Solstice
Announcements!
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024
5-8 PM
Hillsborough, NC
Scroll down to learn about live music, artists, food & beverage vendors, and exciting experiences to look forward to at the 2024 Solstice Lantern Walk & Market!
Music & Entertainment
2022 event photography courtesy of Hillsborough Photography.
LIVE MUSIC:
5 - 5:45 PM -
5:45 - 7 PM -
(Accompanying the Lantern Walk)
5:45 - 7 PM -
Devoted NC: Hair & Healing Arts (Accompanying the Spiral of Light in River Park)
7 - 8 PM -
SPIRAL OF LIGHT: Honor the season by walking the Spiral of Light, brought to you by Spring Forest Farmastery! This meditative, community-created labyrinth will be in River Park 12/16 - the last week in December.
Listen for the singing bowls accompanying the Spiral during the walk, courtesy of Amy-Jae Rignola from Devoted NC: Hair & Healing Arts.
SKY TOURS: If skies are clear, stargaze with CHAOS Astronomers! Find the Astronomers near the River Park Arch to learn about the cosmos on the Winter Solstice.
WALK START:
5:45 PM
*Please do not enter from alternate points along Riverwalk.
Follow the Moon Man! As is tradition for Solstice Lantern Walk, 1,2,3 Puppetry will herald the walk start with their giant moon man & stars puppet and lead our procession along Riverwalk!
GINGERBREAD AWARDS: Awards for the 2024 Homes for the Holidays Gingerbread Competition will be announced at Solstice Market!
Plan to tour the gingerbread houses on display in historic, downtown Hillsborough Dec. 7th to Jan. 5th, 2025.
SOLSTICE PHOTO BOOTH: Commemorate Solstice and take a photo with your lantern at the Solstice Photo Booth!
Brought to you by HAC Business Sponsors. Click here to learn more about marketing your business while supporting the arts as a HAC Business Sponsor!
SOLSTICE RAFFLE: Take part in the onsite raffle to win gift certificates to your favorite local businesses!
Solstice Market Artists
Click for links to artist websites where available.
Food & Beverage
Hot apple cider & bottles to take home (to-go only) with Botanist & Barrel!
Good ol' BBQ with
Baked Goods (including GF & vegan options)
with Genevieve Pastry!
Kettle Corn with GypZea Maize!
Empanadas, Arepas, Cachapas, and Fries with Empanadas and More!
Hot Chocolate & Baked Goods with Star Fish Bakery!
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!
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!
Many downtown businesses offer extended hours, specials, and promotions to support the Solstice festivities! Be sure to check out all the Solstice Specials & Promotions to explore before & after this event.
Don't forget to explore the gingerbread houses on display in many local shop windows Dec. 7th through Jan. 5th, 2025. Awards will be announced at Solstice Market!