Kids are wiggling, bells are jingling – Christmas is in the air!
Here’s a sampling of the many festivities taking place across our area; keep watch for more at carymagazine.com/social-calendar!
TONIGHT
Opening Night: It's a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m.
Cary Players present It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, at the Cary Arts Center. Additional show times are Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. caryplayers.org
Winter Strings Concert, 7 p.m.
Green Hope High School, 2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road, Cary
The Green Hope High School Fine Arts Department presents A Winter Strings Concert. Under the direction of David Wilson, the concert features performances by the Green Hope Guitar Ensemble and the Green Hope Strings Orchestra. Admission is $5. greenhopefinearts.org
Christmas Tree Lighting & Sleigh Rides, 6 p.m.
Corner of East Vance and South Main Streets, Downtown Fuquay District
Visit with Santa and listen to holiday favorites sung by local schools and choral groups. Free hot chocolate. fuquay-varina.org
FRIDAY, DEC. 5
Arbolito de la Esperanza, 6:30 p.m.
Herb Young Community Center, Cary
Join in this Tree of Hope Lighting! diamanteinc.org
Christmas on Salem Street, 5 p.m.
Downtown Apex
This annual event features Christmas Carols at the Depot at 5 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Apex Christmas tree by Mayor Bill Sutton. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by horse-drawn carriage to the Downtown Fire House between 5:45 and 6 p.m.
Carriage rides will be offered first-come, first-serve on Salem Street from 6 to 9 p.m., at a cost of $7 per person; children 2 and younger ride free. Tickets go on sale at 4 p.m. under a white tent at the corner of North Salem and Saunders Streets.
The Kiddy Christmas Train Ride will run from 6 to 9 p.m., at $4 per person; children 2 and younger ride free. Tickets for this ride go on sale at 5:30 p.m.
Christmas on Salem Street also includes Make Your Own Ornament at the depot; Olde Time Photo Booths with Christmas costuming available; cookie decorating; face painting; sidewalk carolers; and bell ringing group. apexdowntown.com
Holiday Tree Lighting, 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall, Morrisville
Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at Town Hall as a children’s choir performs before the main feature: the lighting of the tree. This free event also includes a visit from Santa. ci.morrisville.nc.us
Family Fun Night, 6 p.m.
900 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs
A whole evening of family fun! From 6 to 7 p.m. make arts and crafts, meet a live animal, or borrow a fishing pole! From 7 to 8, join singer and storyteller Trish Miller for children’s concerts on the deck overlooking Bass Lake, or Dan the Magic Man’s magic show. hollyspringsnc.us
Light Up Main, 6 p.m.
Downtown Garner
The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, plus entertainment, free kids’ activities, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus! garnernc.gov
N.C. Symphony Presents Handel's Messiah, 8 p.m.
Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh
One of the most inspiring works of music ever conceived, Handel’s masterpiece is full of passion, drama and faith. Additional show time is Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ncsymphony.org
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
Ole Time Winter Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Cary
It's the Heart of Cary Association's Ole Time Winter Festival, a day of fun for the whole family with arts and crafts, entertainment and food! At 10 a.m. is Santa’s Workshop at the Herb Young Community Center. Be sure to mail your letter to Santa at Town Hall, and attend the Town of Cary Tree Lighting at 6 p.m.
Also, a Holiday Open House will be held at Page-Walker Arts & History Center from 4 to 6 p.m., art exhibition openings will take place at Town Hall, Cary Arts Center and the Herb Young Community Center, and on display downtown are the Gifting Tree Project and the Gingerbread House Competition. heartofcary.org
The Muppets Christmas Carol, 10 a.m.
The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary
The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale in this film. Tickets are $5; doors open 1 hour prior to show time. townofcary.org
Winterfest Parade & Craft Fair, 11 a.m.
Chamber of Commerce, 260 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville
The Town of Morrisville hosts the Winterfest Parade & Holiday Craft Fair! Joining the parade is Santa Claus, and afterward the Cedar Fork Community Center at 1050B Town Hall Drive will become a Holiday Craft Fair winter wonderland from noon to 2 p.m., featuring local vendors showcasing their goods for purchase. Santa will be present for photos, and food trucks will be on hand to provide specialty cuisine. ci.morrisville.nc.us
Christmas on Salem Street, Part 2, 7 a.m.
Downtown Apex
The holiday fun continues in Apex with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., at the Apex Downtown Fire House. Pictures with Santa will be taken at The Halle Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Grand Christmas Parade starts down Salem Street at 5 p.m.
Frozen Family Fun Day, 2 p.m.
Centennial Square, 102 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
Spend the afternoon with Anna and Elsa of Frozen! Dress like your favorite characters and register early at the Community Center to be entered in a chance to win fun prizes! Themed balloon art and face painting by Mimi the Clown and a visit from Santa too! Free event; register online. fuquay-varina.org
Garner Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.
Downtown Garner
This year’s parade theme is “Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag!” garnernc.gov
Holiday Home Tour, 1 p.m.
Fuquay-Varina
Tour various homes on this holiday trek; tickets are $12; children 12 and younger $6. Tickets are available at David Anthony's, Garden Hut and Mad Hatter. fuquay-varina.org
SUNDAY, DEC. 7
Handel's Messiah, 7:30 p.m.
Westwood Baptist Church, 200 Westhigh St., Cary
The Cary Community Choir presents Handel's Messiah. carycommunitychoir.com
Apex Historical Holiday Home Tour, 1 p.m.
The tour takes places from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person, and are available at the Apex Chamber of Commerce or Rusty Bucket.
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade, 3 p.m.
Downtown Fuquay District, Fuquay Varina
Ring in the season with this traditional parade that promises floats, bands and, of course, Santa! fuquay-varina.org
