- This year’s Lighting of Wake Forest is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-8 p.m. in and around Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St., and along East Owen Avenue.
- Mayor Vivian Jones is scheduled to light the Town’s 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in Centennial Plaza at approximately 6:20 p.m.
- The event will include musical performances, a story time, craft opportunities for kids, community sing-along, food trucks, and more.
WAKE FOREST, NC – You’re invited to experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season during the annual Lighting of Wake Forest. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. (WFD), the event is scheduled on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-8 p.m. in and around Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St., and along East Owen Avenue.
Please note: Mayor Vivian Jones is scheduled to light the Town’s 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in Centennial Plaza at approximately 6:20 p.m.
Throughout the evening, attendees will enjoy musical performances along the South Brooks Street performance stage (situated adjacent to Centennial Plaza) by groups from Endeavor Charter School Band, Wake Forest iSTEM Magnet Elementary Chorus, Envision Science Academy, and School of Rock Wake Forest, while East Owen Avenue will be the site of Imagine Circus Performers and the following food trucks: Not Just a Fry Guy, Little Halos, Blazing Kettle, Kono Pizza, and The Naked Empanada.
The Lighting of Wake Forest will also feature the arrival of Santa Claus, craft opportunities for kids by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club and Girl Scout Troop #1734, information about the Wake Forest History Museum’s new exhibit, “Strolling White Street: A Photographic History of Downtown,” and the Endless Expressions Photo Booth. In addition, Page 158 Books will host Story Time from 5:20-5:40 p.m. featuring the book, “Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas,” Nothing Bundt Cakes of Wake Forest will be onsite giving away free samples while supplies last, and Girl Scouts Troop #1734 will host a community sing-along.
The following sponsors have generously contributed to the 2025 Lighting of Wake Forest: Platinum Sponsor: Town of Wake Forest. Gold Sponsors: Brightspeed Fiber Internet; Johnson Hyundai of Wake Forest; Professional Touch Paint; The Knotty Sheep; True Insight Direct Care; Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce; and Renewal by Andersen. Silver Sponsors: Cameron Family CPAs; Raymond James – Greg Daniels; Fidelity Bank and Right by You Mortgage; Furman CPA; Hounds Town; MK Creative Arts Studio; Nothing Bundt Cakes of Wake Forest; Radeas Labs; Piedmont Federal Bank; REMAX Legacy; and Warren, Shackleford, and Thomas Attorneys.
The Lighting of Wake Forest is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/LightingWF or contact Downtown Development Specialist Camryn Gutierrez at 919-435-9430 or cgutierrez@wakeforestnc.gov.
For a complete listing of Wake Forest’s holiday events, visit https://bit.ly/TistheSeasonWF.