Durham Parks and Recreation is hosting several free and low-cost holiday events in 2024. Please make sure to follow all the links for details and updates, and to register if required. If registration is full, there may be a waitlist available.
We’ve put together a huge list of holiday events in the Triangle, including parades, festivals, markets, Santa visits, and more. Check out our growing day by day list of holiday events in the Triangle!
Cookies with Santa
Thursday, December 5, 2024
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Register
6 to 7 p.m.: Register
I.R. Holmes, Sr. Recreation Center
2000 S. Alston Avenue, Durham, North Carolina
City residents: $1.50
Non-residents: $6.50
Parents can avoid the long lines for Santa at the mall and bring their kids to meet Santa at the I.R. Holmes, Sr. Recreation Center. Durham Park will provide a digital photo of each child with Santa, cookies and milk, and a holiday art project. Parents may bring their own camera for additional photos. Pre-registration required. This event is for kids aged 5-12.
Santa Paws
Friday, December 6, 2024
5 to 8:30 p.m.
Durham Armory
212 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina
Free
Enjoy pet pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a holiday “Pup-Up” market, ugly sweater contest and a canine food drive. Pet pictures are $10 per session, a donation to Carolina Boxer Rescue.
Dance the Night Away – Frozen Ball
Friday, December 6, 2024
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park
1200 W Lakewood Avenue, Durham, North Carolina
Durham resident: $4
Non-resident: $9
Ages 13+
Celebrate the coming winter season this December and join the fun by dancing the night away at the frozen ball! Pre-registration is required for this event and it’s intended for ages 13 and up.
Snowball Splash
Saturday, December 7, 2024
3 to 5 p.m.
Edison Johnson Aquatic Center
500 West Murray Avenue, Durham, North Carolina
Durham resident: $6
Non-resident: $11
Ages 6-12
Shake off the winter chills and warm up in the pool this December! During this fun family event, children will have the chance to play in the shallow water with winter toys, play winter-themed games in the pool, and make winter-themed arts and crafts projects on the pool deck. Lifejackets will be provided for children as needed. An adult must enter the water with children 5 years of age and younger. An adult must be on the pool deck for all children ages 6-12. Pre-registration required. Ages 12 and under.
Holiday Cookie Decorating
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
W.D. Hill Recreation Center
1308 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina
Free
Help get the kids into the holiday spirit this year by creating some holiday cookies that taste as good as they look. Baked cookies will be ready for children to decorate using icing and sprinkles. Please be sure to bring a large container with a tight lid to take home the cookies. Please Note: Cookies will contain gluten and eggs. Pre-registration is required.
Ugly Sweater Party
Thursday, December 19, 2024
12 to 2 p.m.
Holton Career & Resource Center
401 N Driver Street, Durham, North Carolina
Free
Ages 55+
Join Durham Parks and Rec for their 2nd annual ugly Mature Adult Holiday Sweater party. We have planned a day filled with food, prizes, fun and good music. Don’t forget to bring out the sequined, loud, or glittery – everything is acceptable as long as it is the ugliest in the room. May your sweaters be the ugliest and the brightest! Pre-registration required.
Christmas Story Time
Thursday, December 19, 2024
6 to 6:45 p.m.
Walltown Park Recreation Center
1308 W Club Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina
Durham residents: $1.25
Non-residents: $6.25
Ages 1-5
Enjoy Christmas Story Time where you and your child will get to enjoy classic Christmas stories and create a Christmas craft project. Registration is required.
A Frosty Family Affair
Thursday, December 19, 2024
6 to 8 p.m.
Holton Career & Resource Center
401 N Driver Street, Durham, North Carolina
Free
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season brings many reasons to celebrate so bring the whole family and spread some love and cheer. There will be refreshments and tons of fun activities. Pre-registration required.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap’s daily email
- Free events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- Best Christmas Lights in the Triangle
- Christmas tree farms and lots near the Triangle
- Free pictures with Santa in the Triangle
- Holiday Markets in the Triangle
- Christmas Trains in North Carolina
More Holiday Events in the Triangle
Check out our big list of holiday events in the Triangle, or look at a few of them here:
