Mark Your Calendars: 2026 Christmas Events Set In Downtown Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – It may only be September, but Smithfield is already making plans for Christmas.

The town has released its 2026 holiday schedule, with events planned throughout December including the annual Christmas parade, tree lighting, holiday market, visits with Santa, carriage rides and Christmas movies.

The festivities begin Saturday, Dec. 5, with a Christmas kickoff and holiday market from 3 to 8 p.m. The Smithfield Town Tree Lighting will take place at 7 p.m.

Parade
The Smithfield Christmas Parade is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 11, downtown will host a Hot Cocoa Crawl and pictures with Santa from 5 to 8 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa
Breakfast with Santa will be offered on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 19, with breakfast at The Diner from 9 to 10 a.m. and at The Gilded Pear from 10 to 11 a.m.

A Jingle Bell Jubilee and Carriage Rides event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13 from 3 to 8 p.m.

Free pictures with Santa will be available at the Santa Hut on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a Christmas craft at the Santa Hut on Sunday, Dec. 20 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Santa’s Hut

Santa’s Hut will be open Friday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 13 from 3 to 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 20 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Carriage Rides And Christmas Movies

Carriage rides will be offered Friday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Movies
Three Christmas movies are also planned: “The Polar Express” at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18; and “Elf” at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.