State Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House

Join the State Capitol and Gov. Josh Stein for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 11th! The festivities will begin on Capitol Square at 5:30pm with luminaries and holiday music performed by the Raleigh Concert Band. The governor and dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds at 6:15 p.m. to officially begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street – and even Santa is scheduled to make an appearance! After the ceremony, feel free to come into the Capitol to experience its holiday decorations. The 2025 State Tree is sponsored by State Employees Credit Union. FREE; no reservations needed.

From Thursday, Dec. 11h – Saturday, December 13th (from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Thursday & Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday) the Capitol will have holiday music in the rotunda! Sponsors of the holiday festivities are the State Capitol Foundation, State Historic Sites Division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, N.C. Department of Administration-Facility Management, and State Employees Credit Union. FREE; no reservations needed.

Also check out other Music events in Raleigh.