The holiday season is upon us, and spending time at home with family is something most people look forward to. However, if you’ve decided you want to switch things up a little this year, you might want to take your family away for the weekend and spend this Christmas exploring a new place. If you’re new to North Carolina and you just moved with affordable movers Raleigh NC has, or you’ve never looked that much into popular touristy cities and towns, we’re here to help. We’ve made a list of the best Christmas getaways in North Carolina. You and your family will have the best Christmas ever if you love all the holiday decorations, festive food and drinks, and Christmas markets state-wide!
Here are some of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina
Living in North Carolina is pretty spectacular, especially around the holidays. The state is packed full of charming places decorated for the holidays so much so that you will think you’re in a Christmas movie. The holiday season in North Carolina is perfect because there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re from a small town and want to explore a bigger city such as Raleigh, or just the contrary, you want to escape the city and go to a hidden town where you can enjoy the holidays, you will find everything and more in NC. Some of the best Christmas getaways to check out this holiday season are:
- Raleigh
- Apex
- Cary
- Wake Forest
- Holly Springs
- Concord
- Charlotte
- Asheville
- McAdenville
- Elizabeth City
One of the best Christmas getaways in North Carolina- Raleigh
If you’re in the mood to explore the capital city of North Carolina this holiday season, don’t miss the opportunity to book a hotel in Raleigh. If you live in Raleigh or near, don’t miss the tree lighting. This event is free and accompanied by live performances, so you and your family can enjoy a fun family outing together. An activity all families love is the Drive Through the Magic of Lights Show. This mile-long drive is full of your favorite holiday scenes. Your children will adore the gigantic Christmas Barbie, supersized Bigfoot, and the Prehistoric Christmas dinosaurs!
Raleigh is not only one of the best Christmas getaways, but it’s also one of the best places to live in North Carolina. If you’re considering calling the furniture movers Raleigh NC offers and moving to another place, think again. The city of Raleigh has plenty to offer. The cost of living here is the same as the national average, so you don’t have to worry about your budget or making a decent living.
Apex- Enjoy the Christmas dreamland
Apex is another great choice if you’re looking for some of the finest Christmas getaways in NC. A less crowded option than Raleigh, Apex is a true Christmas dreamland during the holiday season. Enjoy a cozy weekend or the whole week in Apex with your family, you will not run out of events to attend and sights to see.
Apex is also an excellent option if you’re looking for places to move to in North Carolina. Moving companies Apex NC know just how much the residents love living here. Although the cost of living here is 9% higher than the national average, Apex is one of the safest places in the state. The crime rates are 56% lower than the US average, which makes it a popular destination for families with kids. The median income in Apex is on the higher end, so the residents have no trouble making a living. The quality of life in Apex is exceptional, as well as the job market.
If you are in a competitive mood, visit Cary NC
Cary is one of the best Christmas destinations in North Carolina. There are countless Christmas events throughout December you don’t want to miss! To name a few, there is the Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker House, a lighting ceremony, the Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade, and the Gifting Tree Project. There is also an amateur Gingerbread House competition in Downtown Cary on the first Saturday in December. If you’re planning on spending Christmas here, moving companies Cary NC offers know just how magical this place gets during the holidays.
The Christmas events in Cary are multicultural, too. There is the annual Kwanzaa Celebration held at the Cary Arts Center. You can also witness the beautiful NC Chinese Lantern Festival at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. There is something for everyone if you want to make Cary this year’s Christmas getaway for your family.
Wake Forest
Christmas in Wake Forest is an experience you will never forget. This small town in North Carolina is packed with events to put you in the holiday mood. Some of the events start as early as the second half of November, such as the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off. However, you will be able to enjoy numerous events all throughout December. There are Calls from Santa, and pictures with Santa – events kids simply adore. The one event residents look forward to the most is probably the Lighting of Wake Forest., which usually takes place in the first days of December.
You also shouldn’t skip the Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market where you can buy magnificent handmade items from local artists and artisans. There is also the Christmas Concert that even the moving companies Wake Forest NC has know how popular it is. The week before Christmas, you can go to the Snowball Dance or check out One Christmas Night in Memphis, but you have to reserve tickets in advance for the latter.
Holly Springs can be great for a cozy getaway
Holly Springs is another excellent choice if you plan on going away this Christmas and finding the perfect hidden gems of North Carolina. Home to 44,555 residents, this city is the perfect blend between the more secluded and less populous small towns and large cities in NC. There are numerous events you will enjoy if you choose to spend the holidays in Holly Springs. Check out Tree Trail and Ting, an event where over 50 trees are decorated by local families and organizations. A fun part of this event is also the Mistletoe Market, where you can buy unique items handmade by local artists.
What’s special about Christmas in Holly Springs is the Santa Cares holiday event. It is tailored for families with all kinds of special needs, so no one feels left out of holiday celebrations in this charming city. Everyone, even the moving companies Holly Springs NC has is most excited about the main event of the holiday season – the Happy Holly Days Parade. It is traditionally held on the second Saturday of December, so save the date if you’ve been planning on checking it out.
Concord- Visit the North Pole University
Concord is a city filled with so many Christmas attractions, it’s hard to name them all. The city becomes increasingly popular during the holiday season. If you’re planning on going away there this holiday season, make reservations on time! One of the most interesting things in Concord is the North Pole University at the Great Wolf Lodge. This is a hit among the kiddos. They enjoy doing all the Christmas-themed activities and getting their “Snowplomas” in the end!
Concord is a city with a population of just over 100,000. That means it’s not ideal for those who want to go to a small, peaceful town for the holidays. However, that also means more events and more fun! No matter where you’re coming from or how long you’re staying in Concord, you will find a ton of interesting Christmas events all throughout the city!
Charlotte
Charlotte is by far one of the most popular Christmas getaways in North Carolina. The city brings out all the holiday cheer, and it’s hard to not get sucked into the magic when there are lights, Christmas trees, concerts, and markets all around! Enjoy the famous European-inspired Christmas Village in Romare Bearden Park. Treat yourself to the finest mulled wine and shortbread cookies, while you wander around looking for perfect Christmas gifts surrounded by the sound carolers completing the Christmas vibe. Here you will have no trouble finding the most unique handmade gifts, that’s for sure.
The city certainly goes all out when it comes to Christmas decorations. Millions of lights light up the entire city making it a true holiday wonderland. If you love classical music and entertainment, don’t miss the Nutcracker at the Belk Theater by the Charlotte Ballet.
Asheville is great all year-round
Asheville is one of the best places to visit in North Carolina year-round, but during the holidays the beauty of this town is taken to another level. Enjoy this extraordinary place with your family, you will have plenty of events to visit. Most of them are held at the Biltmore House, which is the main attraction during the holidays for locals and tourists alike. Lavish decorations and spectacular Christmas trees leave everyone who visits this place in awe. Asheville also hosts the national gingerbread house competition. You should also not skip the amazing holiday-themed performances at the theater, or the numerous markets where you can find the best and most unique Christmas gifts.
McAdenville
McAdenville may be the most famous of all the places on our list. Also known as Christmas Town USA, McAdenville is a small town that does Christmas unlike any other place in North Carolina. Every year, people from all parts of the country flock to this town to see the magic. The residents of McAdenville have been doing their magic, keeping up with the tradition that started in the 1950s. Ever since then, the holiday season in this charming town has only gotten more special.
If you plan on visiting McAdenville’s glowing Christmas scene, make sure to make reservations on time. The city gets quite busy and crowded during the holidays, and it’s not a rare occurrence to see long lines of people waiting to see the most popular events such as the Annual Christmas Town 5k or the Yule Log Parade.
Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City is also known as the Hot Cocoa Capital of the World, making it one of the best places to spread the holiday cheer and enjoy Christmas like never before. Nothing is cozier on a cold winter day than a cup of hot cocoa in your hands. The main event that draws people to the area is the annual Hot Cocoa Crawl, taking place from late November to mid-January. In Elizabeth City, you will have some of the best hot beverages of your life. While you’re sipping on your tasty cup of hot cocoa, you can stroll around town visiting numerous Christmas attractions. Enjoy all the hot cocoa-themed events and gift shops you can imagine. In Elizabeth City, the holiday season is all about the hot beverage that made the city famous.
Choose one of the best Christmas getaways in North Carolina and enjoy the holidays
Finding the perfect quaint places in North Carolina to spend your Christmas at is not hard. The state is rich in cities and towns that do Christmas like no others. Hopefully, you’ll find some places you’d like to visit this holiday season. If not, North Carolina has plenty of other excellent options. Some of the best Christmas getaways in North Carolina are the small towns that have become famous nationwide such as McAdenville, and these are great if you’re looking for a unique holiday experience. Others, such as Asheville are amazing if you want to avoid crowded places filled with tourists. And for the most adventurous, there are bigger cities such as Raleigh, Apex, or Cary that are filled with Christmas attractions to everyone’s taste.
