Celebrate the holiday season with the arts! From December 4 through New Year’s Eve, you can experience holiday programs from Raleigh Arts Partners every week. Come out for some merriment and joy, as our community celebrates the holidays together!
Holiday Cheer 2024
Wednesday, December 4
Holiday Traditions You'll Only Find in the Old North State
North Carolina Museum of History
From holiday flotillas in the Atlantic to the old folk celebrations of Appalachia, North Carolina has small-town holiday traditions from the mountains to the coast. Heather Leah, historian, and seventh-generation North Carolinian shares historical tales of old-fashioned Carolina Christmases past. Presented Online. Learn more about Holiday Traditions You’ll Only Find in The Old North State
Friday, December 6 – Saturday, December 7
Classical Christmas with Carlos
North Carolina Symphony
Join North Carolina Symphony and their music director, Carlos Migel Prieto, for a night of music selected from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah, performed alongside North Carolina Master Chorale. Delightful, festive, and sure to warm your soul on a cold night, this orchestra will surely speak to your holiday spirit. Performed at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East South Street. Learn more about Classical Christmas with Carlos
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8
Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol
Theatre in the Park
Celebrate the 51st anniversary of Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol while enjoying this musical adaptation of the Dickens classic. Full of timely humor, over 100 community cast members, and holiday cheer, this production tickles the funny bones of the young and young at heart! Performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 East South Street. Learn more about Ira David Woods III's A Christmas Carol
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 22
Cinderella
Raleigh Little Theatre
Raleigh Little Theatre is offering its winter classic for the 40th year! Kids of all ages will love this retelling of the beloved fairy tale, filled with music, laughs, and a sparkle of magic. This musical comedy features elegant costumes and scenery and a cast of memorable characters including some conniving step-relatives, royals, everyone’s favorite resourceful Fairy Godmother, and Ella, of course! Performed at Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, 301 Pogue Street. Learn more about Cinderella
Tuesday, December 10
Joy of the Season
North Carolina Master Chorale
Featuring the 170-voice Symphonic Choir, Chamber Choir, and Youth Choir, North Carolina Master Chorale’s Joy of the Season celebrates the festive sounds of the holidays. The annual concert includes a mix of familiar favorites like "Jingle Bells," "We Need a Little Christmas," "Joy to the World," and more! Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 East South Street. Learn more about Joy of the Season
Thursday, December 12 – Sunday, December 15
Holiday Cabaret
Theatre Raleigh
The night is sure to be cold, so come on in and join Theatre Raleigh in their cozy cabaret space. Sip a hot toddy or a glass of wine, and let yourself indulge in a night filled with the glorious singing and performances of your favorite Theatre Raleigh performers. Performed at Theatre Raleigh, 6638 Old Wake Forest Road. Learn more about Holiday Cabaret
Thursday, December 12 – Tuesday, December 24
The Nutcracker
Carolina Ballet
Experience Carolina Ballet’s enchanting performance of The Nutcracker this holiday season. Featuring illusions designed by a world-famous magician, new choreography by Artistic Director Zalman Raffael, vibrant sets and cosutmes, Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker captivates the audience through their telling of the classic holiday story. Don’t miss this magical performance! . Performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 East South Street. Learn more about The Nutcracker
Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15
Heart of Christmas Cabaret
North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
If you want to get your Christmas cheer on, join North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre for a fun evening filled with holiday classics and Christmas stories performed by friends, old and new. Oh, and did we mention the complimentary wine bar? Performed at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, 7713-51 Lead Mine Road. Learn more about Heart of Christmas Cabaret
Saturday, December 14
Holiday Market
Artspace
Support local artists this holiday season! Artspace’s Holiday Market will feature handmade creations by over 50 artists including pottery, planters, paintings, jewelry, glass, and more. The event, which is free to attend, will also have a hands-on art making activity, plus hot cocoa and festive treats for sale. Stop by to support the arts and do some holiday shopping! Learn more about the Holiday Market
Saturday, December 14 – Sunday, December 15
Holiday Concerts
The Raleigh Ringers
The Raleigh Ringers’ holiday handbell concert will continue the tradition of their annual holiday program! The Ringers will perform unique interpretations of sacred, secular, and popular music, including famous rock ‘n’ roll tunes arranged just for handbells. Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 East South Street. Learn more about the Holiday Concerts
Saturday, December 21
Motown Sound of Christmas
Pure Life Theatre Company
Enjoy the sounds of Motown’s biggest hits and some holiday favorites in Pure Life Theatre Company’s production of Motown Sound of Christmas. Featuring some of the Triangle’s best singers and dancers, this show is perfect for all ages and a wonderful way to celebrate messages of love and hope during the holiday season. Performed at The Fountain of Raleigh, 9621 Six Forks Road. Learn more about the Motown of Sound of Christmas
Tuesday, December 31
First Night Raleigh
Artsplosure
Raleigh’s New Year’s Eve celebration fills more than 20 blocks of downtown offering entertainment for all ages. Festivities begin early afternoon and continue into the Evening Celebration, featuring interactive art installations, drama, magic, music, comedy, and dance, before ringing in the New Year with the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop and spectacular fireworks show. Learn more about First Night Raleigh
Holiday Cheer 2024
Wednesday, December 4
Holiday Traditions You'll Only Find in the Old North State
North Carolina Museum of History
From holiday flotillas in the Atlantic to the old folk celebrations of Appalachia, North Carolina has small-town holiday traditions from the mountains to the coast. Heather Leah, historian, and seventh-generation North Carolinian shares historical tales of old-fashioned Carolina Christmases past. Presented Online. Learn more about Holiday Traditions You’ll Only Find in The Old North State
Friday, December 6 – Saturday, December 7
Classical Christmas with Carlos – North Carolina Symphony
Join North Carolina Symphony and their music director, Carlos Migel Prieto, for a night of music selected from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah, performed alongside North Carolina Master Chorale. Delightful, festive, and sure to warm your soul on a cold night, this orchestra will surely speak to your holiday spirit. Performed at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East South Street. Learn more about Classical Christmas with Carlos
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8
Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol – Theatre in the Park
Celebrate the 51st anniversary of Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol while enjoying this musical adaptation of the Dickens classic. Full of timely humor, over 100 community cast members, and holiday cheer, this production tickles the funny bones of the young and young at heart! Performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 East South Street. Learn more about Ira David Woods III's A Christmas Carol
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 22
Cinderella– Raleigh Little Theatre
Raleigh Little Theatre is offering its winter classic for the 40th year! Kids of all ages will love this retelling of the beloved fairy tale, filled with music, laughs, and a sparkle of magic. This musical comedy features elegant costumes and scenery and a cast of memorable characters including some conniving step-relatives, royals, everyone’s favorite resourceful Fairy Godmother, and Ella, of course! Performed at Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, 301 Pogue Street.
Tuesday, December 10
- Joy of the Season– North Carolina Master Chorale
Featuring the 170-voice Symphonic Choir, Chamber Choir, and Youth Choir, North Carolina Master Chorale’s Joy of the Season celebrates the festive sounds of the holidays. The annual concert includes a mix of familiar favorites like "Jingle Bells," "We Need a Little Christmas," "Joy to the World," and more! Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 East South Street.
Learn more about Joy of the Season
Thursday, December 12 – Sunday, December 15
- Holiday Cabaret – Theatre Raleigh
The night is sure to be cold, so come on in and join Theatre Raleigh in their cozy cabaret space. Sip a hot toddy or a glass of wine, and let yourself indulge in a night filled with the glorious singing and performances of your favorite Theatre Raleigh performers. Performed at Theatre Raleigh, 6638 Old Wake Forest Road.
Learn more about Holiday Cabaret
Thursday, December 12 – Tuesday, December 24
- The Nutcracker – Carolina Ballet
Experience Carolina Ballet’s enchanting performance of The Nutcracker this holiday season. Featuring illusions designed by a world-famous magician, new choreography by Artistic Director Zalman Raffael, vibrant sets and cosutmes, Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker captivates the audience through their telling of the classic holiday story. Don’t miss this magical performance! . Performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 East South Street.
Learn more about The Nutcracker
Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15
- Heart of Christmas Cabaret – North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
If you want to get your Christmas cheer on, join North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre for a fun evening filled with holiday classics and Christmas stories performed by friends, old and new. Oh, and did we mention the complimentary wine bar? Performed at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, 7713-51 Lead Mine Road.
Learn more about Heart of Christmas Cabaret
Saturday, December 14
- Holiday Market – Artspace
Support local artists this holiday season! Artspace’s Holiday Market will feature handmade creations by over 50 artists including pottery, planters, paintings, jewelry, glass, and more. The event, which is free to attend, will also have a hands-on art making activity, plus hot cocoa and festive treats for sale. Stop by to support the arts and do some holiday shopping!
Learn more about the Holiday Market
Saturday, December 14 – Sunday, December 15
- Holiday Concerts – The Raleigh Ringers
The Raleigh Ringers’ holiday handbell concert will continue the tradition of their annual holiday program! The Ringers will perform unique interpretations of sacred, secular, and popular music, including famous rock ‘n’ roll tunes arranged just for handbells. Performed at Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 East South Street.
Learn more about the Holiday Concerts
Saturday, December 21
- Motown Sound of Christmas – Pure Life Theatre Company
Enjoy the sounds of Motown’s biggest hits and some holiday favorites in Pure Life Theatre Company’s production of Motown Sound of Christmas. Featuring some of the Triangle’s best singers and dancers, this show is perfect for all ages and a wonderful way to celebrate messages of love and hope during the holiday season. Performed at The Fountain of Raleigh, 9621 Six Forks Road.
Learn more about the Motown of Sound of Christmas
Tuesday, December 31
- First Night Raleigh – Artsplosure
Raleigh’s New Year’s Eve celebration fills more than 20 blocks of downtown offering entertainment for all ages. Festivities begin early afternoon and continue into the Evening Celebration, featuring interactive art installations, drama, magic, music, comedy, and dance, before ringing in the New Year with the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop and spectacular fireworks show.