Candlelight Christmas concerts return to Raleigh, draw families county wide

The North Carolina Symphony closed the holiday concert season in Raleigh with A Candlelight Christmas at Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center, presenting five performances from Dec. 19 through Dec. 23, 2025. The concerts featured seasonal orchestral repertoire accompanied by a brass ensemble and a youth choir, and attracted family audiences from across Wake County who came to mark the season with music and community.

This annual program serves as more than entertainment. For many families it is an intergenerational tradition, a cultural touchstone tied to the holidays that also provides performance opportunities for young singers. Local musicians and production crews benefited from steady work during a crucial period for the arts calendar, while the venue drew audiences into downtown Raleigh, supporting nearby restaurants and small businesses during a peak season.

The concerts highlight ongoing questions about access and equity in local cultural life. While such events bring shared civic experience, cost and transportation remain barriers for some Wake County residents. Expanding outreach to schools, offering subsidized tickets, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations could increase participation from neighborhoods that are historically underrepresented at symphony performances.

Public health considerations also shaped this season. Large indoor gatherings in winter months coincide with higher circulation of respiratory viruses, making event planning and audience health important community concerns. Offering clear information about ventilation, encouraging people to stay home when ill, and coordinating with health partners can help reduce risks while preserving live arts.

As Wake County looks beyond the holidays, sustaining the arts will require public and private investment that centers inclusion and health. A Candlelight Christmas underscored the social and economic role of live music in the community, and it also renewed conversations about how to broaden access so more Wake County residents can share in cultural traditions.