With multiple nationally recognized holiday events, there’s no better place than Winston-Salem during the holidays.
Winston-Salem has various events and activities that capture the season’s spirit. The holidays are already overwhelming, so we’re taking the stress out of holiday planning with this guide, highlighting Winston-Salem’s top five annual holiday traditions!
1. Take a ride through the Tanglewood Festival of Lights.
Named the best Christmas light display in North Carolina by Travel + Leisure, the Festival of Lights features intricate displays visitors enjoy by driving through Tanglewood Park from the comfort of their cars. For a more intimate experience, you can reserve carriage rides and tractor-pulled hayrides to view the lights.
Interesting fact: The Tanglewood Festival of Lights has over a million lights.
Pro tip: The Tanglewood Festival of Lights is a top-rated event, so there’s usually a line of cars waiting to enter. Get a pizza and pack hot chocolate in the car to entertain the kids during the wait!
When to go: The Tanglewood Festival of Lights is an annual event that starts in November and ends on January 1st.
2. Visit a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm.
There are few places in the world where you can choose and cut a quality live Christmas tree for the holidays, and Winston-Salem is one of those places. The western part of North Carolina is known for growing beautiful Frasier fir Christmas trees, and many farms are just a short drive from Winston-Salem.
Interesting fact: Ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvested and cash receipts, North Carolina produces over 26% of the Real Christmas Trees in the U.S. North Carolina’s Ashe County is the largest Christmas tree-producing county in the country.
Pro tip: Find a North Carolina tree farm near you on the Christmas Tree Association’s website.
When to go: The weekend after Thanksgiving is always the most popular for nearby Christmas tree farms.
3. Experience Christmas at Old Salem.
Holidays at Old Salem include Salem Saturdays, Candle Tea, evening tours, and simply strolling the cobblestone streets and admiring the holiday decorations. The historic town comes to life and looks into the unique Moravian Christmas rituals.
Interesting fact: More than 100 original structures are within Winston-Salem’s Old Salem.
Pro tip: Take your photo on the covered bridge with all the Moravian stars lit up!
When to go: The Holiday Programming runs from mid-November to the end of December.
4. Watch UNCSA’s “The Nutcracker” ballet.
The Nutcracker is performed annually by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts staff and students. Traditionally, the ballet takes place at the Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem. For the first time, The Nutcracker will present at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro as its historic home begins its long-anticipated renovation. Click here for 2023 tickets.
Interesting fact: Since 1966, The Nutcracker ballet has showcased the talent of hundreds of UNCSA students who bring this holiday tradition to life as dancers, musicians, and theater designers.
Pro tip: Although a ballet, The Nutcracker performance in Winston-Salem is a great show to take the kids to. They’ll especially love dear Mother Ginger’s boisterous opening party scene.
When to go: There are multiple showings over a weekend in early December.
5. Experience a 1917 Christmas with the Reynolds family.
The holidays are a beautiful time to view the old Reynolds family estate and learn the historical roots of Winston-Salem. Reynolda, which comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village, offers various Holidays at Reynolda experiences, including Christmas-themed historic house tours, caroling, festive art-making activities, and antique decor.
Interesting fact: Furnishings in the Reynolda house are nearly 85 percent original, and holiday decorations were researched from the family archives and include multiple wreaths and ornamented Christmas trees, swags of fresh garlands, and hand-stamped Christmas cards.
Pro tip: Christmas Songs on the Aeolian Organ is an event included with general museum admission. Go on December 10, 2023, and gather in the Reception Hall of the Historic House at 2 p.m. to listen to familiar Christmas songs played on the 1917 Aeolian Organ.
When to go: Check the calendar for Reynolda’s holiday events.
