State Capitol to Host Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Open House

Join the North Carolina State Capitol and Governor Roy Cooper for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 12.

The lighting of the State Christmas Tree at the Capitol is considered the official start of the holiday season in the Tar Heel State. The festivities will begin on Capitol Square at 5:30 p.m. with holiday music performed by the Raleigh Concert Band. The governor and dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds shortly after 6 p.m. to begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street. The state Christmas tree is a real, North Carolina-grown Fraser fir standing 26 feet tall. The State Capitol Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2024 State Tree is sponsored by State Employees' Credit Union.

Additionally, State Employees' Credit Union will provide refreshments to guests on the south plaza - and even Santa is scheduled to make an appearance! After the ceremony, visitors are invited to visit both the Capitol and the Executive Mansion to view holiday decorations. The Capitol is open until 7:30 p.m., while the Mansion will receive visitors from 6-9 p.m.

From Thursday, Dec. 12 - Saturday, Dec. 14 (10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday) the Capitol will host its annual Holiday Open House and music in the rotunda.

Other sponsors of the holiday festivities include the State Capitol Foundation, State Historic Sites Division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the N.C. Department of Administration-Facility Management.

All Capitol events are free and no reservations are needed or accepted. For additional information, please call (919) 733-4994. The State Capitol is located at 1 East Edenton St., Raleigh and is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.