Do you have plans for New Years? ParkGeek.com is proud to be a sponsor of First Night Raleigh. A $10 All Day Pass gives you access to nearly 100 performances in over three dozen locations across Downtown Raleigh as well as the Childrens' Celebration and the midnight Acorn Drop. Advanced tickets are available now at Harris Teeter, Rite Aid and online.

 

 

The Holly Springs Community Band will be playing a Season in Song Concert Thursday evening at the Holly Springs Cultural Center.

 

Come out and see the Mordecai house decorated for Christmas! Each room will be decorated according to a different time period that the Mordecai family resided in the home. The free Holiday Open House will run Saturday and Sunday. Saturday evening, they will also offer Holiday Lantern Tours with the Burning Coal Theater. Tours sell out so call to reserve your ticket early.

 

The Town of Carrboro will celebrate the season Friday night with music on the lawn and tree lighting.

 

Christmas by Candlelight is back again this Friday at the Duke Homestead Historic Site. Celebrate an 1870 Christmas during the evening candlelight tours of the Homestead. After the tour, enjoy caroling, hot apple cider, and other goodies while you take in the period decorations. Bring the family back to Duke Homestead Sunday afternoon to experience a Victorian Family Christmas.

 

A Main Street Christmas, a traditional-style celebration, with Christmas carols, hayrides and other festivities culminating in a tree lighting ceremony at the Holly Springs Cultural Center Friday night that will get you in the mood for the Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade through Downtown Holly Springs Saturday. After the parade, stop by the Holly Springs Cultural Center to check out their Open House. There will be live music, crafts, games, demonstrations, coffee and hot cocoa samples, and lots more!

 

The Wake Forest Christmas Parade will be marching through Downtown Wake Forest Saturday.

 

Saturday afternoon brings the Cary Christmas Parade.

 

The Chapel Hill - Carrboro Holiday Parade marches through town Saturday morning.

 

The Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge is a unique kind of holiday display -- and one you don't want to miss. See 60+ trees gloriously decorated by area nonprofits on the Diamond View Lawn. By voting for your favorite, you'll help a nonprofit win great prizes. Also on the American Tobacco Campus, check out the Ice Factory Ice Rink.

 

Method Community Center will host a Community Holiday Festival Saturday evening with a celebration full of song, dance and cheer.

 

Yates Mill Associates are Taking Photos with Santa at the Old Mill to raise funds for the historic mill. Santa will be dressed in Victorian style inside the picturesque mill on Saturday ready to pose for pictures with you. While you wait for your photo, play reindeer games in the mill yard and try out a variety of old-time toys. Also enjoy some free, seasonal refreshments. While you are there, drop some non-perishables in their Food Drive boxes.

 

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro has put a Holiday twist on their laser show. Laser Holidays shows daily. The show features sights and sounds from your favorite Holiday classics. They are also showing The Light Before Christmas, a 3D adventure about two lost children who are magically transported into the classic tale.

 

 

Pullen Arts Center will host an Opening Reception Thursday evening featuring their Annual Participants Show.

 

Books make great gifts! Check out the Wake County Library Book Sale Thursday through Sunday at the NC State Fairgrounds. Paperbacks and Children's materials are all $1 and the price of hardcovers goes down each day.

 

A four day Art Extravaganza kicks off Thursday night in Downtown Fuquay and continues through Sunday. There will be Art Exhibits, Kids Crafts, Holiday Entertainment and Pictures with Santa.

 

Do a little shopping, enjoy a night out and take in the festivities during Friday night's Art After Hours in Downtown Wake Forest. Santa will even be there to visit with kids of all ages.

 

The North Carolina Museum of History invites you to the North Carolina made film, Iron Man 3 Friday night. Come back Saturday to learn about Tar Heel holiday traditions and make your own Victorian Ornament.

 

Shop Local Art on the ArtWalk with 15 venues participating this month with live music, food & drinks, and other art related entertainment Friday night in Carroboro.

 

The North Carolina Museum of Art kicks off the weekend Friday evening with extended hours, live music by Ed Stephenson and the Paco Band and a Gallery Exploration of the Mysteries of Discretion. Bring the whole family to the Art Museum Saturday & Sunday for a Pop Up Cart, Weekend Family Friendly Tours and Special Family Tours of the Small Treasures exhibit.

 

Students of all ages are invited to participate in Saturday's Holiday Craft Showcase at the South Park Community Center. You are also invited to the Winter Open House showcasing the Fuquay Varina Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources dance classes the week of December 15-19.

 

The Holly Springs Cultural Center will show Ice Age the Meltdown on Saturday morning and Rise of the Guardians Monday morning.

 

Marbles Kids Museum welcomes the NC Symphony"s Instrument Zoo and a special guest musician for a holiday edition of Music Makers Saturday. Sunday, enjoy a special performance of The Nutcracker by the Carolina Youth Ballet.

 

Grab the kids, snacks, blankets and and head over to the Halle Cultural Arts Center Tuesday morning to see Polar Express on the big screen.

 

Come to Raven Rock State Park Saturday for a drop in program to make a gift for your Backyard Birds.

 

Shake off those winter doldrums with a brisk hike along the Peninsula Trail and through their Longleaf Forest on Saturday's Winter Hike at Harris Lake County Park.

 

Come to Lake Crabtree to learn how to Identify Trees without their leaves Saturday.

 

Cool, clear winter skies are great for Sky watching. Join astronomers from Morehead Planetarium out at Jordan Lake Saturday night to enjoy an Astronomy Viewing Session.

 

Come join Mike Raley and Anne Clapp of 680 WPTF The Weekend Gardener Show live Saturday morning at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh.

 

In addition to the Wake County Libraries Book Sale, the State Fairgrounds will also host the Carolina Piedmont Dog Agility Competition and Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia 3-Day Show this weekend.

 

The Mosaic Church in Cary is hosting a Snow Event Friday evening. They will be trucking in tons of real snow, decorating with thousands of lights and throwing an outdoor Christmas party for the whole family!

 

Come out to Eno River State Park Wednesday afternoon and let your kids decorate Christmas Arts and Crafts.

 

Looking to burn off some holiday calories and enjoy the beautiful scenery around Sugg Farm Park and Bass Lake in Holly Springs? Members of Hope Community Church have organized the Suggly Sweater 5k & Fun Run for Saturday, December 20th. Click through for all the registration info.