From Friday, December 20, to Thursday, December 26, several special events are permitted in the area. On Christmas Eve, a Candlelight Service will take place on Swain Street from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with road closures affecting a portion of S. Swain Street between E. Martin Street and E. Davie Street from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm. The Illuminate Art Walk 2024 will occur in Downtown Raleigh through Monday, January 6, with event times from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am daily. Although no roads will be closed, City Plaza, Market Plaza, and Fayetteville Street sidewalks will be utilized until 11:59 pm on January 6, 2025, and Exchange Plaza will be used until 11:59 pm on January 31, 2025.

In addition to these permitted events, several other upcoming events are noteworthy. A Candlelight Christmas with the North Carolina Symphony Holiday Brass will be held at Meymandi Concert Hall from Friday, December 20, to Sunday, December 22. Clara’s Trip will take place at Fletcher Opera Theater during the same period. On Saturday, December 21, the Sanderford Road Community Center will host Cuts & Christmas, while the Lenovo Center will feature a performance by Rod Wave. Sunday, December 22, will see Native Wildlife at Forest Ridge Park and a Holiday Pajama Party at Worthdale Community Center. The day will also conclude with the Rider vs. NC State basketball game at the Lenovo Center. Cinderella will be performed at Raleigh Little Theatre through Sunday, December 22. The Dessertery – A holiday dessert café – will operate at Kennedy Theater through Monday, December 23. The Nutcracker, presented by the Carolina Ballet, will be at Memorial Auditorium through Tuesday, December 24. Lastly, The Rink will be available at Red Hat Amphitheater through Monday, January 20.