SmithfieldChristmas.com Helps Residents Plan a Season of Holiday Fun

From Christmas lights and carriage rides to cocoa and visits with Santa, Smithfield is getting ready for a season of holiday fun.

SmithfieldChristmas.com brings event dates, details, and ticket information together in one place, with more updates to come as plans are finalized.

This year’s theme, “Gather Here. Celebrate Here. Make Memories Here.”, invites residents and
visitors to enjoy favorite traditions and make time for family and friends.

Tickets for Christmas carriage rides, the Downtown Smithfield Cocoa Crawl, and Christmas movies go on sale Monday, November 16th, at 10 a.m. Ticket links will be available at SmithfieldChristmas.com and DowntownSmithfield.com.

Christmas Kickoff and Tree Lighting | December 5th
Shop the Holiday Market and enjoy downtown festivities from 3-8 p.m., with the Town Christmas Tree Lighting at 7 p.m.

Stink, Stank, Stunk 5K Toy Run and Jingle Bell Jog | December 5th
Start the day at Smithfield Community Park at 10 a.m. Participants bring a new, unwrapped toy as their entry fee, benefiting Harbor Shelter and the Johnston County DSS Angel Tree Project.

Smithfield Christmas Parade | December 10th
Gather along Market Street for the annual parade at 7 p.m., traveling from Sixth Street to Second Street.

Downtown Smithfield Cocoa Crawl | December 11th
Explore local businesses for cocoa-inspired drinks and treats while collecting scavenger hunt clues. Christmas Trivia and an after-party follow at 8 p.m. at the Smithfield Performing Arts Center. Crawl tickets are $25 and include team entry into trivia; trivia-only team tickets are $10.

Carriage Rides and Jingle Bell Jubilee
Enjoy downtown’s Christmas lights by carriage on December 4th, 11th, 13th, 18th, and 20th. Rides depart from South Third Street near Santa’s Workshop and cost $25 per carriage, typically seating four to six people. The Jingle Bell Jubilee brings more downtown holiday fun on December 13th.

Breakfast and Visits with Santa
On December 12th, Santa visits The Diner from 9-10 a.m. and The Gilded Pear from 10-11 a.m. On December 19th, he stops at Chicken Barn from 9-10 a.m. and Gotham’s Deli from 10-11a.m. Santa’s Workshop at the Johnston County Courthouse on Third Street will also welcome visitors December 11th-13th and December 18th-20th. No reservations are required; daily hours are listed on the website.

Christmas Movies and Live Theatre
The Smithfield Performing Arts Center, 141 South Third Street, will show The Polar Express on December 12th at 11 a.m., National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on December 18th at 7p.m., and Elf on December 20th at 1 p.m. Neuse Little Theatre will present A Christmas Story December 4th-6th and December 11th-13th at The Hut, 104 South Front Street.

Cops, Cocoa, and Cookies | December 22nd
Smithfield Parks and Recreation and the Smithfield Police Department will serve free cocoa and cookies on Skyland Drive from 10-11 a.m., Kay Drive from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Furlong Drive from 2-3 p.m., and Kinney Drive from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

Make a day or evening of it by visiting Smithfield’s local shops and restaurants along the way. Find schedules, ticket information, and new event announcements at SmithfieldChristmas.com.