Shop, Stay & Celebrate at Fayetteville’s Holly Day Fair

Shop, Stay & Celebrate the Season at the 58th Annual Holly Day Fair

November 6–9, 2025 | Crown Expo Center

It’s that time of year again. The air’s getting cooler, coffee shops are bringing back their pumpkin and candy cane holiday flavors, and your group chat is starting to revolve around gift ideas. So, here’s a thought... why not turn your holiday shopping into a full weekend getaway?

Grab your shopping besties or your favorite travel partner-in-crime and head to Fayetteville for the 58th Annual Holly Day Fair, Eastern North Carolina’s largest holiday gift and craft show. It’s happening November 6–9 at the Crown Expo Center, and with more than 150 vendors, you’ll quickly realize one day just isn’t enough.

A sign reading “Holly Day Fair” points toward the entrance of the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville, NC, where visitors arrive for the annual holiday shopping event.

Why You’ll Love It

If you're thinking "Oh, it's just another craft show" you couldn't be more wrong!! The Holly Day Fair is the start of the holiday season for North Carolinians. Imagine yourself looking down row after row of festive booths filled with holiday colors, the scent of cinnamon and cocoa drifting through the aisles, and endless ways to cross names off your list while treating yourself too.

You’ll find handmade décor and boutique fashion in one row and then stumble upon unique toys, jewelry, and gourmet treats in the next, all curated by the Junior League of Fayetteville. Every ticket supports local community programs and scholarships, so your shopping trip does a little extra good.

Tip: Tickets are less expensive when purchased in advance (but they are available at the door if you’re making a last-minute trip).

A volunteer wearing a red Holly Day Fair apron hands out festive shopping totes to guests arriving at the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville, NC.

The truth is, once you step into the Holly Day Fair, time flies. You’ll find yourself laughing, snacking, and wondering how it suddenly became closing time. That’s why it’s worth planning a full weekend around it. Think of it as your pre-holiday getaway that includes a full itinerary of shopping, great food, a little pampering, and a lot of fun with your favorite people.

So, if you’re already dreaming about cinnamon-scented aisles and cozy Fayetteville nights, here’s a ready-made weekend game plan to start your planning juices flowing...

Your Weekend Shopping Getaway Itinerary

Thursday: Early Birds Get the Best Finds

Kick off your trip in style with tickets for the Super Shopper session from 9 AM to noon. You’ll get first look of vendor booths before the crowds roll in, perfect for the serious shopper who loves a quiet start. Once your arms are full of gift bags, check into one of Fayetteville’s cozy hotels nearby. Then unwind with dinner at Circa 1800 or Pierro’s Italian Bistro downtown, where you can toast to a day well spent.

Friday: Shop, Sip & Stroll

Start your morning with a light breakfast and a caffeine fix from The Coffee Scene or Rude Awakening, then head back to the fair for another round of shopping and snacking. You always spot something new the second (and third, and fourth, and...) time through. Once you’ve finished your rounds, take the fun downtown. Grab a drink at Leclair’s General Store or dinner at Haymount Truck Stop and enjoy Fayetteville’s cozy evening atmosphere.

Leclairs-General-Store-1

Saturday: Girls’ Day Out (and a Night to Remember)

Make Saturday all about you and your favorite people. Spend the morning revisiting your favorite vendors and picking up those “I’ll come back for it later” finds. Then treat yourself to a little pampering at Renaissance Day Spa.

After relaxing a bit, it’s time to bump the energy back up for dinner and some fun! Head to Sol’s Arcade, where you can sip cocktails and relive your favorite retro games, or, if you’re in the mood for hot dogs, cold brews, and hometown spirit, grab tickets to see the Fayetteville Marksmen take on the Macon Mayhem at the Crown Complex.

But it’s not just any game night, it’s Hockey Fights Cancer, a special evening dedicated to honoring and remembering loved ones affected by cancer. Between the crowd’s energy and the team’s purple-themed tribute, it’s one of those nights that feels both powerful and full of heart.

Whether you’re laughing over air hockey or shouting “Go Marksmen!” from the stands, it’s the perfect way to wrap up your Holly-Day adventure.

Fayetteville Marksmen

Sunday: Brunch, Browse & Bring It All Home

Sleep in, enjoy brunch at Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen, and swing back by the fair for any last-minute treasures. Don’t forget, Santa photos run from 2 to 4 PM, so if you want the perfect keepsake to wrap up your weekend what better memento is there?

Ready to Plan Your Holly-Day Getaway?

Fayetteville is the ideal place to start the holiday season. Choose a hotel with the little comforts that make a weekend feel special, like an indoor pool and hot tub to relax after a full day of shopping. Explore local artisans, unique boutiques, and all the seasonal cheer waiting around every corner. Use the links below to find places to stay, download our free destination guide, and follow us on social media to make planning your Holly-Day weekend easy and fun.

Shoppers smile and hold festive tote bags while browsing booths of holiday gifts and handmade crafts at the Holly Day Fair inside the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville, NC.