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See downtown light up at the Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting 🎄

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A crowd gathered at the annual Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting event.

This year’s annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting is sponsored by Publix.

Photo provided by Downtown Raleigh Alliance

Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year, Raleigh? The holiday season officially kicks off with the annual Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting happening Fri., Nov. 18, 2022.

Savor the season in the heart of the city and experience the festive fun, which takes place 5:30-8 p.m in front of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. (Pro tip: Arrive by 6:15 to see the tree light up.)

This family-friendly event features something for everyone, including:

  • Live entertainment from Ricardo Diquez & the Tropic Orchestra, the Platinum Sound Shaw University Marching Band, and the Triangle Sax Ensemble
  • A free photo with Santa himself
  • Local vendors and a night market (great way to support local this season)
  • Food trucks, beer + wine
  • And more

Can’t make it downtown? Portions of the event will be televised live on ABC-11.*

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