The Countdown to Holiday Celebrations Begins

ORANGE SLICES

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk, Hillsborough

By Laurie Paolicelli
Guest Columnist

Though we may still be walking around in shorts and a t-shirt, baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses, in less than 90 days we’ll be swapping sandals for scarves, iced tea for cocoa, and bright summer days for chilly evenings. Yes, Santa Claus is coming — and so is Hannukah, parades, concerts, teas, tree lightings, and one of Hillsborough’s most magical events: the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk.

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk, Hillsborough

On Saturday December 20^th at 6:30 pm, families and friends gather at Hillsborough’s Farmers Market Pavilion with handmade lanterns to walk together along the Eno River. The evening includes a Solstice Market with local artists, music, food, and warm drinks. Thousands join to celebrate the winter solstice with lantern light, music, and community cheer — a beloved tradition bringing warmth to the year’s longest night.

Whether watching or walking, registering for a ticket is required to attend this event. While a nonrefundable donation of $5-10 per person is suggested, tickets are free to all.

https://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/solstice

The Carolina Inn begins taking reservations for holiday events on October 15, 2025.

Holiday Traditions at The Carolina Inn

Note: The Carolina Inn begins taking reservations on Wednesday, October 15th.

In Chapel Hill the season begins with Thanksgiving Brunch on November 23 and 30, followed by Holiday Teas (December 5–28), Merrily Mannered Family Tea (November 30 & December 21), and Brunch with Santa events throughout December. Create wreaths at the Holiday Market & Wreath Workshop (December 7 & 14), build gingerbread houses (December 21–23), and enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners (December 24 & 25). For more information, visit: https://www.carolinainn.com

Santa has confirmed that he will be at the Carolina Inn in 2025.

Parades & Tree Lightings Across Orange County

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Parade: December 6 at 10:00 AM, starting in Carrboro and ending at 140 West Franklin Street Plaza in Chapel Hill.

Carrboro Tree Lighting: December 6 at 6:00 PM, Carrboro Town Hall.

Hillsborough Tree Lighting: December 6 at 5:30 PM, Old Courthouse.

Hillsborough Light Up the Night Parade: December 7 at 4:00 PM, Downtown Hillsborough. https://www.hillsboroughchamber.com/light-up-the-night-holiday-parade

Chapel Hill Tree Lighting: December 8 at 6:00 PM, University Baptist Church Plaza.

Music & Theatre Highlights

Handel’s Messiah: December 7 at 3:00 PM, Memorial Hall.

Samsara: December 6 at 8:00 PM, Memorial Hall

PlayMakers: *You Can’t Take It With You* runs November 19–December 7.

Carolina Alumni Holiday Concert: December 2, The Carolina Club.

ArtsCenter Carrboro: The ArtsCenter in Carrboro celebrates in a big way, from a Pop-up Chorus to live concerts. The Winter Solstice show takes place on Dec. 21 at 4:00 PM. Carrboro’s Elf Market is live and festive, Sunday Dec. 14th, from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Be sure to check in regularly: https://artscenterlive.org/

Hillsborough Holiday Bazaar: The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) and Orange County Arts Alliance (OCAA) present Hillsborough Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 15, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Historic Courthouse Lawn in Downtown Hillsborough. https://artsorange.org/calendar/bazaar/

The annual Elf Market at the ArtsCenter Carrboro wil be back in 2025.

December is a month full of music and beauty. Start with the Alumni Holiday Concert on December 2, then enjoy parades and tree lightings December 6-8, and wrap up with Handel’s Messiah and Chapel Hill’s Tree Lighting. And consider adding moments of calm and reflection to balance out what might be a busy time. The Kosala Buddhist Center in Chapel Hill offers weekly meditation classes, foundational programs, and special events designed to help you find inner peace and balance. Everyone is welcome, no prior experience needed. https://meditationinchapelhill.org

Key Holiday Dates

Solstice Lantern Walk: December 20, 2025

Thanksgiving: November 27, 2025

Hanukkah: December 14–22, 2025

Christmas: December 25, 2025

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday parade. Photo by Mark Losey.

8 Nights of Light, Love & Latkes

Hanukkah is almost here, and we’re ready to celebrate with family, friends, and lots of meaningful traditions:

Light the Menorah each night and share what you’re grateful for.

Feast on favorites like crispy latkes and sweet sufganiyot.

Gift ideas for every night: handmade candles, chocolate gelt, family game baskets, concert tickets, or a night of giving back together.

Sing, spin and celebrate with dreidel games, music, and laughter filling the house.

The holidays may seem far away, but it’s never too early to pencil in possibilities in your planner or to get a head start on those visions of sugar-plums. Orange County does the holidays up right: beautifully, mellifluously, and inclusively. 

Hillsborough Holiday Parade is a popular event each season.

Share your thoughts with me here,

Laurie Paolicelli

Disclaimer: Published by Orange County’s Tourism Department through its Public Relations team, this story includes interviews and repurposed content from websites and partner press releases. For more, visit www.visitchapelhill.org or contact Laurie Paolicelli.

Laurie Paolicelli is executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, a position she has held since 2005. Laurie has worked in tourism and marketing for twenty-five years, having served in leadership roles in Houston and California convention and visitor bureaus. She is a native of the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN/Superior Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications from the University Wisconsin-Superior and graduate certification in Technology In Marketing from the UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media. This reporter can be reached at Information@TheLocalReporter.press