Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — Dec 7-10

Things To Do in NC When You're Bored holiday
Things To Do in NC When You're Bored holiday

By Kay Whatley, Editor

This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond (Inner Coastal Plains-Five County area of Eastern NC). While most listed events are free happenings, some ticketed events may be included. Events may be rescheduled, delayed by weather, canceled, times adjusted, or locations changed without our knowledge. Contact organizers directly for updates. Events may be added/updated by emailing event details to the Editor.

Be sure to check out our list of Holiday Happenings. Many events, including parades and tree lightings, are included in that article (but not listed below).

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Plug-in NC Summit (December 7, 2017 @ 9-11:45am)

This annual summit is a time of celebration, learning, and recognition of Plug-in NC members, ambassadors and steering committee members for their work in support of electric vehicles. Come and find out about statewide efforts to support driving electric. Attendance is free, and there will be a breakfast buffet. Prizes planned, too. Held in the Park Alumni Center, NC State’s Centennial Campus, 2450 Alumni Drive, Raleigh NC. See more at www.pluginnc.com/event/plug-nc-summit. Register by December 5.

Clothing Closet (December 7, 2017 @ 1-2:30pm)

Adults are invited to Clothing Closet, a collection of donated, gently used clothes for participants to wear during job interviews. Clothing Closet will be held in the Conference Room at the Main Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. Library information is online at www1.youseemore.com/wilsoncountypl.

Kids Craft Night (December 7, 2017 @ 5-7pm)

Take the kids to 41 North Coffee Co., 41 N Main Street, Wendell NC for a special craft night with Dara Holsters. Kids ages 2-12 can participate in this Top Secret Craft activity, making a gift to give the family. No peaking, parents!  This activity is free, no purchase necessary.

Christmas Movie Nights (December 7, 14 & 21, 2017 @ 6pm)

Settle in beside the plaza’s Christmas tree at the Shoppes at Brentwood, 2801 Ward Boulevard, Wilson NC, for a holiday movie each Thursday. The film and hot chocolate are free. Merchants may be open late, and donations will be collected for the Salvation Army. One parent/guardian must stay with children. See more on the Shoppes at Brentwood’s Facebook page.

Adult Pick-Up Dodgeball  (December 7, 2017 @ 6:30-8:30pm)

Free event for adults, held at Nashville Elementary, 209 Virginia Avenue, Nashville NC.

Food for Fines (December 4-9, 2017)

The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield (PLJCS), 305 E Market Street, Smithfield NC, will be accepting one non-perishable food item per $1 of fines owed throughout the week. Applies to regular late-book type fines, not fines for lost/damaged library materials. Libary is online at www.pljcs.org and on Facebook here.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Shredding Event (December 8, 2017 @ 9:30am)

Bring personal documents for safe shredding. Keep your identity data out of the hands of thieves. Shredded documents go into truck on-site and are taken away for disposal. Held at the State Employees’ Credit Union, 28 Burke Blvd, Louisburg NC. No batteries or electronics, just paper.

Slate of Eight Series: Dollars & Sense (December 8, 2017 @ 12:30-1:30pm)

Whether you are thinking of buying a piece of equipment for your business or buying a home for your family, you should know how to stay savvy during your financial planning! This seminar will also include being credit ready in order to make big those big important purchases in our business and personal lives. Organized by Young Professionals of the Twin Counties. Held at Gateway Technology Center, 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount NC. Sign up via this link.

Holiday Pajama Night (December 8, 2017 @ 6:30-8:30pm)

Throw on pajamas and bring a cuddly blanket to watch the bedtime story The Snow Queen come to life on stage. This free, open to the public event is presented by Atlantic Coast Theatre For Youth at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. No registration necessary. Designed for young and school-age children, but open to all ages. See event details and other happenings at www.wakeforestnc.gov/renaissance-centre.aspx.

Family Movie Night (December 8, 2017 @ 6:30-9pm)

Zebulon Parks and Rec is holding this free movie showing, with free popcorn and water, at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Doors open at 6:30pm; movie starts at 7pm. Updates may be posted on this Facebook page.

**CANCELED** Movie Night / Toy Drive (December 8, 2017 @ 6:30-9pm)

Head to Rocky Mount Mills, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC, for Movie Night in the Garden and Joshua’s 8th-annual Toy Drive. Watch the movie Elf. Admission is free; bring a new children’s toy to donate to this Christmas toy drive: “Each year Joshua Moore organizes a toy drive bringing lots of smiles to kids each Christmas! Joshua works with social workers in the Nash Rocky Mount School system to ensure the donations reach appropriate kids.” *** The Movie Night/Toy Drive events are canceled. ***

Drive Thru Nativity (December 8-10, 2017 @ 7-8:30pm)

See “A Night of Miracles” free at Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Road, Louisburg NC (3 miles north of Bunn NC along Highway 39). Note that rain may affect event; call 919.496.6229 with questions. The church is online at www.rockspringbc.com.

Movie Night (December 8, 2017 @ 7-8:30pm)

Watch what is possibly the worst rated movie ever but….Grumpy Cat. Tickets are $7 per person plus fees/tax ($8.30) which includes the movie, popcorn, drink, and time with the cats at Kosmic Kittens Cat Lounge, 101 S Raiford Street, Selma NC. Purchase tickets by December 10 via this event page.

Starry Night (December 8, 2017 @ 7-9pm)

Go to A Time for Science, 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton NC, and enjoy a planetarium show and look through their Observatory’s 16-inch telescope. Admission is $5 per person. See this event and more here.

Holiday Book Sale (December 8-9, 217 @ 10am-5pm)

Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC, invites the public to shop at the library’s holiday book sale in the library’s Warner Room. All books will be 25 cents, or purchase a bag and fill it for $5.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Rabies Walk-up Clinic (December 9, 2017 @ 8-9am)

No Appointment needed, just bring your pet to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, 351 T. Kemp Road, Louisburg NC. Rabies one-year vaccines $5 each, three-year vaccines $15 and require previous certificate. Other vaccines available. With questions, call 919.494.5500. Clinic provided by Tar River Veterinary Hospital.

Holiday Open House and Artisan Sale (December 9, 2017 @ 10am-4pm)

The Franklin County Arts Council (FCAC) is holding this special annual event in The Upfront Gallery at FCAC, 22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC. Local artists will be set up and have handmade items for sale. Shop for gifts from local makers, support local artists.  For more information, call 919.497.6910 or email FCAC.

Holiday Ornament Sale (December 9, 2017 @ 10am-4pm)

Support The GlasStation, 3732-B W Wilson Street, Farmville NC at their annual holiday ornament sale. Glass-blowing demonstrations and an assortment of handmade glass ornaments by local artists. See more on the East Carolina University School of Art and Design website.

Story Time (December 9 & 16, 2017 @ 10am)

For children, there will be a Saturday story time at the Main Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. Library information is online at www1.youseemore.com/wilsoncountypl.

DIY Cat Toys: Pom Pom Cat Wand (December 9, 2017 @ 1-3pm)

Join the fun at Kosmic Kittens Cat Lounge, 101 S Raiford Street, Selma NC. Make a fun and eco-friendly toy for your cat from household materials you already have on hand. RSVP Required. All supplies are included with $12 fee; registration required by December 10. Call 919.337.5345 for details. Note that part of the craft includes using a hot glue gun, so not suitable for young children. See this event and more at www.facebook.com/KosmicKittensCatLounge.

Designing The Surface: Clay Family Workshop (December 9, 2017 @ 1-4pm)

Play with clay in the Arts Education Center at Imperial Centre, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Families experiment with color, shape, and the process of image transfer to create their very own tile design. Beginner to advanced age 6+. Registration for this family workshop is $15 for a Rocky Mount resident family, $22.50 for a non-resident family. Registration fee includes up to 3 individuals/family members. Call 252.972.1266, or search for the workshop’s registration here.

Make Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments (December 9, 2017 @ 2-3pm)

Make fun Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments at the Franklin County NC Library, 906 N Main Street, Louisburg NC. All ages are welcome, and all materials are provided. See updates on the library’s Facebook page.

Andrew Stephenson Wood-Fired Pottery at The Pond (December 9, 2017 @ 4pm)

Come check out this artist’s beautiful pottery and shop for holiday gifts. Held at the Koi Pond Brewing Company, 1107 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC.  See more about Andrew Stephenson at ajspottery.com.

The Irish Dance Christmas Spectacular (December 9, 2017 @ 7:30-9:30pm)

This special night showcases the world’s most skilled Irish dancers and musicians, led by Justin Boros, former lead dancer from Michael Flattley’s Lord of the Dance, as “Carol of the King” brings an original Christmas story to life. Held at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, 108 Nash Street NE, Wilson NC. Tickets are $25 per person, with discounts for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, buy online or call Wilson Arts Center at 252.291.4329.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Milk and Cookies with Santa (December 10, 2017 @ 1-4pm)

Santa event sign outside the Zebulon NC Masonic Lodge. Photo: Kay Whatley
Santa event sign outside the Zebulon NC Masonic Lodge. Photo: Kay Whatley

Stop by Masonic Lodge #609, located at 111 E Horton Street, Zebulon NC, and spend some time having milk and cookies with Santa Claus. The Lodge website is masonpost.com/nc/zebulon609.

Winter Wonderland (December 10, 2017 @ 1-5pm)

Head to Imperial Centre, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC for a day of winter time activities for all ages. There will be music, children’s activities, carriage rides through downtown, and a visit from Santa. This special day is free to all, and no registration is required. See the Imperial Centre website for more information.

The Magic of African Rhythms (December 10, 2017 @ 3pm)

“BalanKora: A Harvest of Memories” will be presented in the Daniels Auditorium, 5 E Edenton Street, Raleigh NC. The program shares the beauty and spirit of Kwanzaa through music and stories. This free event is open to the public, but a ticket is required. Tickets will be distributed starting at 2pm and are first come, first served. There will also be a canned goods collection for the Food Bank of Centeral and Eastern NC at the concert. See details at pinecone.org.

Movie Night (December 10, 2017 @ 7:15pm)

Come for a Christmas comedy film. Fee is $5 which covers your first beer, a movie poster (while they last), and raffle entry. Held at Well Travelled Beer, 201 S Center Street, Goldsboro NC. This is a potluck event (bring food, share food). Bring a chair too, just in case. See movie title and more via this link.

Coming Soon

Opioid Crisis Community Forum (December 12, 2017 @ 7-8:30pm)

Learn more about this crisis affecting the community, and how the HOPE Initiative is helping addicts. All are welcome to hear the special speakers lined up for this event. Refreshments will be served. Held at First Baptist Church, 111 N Walnut Street, Spring Hope NC.

 Santa’s Holiday Workshop (December 14, 2017 @ 3-4:30pm)

This free community event includes “free toy, candy cane and snack” for ages 1 to 16, accompanied by an adult. Santa will be there too. Held at the Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon NC.

Future Sight STEM Career Expo (December 16, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)

This Expo showcases “the opportunities of the new and future economy” to the middle- and high-school students. Admission is $1 per person. Held at the Greenville Convention Center, 303 SW Greenville Blvd, Greenville NC. For more information, call Brian Baker at 252.364.6569 or email.

December Traditions Buffet and Concert (December 16, 2017 @ 6pm)

Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Christmas Buffet and Concert presented by the ProMusic Conservatory. Enjoy seasonal food and music by ProMusic faculty and students, with guest violinist Kathryn Adams. Join in with their audience carol sing. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased by December 12. See details on the ProMusic Conservatory website.

 

Ed. Note: Event information gathered from various sources. While attempts are made to verify data, for most events contact details are included. If you’re planning to attend an event, use contact information or event links to confirm, check for updates or changes, or verify space is available. These events are publicized by The Grey Area News, but are not events overseen by this news site or staff.

Highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event or knowledge of offerings.

 

NOTE: Originally published December 4, 2017. Updated December 7 with event cancellation.

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.