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Christmas with kids in Fayetteville, NC
In Fayetteville, the day after Thanksgiving can feel like a trip to Victorian London. For about 25 years, Queen Victoria, Scrooge and Father Christmas have strolled through downtown, and a candlelight procession leads the way to the Christmas tree.
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Holiday Lights in the Garden 2026
When: Select nights, Dec 4 to 21, 5 to 9 pm
Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville
Cost: Ticketed; prices vary by date and entry time
The story of Christmas in Fayetteville, NC
How Fayetteville celebrates
Fayetteville's signature tradition is A Dickens Holiday, held downtown on the day after Thanksgiving. It began around the year 2000, created by the Fayetteville Arts Council and the Downtown Alliance, as a cheerful alternative to Black Friday shopping. Costumed street performers play Dickens characters, horse-drawn carriages roll by, and a candlelight procession led by Queen Victoria walks from the Fayetteville History Museum to the Christmas tree lighting. In December, the Fayetteville Rotary Club hosts the city's big Christmas parade through downtown, a tradition that reached its 26th year in 2025.
Christmas last year in Fayetteville
On Friday, November 28, 2025, the 26th A Dickens Holiday filled downtown from noon until 9 p.m., and organizers expected about 19,000 visitors. There were roving Dickens characters, carriage rides, a gingerbread house contest, a candlelight procession and fireworks at 9 p.m. A new Fezziwig Ball, a Victorian-style dance, joined the lineup. On December 13, the 26th Rotary Christmas Parade started at 10 a.m. on Person Street with more than 100 entries, nine marching bands and the traditional Santa Claus. The same season, Holiday Lights at Segra Stadium opened with more than two million lights.
Fun facts about Christmas in Fayetteville
The Dickens Holiday has been held at Franklin Square, in front of Fayetteville's Victorian-era train station. Volunteers have played London Bobbies and street urchins, and the first 100 patrons at the City History Museum get exclusive Dickens Dollars. In 2023, the event was the 24th annual, which puts its start around the year 2000. The 2025 Rotary parade also had a first-time companion: the city's Great Elf Gathering at Segra Stadium, an attempt to set a world record for the most people dressed as elves.
Trains and Christmas in Fayetteville
Fayetteville has a small railroad link to its biggest Christmas tradition. A Dickens Holiday has been held at Franklin Square, right in front of the city's Victorian-era train station, which fits the Victorian theme of the day. Families who come for the candlelight procession and the Queen Victoria visit are close to the old station, a nice spot to tell little ones how families once arrived in town by train.
Traditions today
- A Dickens Holiday: Held downtown the day after Thanksgiving, with costumed Dickens characters, carriage rides, a gingerbread house contest and fireworks.
- Candlelight procession and tree lighting: A Queen Victoria figure leads a candlelight walk from the Fayetteville History Museum to the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Arts Council.
- Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade: A December parade through downtown with more than 100 entries, marching bands and Santa Claus, hosted by the Fayetteville Rotary Club.
- Holiday Lights at Segra Stadium: A drive and walk through more than two million lights that opens the night of A Dickens Holiday.
- Holiday Lights in the Garden: Thousands of lights glow at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on selected evenings in December.
- Gingerbread house contest: Visitors vote for their favorite gingerbread house during A Dickens Holiday, and winners are announced in the evening.
A fact for kids
In Fayetteville, a make-believe Queen Victoria leads a candlelight parade through downtown every year after Thanksgiving, and kids can meet Scrooge and Father Christmas along the way.
Questions about Christmas in Fayetteville, NC
What is A Dickens Holiday in Fayetteville?
A Dickens Holiday is Fayetteville's Victorian-style Christmas festival, held downtown on the day after Thanksgiving. Costumed characters from A Christmas Carol stroll the streets, and there are carriage rides, a gingerbread house contest and a candlelight procession. Check the organizers for details on any special experiences.
When did A Dickens Holiday start?
A Dickens Holiday began around the year 2000. Local coverage called the 2023 event the 24th annual and the 2025 event the 26th, and the Fayetteville Arts Council and the Downtown Alliance created it. The sources we found do not give an exact start year, so that date is an estimate.
Why did Fayetteville start A Dickens Holiday?
It was created as a cheerful alternative to Black Friday shopping. Instead of only rushing through stores, families could spend the day after Thanksgiving downtown with carolers, street performers and Victorian characters. The Fayetteville Arts Council and the Downtown Alliance started it, and it now draws thousands of visitors.
Who plays Queen Victoria at the Fayetteville Dickens Holiday?
A volunteer plays Queen Victoria and leads the candlelight procession. Volunteers have also played London Bobbies and street urchins, and performers include Scrooge and Father Christmas. In past years the Queen walked from the Fayetteville History Museum to the Arts Council building for the lighting of the Christmas tree.
What is the candlelight procession in Fayetteville?
It is an evening walk through downtown led by a Queen Victoria figure, ending with the lighting of the Christmas tree. In 2023, it started at 5:15 p.m. at the Fayetteville History Museum, with a town crier as master of ceremonies.
How many people go to A Dickens Holiday?
Organizers expected about 19,000 visitors in 2025, when the event ran from noon to 9 p.m. The crowd has grown over time. In 2023, organizers hoped for 5,000 people, and the event has been described as drawing thousands, so it is smart to arrive early with little ones.
What happened at A Dickens Holiday last year?
On November 28, 2025, the 26th event filled downtown with Dickens characters, carriage rides, crafts, food vendors, a candlelight procession and fireworks at 9 p.m. A new Fezziwig Ball, a Victorian-style dance, was added, along with Dickens After Dark at 7:30 p.m. and an Elves' Night Off adventure.
What is the Fezziwig Ball?
The Fezziwig Ball is a Victorian-style dance that was new to A Dickens Holiday in 2025. It started at 6 p.m. with Dance Master Gershman, and guests were encouraged to wear Victorian-inspired clothes. Free dance lessons came first, so even beginners could join in. It is named after a cheerful party in A Christmas Carol.
Is there a gingerbread house contest in Fayetteville?
Yes. A gingerbread house contest is part of A Dickens Holiday. Visitors vote for their favorite house from noon to 7 p.m., and the winners are announced that evening during Dickens After Dark at 7:30 p.m. Kids can walk by the entries and pick the one they like best.
How old is the Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade?
The 2025 Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade was the 26th annual parade. It is hosted by the Fayetteville Rotary Club, and its chair called it one of the city's signature events. Families come downtown to see the floats, bands and Santa Claus.
What was in the 2025 Fayetteville Christmas parade?
The Rotary Christmas Parade on December 13, 2025 had more than 100 entries, including nine marching bands and the traditional Santa Claus. It began at 10 a.m. on Person Street and ran through downtown. ABC11 covered the crowds that came out to watch the floats, bands and Santa Claus.
Does Santa come to the Fayetteville parade?
Yes. Santa Claus is a traditional part of the Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade, which has more than 100 entries and nine marching bands in recent years. It starts at 10 a.m., so kids can see Santa in the morning. For this season's date and details, see our Fayetteville Christmas events guide on this page.
Where is the Christmas tree lit in downtown Fayetteville?
During A Dickens Holiday, the candlelight procession has ended at the Christmas tree lighting by the Arts Council building downtown, according to a 2023 report. The tree is part of an evening that includes music and the Illumination Ceremony. For this year's exact spot and time, see our Fayetteville Christmas events guide on this page.
What is Holiday Lights at Segra Stadium?
It is a Fayetteville light display with more than two million lights, which opened on November 28, 2025, the night of A Dickens Holiday. It is one of several holiday light displays in Cumberland County, along with Sweet Valley Ranch and the botanical garden.
What is the Great Elf Gathering in Fayetteville?
It was Fayetteville's first Great Elf Gathering, a 2025 attempt at Segra Stadium to break the world record for the most people dressed as elves. Everyone needed only an elf hat, red or green clothing and optional elf ears. Check the organizers for any updates on the record attempt.
How can I explain A Dickens Holiday to my kids?
Tell them it is like stepping into the story of A Christmas Carol. Actors dress as Scrooge, Queen Victoria and Father Christmas, and everyone walks by candlelight to light the tree. Kids can spot the costumes, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and vote for the best gingerbread house.
Why do people wear Victorian clothes in Fayetteville at Christmas?
Because A Dickens Holiday is built around Victorian England, the time of Charles Dickens. Volunteers dress as London Bobbies, street urchins and Queen Victoria, and guests are invited to wear Victorian-inspired outfits, especially to the Fezziwig Ball. It is a dress-up game that the whole town plays together.
Is there a train connection to Christmas in Fayetteville?
A little. A Dickens Holiday has been held at Franklin Square, in front of Fayetteville's Victorian-era train station, so the festival's Victorian theme and the old station sit side by side. For train outings, check our Fayetteville Christmas events guide on this page for this season's options.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Fayetteville?
Fayetteville has several light displays, including more than two million lights at Segra Stadium, and thousands of lights at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on selected evenings. Our Fayetteville Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates and times.
Is there a Christmas parade in Fayetteville this year?
Fayetteville's Rotary Christmas Parade has run every December and reached its 26th year in 2025, and A Dickens Holiday comes the day after Thanksgiving. For this season's confirmed dates, routes and times, please see our Fayetteville Christmas events guide on this page.
Sources
- A Dickens Holiday 2025, Eventeny
- Parfitt: A Dickens Holiday continues tradition in downtown Fayetteville, Fayetteville Observer via Yahoo News
- The Kirby File: Organizers hoping for 5,000 to attend A Dickens Holiday downtown, CityView
- Rotary 2025 Christmas Parade in Downtown Fayetteville brings the crowds, ABC11
- Celebrate the Season, Distinctly Fayetteville
- A Dickens Holiday, CityView
- A Dickens Holiday, Visit Downtown Fayetteville
- This North Carolina City Turns Into A Victorian-Era Holiday Wonderland Every Year, AOL