There’s still time for the Lantern Festival, ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’
As the holidays rapidly approach, here are some holiday events for you and your family, and your out-of-town friends and guest.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
If you haven’t been yet, don’t miss this holiday light show, featuring nightly cultural performances. The 45- to 75-minute stroll (about 1/2 mile) takes you through a 15,000+ LED light display comprising 20 amazing displays. Selfie spot, check! Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. Through Jan. 12, 6 to 10 p.m. (closed Mondays, except Dec. 23 and 30). Any night tickets are $20 each for all ages (except kids 2 & under, who are admitted free and do not need tickets). boothamphitheatre.com
Ariana DeBose: There’s No Place Like Home
By popular demand, a second performance has been added as Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose (for her portrayal of disco queen Donna Summer) returns home to Raleigh. She’s on break from her L.A. rehearsals for Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of “The Prom” for Netflix, in which she stars opposite Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and James Corden. The concert will include a set list of trademark medleys and mashups, as well as highlights from DeBose’s Broadway career and a few holiday favorites, joined by special guest Lauren Kennedy Brady. Seems there really is no place like home after all. Duke Energy for the Performing Arts, Kennedy Theatre, Raleigh. Dec. 22, 8 & 10 p.m. From $47. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas
’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a — dinosaur? Throw the fam in the car and join the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences to celebrate the magic of the season museum-style with cookies and cider. Sit down for a special reading of the children’s book “Dinosaurs’ Night before Christmas” before touring the exhibit halls to discover if those dinosaurs and fossils are stirring after all. 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. Dec. 21, 10 a.m.-noon; or 2-4 p.m. Adult: program + hardcover book (with CD): $20 ($17 members); adult: program only: $15 ($12 members); child (must be accompanied by an adult): $10.; children 3YO and younger: free. naturalsciences.org
‘The Nutcracker’
This week, the Carolina Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” moves to Raleigh. 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 donation of two pairs of new socks. The socks will go to nonprofit Note in the Pocket. Dec. 18-29 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. From $30. carolinaballet.com
‘A Christmas Carol’
The local classic continues, this time at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The Theatre in the Park production starring Ira David Wood III first premiered in 1974 and returns with its not-so-classic retelling — from its huge heart to its (sometimes biting) humor. Dec. 18-22 at Durham Performing Arts Center. 919-831-6058 or theatreinthepark.com
Holiday pop-up at The Colonel’s Daughter
“Mad Men” meets the most wonderful time of the year in this signature 1950s winter wonderland holiday pop-up bar. Our pick? The Partridge in a (poached) Pear Tree with Smirnoff vodka, pear juice, green Chartreuse and Lambrusco. Or spice up your holiday with a Santa’s Spring Break. And if your SO needs a reality check, you can always order him or her the Lump of Coal (for real): milk — washed spiced Negroni and activated charcoal. See you there for these and other fun holiday sips and snacks. Jack Tar and The Colonel’s Daughter, 202 Corcoran St., Durham. Through Dec. 31, holiday pop-up menus available Sunday to Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-midnight. Closed Dec. 24 and 25.
Leonard Ouzts
Laugh off the holiday stress with Leonard Ouzts of the second season “Master of None” fame. Don’t miss the chance to see the 26-year-old comic whose star is rising rapidly in the world of stand-up — recently named by Rolling Stone as a top 10 comic to watch. Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary. Dec. 20, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; Dec. 21, 6:30 and 9 p.m.; Dec. 22, 7 p.m. improv.com/raleigh
The Love Language
“Slow winnings, the room’s spinning, false starts lead to sad endings — Oh, close your eyes, and [they’ll] remind you”… why this homecoming for the homegrown indie band on the release of their eponymous 2009 debut album is a show you won’t want to miss. Kings, 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh. Dec. 20, 10:30 p.m. From $14. kingsraleigh.com
Holiday Movie Night
Son of a NUT-cracker! The quintessential holiday classic “Elf” is set to screen on Sanderford Road Park while you sip hot choco with the fam. Did that make you smile? Good. I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite. 2623 Sanderford Road, Raleigh. Dec. 20, 6 p.m. Free, participants under 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult. raleighnc.gov
Snacks with Santa
Kids 12 years old and younger this one’s for you: Snacks and storytime with Santa, holiday games and arts and crafts abound. And, parents, don’t miss the Insta-worthy moment to snap a shot of your tot with the jolly ole elf himself. John Chavis Memorial Park, Raleigh. Dec. 21, 10 a.m.-noon. Please bring two nonperishable food items for this event. Free. raleighnc.gov/events/snacks-santa
So many more Ugly Sweater Parties
Rinse. Wash. Repeat. If you haven’t gotten your fill of ugly Christmas sweater fun yet, don’t fret. More (free) opps abound:
▪ Crank Arm gets brings the tacky by inviting you, your fam and Fido, too, to wear your most obnoxious sweater to drink beer, eat cookies and laugh. And there will be prizes. 319 W. Davie St., Raleigh. Dec. 20, 6-9 p.m.
▪ Then hop over to Alchemy for a hilarious holiday party, drink specials and a DJ. 606 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. Dec. 20, 9 p.m.
▪ From there, head to Fresh Fruit: Ugly Christmas Sweater Edition in Durham for the funkiest dance party with “DJ HALO and Speakeasy Syndicate on the wheels, and S.C.U.M. on the visuals.” Durham Fruit and Produce Co., 305 S Dillard St. Dec. 20, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
▪ Saturday, sweat out the hangover in that hideous holiday sweater with the annual Ugly Sweater Run, where you trek 3 miles in your tackiest holiday getup at any of the three Fleet Feet Raleigh and Morrisville locations. Prize for being the ugliest, and the run is free and open to all ages, paces and abilities. Dec. 21, 8 a.m.
▪ Then, warm up with the Chili Cook Off & Ugly Sweater Party: Calling all Crockpots at Pedaler Wine and Beer for this collab of best chili and worst sweaters. Not a cook? No problem. Come taste and vote. Tasting to begin at 5:15 p.m. Email hattie@pedalerwineandbeer.com to enter your chili. Prizes will be doled for best overall chili, first runner-up and, of course, ugliest sweater. 5910 Duraleigh Road, Ste. 141, Raleigh. Dec. 21, 4-9 p.m.
▪ If you’re still standing, get naughty or nice (literally, you will be dubbed this) at the, well, Naughty or Nice Holiday Party at Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Raleigh. Dress in your holiday best (from ugly sweaters to Christmas suits to elf costumes, antlers and whatever festive fun you can fancy). Santa Claus and Krampus will be in house giving away tinsel lays, and guests will be deemed either naughty or nice, and score either coal or candy canes while sipping on Christmas-inspired cocktails and White Claw specials, and jammin’ to DJ spins. Festive! 330 W. Davie St., Raleigh. Dec. 21, 1-11 p.m.
▪ And then bring it all home at Milk Bar, who beckons to see your ugliest Christmas sweater, with DJ & drink specials to boot. 410 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. Dec. 21, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Hideout Holiday Party
Swap the ugly sweater for plaid — from posh to PJs, your call — and post up at the annual Lonerider Raleigh holiday/Christmas party, featuring guest bartenders, a specialty keg of Peppermint Deadeye Jack and some games to boot. 8816 Gulf Court, Suite 100, Raleigh. Dec. 20, 6-10 p.m. Free.