Experience the Magic of the Holidays in Fayetteville, NC

No city in North Carolina gets quite into the holiday spirit like Fayetteville, North Carolina, and nothing says the holidays are here like a festive event filled with dazzling light displays, delicious treats and a special visit from Santa. 

With a holiday event nearly every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a wonderful Christmas-filled weekend getaway in Fayetteville, NC. Here’s what you can expect during the holiday season!

• A Dickens Holiday (Nov. 29): For 25 years, A Dickens Holiday has been a beloved tradition in the holiday season in the heart of Fayetteville. Inspired by the timeless tales of Charles Dickens, this event transforms downtown into a charming wonderland, complete with shopping, carolers, street performers, and holiday activities that would make even Scrooge smile. Originally conceived as a cheerful alternative to the Black Friday frenzy, A Dickens Holiday has grown into a cherished event attracting thousands of visitors each year.

• Holiday Lights at The Garden: The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is an immersive, walk-through wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights and vibrant displays that transports visitors into the heart of the season. Expect encounters from Santa and the Grinch, special holiday photo spots and festive music.

• Fayetteville Holiday Lights: Every day from Nov. 29 through Dec. 23, Segra Stadium will be aglow with Fayetteville Holiday Lights. For the fourth year, the stadium will showcase more than 2 million lights, a dozen large displays, the largest light-up Christmas Tree in Fayetteville. There will also be holiday-themed food and drinks, and special promotions each day of the event. 

• Festival of Lights and Tiny’s Winter Wonderland at Sweet Valley Ranch: Sweet Valley Ranch transforms into a spectacular Christmas Wonderland during its Festival of Lights, a drive-through light show which features over a million lights and more than 350 animals. Visitors can also explore the gift shop, enjoy amusement rides, and shop with local vendors at this family-friendly event.

• Holiday Jubilee (Dec. 8): The 1897 EA Poe House, part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, hosts its annual Holiday Jubileeon Dec. 8. This year’s event features a free concert by the Coventry Carolers and the Fayetteville Sound Barbershop Chorus, performing seasonal favorites for visitors on the Poe House front porch. Other highlights include a cooking demonstration on the 1902 Glenwood stove, Christmas stories read by Santa and, of course, the beautifully decorated Poe House. 

• Christmas Market at Dirtbag Ales: Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom specializes in handcrafted, small-batch brews, from classic ales and lagers to bold experimental brews like the cold-brew mocha porter, that push the boundaries of traditional flavors. From Dec. 13-15, more than 80 holiday-inspired food vendors and local artists/makers will attend Dirtbag’s seventh annual Christmas Market. The region’s finest food trucks will be onsite with various Christmas musical performances featured each day.