Wake Forest to Light Tree, Kick Off Community Holiday Events

The town of Wake Forest will celebrate the annual Lighting of Wake Forest on Friday, December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. Festivities will be centered in and around Centennial Plaza at 301 S. Brooks St. and along East Owen Avenue, with Mayor Vivian Jones scheduled to light the town 30 foot Christmas tree at approximately 6:20 p.m.

Organizers have lined up musical performances from local schools and ensembles, a community sing along, Story Time hosted by Page 158 Books, craft activities for children led by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club and Girl Scout Troop 1734, visits from Santa, and food trucks. Sponsors and community partners will support the event and Nothing Bundt Cakes will offer free samples while supplies last. The gathering is free and open to the public and connects with broader holiday programming through the town Tis the Season portal.

As an annual downtown anchor event, the Lighting of Wake Forest matters beyond seasonal cheer. Public gatherings of this scale typically increase pedestrian traffic in the historic downtown, creating short term revenue opportunities for food vendors and nearby retailers and raising visibility for community organizations. The involvement of local schools and volunteer groups also helps reinforce civic ties and provides performance and fundraising opportunities for young residents.

For planning, attendees should note the program window from 5 to 8 p.m. and the approximate time for the tree lighting at 6:20 p.m. Those seeking more information or accommodations can contact Downtown Development Specialist Camryn Gutierrez at 919 435 9430 or cgutierrez@wakeforestnc.gov. The town advises checking the Tis the Season portal for a full calendar of linked holiday events and related offerings that extend the economic and social impact of the downtown season.