Weekend best bets: Elves, parades and an SNL alum
This weekend is filled with family fun, holiday parades, Elf the Musical and SNL alum Jay Pharoah.
Parades
Dec. 8: Deck the Hall-Z - The Town of Zebulon and the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce are hosting their first joint holiday celebration “Deck the Hall-Z” featuring the Zebulon Reverse Parade, Santa Claus, live music and performances, games and activities for kids and families, and a showing of The Grinch (2018) on Friday night. The fun starts at 5 p.m. at Zebulon Town Hall.
Dec. 9: Durham Holiday Parade - Enjoy this holiday parade in downtown Durham on Main Street starting at 10 a.m. WRAL will be broadcasting the parade starting at 9:30 a.m. on WRAL and WRAL.com.
Dec. 9: Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade - This annual parade starts at 2 p.m. in downtown Cary.
Dec. 9: Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade - The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Chapel Hill's 140 West Plaza and end at Carrboro Town Hall.
Dec. 9: Clayton Christmas Parade - The parade begins at 3 p.m. in downtown Clayton.
Dec. 9: Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade - The Happy Holly Days Parade is held the second Saturday of December. Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, marching groups and all sorts of entertaining entries travel Main Street through downtown.
Dec. 9: Knightdale Christmas Parade and Holiday Market - The Christmas parade begins at 10 a.m. Oak City Brewing will have a holiday market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music by Sterling Scott.
Performances
Dec. 5-10: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas - See this magical tale on stage at Durham Performing Arts Center Dec. 5 to 10.
Dec. 8-9: NC Symphony's Holiday Pops - A festive concert in Raleigh at Meymandi Concert Hall full of holiday favorites you know and love!
Dec. 8-10: A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park - Ira David Wood III’s beloved musical comedy, A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park, returns to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium for six performances.
Dec. 8-9: Jay Pharoah - See this SNL alum on stage at Raleigh Improv Dec. 8 and 9.
Dec. 9-17: Elf- The Musical - This hilarious musical follows the smash-hit 2003 movie that’s now a Holiday classic – and is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. See it at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
Dec. 9: Holiday Pops - The Concert Singers of Cary present a fun, family-friendly program of popular holiday tunes in collaboration with guest musicians in a variety of musical styles. Show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center.
Dec. 9-10: Black Nativity in Concert - The Justice Theater Project will present Black Nativity in Concert with three shows at the NC Museum of Art Amphitheater.
Holiday markets and more fun
Dec. 8-9: St. Nichloas European Christmas Market - Shop, dine, and enjoy the entertainment in the European Christmas Market tradition at the State Fairgrounds! Free admission.
Dec. 9: Fenton Holiday Makers Market - Shop from your favorite Fenton stores and an additional 35 local artists booths curated by Triangle Pop-Up.
Dec. 8-9: Mead and Macaron Tasting - Pair delicious macarons from with a flight of mead at Honeygirl Meadery.
Dec. 9: Ugly Sweater and PJ Party - Rock your ugliest holiday sweaters, jammies, or onesies to score four free game tokens at the door at Boxcar. Snap a selfie with Santa. DJ Atlas will be spinning live on the patio from 8 to 11 p.m.
Dec. 9: Brightleaf Square Holiday Small Business Market - Shop with more than 25 local small businesses at Brightleaf Square from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 9.
Dec. 9-10: Holiday Open House and Merry & Bright Market - See how the Mordecai House would have been decorated over the past 238 years and learn about different holiday traditions. Walk through the beautifully decorated house and enjoy music, discover historic artifacts, and more. On Dec. 9, do some holiday shopping. The market will have unique gifts, create festive crafts, sample food vendors and seasonal entertainment.
Dec. 9-10: 52nd Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour - Get ready to take a walk through history this holiday season, as ten properties in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood open their doors to visitors during the Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour. Tickets start at $30 and tours are Dec. 9 and 10.
Dec. 9: Deck the Paws: Holiday Dog Pawty - Bring your pup to Deep River Brewing in Clayton for adorable portraits of your pup with Santa Paws.
Dec. 9: Sip and Shop at Wendell Falls - Browse unique gifts from local vendors all while sipping on festive drinks to get you in the holiday spirit.
Dec. 9: NCMA Lantern Walk - The museum hosts its annual handmade paper lantern walk through the Museum Park. Bring your own homemade lantern (no flames) or head over to the museum early to make one while supplies last.
Dec. 9: Holiday Gift Market - Big Spoon Roasters will host its holiday gift market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its location at 500 Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough. The market will include a sampling of its entire catalog of nut butters.
Dec. 9: NC Holiday Beer Fest - Clouds Brewing Taproom in Raleigh will host this event from 3 to 7 p.m. There will be a collection of more than 25 holiday beers, ciders, sours and more. Tickets are on sale now.
Dec. 9-10: Jolly Raleigh Holiday Market - You can expect handcrafted treasures, artisanal treats, and unique gifts, all while sipping on your favorite festive beverages at Raleigh Iron Works.
Dec. 10: Downtown Cary Food and Flea - This market in downtown Cary has creative gifts from local artists.
Great family picks
Dec. 6-10: Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars - Join Disney On Ice for a magical journey with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy through timeless tales and today’s favorites. The show runs through Sunday at PNC Arena.
Dec. 8: Evening with Elves - Marbles Kids Museum hosts this annual family holiday celebration with s'mores outdoors, arctic museum play and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy. Receive an official elf name and dance the night away with the Marbles Elves. Kids, wear your pajamas. Tickets are $30.
Dec. 9: Winterfest - A family fun day of winter craft making for all ages, toddlers through adults -- everything from ornament decorating to garland creating. This is a free, drop-in program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Prairie Ridge Ecostation outdoor classroom in Raleigh.
Dec. 10: S'mores and Hot Chocolate Festival - Haven Farm in Knightdale hosts NC Eat & Play’s S’mores & Hot Chocolate Festival. There will be visits with Santa, holiday hay rides, a petting zoo, lawn games and a bounce house.
Dec. 10: Santa on the Roof - The Durham will host this event on its rooftop from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will be responsible for taking their own photos.
Dec. 10: Santa at The Willard - On Dec. 10 take gorgeous photos of your family at The Willard with Santa with a backdrop of the downtown Raleigh skyline. Santa will be on hand for photo ops and holiday wishes between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee, cocoa or an adult beverage from the bar.
Dec. 10: Who-Ville Holiday - This event will be held at Whitaker and Atlantic in Raleigh and will feature story time with the Grinch, cookie decorating, a pop up market, toy drive and music. Tickets are on sale now.
