The Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting returns to Moore Square with a Holiday Vendor Market as part of the Raleigh for the Holidays celebration.
The Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting returns to Moore Square on Friday, November 20, 2026. It's one of those early-winter traditions that marks the start of the holiday season in the city, and this year it's part of the City of Raleigh's larger 'Raleigh for the Holidays' celebration.
There's more to the evening than just the tree. Alongside the lighting, there's a Holiday Vendor Market set up in the square, where local vendors set up shop for the night. It's a good spot to pick up a few gifts before the December rush really kicks in, and you can browse the stalls while you wait for the main event.
To give you a sense of the scale, the market usually draws more than 4,000 people, so it's a crowded, social affair rather than a quiet walk through the park. If you're planning to do some shopping, arriving a bit early is your best bet so you can wander the booths without rushing. The lighting itself is the anchor of the night, and the vendor market runs alongside it.
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It all happens at Moore Square in downtown Raleigh on Friday, November 20. If you're already downtown for dinner or drinks, it's an easy stop on the way home.
