Your Winston-Salem Holiday Bucket List

Sure, Moravian cookies and sugarcake are available year-round—but they taste especially sweet during the holidays. For those unfamiliar, Moravian sugarcake is a soft, coffee-cake-style treat rich with brown sugar and cinnamon, while Moravian cookies—ultra-thin and crisp in ginger spice or sugar—are a city favorite. Find these classics at bakeries across town, including Old Salem's Winkler Bakery (pictured here) and Lot 63.

The holidays in Winston-Salem begin at Old Salem, where costumed interpreters, candlelit windows, and centuries-old Moravian traditions set the season aglow. For an extra-festive experience, visit during Salem Saturdays (Nov. 29–Dec. 20), Home Moravian's Candle Tea (Dec. 3-14), or join an Evening Christmas Tour (Fridays and Saturdays). And be sure to stop by Winkler Bakery for Moravian cookies and sugarcake—fresh from the oven and rich with tradition.

Tanglewood Park’s Festival of Lights is the ultimate holiday tradition in Forsyth County—named the top light show in the Carolinas by Travel + Leisure. From Nov. 14–Jan. 1, cruise a 5-mile route glowing with a million twinkling lights and more than 80 whimsical displays. Before you go, check out our Insider Guide to the Festival of Lights, located 10 minutes west of Winston-Salem in the Village of Clemmons.

The holidays shine bright at Reynolda, the former estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds. Today, it’s a multi-faceted holiday destination: Reynolda House glimmers with period décor and festive events, including Caroling Fridays (Dec. 5, 12) and Enchanted Evening Tours (Dec. 13, 17), while Reynolda Gardens bursts with wreaths and winter blooms.  Just steps away, the shops and eateries of Reynolda Village invite you to linger amid festive decor and seasonal cheer.

Find a unique, handmade item for everyone on your list in the downtown Winston-Salem, where local shops, boutiques, galleries, and pop-up events.  Shop like a local along Trade and Liberty Street for a unique blend of local galleries and small businesses like Piedmont Craftsmen, Design Archives, Bookmarks, Mast General, and more. As a bonus, many downtown businesses are decked in holiday decor thanks to the annual Window Wonderland competition. You can also checkout myriad holiday markets that unfold throughout the season, from the annual Sawtooth Holiday Market (Dec. 6) to Coalpit Christmas (Dec. 7), and more.

Step inside Körner’s Folly, the whimsically designed 1880 home dubbed the “Strangest House in America,” where 22 rooms shimmer with Victorian holiday splendor from Nov. 26–Jan. 4. Expect elaborate trees, garlands, and glittering lights at every turn as you explore the Kernersville landmark on a self-guided tour. Mark your calendar for the festive German Christmas Market (Dec. 13) and evening Christmas by Candlelight Tours (Dec. 13, 20).

Looking for a creative twist on traditional holiday lights? Stroll through Ciener Botanical Gardens' Spectacular Holiday Blooms—a glowing garden of color where more than 10,000 illuminated “flowers” mingle with festive trees and decor in a dazzling display. The spectacle is open weekend evenings; admission is just $5 (free for kids).

One of Winston-Salem’s most cherished traditions, the Moravian Lovefeasts blends coffee, song, and fellowship before the sanctuary darkens and hundreds of beeswax candles illuminate the space—an unforgettable moment of peace and reflection. Christmas Lovefeasts take place at more than two dozen Moravian churches throughout the region. And while most occur on Christmas Eve, several are held earlier in the season, including the annual Wake Forest Lovefeast in Wait Chapel (Dec. 7).

The holiday spirit hits high gear on Dec. 6 when the annual Winston-Salem Holiday Parade flows down Fourth Street and turns onto Liberty before ending at Corpening Plaza—where the downtown's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony immediately gets underway. Can’t make the city’s parade? Other festive parades unfold across Forsyth County, including nearby Lewisville (Dec. 14).

Winston-Salem knows how to put on a show—especially during the holidays, when local stages come alive with festive performances. Tap your toes to NC Black Rep’s “Motown Christmas” (Dec. 5–21) or "A Christmas Carol" by the Little Theatre (Dec. 11–21). Experience the soaring sounds of the season at Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 13) and the Vienna Light Orchestra (Dec. 23), or look to the skies for Truist Stadium’s Holiday Drone Show (Dec. 20). 

Browse more by checking our online Events Calendar here.

Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair marks the unofficial start of the holiday season for many in Winston-Salem. A tradition since 1963, this nationally recognized juried show brings nearly 100 of the Southeast’s finest artisans to the Benton Convention Center Nov. 22–23. Browse handcrafted jewelry, glass, ceramics, textiles, and more, while enjoying live demonstrations, music, and seasonal bites. Every piece tells a story—and makes for a one-of-a-kind holiday gift.