The ParkGeek Passport Challenge continues through the Holiday. The Wake County Parks all offer unique experiences and are great spots to take out of town visitors. Explore the history of Yates Mill or Oak View. Play a game of disc golf or do some mountain biking at Harris Lake. Crowder and Blue Jay are wonderful places to observe our local birds. Bring the bikes for a ride along the American Tobacco Trail or explore the shoreline at Lake Crabtree. Scan in the QR Code at each park and log in your fun!

 

 

 The Burwell School Historic Site will be displaying a festive collection of Santa Paintings. On loan from Hillsborough resident Nancy Campbell, the collection consists of various paintings featuring Santa Claus painted every year by Nancy's father Philip G. Metz as a family Christmas present.

 

Come to Marbles Kids Museum through Sunday and Celebrate Thanksgiving the Marbles way: Silly Family Portraits, Pie Catapults, Engineer It! Roller Coaster Room, and Sports Jam Workout.

 

This Friday kicks off some fun holiday events in the Wilmington area if you are looking for a great day trip. The Battleship North Carolina will be lit up each night and visible from downtown Wilmington.

 

Everyone is invited to come to downtown Wilmington Friday night for the annual Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting. Prior to the lighting of the tree, carolers will stroll the streets to spread holiday cheer. Riverfront Park vendors will be selling arts and crafts. Santa will arrive shortly after the lighting and will be available for children to visit.

 

The light up ceremony on Friday at Carolina Beach Park officially begins the Island of Lights Festival. Families can walk one mile around the lake to view the beautiful lighted displays.

 

Head over to the Museum of Life and Science this weekend to experience the Wonderland Express. This handcrafted exhibition made of natural materials is sure to immerse you in a magical world. Watch as model trains journey through a snowy Carolina, traversing mountains, crossing bridges and disappearing through tunnels. Bells ring and whistles blow as trains chug along the Blue Ridge Parkway and journey to popular landmarks such as Kitty Hawk, the State Capitol Building and Jennette's Pier. With more than 340 feet of track winding in and out of hills and valleys, this 2,200-square-foot, indoor holiday exhibition is sure to delight all ages.

 

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro has two fun holiday shows playing daily. Bring the family to enjoy a Laser Holiday Show with festive holiday music or The Light Before Christmas, a 3D film about two children, who are lost on Christmas Eve and then magically transported into the classic tale.

 

 

 The State Fairgrounds is hosting some fun events this weekend. If you are ready to jump into Christmas, you won't want to miss the Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival. A complete holiday experience for the entire family. Featuring live holiday music, Santa, and cooking demonstrations. To start or finish your holiday shopping, there will also be original artwork and crafts, Christmas decorations, prints, pottery, candle making, jewelry and more for sale by artisans.

 

Also the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Fine Crafts Show takes place this weekend and gives the public the opportunity to see and purchase a diverse selection of jury-selected, one-of-a-kind fine crafts.

 

Lastly, for all you horse enthusiasts, you will want to check out the Turkey Circuit Quarter Horse Show.

 

All of the events this weekend at the fairgrounds, except the horse show have an admission fee, so make sure to click through for information on prices and available discounts.

 

Historic Yates Mill Pond is another awesome destination if you have visitors from out of town. As the only remaining grist mill in Wake County, it is a fascinating experience for young and old. This weekend, they will be running the wheel and offering Mill Heritage Tours.

All you home schoolers and tracked out kids are invited to join the rangers at Historic Yates Mill County Park for a three day camp about the Wild Winter Frontier. Running from Tuesday through Thursday, you can do one day, two or all three.

 

 

Art in the Evening is back this Friday night with live music by Ed Stephenson. This Friday's Gallery Tour will focus on Classical Statues.

 

The Holly Springs Cultural Center will kick off the Holiday season with a screening of Kung Fu Panda.

 

Sunday is Durham Appreciation Day at the Museum of Life & Science. Durham residents are invited to enjoy the Museum for free!

 

Prairie Ridge Ecostation is asking for your Bagged Leaves. The leaves are needed to mulch the trees at the NC Museum of Natural Science's off-site education facility and you are welcome to drop them off anytime the Ecostation is open.