Christmas traditions will be rekindled during Christmas in Halifax! Decorated homes and churches, living history, along with a lively Christmas parade will fuel a festive atmosphere for all Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m-4 p.m.
Enjoy tours of several of the site’s historic buildings, festively decorated with natural materials, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other buildings and churches not regularly open to the public can also be toured. Stop by the visitor center for a complete event schedule and map.
You can escape the commercialization of many Christmas celebrations and delight in something that highlights the simplicity of Christmas past at Horne Creek Historical Farm. Bask in the warmth and beauty of a rural turn-of-the-century celebration at the “Christmas By Lamplight” program on Thursday, Dec. 5 or Friday, Dec. 6.
Chapel Hill musician John Santa may call himself "an accidental bluegrass musician," but he knows the roots of the music in North Carolina.
Santa, who says music enriched his life in so many ways, will discuss North Carolina bluegrass history during a free program presented by the N.C. Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1–2:30 p.m. at the Governor Morehead School Auditorium, Lineberry Building, 303 Ashe Ave., Raleigh.
The program is free.
The warm glow of candlelight and festive greenery will welcome visitors to “O Blessed Season!” at House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site. The Alston House will be decorated for Christmas and opened to the public Saturday, Dec. 7.
Experience Christmas Candlelight Tours at Aycock Birthplace Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 with costumed interpreters who explain rural Christmas traditions and demonstrate open-hearth cooking. Tours will be given from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Admission for ages 5 and older is $3; ages 4 and under are free.
Music from the Harmony Boys of Mount Olive will add to the festive mood Tuesday, Dec. 3 as food is cooked at the hearth. The joy of cooking again will be highlighted Thursday, Dec. 5, with food prepared on the hearth over an open fire.
The North Carolina Government and Heritage Library will host the last event in their fall #EverythingNC: Author Series Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. with a discussion and book signing with Dr. Lea E. Williams, author of “We Who Believe in Freedom: The Life and Times of Ella Baker.”
Friday, Nov. 22 from 6-7 p.m., join the Cherokee Chamber Singers at the N.C. State Capitol! For one hour, these middle and high school students will perform the program “Si Otsedoha,” which translates from the Cherokee language as “We’re Still Here.”
The North Carolina Arts Council will offer a series of free readings across the state to spotlight the talents of literary artists who work in fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting and creative non-fiction.
In partnership with local bookstores, the public readings will spotlight recipients of the N.C. Arts Council’s Artist Fellowships in the literary category.
Here are the dates and locations for the readings:
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Quail Ridge Books
4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
7 p.m.
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation will celebrate the addition of 900 acres to Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County on Sept. 19.
Years ago, farmers used the phases of the moon as a calendar to help them prepare and harvest their crops. Today, the sky still shines as bright as it did over 200 years ago at the House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site. Come and learn more about what the night sky can tell us at “Gazing into the Past” on Sept. 20, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This free, family friendly event is co-hosted by Morehead Planetarium.