Make This the Holiday They’ll Remember

Are the kids out of school and already asking what’s next? Maybe you’re craving one weekend where you don’t have to direct every minute yet everyone smiles. A weekend where the lights do the heavy lifting and dinner isn’t your responsibility. This is the plan for you: pack up the car and head to Cumberland County, North Carolina, where every light becomes part of your story.

The glow begins with Dickens Holiday in downtown Fayetteville. Carolers sing through the streets, shop windows shimmer, and families laugh beneath the warm glow of lamplight. The celebration continues all season with glowing light trails, local dining, and festive markets that invite you to slow down, savor, and create memories that stay bright long after the holidays end.

Friday Night: Lights On, Spirits Lifted

Check into your hotel and start your weekend your way. No rushing, no rigid schedule, just a chance to ease into the holiday mood. As the sun sets, downtown Fayetteville begins to glow. The scent of cider fills the air, and laughter carries from shop doors and café patios.

If you are visiting during Dickens Holiday, make your way to Hay Street. Carolers in Victorian attire sing through the night, candlelight flickers across the red-brick streets, and families gather to watch the tree shine. It feels like stepping into a storybook, but it is all real and completely Fayetteville. If your visit falls on another weekend, you can still soak in the sparkle at Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Holiday Lights, where nature and twinkle lights create pure seasonal magic.

When everyone is ready for dinner, skip the “what do you want to eat” debate and the “keep them busy while food cooks” routine. Head to Fuller's Old Fashioned BBQ, a local favorite for Southern comfort food, or stop by Golden Corral, an established North Carolina brand that always feels like home. Both offer a wide variety of choices and no waiting, which means happy everyone and a stress-free meal for you.

End the evening back at your hotel with cocoa, pajamas, and a well-earned rest.

Dickens Holiday

Saturday: Bites, Cheer & Family Fun

Start the morning with a family brunch that sets the tone for a relaxed day. MaryBill’s Café serves generous plates of Southern comfort classics, while Just Love Coffee Café offers waffles, wraps, and fresh coffee that parents will appreciate.

Spend the late afternoon exploring Sweet Valley Ranch. During the holidays, the ranch transforms into a mix of adventure and wonder, complete with glowing displays and farm animals as part of the Festival of Lights: The Farm Lights Up experience. It’s fun, memorable, and completely unique to Fayetteville.

If your crew needs some indoor downtime, stop by Sol’s Arcade for retro and modern games or head to the Omni Family Entertainment Center for blacklight mini golf and a full arcade experience. Both are easy wins for families looking to warm up and recharge before the evening festivities.

As daylight fades, make your way downtown for dinner before the lights come on at Segra Stadium. Agora Restaurant offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes in a cozy setting, while Archway Burgers, Dogs & Beer serves up quick, family-friendly classics that satisfy everyone. After dinner, stroll over to Fayetteville's Holiday Lights at Segra Stadium, where millions of twinkling bulbs, photo ops, and themed displays fill the night with festive cheer.

End the evening knowing this was the kind of holiday trip that felt effortless yet created core memories for everyone.

Rustic barn at Sweet Valley Ranch decorated with strings of glowing Christmas lights and a lit tree inside, creating a warm holiday glow against the evening sky in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Sunday: One More Memory for the Road

Ease into your final morning with no alarms and no rush. After checkout, stop by the 1897 Poe House, where history feels alive and the kitchen fills the air with the scent of old-fashioned holiday baking. Kids can peek into the past while you imagine what Christmas once looked like in a Victorian-era home.

Head home with a feed full of photos and a plan to make this getaway part of next year’s holiday season too.

Poe House Christmas

There is more to see, taste, and celebrate in Greater Fayetteville than one weekend can hold. Keep the spirit alive with your own Lights, Bites & Holiday Nights adventure and make Fayetteville part of your holiday story.

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If your question was not answered here, please call us at (910) 483-5311 or email us at info@distinctlyfayettevillenc.com.
 
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Holiday Getaway FAQs

Where should we stay for a one night visit?
Pick a hotel near downtown Fayetteville. Staying closer to Hay Street and Segra Stadium makes evenings easy with kids and gives you quick access to breakfast spots in the morning.
Is Sweet Valley Ranch hosting holiday lights this season?
Sweet Valley Ranch plans to bring back Festival of Lights. Dates are announced on their site and social channels each fall. Check the schedule before you go.
What can we do if our visit is not the same weekend as Dickens Holiday?
You still have great options. Try Segra Stadium Holiday Lights in the evening. Visit Cape Fear Botanical Garden for seasonal displays when active. Spend daytime at Sweet Valley Ranch or plan indoor fun at Sol’s Arcade or the Omni Family Entertainment Center.
Best family friendly places to eat near the lights?
For a quick dinner near Segra Stadium try Archway Burgers, Dogs and Beer or Agora Restaurant. If you want zero wait and lots of choice, Fuller's Old Fashioned BBQ and Golden Corral are reliable picks.
Where can we get brunch on Saturday?
MaryBill’s Café serves hearty classics. Just Love Coffee Café offers waffles and easy plates with plenty of coffee for parents.
Any last stop ideas before we drive home on Sunday?
Visit the 1897 Poe House. The rooms are decorated for the season and the kitchen shows old fashioned holiday baking. It is a short, memorable stop that sends you home smiling.
How walkable is downtown with kids and grandparents?
Hay Street is compact and fairly level. Bring a stroller if you have littles. Look for public lots near the Arts Council and Segra Stadium to shorten walks.
What should we pack?
Layers for cool nights, comfy walking shoes, a small blanket for little ones, portable phone chargers, and a light rain jacket. Many venues accept cards, but small bills help for cocoa and snacks.