November 26, 2025
Every year, the holiday spirit seems to start earlier than the year before. Are you in the mood for festive fun near Raleigh? Here are some holiday things to do in Clayton, NC, an invited Raleigh suburb.
Downtown Clayton is active all year long. In December, the business owners and townspeople turn the area into a holiday happening. The calendar of events is filled with ways to get out, meet people, and share the merry magic with others.
December 2, 5-9pm
Community spirit flows through Cleveland Road in Clayton. The annual holiday spectacular features food trucks, lively fun, and a visit from Santa. The street is alive with bright lights, decorations, music, and cheer. Come for the parade and stay for a taste of the Cleveland Road community at its best.
Thursday, December 4, 5pm
Downtown Clayton transforms into the North Pole…without the polar climate! Light displays sparkle throughout the downtown district. Local businesses stay open late—each with their own offerings and activities—and the annual Tree Lighting happens in the Town Square at 7:15. Family-friendly activities include the giant inflatable snow globe and trackless Christmas train ride.
Saturday, December 6
Kids between the ages of 3 and 11 can learn what it takes to be one of Santa’s helpers. Elf Academy teaches gift wrapping, building toys, and spreading cheer! Children will craft their own ornaments and enjoy a day that’s anything but ho-ho-hum.
Saturday, December 6, Noon to 3pm
LaDiDa Wine Shop on East Main Street invites you to don your crazy Christmas wear, your tacky tops, and festive fashion. Food, games, spirits (the kind that come in a glass), and door prizes are waiting for you. Advance registration recommended!
Tuesday, December 9, 6pm
Bites & Flights—Christmas Treats!
Combine an evening of wine tasting with an array of decadent desserts! Snacks Provision Company is pairing with Sugarcoat Baking, so you can spend the evening treating your tastebuds. Savor the sweetness of the holidays at this special event.
Tuesday-Friday, December 9-12
Wrap It Up Gift Wrapping Station
If you’re one of those people who thinks shopping for gifts is much more fun than wrapping them, bring your boxes and bags to the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library in Clayton. The elves there will gladly create presents that are truly presentable!
Wednesday, December 10, 6 to 8pm
Sleigh the Holidays Cookie Class
Make Santa proud when you put professional-looking cookies out for him on Christmas Eve. Snack Provisions Company will teach you how to decorate cookies. Make them festive, fun, and unforgettable, even if you’ve never picked up a tube of icing. Cookies are provided. You bring the energy. No experience is required, but you must be at least 16 years of age.
Thursday, December 11
Catch Clayton’s version of the Polar Express, without leaving Municipal Park! Hop on the Merry Municipal Express for two trips around the park. Get cozy and enjoy the festival of lights and holiday displays. Then continue your excursion by walking to one of the many restaurants, cafes, sweet shops, and pubs to finish off the fun.
Saturday, December 13, 11am
Like a page out of “A Christmas Story”, this annual parade spreads cheer throughout the town. More than 100 colorful floats roll through Clayton, with a very special one carrying Santa. It’s an annual spectacle that always draws a crowd of appreciative onlookers.
Thursday, December 18, 6pm
Merry Municipal Hot Cocoa With Santa
Tell Santa how good you’ve been this year when you share a cup of cocoa with the jolly old elf. Municipal Park is the place to go this holiday season, and December 18th is the one day you can meet up with Santa there.
Saturday, December 20, 10 and 11:15am
The big guy is taking a break from the workshop to return to Clayton. Santa will sit at Snacks Provision Company with the ones on the Nice List (there’s still time to work your way off the Naughty List). Kids will make their own snacks and share them with Santa. It’s a perfect holiday photo opp!
Sunday, December 21, Noon to 6pm
Deep River Brewing Company is teaming up with Daisy’s Marketplace to give you a relaxing way to finish up your holiday shopping. You’re sure to find the one-of-a-kind gift for the hard-to-please people on your list. Support local artisans and crafters who will display their wares at both locations. Dine on the food truck fare while you sip on Deep River’s best brews.
Every Saturday
Clayton Farm and Community Market
‘Tis always the season to support local farms. The Clayton Farm and Community Market comes to Horne Square on East Main Street every Saturday. Local growers, bakers, artisans, and purveyors share the harvests and creativity—and every week is unique!
You can’t really get through the holidays without a fair or festival, right? Among the holiday things to do in Clayton, NC, get out and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors at these gatherings.
Saturday, December 6, 9am to 3pm
7th Annual Christmas Craft Fair
What better way is there to get in the holiday spirit than a trip to a farm? Pace Family Farms once again bring together local artisans, artists, crafters, bakers, and more. Their Annual Christmas Craft Fair will help you make progress with your holiday shopping and explore a family-owned, working farm.
Saturday, December 6, 2-4pm
Gingerbread Clay Ornament Class
Create a memento of the season at Artmosphere Community Arts Center in Clayton. All ages are welcome to create a gingerbread ornament out of clay. Bring your family and your friends for hands-on fun.
Saturday, December 6, 6-10pm
Surround yourself with 35 beautifully designed Christmas trees, each one decorated to a different theme. Enjoy an evening of food, music, entertainment, dancing, a sumptuous dessert bar, and a silent auction where you could take home one of the donated trees. The gala, which takes place at the Birdie Ballroom, is sponsored by Clayton Women in Networking. The event’s proceeds support women entrepreneurs and professionals in the community.
Through December 27
Every year, Boyette Family Farms presents a family-friendly festival of holiday lights. Hop on the wagon for an old-fashioned hayride that takes you through a mile-long light show, orchestrated with holiday music. Back at the farm, visit Santa’s Sweet Shop for hot cocoa, kettle corn, burgers, and hot dogs. Stop by the Sugar Barn,where you can decorate your own cookies. And don’t miss taking a holiday photo at Santa’s Sleigh!
December 1-25
Merry Municipal Walk-through Light Show
Clayton’s Municipal Park becomes a vibrant winter wonderland for the month of December. Wander down the paths lit by sparkling lights and colorful decorations and displays. Plan regular visits to get a boost of holiday happiness.
The Clayton Center for the Arts presents a month-long performance calendar, filled with holiday things to do in Clayton, NC.
Friday, December 5
Yuletide Spirits: A Clayton Piano Festival Holiday Celebration
Numerous artists take to the stage at The Clayton Center for an evening of seasonal sound. From timeless holiday classics and popular favorites to spicy Latin jazz, the evening is underscored by a playful narration, inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Yuletide Spirits is more than a concert. It’s a holiday experience you won’t want to miss!
Saturday, December 6 and 7
Mission of Hope: Keyboards at Christmas
The Mission of Hope was founded to help the people in rural Appalachia. For the past 13 years, musicians from all over Tennessee come together to present a show to benefit the Mission of Hope. Seven pianists will perform holiday classics on grand pianos on The Clayton Center’s stage, accompanied by vocalists and other musicians.
Wednesday, December 10, 7pm
Acoustic Christmas for the Kids 2025
Country music station 94.7 QDR hosts this benefit for UNC Children’s Hospital. Award-winning Brothers Osborne headline the night of music, with QDR’s Abby Lee hosting the event. 100% of the ticket sales revenue goes to the UNC Children's Hospital!
Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13
The timeless holiday classic is presented by the Appalachian Ballet Company and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. More than 100 brightly costumed dancers perform against a backdrop of lavish sets and scenery. Treat yourself and your family to the magic of The Nutcracker, a holiday tradition.
Sunday, December 14, 3pm
Sing Noel! The Johnston County Chorus
Jolly holiday harmonies are accompanied by dancers. The local talents are showcased in this special concert that will have you singing along to your favorite songs, from classic to contemporary.
Saturday, December 20, 3 and 7:30pm
Pure Life Theatre Company will bring a joy-filled Christmas concert, infused with the unmistakable sound of Motown. The high-energy yet soulful concert blends music and dance, performed by some of the most talented artists in The Triangle.
You don’t have to mark your calendar to enjoy a holiday stroll. There are several places to add to your list of holiday things to do in Clayton, NC!
The Clayton Sculpture Trail winds through the heart of Clayton. At holiday time, the artful tour of 13 works of outdoor art is even more enchanting, because the area is decorated for the season. Take a leisurely walk through Downtown Clayton, and you can stop for something to drink or eat at the locally owned shops and eateries that are also decked out for the holidays.
How about bundling up for a trip along the 4-mile River Walk on The Neuse? Pack a picnic to make a day of it. Whether you ride your bike or walk, you’ll enjoy the scenic serenity.
Clayton, NC, is one of the fastest growing towns in Johnston County. This Raleigh suburb is located just 14 miles southeast of the North Carolina capital, making it convenient for people who enjoy the city but want small town life. With a population of nearly 33,000, Clayton has grown nearly 24% since 2020.
The town’s appeal is a combination of its convenient location, active downtown district, rural surroundings, affordable cost of living, and an environment that suits every resident, from families to professionals to retirees. Recreation is equally abundant, with a network of parks and waterways, including The Neuse River and Cattail Lake.
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Living in Clayton at Cattail Lake in Clayton gives you the many advantages that come with a master-planned community. The Cattail vision is of a friendly community of people who enjoy the outdoors, both the recreational opportunities and scenic serenity. The amenities have been designed to invite gatherings, whether just a few people or a large group. The resort-style pool overlooks the lake and provides pergolas and cabanas. The clubhouse reflects contemporary rustic style, with spaces for a quiet spot to read or large enough to host a club meeting. Outside, you’ll have fireplaces and fire pits, a community lawn, paved trails, private docks, a public fishing area, and boat launches.
Clayton is definitely a town worth checking out. Our new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, give you a desirable location in a desirable Raleigh suburb. With so many options for home styles and builders, you can tailor your new home to the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about.
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