Carolina Inn 12 Days of Christmas

Where: The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill

When: Dec 1 – Jan 2

In honor of the classic song, the Carolina Inn will hold a variety of holiday related events that will range from a holiday market to breakfast with Santa to a live tap performance. The Inn will be beautifully decorated for the occasions.

 

Official Strongman Games

Where: Dorton Arena, Raleigh

When: Dec 7-9, Friday 4 – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Maybe, you’ve seen the Strongman Games before on TV. Now’s your chance to actually see some of the world’s strongest men and women in person. They will be lifting, shifting, and throwing(?) all sorts of objects so big no human should ever be capable of moving.

 

Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead

Where: Duke Homestead, Durham

When: Friday, Dec 7 & 14, 6:45 – 9:15 pm

Historic Duke Homestead will be recreating Christmas from times past, creating a fun and educational experience for all ages. Costumed interpreters will lead a tour through the historically decorated homestead. Visitors will have the opportunity to decorate a Christmas tree in Victorian style and listen to carolers around a blazing fire.

 

Winter in the Garden Holiday Festival

Where: NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill

When: Saturday, Dec 8, 5 – 9 pm

According to the site: “Enjoy holiday splendor in the Garden as we celebrate the end of the year with luminarias, native plant greenery, holiday music, food and good cheer.” There will also be plenty of crafts, an a cappella performance, puppet storytime and of course the relaxing environment that is the NC Botanical Garden.

 

Hillsborough Candlelight Tour

Where: Throughout downtown Hillsborough

When: Sunday, Dec 9, 1 – 7 pm

According to the event website: “a self-guided tour, Hillsborough Candlelight Tour invites guests to create family holiday traditions while exploring the town’s many historic treasures, visiting the local merchants, and becoming a ‘citizen for the day!’ Visitors should expect to find more to do than can be accomplished in one afternoon, so relax and enjoy the stroll!” There will also be “pop up” readings from local authors in what has been described as America’s Little Literary Town by the Wall Street Journal.

Christmas in the Piedmont

Where: Bennett Place, Durham

When: Saturday, Dec 15, 10 am – 4 pm

Once just another simple farmhouse, Bennett Place served as the location for the largest troop surrender of the Civil War. The historic site will be recreating life in the Piedmont during the war. There will be cooking demonstrations, “soldiers” showing what Christmas was like in the field and a visit from Santa.

 

Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concert

Where: Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh

When: Saturday, Dec 15, 3 pm, 7:30 pm, Sunday, Dec 16, 3 pm

“The Raleigh Ringers is an internationally acclaimed, advanced community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since its founding in 1990, The Raleigh Ringers has been dazzling concert audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music, including famous rock ‘n’ roll tunes arranged just for handbells.”

The Raleigh Ringers always put on a terrific and special show, if you’re looking for a great and different kind of concert then this is it.

 

First Night Raleigh

Where: Fayetteville Street

When: Monday, Dec 31, Children’s Celebration 2 – 6 pm, Main Event 7 pm – Midnight

First Night is Raleigh’s New Years Eve bash full of food, fun and a giant acorn. Come out for live performances, a Ferris wheel and more. Starting at 2 pm, there will be Children’s Celebration for those that aren’t quite ready to stay up to watch the acorn drop at midnight.

 

Have a great December and a great New Year!