Hillsborough Hometown Holidays
Come "home" for the holidays and become a Hillsborough local for a month of events that create the Hometown Holidays celebration. Ongoing family-friendly events offer you a chance to slow down the pace during a hectic season and make special memories.
Just 10 minutes away from Durham, Chapel Hill, and Mebane, Hillsborough offers a historic background with a variety of unique shops and restaurants, live music, local artisans on exhibit, and outdoor activities. This year's celebration includes Small Business Saturday, the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, "Dream Home" gingerbread displays at area businesses, the Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk and more!
Hometown Holidays Festival Information
Kick off the Hometown Holidays Festival in downtown for Shop Small Saturday on November 25, 2023! Then, write a letter to Santa and drop it off at the Visitors Center on East King Street or the various locations around Hillsborough! Turn back time and explore what Christmas would have been like in the 1800s with a tour of the Burwell School. Walk around town on the Holiday Wreath Stroll and pay a visit to some of Hillsborough’s great local businesses and homes, decorated for the season. Purchase a kit from the Hillsborough Arts Council’s Gift Shop to make your own lantern for the Solstice Lantern Walk, then come back to town to place it! Festive photo backdrops will be available at the Visitors Center, the Holiday tree and Orange County Historical Museum. And don't forget to check out the "Dream Home" gingerbread home displays at area businesses.
Looking for more Hometown Holiday Festival Fun? Be sure to check out the events below:
- Gingerbread House Displays and Competition
This downtown walking tour of confectionary creations runs from December 1, 2023-January 1, 2024. This year's theme is "dream houses" and you can see the gingerbread creations at participating merchants.
- Holiday Tree Lighting
Attend in-person as elected officials and partners 'flip the switch' on our Holiday Tree! Saturday, December 3, 2023 immediately following the parade.
- Holiday Wreath Stroll Weekend
Go on the self-guided tour and see all the decorated wreaths in town while soaking in the historic architecture and holiday spirit!
- Solstice Lantern Walk Weekend
Lantern walkers from years gone by are invited to display their lanterns in local business windows or in nearby homes for passersby to enjoy! Link to join. Lantern kits will be available through Hillsborough Art's Council, please visit their Facebook page for more information.
- 2023 Holiday Parade
The parade will be December 3, 2023 at 4:00 p.m on N. Churton St. and end on Margaret Lane and Cameron St.
We invite you to explore Hillsborough and its many wonders as you come “home” for the holidays. A complete list of festival events can be found at visithillsboroughnc.com. Happy Holidays!