Weekend best bets: American Tobacco Tower Lighting, holiday shops
This time of year is packed with festive events.
Holiday fun
American Tobacco Tower Lighting (318 Blackwell St, Durham) - Enjoy music from local choral groups, appearances from Santa and Wool E. Bull and much more Friday night during this 14th annual event.
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration (Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E South St., Raleigh) - This annual tree lighting is Friday starting at 6 p.m. There will be tasty snacks and beverages from local vendors, music from holiday carolers, and the opportunity to meet Santa Claus.
Rocky Mount Mills Tower Lighting (Rocky Mount Mills, 1151 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount) - This inaugural tower lighting is Saturday night at Rocky Mount Mills.
Knightdale Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting (Knightdale Station Park, 810 First Avenue, Knightdale) - Write letters to Santa, visit with Mrs. Claus, take a train ride, enjoy entertainment, free goodies and hot chocolate at the tree lighting at Knightdale Station Park on Friday night. On Saturday, the parade begins at 2 p.m. and goes from Knightdale Elementary to Knightdale Station Park.
Christmas on Salem Street (Downtown Apex) - Apex will be celebrating the holidays on Friday with a tree lighting, caroling and sleigh rides. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand. On Saturday, the fun continues with the Apex Rotary Christmas parade at 5 p.m.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival (Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary) - Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre has been transformed into a sea of lighted lantern sculptures. This annual festival kicks off Friday and runs through Jan. 13.
Holiday shopping
Patchwork Market (Durham Armory, 220 Foster St, Durham) - This monthly vintage market wraps up 2018 with two days of holiday shopping at Durham Armory this weekend. Admission is free. The market runs Saturday and Sunday.
12th Annual Elf Market (The ArtsCenter, 300 G E Main St, Carrboro) - This annual holiday craft market is Saturday. It features local vendors selling handmade goods such as clothing, body products, food items, fine art, children's toys, ceramic pieces and jewelry. There will also be hands-on craft activities for children.
Bright Spirits Holiday Market (Motorco, 723 Rigsbee Ave., Durham) - This craft market is Sunday starting at noon.
Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe (Cary Academy, 1500 N. Harrison Ave., Cary) - This gift market will have 100 vendors selling items including clothing, jewelry, home decor and specialty items. Admission is free and there is no tax charged on purchases. The shop is open Thursday through Saturday.
Food, art and fun
Wonderful Winter Time Oyster Roast (Motorco, 723 Rigsbee Ave., Durham) - Motorco welcomes Allagash Brewing and Oysters Carolina for an oyster roast on the patio on Sunday.
Art with a Purpose (VAE Raleigh, 309 W Martin Street, Raleigh) - VAE has partnered with students from Enloe High School to support their annual Charity Ball. Art with a Purpose is Saturday night at VAE and includes live art-making by Molly Flynn, an art auction, heavy hors d'oeuvres from Royale, wine from Westgate Wine, and music from DJ Gemynii. It will be held in VAE's main gallery, which will be filled with artwork made by Enloe art students. Proceeds from the evening will go toward the 2019 ECB beneficiary, Autism Society of North Carolina.
Drag Me to Whiskey (Whiskey Kitchen, 201 West Martin Street, Raleigh) - Whiskey Kitchen is hosting "Drag Me to Whiskey," the restaurant's first ever Drag Show during brunch on Sunday. Proceeds will benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
Boylan Heights ArtWalk (Boylan Heights Neighborhood, S Boylan Ave, Raleigh) - This 26th annual ArtWalk is happening on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. More than 130 artists will be displaying their work, including pottery, jewelry, prints, oils, watercolor and photography.
On stage
Carolina Ballet's The Nutcracker (UNC Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave, Chapel Hill) - This holiday classic plays UNC's Memorial Hall Saturday and Sunday. Featuring a live symphony orchestra, grand magical illusions, and magnificent sets and costumes, it’s not to be missed.
Chris Young (PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh) - The singer brings his Losing Sleep World Tour to Raleigh on Friday. He will be joined by Dan and Shay, Morgan Evans & Dee Jay Silver.
Aladdin and His Winter Wish (Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E South St., Raleigh) - NC Theatre presents this show based on the Aladdin fairytale of a street rat with a dream. This production follows the style of the traditional British Panto with singing, swinging and soaring adventure that features family-friendly magic, comedic twists, contemporary music and more. It runs through Sunday.
Friday Favorites with the North Carolina Symphony: Holiday Pops (Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E South St., Raleigh) - Get into the holiday spirit with festive favorites from "Greensleeves" to "White Christmas," and much more on Friday.
Hamilton (DPAC, 123 Vivian St., Durham) - The Broadway blockbuster continues its Durham run through Dec. 2.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the Musical (Fletcher Opera Theatre, 2 East South St., Raleigh) - The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. It starts Friday and runs through Christmas Eve.
