This holiday season will be even more meaningful this year as many area events are now “back on” after being on hiatus during the pandemic. Here are some of the most popular events that can be enjoyed by everyone in your family. Mark your calendars today and plan for an amazing holiday season!
Festival of Lights
For more than 30 years, the Festival of Lights has been a holiday tradition in downtown Greensboro. On December 3, meet at Center City Park at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy live entertainment by the Mount Zion Choir, 1aChord (semi-finalists on America’s Got Talent) and Wally West and the Wassailers. After the tree lighting at 6:56 p.m., stroll down Elm Street and visit Santa in Hamburger Square, be mesmerized by the laser show at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and S. Elm Street, and delight in carolers and performances along the way. Make sure to enjoy delicious treats and great shopping at the many downtown merchants that will be open late for this fun event that lasts until 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit Festival of Lights.
Greensboro Holiday Parade
A tradition for more than 40 years, the Greensboro Holiday Parade will be held on December 4 from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. See huge Macy’s-style balloons, floats, marching bands, dance teams and more. The 2021 Grand Marshals are 1aChord, the trio that made it to the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent, and Randolph Ross, Jr., the Olympic gold medalist from NC A&T State University.
Lighted Balls Display in Sunset Hills
For a truly magical holiday experience, drive through the Sunset Hills neighborhood and be awed by the thousands of enchanting lighted Christmas balls that fill trees throughout the neighborhood. Lights usually go up after Thanksgiving. For more information, visit the neighborhood website, Sunset Hills
Peppermint Alley
Enjoy a stroll along Peppermint Alley on Lewis Street (next to Boxcar Arcade) and get in the holiday spirit while enjoying holiday decorations. It is the perfect spot for family photos! Decorations are up from December 3-31. For more information, visit Peppermint-Alley.
Piedmont Winterfest
Bundle up and head out for some fun on the ice at the popular Piedmont Winterfest in South End at 123 W. Lewis Street (parking lot). Enjoy ice skating with family and friends through January 30. Visit www.piedmontwinterfest.com for details, schedule and more information.
Tinsel Town
Stroll through Lebauer Park and see 50 uniquely decorated trees and vote for your top five designs. The top five vote-getters will have a $500 donation made in their name to the nonprofit of their choice. Local corporations, groups, nonprofits and families purchase trees and decorate them as a way of promoting community. Tinsel Town will be open December 3-31 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 pm. For more information, visit Tinsel Town.
Winter Wonderlights 2021
A holiday experience that is newer to the Triad is the Greensboro Science Center’s Winter Wonderlights. Through January 2, 2022, visit the Science Center and see it transformed into a fairyland of lights. For tickets and more information, visit The Natural Science Center.
Kersey Valley Christmas
Each year during the holiday season, Kersey Valley comes alive with lights and fun seasonal activities. Just a short drive from Greensboro, visitors can enjoy an Express Train Ride through the Wild West Christmas Towns, Christmas Wagon rides, two massive jumping pillows, kiddie zip lines, pedal carts, cow train ride, bungee trampolines, barnyard twister, round-up rodeo, Super Mega Ride*n*Slide, Mr. and Mrs. Mac Jingles the singing Reindeers, Tree House Village, Dinosaur Discovery, Where’s Rudolph and fire pits for making s’mores! For more information, visit Kersey Valley Christmas.
Make this holiday season with family and friends extra special with the addition of these fun holiday events. Here’s to a magical season full of great times that make for wonderful memories!