Who doesn’t love this time of year? The crisp autumn days marked by the beautiful changing of the leaves – and then … before you know it, the holidays are here!

The Town of Wake Forest loves this time of year as much as you do, and we’re celebrating by offering a hearty helping of holiday happenings for you and your family to experience and enjoy. We hope you will take time out of your busy schedules to revel in all the season has to offer. We’re sure you’ll agree there is more than a little something for everyone!

Spirits of Wake Forest

Join us for the second season of “Spirits of Wake Forest” hosted by Wake Forest Downtown (WFD). This year’s walking ghost tours will take place in downtown Wake Forest on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, September 30 - October 30, at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. As an added bonus, WFD is partnering with actors and storytellers from Forest Moon Theater who will spin a mixture of older yarns and new ones too. Tickets for these tours are now on sale and will be available for purchase until all tours are sold out. For tickets and more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Spirits of Wake Forest.”

Halloween Boo Bash

Howl about coming out and “goblin up” a ghoulish good time during the “Halloween Boo Bash” on Thursday, October 21! Scheduled from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM at E. Carroll Joyner Park (701 Harris Road), this free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger will include a variety of ghostly activities as well as free pumpkin giveaways (while supplies last). Costumes are optional, but the best ones will be featured on the Town website and social media. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Boo Bash.”

Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off

Help us ring in the holiday season and embrace the season of giving during the “Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off” on Saturday, November 13, in downtown Wake Forest. Join us from 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM for a slew of family-friendly activities, including skating on an artificial ice skating rink.

Open and free to the public, the celebration will culminate from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a high-energy concert featuring the ACE Party Band. Playing hits from Top 40, Rock, R&B, Beach, and Motown, this talented and versatile group of musicians is sure to have you on your feet dancing to your favorite tunes. For complete information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Wake Forest Cares.”

Lighting of Wake Forest

Experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza during the “Lighting of Wake Forest” on Friday, December 3, from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. The evening’s festivities will begin with the lighting of the Town’s Christmas tree, followed by a visit from Santa, who will arrive aboard a shiny red fire truck. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Christmas in Wake Forest.”

Downtown Holiday Open House

Discover downtown Wake Forest’s unique array of shops and restaurants during the Downtown Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 4. Stroll through our wonderful downtown and take in all that it has to offer. Please show your support for our downtown businesses by shopping local this holiday season. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Christmas in Wake Forest.”

Wake Forest holiday Artisans Market

ARTS Wake Forest will present the fifth annual “Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market” on Saturday, December 4, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre (405 S. Brooks Street). Knock out some holiday gift shopping, shop the day away, and check out a wide variety of handmade items by regional artisans and craftspeople. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Wake Forest” Historic Holiday Festival

Join us at the Wake Forest Historical Museum (414 N. Main Street) on Saturday, December 4 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM for the “It’s a Wonderful Wake Forest” Historic Holiday Festival. The Calvin Jones House will be decorated for the holidays and open for tours along with the museum and exhibit hall. The favorite holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life will be screened in the museum auditorium, while local musicians perform both inside the museum and outside on the grounds. Guided tours of the historic district will be available by pre-registration, leaving every 30 minutes between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. Registration for the tours will open this fall. For event updates and to pre-register, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Christmas in Wake Forest.”

“It’s Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas”

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is partnering with North Wake Theatre to present “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” on Sunday, December 5. Showtimes are 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Come join us for a magical night filled with song and dance, performed by homegrown talent, and accompanied by a collection of your favorite modern and traditional Christmas tunes performed live. You’ll be amazed by what Wake Forest has to offer! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

Celtic Angels Christmas

Join us as we celebrate the heavenly joy of Christmas at the Renaissance Centre’s Christmas Jubilee Concert featuring Celtic Angels Christmas. The Celtic Angels, Celtic Knights, and Angel Dancers with Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin captivate audiences of all ages with the Magic of Christmas in an awe-inspiring show, encompassing vocal and instrumental seasonal and Irish favorites along with spectacular world-class champion Irish dancing. This show is a true holiday celebration of Christmas in Ireland! Showtimes are Friday, December 10 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, December 11 at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

Cinema at the Center

Bring the whole family and join the PRCR Department on Saturday, December 11 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM for “Family Holiday Movie Night” inside the Joyner Park Community Center gymnasium. Free and open to the public, the event’s featured film will be Frozen 2.

A Malpass Family Christmas

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre invites you to “A Malpass Family Christmas” on Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 PM. Brothers Christopher and Taylor will be joined by their families to share their holiday traditions in story and song. The evening will feature traditional gospels, country classics, holiday favorites, and a visit from Santa! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

As of press time, all information provided is current. Sign up for E-Notifier, the Town of Wake Forest’s free email notification system that provides up-to-date information on topics or events of interest at wakeforestnc.gov/communications/e-notifier. You may also visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “meetings and events” for timely details of upcoming happenings.