Too early to make this the best Christmas ever?? Never!
We're sharing our top 10 Secrets to having the best Christmas in the best city ever!!!
10. - Enjoy the anticipation!
With Gifts, time with family, Christmas lights, and so much more it's no doubt that Christmas is the best time of the year! Don't let this exciting time pass you by without taking a moment to reflect on why this is the best time of the year. Sit back in your favorite chair, just breathe, and sip your favorite beverage.
9.North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival-Cary, Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 8, 2023
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival puts hundreds of larger-than-life lanterns on display at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre, creating 3an incredible, colorful adventure for you to walk through during the holiday season. In all, the lanterns and more than 15,000 LED lights make up 20 distinct displays, including a 200-foot-long, 21-foot-tall mythical creature that sits on Symphony Lake.
8.North Hills Tree Lighting Celebration, mid Nov. 2022
The annual lighting of a 41-foot-tall Christmas tree, a visit from Santa Claus, trackless train rides for kids, live music and plenty of vendors on hand make this celebration an equally great event for families and a fun date idea. Arrive a tad early to join in on the Holiday Sip & Shop to knock out some shopping at local retailers like Peter Millar, Quail Ridge Books, Scout & Molly's plus more while enjoying complimentary hot chocolate and cider.
7. Start a new Christmas Tradition
The best way to make this your best Christmas ever is to start a new tradition. You could invite your family or friends to each buy a new Christmas decoration for your tree or you could go on a special Christmas eve walk and stop in at a cafe for a Christmas treat. Make your Christmas tradition something that you look forward to and make sure it’s meaningful to you.
6. Planter Walk Lights Trail, Knightdale NC
Every year our family must make our way to the Planters walk lights Trail in Knightdale North Carolina. It is a beautiful way to get in the Christmas spirit. Every year is more exciting than the next. Make sure you bring your hot cocoa or favorite drink!
5. Read A Christmas Book
To make this Christmas your best ever you should definitely peruse the Christmas section at your bookstore. Imagine settling back into a comfy chair with a cheeky pre-Christmas drink whilst reading about plucky Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol or, for those of you who like a more humorous and modern read, Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris. If you often find yourself too frazzled around Christmas to pick up a book try a Christmas poetry anthology; The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems is a great choice.
4. WRAL Nights of Lights, late Nov. through late Dec.
Up for a dazzling light show? Illuminated trees, festive light displays and local art installations will delight visitors of all ages at the second ever Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dorothea Dix Park. The 1.3-mile driving route features towering oak trees, open fields and rolling hills—plus views of the Raleigh skyline peaking above the trees—making it a perfect location for this holiday event.
3. Christmas Movie Night
Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie, so why not invite a few of your friends around or gather up the family and arrange a Christmas movie night? The rules are this: everyone should bring one Christmas movie they love and a Christmas treat. Then you just need to sit back and enjoy It’s A Wonderful Life, Love Actually, or, for those more action-packed movie fans, Die Hard.
2. State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony, early Dec. 2022
With luminaries lighting the Capitol grounds and local choral groups filling the air with seasonal songs, the lighting of the tree at the North Carolina State Capitol building is a sign for many that the holiday season is officially here. After the lighting of the tree, stick around to tour the inside of the Capitol, covered in wreaths and draped in garland.
1. Book a Christmas luxury Photo Session!
If you're looking for an authentic and fun way to document the best Christmas ever then Raleigh, North Carolina has some of the best family photographers in America. Christmas luxury photo sessions can be one of the best ways to get ready for this Christmas holiday. These sessions are filled with fun by dressing up in your finest and sipping hot chocolate for the whole family! Booking takes less than 10 minutes and will create memories for a lifetime!!!!! Click here for more
References - Annual Events You Can't-Miss in Raleigh, N.C. (2022, August). www.visitraleigh.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.visitraleigh.com/events/events-you-cant-miss/