North Carolina’s Executive Mansion, the “people’s house,” will open its historic doors again for the beloved annual Holiday Open House from Dec. 12 through Dec. 15.
The soft contours of “Christmas by Candlelight” at Duke Homestead make the annual event a visitor favorite. The candlelight tours with costumed interpreters through the historic homestead Fridays, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, will showcase the house festooned with 19th century decorations. The tours run 6:45 to 9:15 p.m.
There’s a holiday happening to suit every taste at venues of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Fireworks over Tryon Palace, a “Christmas Flotilla” at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort, “Christmas by Candlelight” at a state historic site and “Holiday Pops” or other performances with the North Carolina Symphony at home or on tour, are a few of the unique holiday experiences awaiting families at modest or no cost.
Soldiers and Civilians tried to celebrate Christmas, even during the Civil War. Soldiers decorated their quarters with whatever they had and looked forward to receiving packages from home. Southern families endured the hardships of a naval blockade, food shortages and loved ones far away. Bennett Place State Historic Site will recall those times Saturday, Dec. 16, with a daytime and evening program.
Take delight at the Museum of the Albemarle Gingerbread Workshop Friday, Dec. 1, 4 to 5 p.m. The smell of gingerbread will fill the air as kids from age one to 100 are encouraged to decorate gingerbread houses. Just bring a creative spirit and open mind and be ready to have fun!
Visitors have another chance to peek behind the scenes at the Capitol Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Capitol is offering a special tour - guests get access to the Capitol’s “secret spaces,” as well as behind the ropes access to most of the building!
Holiday music will welcome visitors to a heartwarming traditional Christmas with seasonal decorations of fresh greenery and floral arrangements at the 28th Annual Somerset Place Christmas Open House Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy and experience a festive holiday season with sights, sounds and natural decorations on the exterior and interior of buildings and wishes of good cheer.
A day of fun awaits the whole family at the “Life of a Sailor” free program at the Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial site, 2612 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program is being reintroduced after an absence following the move of the CSS Neuse to downtown. The CSS Neuse Gunboat Association sponsors the event, which will encompass cooking, cannon fire and much more.
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will honor and showcase North Carolina’s military history with a “Military Timeline” Nov. 18-19. Visitors will learn about the experiences of soldiers and support personnel from the past 400 years.
A new destination park in historic downtown Wilson filled with kinetic, colorful whirligigs created by North Carolina’s own world-renowned folk artist Vollis Simpson will be officially dedicated and opens on Thursday, Nov. 2.