Raleigh
Nov 18, 2015
The tree-lighting tradition at the State Capitol will continue when Gov. Pat McCrory lights the Christmas tree Thursday, Dec. 10.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music by the Raleigh Concert Band and the Middlesex Church of God Trio. The governor and dignitaries will make their way to the South grounds at 6:15 p.m. to officially begin the ceremony. The lit tree will be visible the length of Fayetteville Street.
The Junior Woman's Club will give away cookies and hot chocolate while local sports team mascots entertain the crowd prior to the ceremony. Even Santa is scheduled to make an appearance.
The annual holiday open house will begin at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited inside to see the Capitol's holiday decorations, including trees decorated by 100 county ornaments and other symbols of North Carolina's people and history, and natural greenery throughout the chambers. Meanwhile, the West Raleigh United Methodist Youth Handbell Choir will perform in the rotunda. That evening the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences also will be open.
Sponsors are the State Capitol Foundation, State Historic Sites Division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, N.C. Department of Administration-Facility Management, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, the Junior Woman's Club of Raleigh, and the City Club of Raleigh. The 24-foot tree was grown by Peak Farms in Ashe County. There will be free parking along the street and in state government lots after 5 p.m.
The North Carolina Executive Mansion will also be hosting Holiday Open House Hours Thursday, Dec. 10, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, 12 noon - 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m. Admission is free and reservations are not needed or accepted. Visitors should enter at the main gates on Blount Street.
For additional information, please call (919) 733-4994. The State Capitol is bounded by Edenton, Salisbury, Morgan and Wilmington Streets. It is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.