Holiday guide

Holiday Performances

Imitation Masses by Renaissance Masters

Duke Vespers Ensemble Fall Concert, 8 p.m. today. Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham. Free. Messiah Sing-Along with the Duke Chapel Choir

7 p.m. Sunday. Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham. Free. Holiday Pops

Presented by the N.C. Symphony. Nov. 27-28, Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh. $30-$45. www.ncsymphony.org. 733-2750 Messiah

Presented by Carolina Ballet. Nov. 25-29. Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. $18-$63. www.carolinaballet.com, 719-0900. I'll Be Home for Christmas

Bill Leslie joins the Country Music Showcase. Dec. 3 - 6, Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, Johnston Community College. www.jccperformingarts.com, 209-2099. 10th Annual Holiday Cabaret

Presented by Holly Springs School of Dance and Spring Dance Company, 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 557-3270. Songs of the Season

Presented by the Carolina Harmony Chorus and the General Assembly Chorus, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Fletcher Opera Theater, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. $20-$25. 851-9188. The Gingerbread Boy

10 a.m. Dec. 3. Duke Memorial UMC, 504 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham. $5. 423-8696; 10 a.m. Dec. 9 Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. $5. 567-4000. Handel's Messiah

Presented by Duke Chapel Choir and Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4; 2 p.m. Dec. 5; and 3 p.m. Dec. 6 Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham. $15. 684-4444. Christmas Concert

Presented by the Raleigh Concert Band, 2 p.m. Dec. 5. Garner Historic Auditorium, 742 West Garner Road, Garner. Handel's Messiah

Presented by Wesley Campus Ministry at UNC-Chapel Hill, 7 p.m. Dec. 5. The Wesley Foundation, 214 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill. Free. 942-2152 I Hear the Prophet Calling

Christmas cantata sung by Lystra Baptist Church Choir, 11 a.m. Dec. 6. Lystra Baptist Church, 686 Lystra Road, Chapel Hill. Handel's Messiah

Presented by Cary Community Choir, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. White Plains United Methodist Church. 500 SE Maynard Road, Cary. Living Room Christmas Carols

Featuring Valerie Wood, 4 p.m. Dec. 6. Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road, Raleigh. Free. 781-4600. A Christmas Carol

Presented by Theatre In The Park, 7 p.m. Dec. 8-16, 2 p.m. Dec. 12-13, Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. $21-$77. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com Cinderella

Dec. 11-20, Fletcher Opera Theater, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh. $17-$27. www.raleighlittletheatre.org, 821-3111 25th Annual Living Christmas Tree

"Gloria Deo: A Service of Lessons and Carols" 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 5 p.m. Dec. 12-13. Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road, Raleigh. Free but tickets required. 781-4600. A Carolina Christmas

7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Cary Senior Center, Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary. A Holiday Spectacular

Presented by Barriskill Dance Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Reynolds Theater, Science Drive, Durham. $15. 684-4444. Johnston Country Chorale Christmas Show

7 p.m. Dec. 12. Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, Johnston Community College. 209-2099. Come! Celebrate Christmas

Featuring a 50-voice chorale, 17-piece orchestra, children's choir, dance group and Santa, 7 p.m. Dec. 12. Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, 245 College Road, Smithfield. $10. 209-2099. Capital City Girls Choir

Presents "A Winter Celebration" 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Jones Auditorium, Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. $10. 760-2242. The Nutcracker

Presented by City Ballet, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Stewart Theatre, 2610 Cates Ave., Raleigh. $20. 844-9799. www.city-ballet.com.

Celebrate the Season

Presented by Route 55 Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m. Dec. 12. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. $7. www.etix.com Christmas Cantata

By Lloyd Larson and Pamela Martin, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 13. Sunrise United Methodist Church, 5420 Sunset Lake Road, Holly Springs. The American Youth Harp Ensemble

A candlelight holiday concert, 3 p.m. Dec. 13. Wake Forest Baptist Church, 107 E. South Ave., Wake Forest. $10-$15. 556-5141. Christmas Lovefeast

With Sisters' Voices, 3 p.m. Dec. 13. Lystra Baptist Church, 686 Lystra Road, Chapel Hill. The Oakwood Waits

Raleigh's Christmas caroling a cappella group, 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Free. Organ Recital

Featuring Gerre and Judith Hancock, 5 p.m. Dec. 15, Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham. Free. A Christmas Carol

Sponsored by the Burwell School Historic Site and St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 210 St. Mary's St., Hillsborough. $15. 732-7451. Carols of Christmas

Presented by the Raleigh BoyChoir, 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Edenton United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh. A Christmas Memory

Presented by Theatre in The Park, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19; 3 p.m. Dec. 19-20. Theatre in the Park, 107 Pullen Road, Raleigh. $14. 831-6058. www.theatreinthepark.com. Nutcracker

Presented by Carolina Ballet. Dec. 18-27, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. $20-$100. www.carolinaballet.com, 719-0900. New Year's Eve Extravaganza

Presented by the N.C. Symphony. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center, Raleigh. $40-$70. www.ncsymphony.org. 733-2750

Holiday Shopping

Holiday Art Sale

Hosted by the Meredith Art department. All items are handmade by the students and faculties of the art department. 3-8 p.m. today; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Gaddy-Hamrick Art Building, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Holiday Craft Sale

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100 Lochmere Drive, at Kildaire Farm Road, Cary. Free. Annual Holiday Crafts Fair

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The NCSU Crafts Center, Raleigh. 515-2457.

22nd Annual Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival

Exhibitors from all over the country. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 27-28; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 29. $7 adults, $6 seniors (60 and up); children 6 -12 $4; children under 6 free. Free parking. Jim Graham Building, State Fairgrounds Holiday Shoppe

Featuring more than 100 vendors, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m-9 p.m. Dec. 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5. Cary Academy. 1500 N. Harrison Ave., Cary. 228-4653. 12th Annual Scandinavian Christmas Fair

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Holshouser Building, N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. $10; kids under 13 get in free. 455-6016. Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show

Featuring more than 55 crafters and artisans from across the Triangle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5. St. Thomas More School, 920 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill. Free admission. 490-8493 Clayworks Holiday Show

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5. Durham Academy, 3116 Academy Road, Durham. www.ncclayworks.org Holiday Faire

Featuring crafts, puppet shows, games and more, 10 a.m.-4p.m. Dec. 5. Emerson Waldorf School, 6211 New Jericho Road, Chapel Hill. www.emersonwaldorf.org Art for the Creek

Holiday shopping featuring 30 local artists, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 5. The King's Daughters Inn, 204 N. Buchanan Blvd, Durham. 698-9729. St. Nicholas European Christmas Market

Featuring ethnic foods, vintage and new Christmas linens and more, 1-6 p.m. Dec. 5. St. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, Piney Plains Road, Cary. 851-9266. Fearrington Holiday Market

North Carolina artists and trunk shows showcasing Dori Csengeri, Uno de 50 and Loren Hope Designs. Chatham Outreach Alliance will be collecting canned food for the local pantry. Noon-4 p.m., Dec. 5-6, 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro. 542.4000

Holiday Events

Tree-Lighting Celebration

Special guest Pam Saulsby will introduce Santa Claus for the lighting of the tree. Photos with Santa, ice skating, craft-making, miniature pony rides, horse and carriage and train rides, elves, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf and Victorian Carolers. Saturday, all day until 7 p.m., lighting at 6 p.m. The Commons Lawn, North Hills, Raleigh Meadow Lights

Dec. 1-31. 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Seven miles south of Benson off N.C. 96 on Godwin Lake Road. 894-4370. Ornament Night

6-8 p.m. Dec. 3. The Garden Hut, 1004 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-Varina. 552-0590. Smithfield Tree Lighting

7 p.m. Dec. 3. Join Santa and the Ham & Yam queens. Free. 934-2148. Sixth Annual Festival of Trees

A display of more than 50 North Carolina-grown Christmas trees decorated with various themes, Dec. 3-9. Johnston Medical Mall, 514 N. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield. Check Web site for hours. www.jcfestivaloftrees.com Christmas in Ireland

Presented by Irish historian Jack Crosson, noon Dec. 4. East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Court, Knightdale. Light Up Main

Holiday celebration, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4. Garner's Historic Main Street, Garner. Light Up Durham

Various holiday activities, 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Downtown Durham. The Polar Express

Kids are encouraged to wear pj's for this event to enjoy cookies, cocoa and crafts, 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Barnes and Noble. Please check your closest Barnes and Noble for more details. Walk Through Bethlehem

Living nativity program presented by Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4-5; 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6. 12605 Capital Blvd., Wake Forest. Free. 556-7777 Lighting of the Luminaries at Fearrington

6-8 p.m. Dec. 4. 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro. Free. 542.4000 Birthday Party for Jesus

Children's Christmas party, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5. Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road, Raleigh. 781-4600.

Breakfast with St. Nick

Enjoy a breakfast buffet, crafts for kids and a picture with Santa, 8-11 a.m. Dec. 5. Mount Bethel Presbyterian Church, 3541 Rose of Sharon Road, Durham. 383-3854. Paint aSnowman Ornament

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 5. The Nature of Art, Sunset Lake Commons, 5229 Sunset Lake Road, Holly Springs. $30 plus $20 for supplies. 387-9448. 51st Annual Christmas Candle Tea

Enjoy various activities with holiday music performances, 2-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Raleigh Moravian Church, 1816 Ridge Road, Raleigh. Free. Cookies and Cocoa with Santa

Sponsored by Family Support Network of Wake County, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 5. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7000 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh. Free. 662-4600 ext. 257. A Colonial Christmas

Presented by Joel Lane Museum, 1 -4 p.m. Dec. 5-6. 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh. 833-3431. Historic Hillsborough Candlelight Tour

Noon-7 p.m. Dec. 6. Downtown Hillsborough. $3-$5. 732-8156. Lazy O Farms Christmas Dayz

Visit with Santa, crafts for children, nativity animals and a hayride. Dec. 7-23. 3583 Packing Plant Road, Smithfield. 934-1132 Walk Through Bethlehem

An indoor interactive tour back in the time when Jesus was born, 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9-11; 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Beacon Baptist Church, 2110 Trawick Road, Raleigh. 872-2215. Santa visit

Free snacks and a picture with Santa. 5-7 p.m. Dec. 10, ages 5-12. Worthdale Community Center, 1001 Cooper Road, Raleigh. 250-2730 In Bethlehem Inn

Dinner Theater by St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. Dec. 11-13. 7506 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh. $5-$8. krushing@sapc.com Miracle on Fayetteville Street

Enjoy the holidays the old fashioned way, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 12. Raleigh City Museum, 220 Fayetteville St., Raleigh. $5 per family. 832-3775. Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour

1-7 p.m. Dec. 12-13 Enjoy the sounds of The Carolina Harmony Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus 2:30-7 p.m. Dec. 12 at a stop on the tour. Oakwood Holiday Scavenger Hunt

1-4 p.m. Dec. 12 Meet at the Tucker House for a clue sheet and return your clue sheet by 4 p.m. for the chance to win some family appropriate prizes. Snacks with Santa at Chavis Community Center

Free snacks and a picture with Santa. 10:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 12., 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh. 831-6989. Cookie Decorating

Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20, A Baker's Dozen, Celebration Shopping Center, 7461 Six Forks Road, Raleigh. 870-1045. Santa Claus visit

For children, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 14. The Piper's Restaurant and Tavern, 8304 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh. Christmas Pageant

7 p.m. Dec. 16. Sunrise United Methodist Church, 5420 Sunset Lake Road, Holly Springs. The Christmas Story

A celebration of Jesus' birth led by the children of First Baptist Church, 6:15 p.m. Dec. 16. First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh. Nativity Scenes Celebration

Noon-4:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19. First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh. Free. Holiday Storytelling with Donald Davis

11a.m. Dec. 19. Instead of admission, guests donate cans of food, which will be given to Chatham County's CORA group (Chatham Outreach Alliance). 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro. Call McIntyre s Fine Books at 542-3030. Candlelight Communion Service

5:30 p.m. Dec. 24. Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road, Raleigh. 781-4600. Christmas Eve Worship and Communion

5 p.m. Dec. 24. First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.

Latest Comment View all comments