Light Up the New Year: Holiday Lights and New Year’s Eve Festivities
It’s time to wrap up the year and squeeze the last bits of holiday cheer out of 2022. If you’re looking for some of the best holiday light displays in and around Durham, I’ve gathered the top contenders. And you certainly want to make your New Year’s Eve plans early, but luckily Durham has plenty of options for both day and night.
Holiday Lights
Sparkling, multi-colored, set to music; however you like your Christmas lights, there are spots all around town to take in the twinkling holiday ambiance.
Mangum Family Christmas Lights (7510 Guess Rd, 27278): Start your lights journey with this classic Durham location (technically Hillsborough address, but in Durham County). The Mangum Family Christmas Lights have been providing holiday entertainment via their house for over a decade. Their light show is synchronized to a 35-song holiday playlist (which can be found on their Facebook page) on 90.3 FM. The lights run from 5:30-10pm every night (11pm on Fri & Sat) and they recommend you park on the shoulder across the street from the house to enjoy safely.
Rose of Sharon Baptist Church (4109 Guess Rd, 27712): The Rose of Sharon Baptist Church on Guess Road offers a nightly synchronized light show set to a 9-song holiday playlist on 90.1 FM. In its eighth year of providing holiday light spectaculars, Rose of Sharon operates “Christmas Plugged” from dusk to midnight until January 8th.
Chancellors Ridge Neighborhood (Chancellors Ridge Dr, 27713): This South Durham neighborhood is known for their annual Christmas light competition. While the first place house may be the champion, we’re all winners who get to enjoy the fruits of this holiday contest. Enjoy the wonderful light displays and be sure to respect the neighbors by not blocking the road or driving around in the middle of the night. There is no website for this event, just word of mouth.
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South Durham Holiday Lights on Built Story app ($10): Try a driving tour around South Durham made collectively by residents using the Built Story app. While it does cost $10, the app provides turn-by-turn directions to each of the 15 houses and you’re welcome to take the tour as much as you want for 30 days.
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Outside Durham
There are oodles of holiday light events beyond our city, but for simplicity’s sake, I’ll recommend two: one drive thru and one walk thru
o Magic of Lights at Coastal Credit Union Music Park (3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh 27610): Enjoy driving through the winter wonderland version of the Triangle’s largest outdoor concert venue. In addition to the light displays, check their event calendar for specials (like drive thru twice on Tuesdays) and photo pops with special holiday visitors (like Santa or the Grinch). Each car costs $25 in advance or $30 at the gate, so buy you ticket early and use it any night through Dec 30th.
o NC Chinese Lantern Fest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary 27518): I cannot recommend this event enough! A walk thru holiday light and lighted art display, this year’s event includes several interactive exhibits. Adults and children alike will be wowed by the color and artistry of each row set up outdoors at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Plus, they offer Twilight Tickets for earlier admission, accommodating even kiddos with earlier bedtimes. Grab a hot chocolate (spiked or not) and some warm gingerbread at concessions and wander in awe.
NYE
New Year’s Eve can come with its fair share of pressure to live up to the hype of sending out a whole year in style while also kicking off a new year on a high note. While it’s a tall order, Durham has several options to fit the bill. Whether you’re looking for a kid-friendly festivity, low-key yet romantic dinner, or a fancy late night party, there’s something for everyone to ring in 2023 in the Bull City.
Noon Year’s Eve at Museum of Life & Science (433 W Murray Ave, 27704)
Time: 10am-1pm
Cost: Included with admission to Museum of Life & Science
o Twelve hours early, Kiddos can celebrate the start of a new year without ruining sleep schedules with a concept I fully support: Noon Year’s Eve. Included with admission to the Museum of Life & Science, visitors can enjoy family-friendly New Year’s Eve activities, such as a Wishes Wall for “resolution”-type wishes and DIY shakers to countdown and ring in the “noon” year.
Glass Jug Downtown Pre-Party (545 Foster St, 27701)
Time: 12pm-9pm
Cost: Free; specials include $4 sparkling wine and $6 beer/wine cocktails
o Whether you want to kick off a long night of party hopping or wrap up your celebration before the ball drops, Glass Jug Downtown will have specials to help the day feel, well, special. Not only can you enjoy sparkling, beer, and wine cocktail deals, but their Coffee Deviation Imperial Stout will be launching on site.
No Fuss, No Frills NYE Party at Boxcar (621 Foster St, 27701)
Time: 12pm-2am
Cost: Free
o No need to panic shop for a fancy cocktail dress or suit; Boxcar offers a daylong party to wind down 2022 before ringing in 2023. Bottles of champagne will be available for $25, or you can simply enjoy the delicious pizza, pretzels, and video games until DJ MikeWawa spices up the main bar with some dancing from 9pm-1am.
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Alley Twenty Six New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu (320 E Chapel Hill St, 27701)
Time: 4:00-10:45pm reservations
Cost: $120 per person, includes 5 food and cocktail courses
o When you say “fancy” in Bull City, you think Alley Twenty Six. For New Year’s Eve, they are offering a five-course tasting menu complete with a cocktail pairing for each course. They are accepting reservations from 4pm until 10:45pm, currently with both indoor and outdoor options available. But if you’re considering this option, I’d highly recommend booking indoors ASAP in case the weather doesn’t cooperate on NYE as those options are much more limited.
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Bull City Burger New Year’s Eve Dinner (107 E Parrish St, 27701)
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Cost: $65 for adults, $15 for kids, includes multi-course meal and NYE toasting beverage
o Join one of Durham’s longest standing local burger spots for a classy and family-friendly affair. Each year, BCBB hosts this special event that is super accommodating: delicious pre-fixe dinner with vegetarian options for non-meat eaters, super affordable kids menu, non-alcoholic sparkly toasting options. With a 6pm start time and 8pm “New Year” toast, this may be just the ticket for kids (or adults) who can’t stay up until midnight.
Wine & Design Date Night (4711 Hope Valley Rd, 27707)
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: $78 per couple
o Feeling crafty at the end of the year? No better time to celebrate your love with your partner than by creating a new piece of custom artwork for your home together. Wine & Design Durham is offering a special Couples New Year’s Eve Date Night where two people paint complementary art on separate canvasses that come together as one piece. Bring your own bubbly or any type of beverage and/or snack to nosh on as you create.
New Year’s Eve Party at Zinc House (6225 Wake Forest Hwy, 27703)
Time: 8:00pm-1:00am
Cost: $150 per person, includes full dinner buffet, two alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, access to their full grounds
o Durham’s newest winery, brewery, & event space, Zinc House, which just opened this year, will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party, complete with a band, booze, and buffet. With the drinking, dancing, and late night snack option, this may be a great way to preview Zinc House as a possible wedding or event venue.
A Different World: A High Energy NYE Dance Party at The Pinhook (117 W Main St, 27701)
Time: 8:00pm doors, 9:00pm show
Cost: $10
o House, twerk, electronic, global dance music. Wonderpuff treats and tarot reading. Head to the Pinhook for a night of dancing to music curated by Femithefemme and several other local DJs. There also promises to be a “special surprise” at midnight!
Graham’s Number New Year’s Eve Party at Flying Bull Beer Company (752 9 th St, 27705)
Time: 8:30pm-12am
Cost: Free
o Durham’s newest craft brewery and taproom, Flying Bull Beer Company located on Ninth Street, boasts an outdoor beer garden named Bullvaria. On New Year’s Eve, they’ll be hosting Graham’s Number, a local cover band to round out 2022 and ring in 2023. With at least 7 in-house brews on tap and a dog-friendly scene, Flying Bull may be just the place to finish out your year.
2nd Annual NYE Masquerade at The Fruit (305 S Dillard St, 27701)
Time: 9:00pm – 7:00am
Cost: TBA
o Looking to party til the sun rises on 2023? The Fruit’s got you covered. Electronic music from house to techno, DnB, and bass will be pumping up this elegant, masquerade mask optional event. Breakfast Munchies will be selling sustenance to keep you partying well into the new year.
8-Track Minds New Year’s Eve Party at The Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St, 27701)
Time: 9:00pm-12:00am
Cost: $25 per person, includes party favors, a NYE drink special, and a champagne toast
o Throw it back a few decades and boogie all night with 8-Track Minds. I can’t say it any better than they do themselves: “C’mon get happy with all your singalong and dancing favorites from the era of polyester suits, muscle cars, deep pile carpets, and rich Corinthian leather!”
Motorco Presents The New Year’s Eve Party with JFK Jr (723 Rigsbee Ave, 27701)
Time: 9:00pm
Cost: $20 per person, includes champagne toast
o Ever heard JFK Jr (the band) sing? Now is your chance to hear them perform songs by the likes of Harry Styles, Led Zeppelin, Weezer, and Queen, all while dancing the night away among friends at Motorco. Just don’t tell your QAnon uncle (per the Facebook event).
Shallow Cuts: 2023 A Space Odyssey at Rubies on Five Points (347B W Main St, 27701)
Time: 9pm
Cost: $10
o Swing by Rubies on Five Points for an epic NYE dance party. In their own words: “Prepare for liftoff, because this pop dance party is going to launch you and your big booty into the new year. Come celebrate another trip around the sun in a shiny Rubies space ship, with DJ’s VSPRTN and Fifi Hifi at the helm.”
Transmissions New Year’s Eve Bash at Surf Club (703 Rigsbee Ave, 27701)
Time: 10pm-2am
Cost: $5, includes champagne toast
o How does a night of triple DJ dance fest sound? Surf Club on Rigsbee Ave is hosting Transmissions, a New Year’s party sponsored by Dance Gruv Radio. The bash will feature 3 DJs: Mobelizer, thefacesblur, and Marshall Jones; plus there will be a free champagne toast at midnight.
No matter which way you choose to ring in the new year, be sure to do so safely and designate a driver or snag a rideshare home. Thanks for checking out all there is to do in Durham with me so far. There’s plenty more to come in 2023!

I’m Chrysti!
Durham real estate agent and enthusiast for all the best the area has to offer.
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