Join the North Carolina State Capitol and Governor Josh Stein for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 11. The State Capitol is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The lighting of the State Christmas Tree at the Capitol is considered the official start of the holiday season in the Tar Heel State. The festivities will begin on Capitol Square at 5:30 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music performed by the Raleigh Concert Band. The governor and dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds just after 6 p.m. to officially begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street. This year, State Employees’ Credit Union will provide refreshments and activities to guests on the south plaza – and even Santa is scheduled to make an appearance!
Following the ceremony, visitors are invited into the Capitol and the Executive Mansion to experience the holiday decorations and hear performances by local musicians. The Capitol will be open 6:30-7:30 p.m. and the Mansion will be open from 5-9 p.m. During the Executive Mansion and Capitol Open House events, donations of nonperishable food will be accepted for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
The State Christmas tree, a real Fraser fir, comes to the Capitol from the mountains of North Carolina. This year, the State Tree is sponsored by State Employees’ Credit Union.
The Capitol will host a Holiday Open House and music in the rotunda from Thursday, Dec. 11- Saturday, Dec.13 (Thursday-Friday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.). Other sponsors of the holiday festivities include the State Capitol Foundation, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Division of State Historic Sites and the N.C. Department of Administration-Facility Management.
All Capitol events are free and reservations are not needed or accepted. For additional information, please call (984) 867-8340. The State Capitol is located at 1 E. Edenton St. in Raleigh.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.