American Tobacco Tower Lighting 2024

I had a blast with my Chief Shenanigan Partner, Jess, at Wednesday’s annual lighting of the American Tobacco Water Tower in Downtown Durham. The evening was extra special because it was not only my first time attending, but the event’s 20th anniversary!

Jess and I missed a couple of the pre-show performances, but we got to the American Tobacco Campus—a historic network of factory, office, and retail spaces right down the street from the Durham Performing Arts Center and Durham Bulls Athletic Park—just in time for a cameo from Santa and Mrs. Claus before the countdown to light the tower! Wool E. Bull (the Durham Bulls’ mascot) was also on-hand to distribute candy to the assembled crowd…but much of it ended up in the moat around the tower. 😂

Groups like Elevate Performs, Barriskill Dance, Durham Childrens’ Choir, and the Bulltown Strutters gave lively, festive performances that made us forget how cold we were, and Tyler Butler-Figueroa, an amazing violinist featured on America’s Got Talent and the Ellen Show, awed us with his talent. Check out my IG reel to see them in action!

I’m thinking I might make this a personal annual tradition to kick off my holiday festivities. In the meantime, I’m excited to explore all the nearby cute eateries and holiday popups!