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). Piedmont and Coastal events are sometimes included on our weekly list. While the majority of listed events are free happenings, some ticketed events may be included, especially ticketed events by local arts councils or theater groups.
Contact information or RSVP deadlines, where applicable, have been included. Events may be rescheduled, delayed by weather, canceled, times adjusted, or locations changed, without our knowledge.
Events may be added/updated by emailing event notices to the Editor.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Thanksgiving Breakfast and Reverse Raffle (November 23, 2017 @ 6-10am)
Enjoy a breakfast of eggs, biscuits, sausage, ham, grits, and a drink to start the day. Held at the Pilot Lions Club 50 Pilot Bypass Road, Zebulon NC. Donations to the Lions Club accepted at the door. Updates may be available on the Pilot Lions Club Facebook page.
Community Thanksgiving Meal (November 23, 2017 @ 11am)
The church will be serving the community a full Thanksgiving meal in the Fellowship Hall at Zebulon United Methodist Church, Zebulon NC. For more information on food distribution for those in need, or to volunteer, visit the www.zumchurch.org calendar.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner (November 23, 2017 @ 11am-2pm)
Head to Northside Community Church, 621 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC, for a free, home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner — turkey, dressing, traditional side dishes, and dessert. Eat with others at the church, or take your dinner home with you. See updates on the church’s Facebook page.
Festival of lights Opening Night (November 23, 2017 @ 5pm)
Head to Hill Ridge Farms 703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville NC, for opening night or other available nights. Take a covered wagon ride through a million+ Christmas lights and displays while listening to Christmas carols. See schedule, tickets, and more at www.hillridgefarms.com.
Flotilla Week (November 22-26)
During Flotilla week, there will be several holiday-oriented events throughout the week in Wrightsville Beach NC. (See article here.)
Friday, November 24, 2017
A Dickens Holiday (November 24, 2017 @ 1-9pm)
Free admission to this happening in downtown (301 Hay Street) Fayetteville NC. Horse-drawn carriages ride down Hay Street, Father Christmas on-hand for pictures, and Ebenezer Scrooge himself — pursued by the ghost of Jacob Marley. “As darkness approaches and the clock reaches 5pm, townspeople gather for the candlelight procession to the Market House, followed by fireworks. Afterward, the festivities continue on the streets and inside the Arts Council building, at Annie’s Alehouse.” See more on the Arts Council’s website at hwww.theartscouncil.com/things-to-do/a-dickens-holiday. Note that other Hay Street events are happening, including Habitat’s Gingerbread Community of Hope.
Capital City Reggae Fest (November 24, 2017 @ 7:30pm)
Listen to Reggae by Crucial Fiya and others at the Lincoln Theatre, 126 E Cabarrus Street, Raleigh NC. Tickets ($14.50+fees) and more at lincolntheatre.com.
Farm Toy Show and Christmas Craft Show (November 24-25, 2017)
Christmas shopping opportunity for two days at the Wilson County Fairgrounds, 2331 US-301 S, Wilson NC. Watch for updates at www.facebook.com/wilsoncountyfair.inc.
Lights on the Neuse (November 24-25, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
Boyette Family Farms, 1620 Loop Road, Clayton NC, celebrates Christmas season with a hayride through their lights extravaganza. Tickets $9. Visit lightsontheneuse.com/attractions/christmas-hayride to find out more about this attraction and additional (December) dates.
Garden to Hearth: Heritage Cooking and Food Preservation (November 24-25, 2017 @ 10am-4pm)
Head to The Island Farm, 1140 US Hwy 64, Manteo NC, for activities including: hearth cooking, food preservation, candle making, and ox-drawn wagon rides (until noon). Admission is $8; $7 if you bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Roanoke Island Food Pantry. Children 5 years and under free. See more at www.theislandfarm.com/special-events-programming.
A Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market (November 24-26, 2017)
Large holiday market at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raleigh NC. Admission is $4-$8, depending on age. Visit www.ChristmasCarousel.com for details and vendor information.
Thanksgiving Classic Racing (November 24-26, 2017 @ 1pm)
Held at Southern National Motorsports Park, 8071 Newsome Mill Road, Lucama NC. Three days of racing, with tickets available for single-day or all three days. See details at snmpark.com/thanksgiving-classic-ticket-prices.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Cars and Coffee Wake Forest (November 25, 2017 @ 8-11am)
Gather in the Gateway Commons shopping center parking lot at 938 Gateway Commons Circle, Wake Forest NC. Local residents bring cars, coffee is on-hand, and spectators are welcome. Check out the vehicles and network. See updates at www.facebook.com/candcwakeforest.
Brown Bag Lunch (November 25, 2017 @ 11am-12:30pm)
Just about every Saturday, Zebulon United Methodist Church provides free “brown bag lunches” to anyone who drives or walks by the church at 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. For more information, visit www.zumchurch.org.
Family Day (November 25, 2017 @ 11am-3pm)
Held at the Max. G. Creech Selma Historical Museum, 104 W Anderson Street, Selma NC. This event features refreshments, free family tree pages, door prizes, help with telling your story, and a family history workshop. Plus, you can shop local. See more at johnstonnow.com.
Blue Crabs Fall Feast (November 25, 2017 @ noon-5pm)
Tired of turkey by Saturday? Head to Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh NC. “This event offers the Low Country Coastal Heritage of outdoor cooking of fresh seafood.” All-you-can-eat fresh Blue Crabs, fish and chips, music, and more in a family-friendly environment. There will be two sessions due to high demands; tickets required ($28.30 adults/teens; $12.08 (ages 5-11). See more at www.facebook.com/southeast.crabfeast.
Victorian Holiday (November 25, 2017 @ 1-3pm)
Come and see holiday ornaments that include “seaside-scapes, starfish painting, and of course, spiders for good luck.” Listen to stories of “the Christmas spider” and “Father Time”. The program concludes with a tour of the museum at 3pm, focusing on holiday traditions from the colonial period to the Gilded Age. Appropriate for all ages. There is a small fee; to register call the Museum at 910.477.5151. Held at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E Moore Street, Southport NC. See ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com.
Murder Mystery Dinner Show (November 25, 2017 @ 6pm)
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show, 1 Europa Drive, Chapel Hill NC, includes dinner and a chance to solve a “hilarious crime while you feast.” Tickets approximately $60; see www.thedinnerdetective.com for ticket availability and future dates.
Biggest Bonfire On Earth (November 25, 2017 @ 8pm)
Join the evening’s fun, presented by Black Country Productions, at 1300 Mack Todd Road, Zebulon NC. Meet the cast and crew of Black Country Movie. Tickets are $10 per person, $20 for RVs. There will be vendors and security at the site. See more at blackcountrymovie.com.
November 25 is also “Small Business Saturday” when shoppers are encouraged to buy [local] goods from small businesses.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Art in the Park: Thankfulness Project (November 26, 2017 @ 8:30am-5pm)
Held at the Finley Center, Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh NC. Stop by during the day — no registration required — to participate in a free, collaborative community art project celebrating what you’re thankful for. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Play a game of “Roll a Turkey” and take home your own pine cone turkey craft. See more on the Park website or Facebook page.
Hot Chocolate and a Book (November 26, 2017 @ noon-1:30pm)
Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and an Author Visit as Kourtney Grant reads and signs copies of her first children’s book, Ice Cream, Hot Chocolate, and More. Held at Creations by Kourtney, 2400 E Millbrook Road, Raleigh NC. See updates on the Facebook event.
Santa Claus and Baby Goats (November 26, 2017 @ 2-8pm)
Enjoy “Farm Winterfest” at Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel Hill NC. Visit with Santa Claus and interact with the baby goats, take a ride on the Farm Express Train, or enjoy a hay ride. Tickets are $10 per person; kids under 3 are free. See updates and other dates available at www.facebook.com/SpringHavenFarmandStables.
Coming Soon
Franklin County Writers Guild “Journal” Launch Event (November 30, 2017 @ 7pm)
The public is invited to the County Lines Literary Journal Launch Party at the Franklin County Arts Council (FCAC) Headquarters, 22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC — in the white brick building with “Pottery” in large black letters across the top. Come and hear readings from County Lines by local authors, enjoy refreshments, and pick up a book (get it signed) for yourself of as a gift for someone. For updates, watch the FCAC’s Facebook page or fcacarts.org.
Coming in December
Wendell Wonderland (December 1, 2017)
Get into the holiday spirit at this annual event in downtown Wendell NC. Details TBA.
PSI Games (December 1, 2017 @ 7-9pm)
Ever wondered about your ESP ability? Or wanted to attend a Spoon Bending Party?! This is a fun, experiential evening offering a chance to test your ESP in an informal group setting with like-minded Rhine friends and/or the frankly curious. Rhine colleagues will lead the group in a variety of ESP games, including using the well-known Zener cards, and exercises in Remote Viewing of hidden target pictures. Then, a spoon-bending party! Held in the Alex Tanous Library at The Rhine (paranormal) Research Center, 2741 Campus Walk Avenue, Bldg. 500, Durham NC. Admission is $20, for Rhine Members $15, and for students/seniors $10. Register online or call 919.309.4600.
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.
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.
