Cary’s Official Christmas Tree Lighting is Just Around the Corner – Here’s What to Know
Thanksgiving came and went and we are now falling headfirst into the holiday season.
There are presents to buy, family to entertain, trees to be bought, and a whole lot of running around.
But no matter how busy your holiday season is, there’s one tradition that you should absolutely make time for: Cary’s Tree Lighting Celebration.
On Saturday, December 6th, a whole bunch of activities will be taken place in downtown Cary starting at 9:00 AM, which will all lead up to the official tree lighting. Here’s what to expect:
When and where
Cary’s Tree Lighting Celebration takes place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy Street. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and it is completely free to attend.
Throughout the day, the entire park is programmed with holiday activities, live performances, and special programs, all building up to the main event: the official Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
If you want the classic “countdown to lights on” moment, you will definitely want to be on the Great Lawn a little before 6.
What’s happening during the day
The Tree Lighting Celebration is designed as an all-day experience rather than a quick in-and-out ceremony.
You can expect:
- Holiday activities and themed programs throughout the park
- Live performances that run during the afternoon and into the evening
- A build up to the official Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
On top of that, Cary’s broader Heart of the Holidays programming brings in extras like photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and more performances as part of the downtown holiday lineup, with the tree lighting as a key anchor event.
In other words, you can turn this into a full downtown day: grab coffee, wander the park, take in a show, and then end the night under thousands of lights.
The moment the tree lights up
The star of the show is the Tree Lighting Ceremony itself at 6:00 p.m.
If you’re unable to attend but still want to watch the tree light up, you can watch a live stream of the event. The link will be available here once the event is a bit closer.
Road closures and parking
This is not a small event, and downtown adjusts accordingly.
Academy Street will be closed from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on December 6 for the celebration.
A few things this means for you:
- Build in extra time to find parking in nearby public lots and decks (check out our article on parking in downtown Cary)
- Expect to walk a bit, especially if you are coming in later in the afternoon or evening
- If you prefer less chaos, consider arriving earlier in the day and staying through the evening rather than trying to time it right at 6:00 p.m.
- Skip the drive entirely and utilize the completely free GoCary bus service.
The town specifically encourages people to arrive a bit early and explore nearby parking options, and honestly, the short walk through decorated downtown Cary is part of the fun. The walk back after the lighting will be especially beautiful, as downtown Cary has already been fully decorated.
Tips for making the most of it
A few quick tips if you are planning to go:
- Dress in layers: December evenings can get chilly once the sun dips, especially if you are standing around for the ceremony.
- Bring something cozy: A blanket for kids to sit on, or for you to wrap up in while you wait.
- Charge your phone: Between photos of the tree, the lights across the park, and downtown decorations, your camera roll is going to be busy.
- Make a day of it: Come earlier to enjoy performances and activities, grab food or drinks from nearby businesses, then settle in for the 6:00 p.m. lighting.
- Have a meetup spot: With crowds and kids and strollers, it never hurts to pick a “if we get separated, meet here” location in the park.
We’ll see you there! The tree is already up, so you’re able to get a nice close-up of it before the event if you want to beat the crowds, but of course no lights will be on until after the lighting.
