Whether you’re looking for tree lightings, parades, concerts, or a festive shopping experience, Alamance County has something for you to enjoy this holiday season. Each of our towns brings its own unique charm to holiday festivities, and there are so many to choose from.
Explore the Beauty of Christmas Lights
Watch a tree lighting in Mebane, Burlington, or Graham, attend the festival of lights in Elon or Snow Camp, and see the lighting of the green in Gibsonville.
Dates:
- Gibsonville- 11/20
- Mebane- 11/21
- Burlington- 11/28
- Elon- 12/1
- Snow Camp- 12/4
- Graham- 12/6
Enjoy a Parade
Get in the holiday spirit by watching the 47th annual Mebane Christmas Parade-- the only nighttime parade in the county! The NC A&T marching band is back to lead over 100 parade entries again this year, ending with Santa Claus himself.
You can also watch the parade in Graham or get in the spirit early by attending the Burlington Christmas Parade before Thanksgiving! These parades offer the chance to see floats from local community organizations, live performances, live music, and Santa!
Dates:
- Burlington- 11/21
- Mebane- 12/4
- Graham- 12/5
Listen to the Sounds of the Holidays
There’s nothing like Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit! Listen to Elon’s 23rd Celebration of Light, performed by the university's Camerata, which features writing from North Carolina poets and a candlelight processional. Attend the Alamance Chorale's Christmas Concert for an evening of festive performances and a reception to follow. If swing music and Sinatra hits are more your style, you'll want to get tickets to the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
Dates:
- Celebration of Light- 12/1
- Tommy Dorsey Orchestra- 12/4
- Christmas Concert- 12/10
Encounter a Uniquely Alamance Experience
In Graham, you can go ice skating with real skates on synthetic ice or attend a workshop to create your own Christmas story with local author Karen Watts. You can catch a performance of the Nutcracker in Elon or experience traditions of mill village communities at the Textile Heritage Museum in historic Glencoe. Enjoy sledding, amusement park rides, hot cocoa and cookies, and a hayride, and learn why the Christmas in the Park event is a crowd-favorite here in Alamance.
Dates:
- Ice Skating- 11/20-12/13
- Create Your Own Christmas Story- 12/3
- Nutcracker- 12/12-13
- Christmas by Candlelight at the Textile Museum- 12/10
- Christmas in the Park- 12/22
Experience a Charming Downtown Shopping Experience
Check out the holiday market at Recovering Clay in Burlington or the Winter Wonderland Craft Show in Mebane to find unique art from local artists that would make great holiday gifts. If you're looking for a local shopping experience that offers twinkling lights, hot cocoa, and holiday treats, attend Jingle and Mingle and Dashing through Downtown in Mebane. If you want to sip champagne while you shop, get tickets to Champagne and Cheer in Graham and discover gifts from 140 artists. When it comes to holiday markets filled with handcrafted items, Alamance County has many to choose from in Burlington, Gibsonville, Snow Camp, and Saxapahaw.
Dates:
- Recovering Clay Market- 11/14
- Jingle and Mingle- 11/20
- Champagne and Cheer- 11/20
- Winter Wonderland Craft Show- 11/21
- Burlington Market- 11/28
- Gibsonville Market- 12/5
- Saxapahaw Market- 12/5 & 12/6
- Dashing through Downtown- 12/12
- Snow Camp Market- 12/19
Alamance County has something to offer for every type of holiday experience you’re looking for. From parades, to live music, to museum events, you’ll find enough entertainment to last all season. Plan your visit today!
