Greensboro holiday lights 2026: Winter Wonderlights Nov. 18 to Jan. 3, ice skating downtown, Santa photos, the Nutcracker Dec. 10-13 and Hanukkah from Dec. 4.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated every year at the same address. Dates are from each organizer’s own page, linked below; we add new events as organizers announce them. The downtown tree lighting and Holiday Parade have their own page: Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Greensboro’s biggest light show is Winter Wonderlights at the Greensboro Science Center, Nov. 18, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027. Downtown’s Festival of Lights and tree lighting are Friday, Dec. 4, the parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, and Hanukkah begins that same Friday at sundown.

What this means for you

  • Lights: Winter Wonderlights, from Nov. 18 on the science center’s schedule; Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest nights.
  • Downtown weekend: Festival of Lights Dec. 4, Holiday Parade Dec. 5, Jingle Jog Dec. 6.
  • Santa photos: Four Seasons Town Centre, by reservation.

Light displays

Winter Wonderlights, Greensboro Science Center

4301 Lawndale Drive; 336-288-3769. The science center’s walk-through light show returns for its seventh year from Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, with more than a million lights, handcrafted lanterns and the glowing tunnel, according to its Winter Wonderlights page. New this year:

  • Laser Holidays, a 15-minute holiday laser show in the OmniSphere, included with admission.
  • The first Sensory Friendly Night, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, with quieter music, quiet zones and sensory bags. Tickets are sold at the door.
  • Jingle Brew, a 21-and-over preview with local beer and food, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.

The center publishes a 2026 event schedule that marks closed nights, discount community nights, the nights Santa is on site and the Merry Mermaid storytimes. The event runs rain or shine. On-site parking is free but limited, and the center suggests carpooling on Fridays and Saturdays. The path is wheelchair-friendly.

Festival of Lights downtown, Friday, Dec. 4

Downtown Greensboro Inc.’s Downtown in December opens with the Festival of Lights from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with the community tree lighting, live music and Santa. Program details, the parade route and street closures are on our parade and tree lighting page.

Ice skating: Piedmont Winterfest

Piedmont Winterfest builds an outdoor ice rink in LeBauer Park, 208 N. Davie St., each winter, run with Downtown Greensboro Inc. and the Greensboro Ice House. The 2025-26 season ran Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, to Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, with curling nights early in the week; the 2026-27 dates are not out yet. Admission covers skate rental. The rink suggests the Church Street parking deck, then a walk through the park. Questions go to piedmontwinterfest@gmail.com.

Santa visits

  • Four Seasons Town Centre: Photos with Santa in Center Court on the first floor, booked through the mall’s Santa reservation site.
  • Greensboro Science Center: Santa is on site on the Winter Wonderlights nights marked on the center’s schedule.
  • Festival of Lights, Dec. 4: Santa appears downtown, according to Downtown Greensboro Inc.
  • Holiday Market, Nov. 6-8: photos with Santa all weekend at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex; see our holiday shopping guide.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, and the eighth day is Saturday, Dec. 12, according to the Hebcal Jewish calendar. Public menorah lightings and family celebrations are posted on the Greensboro Jewish Federation’s community calendar as congregations announce them; we add 2026 events here when they are published.

Holiday shows

  • The Nutcracker, Greensboro Ballet: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11 and 12 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 at the Carolina Theatre, with the Greensboro Ballet Orchestra playing live, as part of the company’s 60th season, according to Greensboro Ballet. Tea with Clara is at 1:15 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 in the theater’s Renaissance Room. Box office: 336-333-2605, noon to 3 p.m. weekdays.
  • The Tanger Center lists its holiday touring shows on its events page.

Plan your December

Frequently asked questions

When does Winter Wonderlights open at the Greensboro Science Center?

Winter Wonderlights runs Nov. 18, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, with more than a million lights, handcrafted lanterns and a glowing tunnel. A 21-and-over preview, Jingle Brew, is Nov. 13.

Where can I go ice skating in Greensboro?

Piedmont Winterfest sets up an outdoor rink in LeBauer Park, 208 N. Davie St., each winter. Last season ran Nov. 21, 2025, to Feb. 1, 2026; 2026-27 dates are not out yet.

Where can kids see Santa in Greensboro?

Four Seasons Town Centre has Photos with Santa in Center Court on the first floor, booked through its Santa reservation site. Santa also appears at the Festival of Lights downtown on Dec. 4.

When is Hanukkah in 2026?

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, and the eighth day is Saturday, Dec. 12.