Light Up Your December: Where to Find Holiday Magic in the Chapel Hill Area

There's something about bundling up, grabbing a hot cocoa, and driving around to see twinkling lights that just hits different this time of year. Whether you're looking for a festive date night, a family adventure, or just an excuse to blast holiday music in the car, the Triangle has you covered.

Go Big with the Festival Lights

If you haven't experienced the Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary yet, this is your year. Picture massive, glowing lantern sculptures—dragons, pagodas, underwater scenes—all handcrafted and absolutely breathtaking after dark. It runs through January 11, 2026, so you've got plenty of time to make it happen.

Over at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, FestiBull of Lights turns the ballpark into a winter wonderland through January 1, 2026. Think thousands of synchronized lights, a visit with Santa, holiday crafts for the kiddos, and yes—s'mores. Because what's December without roasting marshmallows?

Neighborhood Gems Worth the Drive

Some of the best displays come from families who just really, really love Christmas. In the Briar Chapel neighborhood, Lights on Birch Hollow Road at 393 Birch Hollow Road in Chapel Hill delivers an animated show complete with singing trees and thousands of dancing lights. It runs nightly through Christmas, and trust me—it's worth the trip.

Head up to Hillsborough and the Mangum Family Christmas Lights at 7510 Guess Road will blow you away. We're talking over 100,000 lights synchronized to music. Just tune your radio to 90.3 FM, stay cozy in your car, and let the magic unfold through your windshield.

And if you're up for a little Raleigh adventure, cruise through the Stonehenge neighborhood near Creedmoor Road. The whole area goes all-out with decorations—it's like driving through a Hallmark movie.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights

Hanukkah falls December 14-21 this year, and there are some lovely ways to celebrate locally.

1870 Farm at 1224 Old Lystra Road in Chapel Hill is hosting a Chanukah celebration on December 18th from 3-5 PM—a sweet afternoon outing with that cozy farm atmosphere we all love.

On December 21st, the Town of Morrisville is lighting a public menorah at the Indian Creek Greenway and Trailhead at 5:30 PM. It's free, it's festive, and it's a beautiful way to mark the last night of Hanukkah with your community.

However you celebrate this season, I hope you find moments of joy, warmth, and maybe a few thousand twinkly lights along the way. Here's to a magical December in the Triangle!