# North Carolina State Capitol: Holiday Tree Lighting & Historic Open House

> Event for families in the Raleigh–Cary area (NC). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Dec 10 – Dec 12 · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: North Carolina State Capitol & Capitol Square, 1 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Ages: All ages (free state holiday tree lighting on Capitol Square followed by historic open house in decorated 1840 Capitol)
- Price: Free public admission; no tickets or reservations required for the ceremony or open house.
- Organizer: North Carolina State Capitol & Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
- Official page: https://events.dncr.nc.gov
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 10, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/north-carolina-state-capitol-holiday-tree-lighting-and-historic-open-h--listing-6cae198bb5b11b59664407d5

## About

The North Carolina State Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting and Open House is one of Raleigh's most venerable civic traditions, marking the official start of the statewide holiday season on historic Capitol Square. The festivities begin on the south grounds with holiday musical performances by the Raleigh Concert Band, the lighting of luminaries lining the brick walkways, and the ceremonial lighting of the towering North Carolina-grown Fraser fir tree with Santa Claus. Following the ceremony, visitors are welcomed inside the historic 1840 State Capitol building for the Holiday Open House, where historic chambers and the rotunda are lavishly adorned with traditional greenery, heirloom ornaments, live choral performances, and children's heritage craft stations.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Capitol Square's paved brick and stone walkways are flat and accessible; the State Capitol building has elevator access from the ground level to the rotunda and second-floor chambers.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Heated public restrooms with baby changing facilities are located inside the Capitol ground level; the quiet grass lawns under ancient shade oaks offer peaceful resting spots.
• Age Suitability: All ages welcome. Children love meeting Santa on the south steps, watching the giant tree light up, and listening to festive music echo in the soaring Capitol rotunda.
• Sensory Tips: The outdoor tree lighting is calm with classic acoustic band music and choral singing; the historic building interior has gentle warm lighting without flashing lights or loud sound effects.

## Similar picks in Raleigh

- [North Carolina Symphony: Holiday Pops & Family Matinee](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/north-carolina-symphony-holiday-pops-and-family-matinee--listing-7a98a34c4ead581bd733d72b) — Dec 12 – Dec 13 · 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM · Meymandi Concert Hall at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · All ages · From $29 · checked Nov 5. The North Carolina Symphony presents its annual Holiday Pops celebration in the acoustically renowned Meymandi Concert Hall, welcoming families to revel in the sounds of the…
- [Knightdale Tree Lighting at Knightdale Station Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/knightdale-tree-lighting-at-knightdale-station-park--listing-1b4d0690324ea94808a8f58b) — Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Knightdale Station Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 30. Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus (6–7:30 pm, first come, first served), letters to Santa, ornament decorating, reindeer food, hot chocolate and local school performances…
- [Morrisville Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Craft Market](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/morrisville-holiday-tree-lighting-and-winter-craft-market--listing-252332a376ff591e21eae313) — Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM · Indian Creek Trailhead & Town Hall Campus, Morrisville · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. The Town of Morrisville invites Triangle families to its annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Craft Market at the Town Hall campus and Indian Creek Trailhead. The celebration…
- [Morrisville Christmas Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/morrisville-christmas-tree-lighting--listing-4da68a6118bdf497259f4ae2) — Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Indian Creek Trailhead, Morrisville · All ages · Free · checked Oct 30. Carols, entertainment and fellowship as the Town lights its tree at the Indian Creek Trailhead. Free; park at Cedar Fork Community Center and take the shuttle (accessible parking…
- [Apex Christmas Parade & Rotary Tree Lighting on Salem Street](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/apex-christmas-parade-and-rotary-tree-lighting-on-salem-street--listing-e96c220f9360a71eacbe932f) — Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM · Historic Downtown Apex & The Halle Cultural Arts Center · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. The Apex Christmas Parade on Historic Salem Street is one of the Triangle's only nighttime holiday parades, filling the historic downtown district with twinkling magic. Sponsored…
- [Soulful Holiday Open House at John Chavis Memorial Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/soulful-holiday-open-house-at-john-chavis-memorial-park--listing-72ae0d151baa5bd28f648514) — Fri, Dec 11 · 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM · John Chavis Memorial Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 30. The John Chavis Community Center fills inside and out with themed rooms, inflatables, photo spots, crafts, live entertainment and decorations for families. Free; register on…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids in Wake County, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/counties/wake-county-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/counties/wake-county-nc.md)
- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/christmas.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Raleigh — December 2026](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/events/2026-12) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/events/2026-12.md)
- [This weekend in Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh.md)