‘A Christmas Carol,’ parades and ugly sweater contests highlight our best bets
Need a break from holiday shopping? Get in the spirit with these events. Here’s our list of must-do events this week.
‘A Christmas Carol’
Bah humbug! The Theatre in the Park production starring Ira David Wood III first premiered in 1974. The critically acclaimed 45th annual musical adaptation of the classic Dickens Christmas tale returns with its not-so-classic retelling — from its huge heart to its (sometimes biting) humor. The one thing Wood’s version never is, is basic. With such accolades and praise as “top 20 events in the Southeast” and “one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theatre history,” this is def a tale you won’t want to miss — and if ya scrooge, ya lose. Dec. 11-15 at the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh, Dec. 18-22 at Durham Performing Arts Center. 919-831-6058 or theatreinthepark.com
Holiday Pops
Have yourself a merry little Christmas with the annual Holiday Pops tradition with Concert Singers of Cary Symphonic Choir and a jazz trio, featuring fave festive tunes that promise to put some ho, ho, ho spirit in your holiday. Cary Arts Center. 101 Dry Ave., Cary. Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, seniors $22, available online or at the Town of Cary box office. Students are always free. concertsingers.org/holiday-pops-2019/
Snoop Dogg
Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay. Snoop Dogg is in the house for his I Wanna Thank Me Tour. Bark with me now! The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh. Dec. 19, 8 p.m. From $95. ritzraleigh.com
Triangle Christmas parades
▪ The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade through both town’s downtowns starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The route proceeds from the Morehead Planetarium on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and ends on Main Street at Carrboro Town Hall. The parade is organized by the Raleigh Jaycees and town of Chapel Hill. chapelhillholidayparade.com
▪ The Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade in downtown Cary is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, along East Chatham Street and South Academy Street. The event is rain or shine. caryjaycees.org
▪ Clayton’s annual Christmas parade is at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, on Main Street downtown. The event is held rain or shine. claytonchristmasparade.org
▪ The Durham Holiday Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The parade will start at the Health Department (Main and Dillard streets) and end near Duke University East Campus (Main Street and Buchanan Boulevard).
There will be performance areas at the intersections of Mangum and Main, Chapel Hill and Main and Duke and Main streets. There will be no parking on Main Street on Dec. 14 beginning at 6 a.m.
▪ The parade will be followed by a fun fest from 1 to 4 p.m. on Blackwell Street between Morehead and West Lakewood avenues. The free event includes the Peppermint Plunge, which is snow sledding for children and adults, with sleds provided, along with two snow play areas. Children can also meet Santa Claus and decorate holiday cards for home bound people in the community. dprplaymore.org
▪ A free Hanukkah Festival is Sunday, Dec. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Levin Jewish Community Center, 1937 West Cornwallis Road, Durham. levinjcc.org/calendar
▪ Main Street Christmas is Friday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Holly Springs with visits from Santa (until 7:15 p.m.) at Town Hall, storytelling with Mrs. Claus, Mistletoe Market, stories with the Nutcracker, hayrides, the town tree lighting and refreshments. It ends with the tree lighting at 8 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center lawn. hollyspringsnc.us/359/Main-Street-Christmas
▪ The Holly Days Christmas Parade is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at Holly Springs Road, going along Main Street and ending at Rogers Street. This year, the parade route is a block longer, going past the new Town Hall Commons development. Pre-parade perfromances on Main Street are at 10 a.m. The the Bandit Flight Team is performing a national anthem flyover to kick off the parade at 11 a.m. The event is rain or shine. hollyspringsnc.us
▪ There will be holiday music in the State Capitol rotunda from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 to Dec. 14. 919-733-4994 or nchistoricsites.org/capitol.
▪ The North Carolina Executive Mansion will be open this weekend for tours Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for a holiday food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. foodbankcenc.org/give/donate-food/
▪ The Wake Forest Christmas Parade scheduled for Dec. 14 has been canceled. But carolers will gather at the town’s Christmas tree at Town Hall at 1 p.m. Dec. 14.
Jolly Elf Trail Run
“But first, let me take an elfie!” Make like Buddy and get your elf on for the 14th annual Jolly Elf Trail Run to benefit St. Michael School for a 5K, 1 1/4-mile jaunt or, new for 2019, kid races (pre-K, 100-yard dash; K and first grade, 1/4-mile run; second and third grades, 1/2-mile run; fourth through eight grades, 1-miler). WakeMed Soccer Park, 201 Soccer Park Drive, Cary. Dec. 14, 8 a.m. Registration from $10. jollyelfrun.com
Holiday Rescue Jam
Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. This is like that, except swap bells for rock instruments, and you get to be the angel. Jam out for the real reason for the season at the fourth annual Rescue Jam to benefit Raleigh Rescue Mission with a toy, coat and canned food drive at The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop. The house band will feature members of Urban Soil, Big Something, The Mantras, Walrus and more. ’Tis the season! Raleigh. Dec. 19, time. Donation is price of admission. thepourhousemusichall.com
‘The Nutcracker’
This week, the Carolina Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” moves to Durham Performing Arts Center: What is Christmas without Clara battling the Mouse King with Nutcracker Prince? The Carolina Ballet’s telling of the quintessential family holiday tradition “The Nutcracker” once again turns the stage into the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy, featuring 100-plus local children in a can’t-miss production with live symphony orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s famous score, grand magical illusions, and magnificent costumes and sets.
The Carolina Ballet will offer guests $15 off tickets to either performance on Dec. 20 with the donaion of two pairs of new socks. The socks will go to nonprofit Note in the Pocket. Dec. 14-15 at DPAC; Dec. 18-29 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. $30. dpacnc.com/events/detail/the-nutcracker
Raleigh Flute Choir Holiday Concert
Join the Raleigh Flute Choir, one of the nation’s leading flute choirs, comprised of nine NC pro flutists. Usher in the holiday season with familiar faves via the entire flute family, from tiny piccolo to the 8-foot contrabass. Joy to the world, indeed! North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Dec. 15, 2-3:15 p.m. $10 general admission, $6 MOHA/museum members, $6 students, $6 Raleigh Area Flute Association members. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Winter around the World
Take your wishes for a winter wonderland indoors for this family night at the N.C. Museum of Art, where you can experience the “winternational” celebration of the season, create art, discover family traditions from North Carolina and around the globe — and visit with Santa himself. Plus enjoy free access to the exhibit, “Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism.” East Building and Museum Plaza, Raleigh. Dec. 13, 5 p.m. Free; ticket required. ncartmuseum.org
‘Elf’ Trivia
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” Winning Christmas this year is Crank Arm Brewing with its “Elf” trivia. Don’t be a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins and miss this one. … Son of a NUT-cracker! … Does somebody need a hug? … Buddy the Elf, What’s your favorite color?… I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite. 319 W. Davie St., Raleigh. Dec. 16, 7-9 p.m. Free to enter. Reserve your table. elfcrankarm.eventbrite.com
Ugly Christmas Sweater options
So many ugly sweaters. So little time. But, oh, the options to sport them.
▪ First up, a Boozy Brunch: Bad & Boozy at Drive Shack Raleigh (6901 Play Golf Way, Dec. 14, noon-4 p.m.). Deck out in the ugliest sweater you can find for brunch, drinks (hey $20 bottomless mimosas with purchase of BayPlay!) and, duh, ugly sweaters, plus the chance to win a prize package (competition starts at 2 p.m.). facebook.com/DriveShackRaleigh
▪ Then grab your furry friend (donned in ugly sweater too, of course) and fast foot it over to Howliday Party and Adoption Event at Anchor Bar (207 Fayetteville St., Suite 100, Dec. 14, 3-6 p.m.), with puptails, a silent auction to benefit rescue Lending Paws A Hand and a special menu, plus a photo wall with accessories to dress up your pup. Better yet, the chance to give the ultimate gift of the season by giving a homeless pup a forever home (adoptable pups will be present from the rescue). facebook.com/anchorraleigh
▪ Then, after you’ve laundered your sweater and nursed your probable hangover, hop over to Hibernian for some hair of the dog for its ugly sweater Bingo Party (311 Glenwood Ave., Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Free to enter). Ugliest sweater wins a really ugly prize. Game on! facebook.com/HibernianPub
Hands-on History: Holiday ornaments
Up the fa-la-la fun factor and drop in the North Carolina Museum of History to learn about holiday decorations of festive past, and make one — or a few — of your own to take home. 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. Dec. 14, 1-3 p.m. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Gingerbread Jamboree
Sugar and spice and everything nice unfolds at this Marbles Kids Museum workshop, creating sweet treat masterpieces — without the cleanup. 201 E Hargett St., Raleigh. Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-noon; Dec. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Price. marbleskidsmuseum.org/gingerbread-jamboree
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 9:18 PM.