Solstice

Announcements!

Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026
5-8 PM

Hillsborough, NC

Farmers Market Pavilion

Scroll down to learn about live music, artists, food & beverage vendors, and exciting experiences to look forward to at the 2026 Solstice Lantern Walk & Market!

Music & Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT:

Event photography courtesy of Hillsborough Photography.

LIVE PERFORMANCES:

Lagomorph Quartet

5-8 PM at the Farmers' Market Pavilion

Living Arts Collective Musicians

5:30-7:30 PM along the Riverwalk

Red Sage Collective LED Dancers

5:30-7:30 PM around the Market

6:30 PM performance on the River Park Stage

A white lanten owl soars over the heads of fellow walkers at Solstice.

LANTERN CONTEST: Made a lantern you want to show off? Enter to win local gift cards and walk the River Park Stage at 5:45 PM! Online sign-up coming soon.

CHAOS Astronomers and their large telescope in River Park.

SKY TOURS: If skies are clear, stargaze with

CHAOS Astronomers! Find the Astronomers in River Park 6-8 PM to learn about the cosmos as we celebrate the Winter Solstice!

Living Arts Collective Muscians on the Riverwalk.

WALK WITH THE MOON MAN:

1,2,3 Puppetry’s Giant Moon Man & Stars Puppet will join the Riverwalk stroll at 6:30 PM! If you want to walk alongside the Moon Man, meet them at the Farmers Market Pavilion!

2024 Solstice Lantern Walk - Selfie Station

FAMILY & FRIENDS PORTRAITS:

Commemorate Solstice and take a group photo with a local photographer!

Solstice Market Artists

Click for links to artist websites where available.

Fieldstone Garden

We grow flowers on our farm and dry them throughout the year. In the fall and winter, I use those to create dried flower bouquets and wreaths. I use grapevines grown in our woods as a base and also incorporate other found treasures from our woods like fungi, acorns, pinecones, etc.

Nuit Moore - Terra Astra

I like to think of my work as a jewelry artist as sacred adornment, and also as expression alchemy. I am inspired by ancient and future, as well as my ancestral lineages, and my jewelry design invokes incredible eras of humanity. I use alchemical processes to transform metal, create centerpieces and sacred sculpture from clay, natural minerals, and have a passion for reusing and repurposing elements for my designs.

Wild Bohemian Co. Clay & Decor

We make handmade crystalline ceramics. We focus on wheel thrown techniques for our ceramic pieces and work primarily with porcelain. Our main focus is on our glaze chemistry and formulation to achieve unique one of a kind crystalline effects on our ceramic bodies. Our products range from artistic forms and vases to functional pottery including ornaments, mugs, dishes, flower pots and more.

Perdita Holtz - Handcrafted by Perdita

I create artisan craft pottery in my home pottery studio using stoneware clay. Most of my work is hand-built and functional (mugs, tumblers, trinket dishes, platters, trays, plates, etc.) but I also offer some purely decorative items and a small amount of wheel-thrown work. My ornaments tend to be very popular at the Solstice Lantern Walk; I create a limited number of commemorative ornaments for the event.

Food & Beverage

Hot apple cider with Botanist & Barrel!

Apple cider donuts & cookies with

Kim's Bake Shop!

Onigiri & Sweets

with Rose's Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets!

Hot Chocolate & Baked Goods with Star Fish Bakery!

Baked Goods (including GF & vegan options)

with Genevieve Pastry!

Empanadas, Arepas, Cachapas, and Fries with Empanadas and More!

Kettle Corn with Zen Wizard!

Plan Your Visit to Hillsborough!

All HAC events are town-wide celebrations of creativity and community. While in Historic Hillsborough, we encourage you to make a day of it and support our beloved local artists and businesses this winter!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO >

Have questions about parking, the walk route, viewing locations, restrooms, etc.? We've answered most-asked questions in a comprehensive guide to help you plan for the optimal Solstice experience!

TOUR THE GINGERBREAD HOUSES (MAP COMING SOON) >

Don't forget to explore the gingerbread houses on display in many local shop windows Dec. 5th through Jan. 4th, 2026.