UPDATED 12/6! Here come the holidays and there are TONS of events going on around the area to get your family into the festive spirit.
Whether you're looking for Christmas crafts or cookies to decorate, there's something going on nearby that you want to know about. Looking to get your yearly Santa photo? Check. Need to see all the marching bands in the Alamance-Orange area? Here's our Parade Guide. Can't get enough of the Nutcracker? We've got you covered, too.
Get ready to rock your Santa hat at events all season long... And don't forget to tell 'em Macaroni KID sent ya!
KEY
📸 Event has Photo Ops (Santa, Grinch, etc)
🩰 It's the Nutcracker time of year!
Other Holiday Shows and Performances 
All Season Long...
📸Visit Santa at Holly Hill Mall 🎅🏽 (11/18 - 12/24)
📬Drop off Letters to Santa (11/18 - 12/9)
- You can drop off letters at one of the 3 special mailboxes located at: Mebane Arts & Community Center, Mebane City Hall or Mebane Community Park.
Make & Take Multicultural Holiday Ornaments (Nov-Dec) at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough
Downtown Graham’s Ice Skating Rink on Synthetic Ice (11/25 – 12/18) in downtown Graham
Homes for the Holidays: Annual Gingerbread House Stroll (12/1 - 1/1) in downtown Hillsborough
Downtown Graham Christmas Lights Trolley Tour (weekends 12/1-12/31) in downtown Graham
The Polar Express (G) (Sat & Sun 12/2-12/24 at 1pm) at Graham Cinema
- Upgrade to the Polar Express Experience with a movie AND trolley tour!
The McMasters' Annual Christmas Light Show (daily 12/1 - 12/31) in Graham
Country Christmas Light Show and More! (Fri - Sun through Dec) at Gerringer's Greenhouse, Gibsonville
Hawfields Enchanted Forest open! (Fri-Sat 12/2 - 12/22) at Hawfields Community Park
Daily Holiday Event Calendar
Fri, Nov 17
Lighting of the Green in downtown Gibsonville
- including a pit stop for sweet treats with Santa at the Lighting of the Greens at Maple View's County Line Creamery in Gibsonville
Sat, Nov 18
76th Annual Burlington Christmas Parade in downtown Burlington
📸 Photos with Santa at the Paramount Theater, Burlington
📸 Santa’s Arrival to Mebane on a fire truck! at Mebane Community Arts Center
Hometown Holiday Celebration in Mebane
Parent and Me Paint Class at Painted Grape Drop-In Art Studio
Holly Days Bazaar at Elon Community Church
Sun, Nov 19
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex
2023 Reidsville Christmas Parade in downtown Reidsville
Tues, Nov 21 - Sun 11/26
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Steven Tanger Center for the Arts, Greensboro
 Source: Tanger Center |
Fri, Nov 24
Tomaseen Foly's A Celtic Christmas at the Paramount Theater
Sat, Nov 25
Monthly Kids DIY Workshop: Penguin Ornament - At the Home Depot Hillsborough and Burlington
Parent and Me Paint Class at Painted Grape Drop-In Art Studio
Downtown Burlington Christmas Tree Lighting
Its Snowing in Mebane 📸 in downtown Mebane
Tues, Nov 28
Elon University Festival of Lights in downtown Elon
Wed, Nov 29
Santa's Winter Wonderland Extravaganza at Personally Yours Gift Boutique, Burlington
Thurs, Nov 30 - Sun, Dec 3
Disney on Ice ⛸️ presents Magic in the Stars (Thurs - Sun) at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex
 Source: Disney on Ice |
Fri, Dec 1
📸 Its Snowing in Mebane in downtown Mebane
📸 Downtown Burlington Holiday Market at the Historic Depot & Amphitheater
Christmas in the Park at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon
Festival of Lights - Hold You in the Light (Fri-Sat) at Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre
📸 Liberty Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Festival in downtown Liberty
Mebane Christmas Parade (the area's only nighttime parade! ) in downtown Mebane
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Fri-Sun) by the Alamance Children's Theatre at the Paramount Theater
Sat, Dec 2
📸 Breakfast with Santa at Efland United Methodist Church
Saxapahaw Holiday Market (Sat-Sun) at the Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw
Secondhand Santa Sale at Elon Community Church
Monthly Kids DIY Workshop: Gingerbread House at the Home Depot Hillsborough and Burlington
German Christmas in Colonial Carolina at Alamance Battleground State Historic Site
Holiday Family Portraits at May Memorial Library, Burlington
Holiday Market & Open Farm Day at RambleRill Farm, Hillsborough
62nd Annual Graham Christmas Parade in downtown Graham
📸 Its Snowing in Mebane in downtown Mebane
Meet Santa at Eno River Farm, Hillsborough
Greensboro Holiday Parade in downtown Greensboro
The Polar Express (G) at Graham Cinema
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Fri-Sun) by the Alamance Children's Theatre at the Paramount Theater
Liberty Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Festival in downtown Liberty
📸 Christmas Celebration at P&P Arena, Efland
Winter Craft & Snack (6th-12th) at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough
Parent & Me Paint Class - Winter Wolf at Painted Grape Drop-In Art Studio, Mebane
Christmas Dinner and Concert at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Burlington
Hometown Christmas in downtown Elon
🩰 The Hip Hop Nutcracker at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
Sun, Dec 3
Saxapahaw Holiday Market (Sat-Sun) at the Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw
The Polar Express (G) at Graham Cinema
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Fri-Sun) by the Alamance Children's Theatre at the Paramount Theater
Light up the Night Holiday Parade in downtown Hillsborough
- including a special Running of the Elves event!
City of Graham Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Graham
2nd Annual Holiday Queer Community Potluck by Transcend Alamance at Elon University
Christmas Jam for Christmas Cheer w/ Captain Obvious at Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Burlington
Thurs, Dec 7
📸 Sundaes with Santa 🎅🏽at MapleView Farm Ice Cream, Hillsborough
Holiday Open House & Cookie Exchange at Gibsonville Public Library
A Wartime (1941) Christmas in Glencoe at Textile Heritage Museum, Burlington
Menorah Lighting in downtown Elon
🩰 The Nutcracker Presented by the UNC School of the Arts (Thurs - Sun) at Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, Greensboro
Fri, Dec 8
Fun Fridays - Christmas Card Day at the Children's Museum of Alamance County. Graham
Festival of Lights - Hold You in the Light (Fri-Sat) at the Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre
Live Nativity (drive-through event) (Fri-Sun) at Integrity Church, Burlington
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Fri-Sun) by the Alamance Children's Theatre at the Paramount Theater
Alamance/ Burlington Holiday Concert at Walter M. Williams High School, Burlington
Sat, Dec 9
📸 Breakfast With the Grinch at Thataways Youth Center, Burlington
Holiday Extravaganza at the White House on Washington, Mebane
Mebane Train Display Open! at Mebane Historical Museum
Christmas in Sedaliain Sedalia
Durham Holiday Parade in downtown Durham
Middle School Canvas Painting - Festive Santa by Burlington Artists League & Fine Art Gallery
Winter Wonderland at Tanger Outlet Mall
Snow Camp Christmas Parade in Snow Camp
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade in downtown Chapel Hill
Needle Felted Winter Holiday Ornaments (for Beginners) with Lindy Chicola at Orange County Arts Commission & Eno Arts Mill, Hillsborough
📸 Its Snowing in Mebane in downtown Mebane
Decorating Cookies for Santa at Alamance Arts, Graham
Gibsonville Christmas Parade in downtown Gibsonville
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Fri-Sun) by the Alamance Children's Theatre at the Paramount Theater
📸 Holiday Magic in downtown Burlington
Parent and Me Paint Class at Painted Grape Drop-In Art Studio
- Burlington Studio - Gingerbread Cookies
- Mebane Studio - Gingerbread House
Decorating Cookies for Santa at Alamance Arts, Graham
Cookies for a Cause at Alamance Cooperative Extension
Live Nativity (drive-through event) (Fri-Sun) at Integrity Church, Burlington
Festival of Lights - Hold You in the Light (Fri-Sat) at the Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre
Christmas With a Big-Band Swing at Trinity Worship Center, Burlington
“Twas the Opening Night Before Christmas” (Sat - Sun) at Alamance Fine Arts Academy
 Credit: Miss Kim's Children's Dance & Arts |
Sun, Dec 10
Gingerbready or Not! at the The Burwell School Historic Site, Hillsborough
Sunday Make Break: Holiday Banner or Hanukkah Banner at Michael's Stores
Nutcracker Tea with Miss Kelly at Miss Kim's Children's Dance & Arts, Burlington
Yanceyville Christmas Parade in Caswell County
“Twas the Opening Night Before Christmas” at Alamance Fine Arts Academy
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Fri-Sun) by the Alamance Children's Theatre at the Paramount Theater
Live Nativity (drive-through event) (Fri-Sun) at Integrity Church, Burlington
Tues, Dec 12
Discovery Storytime - Gingerbread Houses at North Park Library, Burlington
Wed, Dec 13
Winter Wonder Extravaganza! at Mebane Public Library
Winter Game Day, Grades 6-12 at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough
A Christmas Carol - Presented by Theatre in the Park (Wed-Sun) at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
Thurs, Dec 14
📸 Visit with Santa at Mapleview's County Line Creamery, Gibsonville
Fri, Dec 15
Fun Fridays - Last Day of Chanukah at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham
📸 Sundaes with Santa 🎅🏽at MapleView Farm Ice Cream, Hillsborough
Cookies with Santa (2 Sessions) at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham
Elfland Christmas Festival (Fri-Sat) at The Barn at Lloyd's Dairy
Hillsborough On Ice Holiday Show - featuring the Nutcracker (Fri-Sat) at the Orange County Sportsplex, Hillsborough
🩰 Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker '23 (Fri-Sun) by the Burlington Dance Center at The Paramount Theater
🩰 The Nutcracker: presented by Walkerdance Ballet Theatre at McCrary Theater at Elon University
 Source: Orange County Sportsplex |
Sat, Dec 16
Monthly Kids DIY Workshop: Holiday Delivery Truck at Lowe's Home Improvement in Mebane and Burlington
Christmas Cruise-In + Visit w/Mrs Claus!🤶🏽at Holly Hill Mall
Holly Jolly Open Gym at Kidsport Gymnastics Academy, Burlington
Hillsborough On Ice Holiday Show - featuring the Nutcracker (Fri-Sat) at the Orange County Sportsplex, Hillsborough
📸Cookies & Crafts with Santa at the Gibsonville Community Center
📸🍪Cookies with Santa 🎅🏽 at North Park Library, Burlington
Meet Santa at Eno River Farm, Hillsborough
Elfland Christmas Festival (Fri-Sat) at The Barn at Lloyd's Dairy
🩰 Nutcracker Dance Camp (2 Age-Specific Sessions) at Xtreme Dance Academy, Mebane
🩰 The Nutcracker: presented by Walkerdance Ballet Theatre (Fri-Sun) at McCrary Theater at Elon University
🩰 Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker '23 (Fri-Sun) by the Burlington Dance Center at The Paramount Theater
Elf: In Concert (Fri-Sat) at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, Greensboro
Parent and Me Paint Class at Painted Grape Drop-In Art Studio
- Burlington Studio - Gingerbread House
- Mebane Studio - Gingerbread Cookies
Parents Night Out: Christmas Edition at Trinity Worship Center. Burlington
Burlington Boys Choir: Christmas Candlelight Lovefeast at Old Brick Church, Burlington
Duets Concert – Dashing Through the Snow at Studio 1
Sun, Dec 17
🩰 Ella Bella Ballerina and the Nutcracker '23 (Fri-Sun) by the Burlington Dance Center at The Paramount Theater
🩰 The Nutcracker: presented by Walkerdance Ballet Theatre(Fri-Sun) at McCrary Theater at Elon University
Burlington Boys Choir: Christmas Candlelight Lovefeast at Old Brick Church, Burlington
Mon, Dec 18
Made by Me: Holiday Studio / Ornaments (4 Sessions) at Orange County Arts Commission & Eno Arts Mill, Hillsborough
Wed, Dec 20
Cookies and Cocoa, Grades 6-12 at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough
Santa’s Workshop at North Park Library, Burlington
Winter Fun with Painted Grape! at May Memorial Library, Burlington
📸 Visit Santa Claus (Wed-Thurs) at Green Level Town Hall
Thurs, Dec 21
📸 Visit Santa Claus (Wed-Thurs) at Green Level Town Hall
Santa’s Workshop at North Park Library, Burlington
📸 Visit with Santa at Mapleview's County Line Creamery, Gibsonville
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk (Children's Nature Event) at Dinner Bell Farm, Snow Camp
Solstice Lantern Walk at Farmer's Market Pavilion, Hillsborough
Hot Chocolate Pajama Party at Graham Public Library
Fri, Dec 22
Fun Fridays - Christmas Celebration at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham
📸Sundaes with Santa! 🎅🏽 at MapleView Farm Ice Cream, Hillsborough
Christmas in the Park at Burlington City Park
Teen Wonder Space: Santa and Winter Gnome Craft at May Memorial Library, Burlington
Sat, Dec 23
Mebane Train Display Open! at Mebane Historical Museum
Family Make & Takes: Snowman Light Ornaments! at May Memorial Library, Burlington
Parent and Me Paint Class at Painted Grape Drop-In Art Studio
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