Holiday lights and Christmas events in Winston-Salem 2026

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Events come from Forsyth County Parks, Old Salem, Home Moravian Church and the City of Winston-Salem calendar. Tanglewood events office: 336-703-6480.

Winston-Salem’s Christmas season leans on two things: the drive-through Tanglewood Festival of Lights in Clemmons, about 10 minutes west, and the Moravian traditions of Old Salem. City community centers add Santa visits, cocoa and gingerbread nights. The downtown holiday parade and the city’s tree lighting are on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

What this means for you

• Tanglewood is cheapest Monday through Thursday, and half price on four discount nights in November; bring cash to save $3.
• Candle Tea admits 30 people every 15 minutes; expect a wait on Saturdays.
• Saturday, Dec. 5, is the busiest day: Santa at South Fork, Bethabara, Old Salem’s Moravian Market and Candle Tea.

Tanglewood Festival of Lights, Nov. 13 to Jan. 1

The county’s light show runs nightly from 6 to 11 p.m., Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027, with miles of displays and more than 1 million LED lights, according to Forsyth County Parks. The entrance is off N.C. 158 (Clemmons Road) at 4061 Clemmons Road.

• Discount nights: Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 23-24: $10 cash or $13 card for a family vehicle.
• No riding in pickup beds or trailers through the show.
• Gift Village at the Red Barn, about halfway along the route, sells crafts, food and the annual ornament, with s’mores at S’moresville. Daytime holiday market: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.
• Carriage rides ($110) and hayrides ($190) through the lights, plus admission, are by reservation with Tanglewood Stables, 336-766-9540; cash or check.
• On foot before it opens: the Miles for Meals 5K is Saturday, Nov. 7; the TOAST walk is Sunday, Nov. 8; and Paws in the Park, a walk with dogs, is Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 9-10. The Running of the Lights race starts at midnight on Dec. 31.

Christmas in Old Salem

Old Salem holds Christmas Salem Saturdays every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all included with general admission. Holiday tickets go on sale online Nov. 11 and can also be bought on the day at the Visitor Center, Winkler Bakery or MESDA.

• Nov. 28: Christmas Kick-Off, with hands-on activities for children across the district.
• Dec. 5: St. Nick at the historic hat shop, and the Wachovia Historical Society’s Moravian Market in Salem Square.
• Dec. 12: ChristmasFest with the Moravian Music Foundation.
• Dec. 19: St. Nick returns to Salem.

Joy of Christmas Evening Tours visit the Miksch House, the Vogler House and the Single Brothers’ Workshop on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 27-28, Dec. 4-5, Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 18-19, with tours every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Check in 15 minutes early at the Boys’ School, 3 E. Academy St.; tickets are on the tour page.

Candle Tea. Home Moravian Church’s volunteers welcome guests to the Single Brothers’ House on Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12: 1 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, and 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Admission is $9, $5 for ages 3 to 12, and free under 3, according to the church. The house has steep stairs and no elevator, and strollers stay in the entrance room.

Santa and city holiday events

• Santa’s Winter Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, South Fork Community Center, 4403 Country Club Road. Santa visits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Cricket’s Nest artisans sell crafts, according to the city calendar.
• Four Christmases at Bethabara, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Historic Bethabara Park. Moravian Christmas traditions from 1753 to 1943; free, according to the city calendar.
• Community Band concert, 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Fries Moravian Church. Free; bring your own chair, according to the city calendar.
• Hot Cocoa Social, 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Carl H. Russell Community Center, 3521 Carver School Road; cocoa, cookies and games for all ages, according to the city calendar. Information: 336-727-2580.
• Gingerbread House Party, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Georgia E. Taylor Neighborhood Center, 1471 W. Clemmonsville Road, listed on the city calendar.

Hanukkah

No public menorah lighting in Winston-Salem had been announced as of Oct. 11. We will add lightings here when congregations or campuses post them.

Holiday closings

City offices close Dec. 24, 25 and 28, and the Forsyth County Public Library closes the same days. Friday trash routes that week are collected Saturday, Dec. 26. See trash and recycling, New Year’s Eve and Black Friday and holiday shopping for store hours.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Tanglewood Festival of Lights open in 2026?

It runs nightly from Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027, from 6 to 11 p.m., at Tanglewood Park, 4061 Clemmons Road in Clemmons, according to Forsyth County Parks.

How much is the Tanglewood Festival of Lights?

A family car, van or truck is $20 cash or $23 by card Monday through Thursday, and $25 cash or $28 by card Friday through Sunday. Discount nights on Nov. 16, 17, 23 and 24 are $10 cash.

When is the Moravian Candle Tea in 2026?

Home Moravian Church holds Candle Tea at the Single Brothers’ House in Old Salem on Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. Admission is $9, $5 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 3.

Where can kids see Santa in Winston-Salem?

Santa visits Santa’s Winter Festival at South Fork Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. St. Nick visits Old Salem’s historic hat shop on Dec. 5 and Dec. 19.

When is the Winston-Salem Christmas parade?

The 2026 date had not been announced as of Oct. 11. See our Christmas parade and tree lighting page, which we update when the organizers post it.