botanical garden are just a few of the best Christmas things to do in Charleston, SC.
And if you’re near Sumter, SC, you have to check out the Fantasy of Lights.
Which of these things to do for Christmas in Fayetteville, NC are you looking most forward to? Let us know in the comments.
Jennifer McCabe
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
Thank you!!