Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — Jan. 1-5, 2020

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

Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor

Happy New Year to our readers!

This week’s list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond — occasionally including unique coastal or mountain events. While most listed events are free, ticketed or fee-for-entry events may be included.

Events may be rescheduled/delayed or locations changed. Contact an event’s organizer directly. To suggest an event for a future list, email the editor.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

First Day Hikes

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Check out the North Carolina State Parks, which hold New Year hikes across the state with free entry. See January 1 events list here. Or, choose your local park via www.ncparks.gov/first-day-hikes.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Book Chat

Thursday, January 2, 2020 @ 3-4pm

No registration required, just come and join the conversation. Held at the Stantonsburg branch library, 114 S Main Street, Stantonsburg, NC. For more information, call 252.238.3758.

3rd-5th Grade Adventures “New Year Party”

Thursday, January 2, 2020 @ 4:30pm

Celebrate the New Year 2020 at the library, where students may make a party hat and noise maker. Play games including New Year Bingo. Held at the East Regional Library,  946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. (Article)

Friday, January 3, 2020

Franklin County Farmers Market

Friday, January 3, 2020 @ 9am-1pm

Come and pick up locally grown food from local farms, fresh eggs, and more. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather and other factors. Market is also open Tuesdays. The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC. Follow their Facebook page for updates including market closing days, holidays, and produce/art/goods available at this year-round farmers market.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Ed. Note: The Zebulon Farm Fresh Market, Clayton Farm and Community Market, Wendell Farmers Market, and Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market have closed for the season. The Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market (quarterly) returns soon. The Nash County Farmers Market opening day is April 4, 2020.

New Year Nature Journaling

Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 10-11am

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable hiking shoes for this nature journal kick-off. Leaders will cover tips/techniques for starting a nature journal during an outdoor “stroll.” Held at the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, 6601 Devils Racetrack Road, Four Oaks, NC (Johnston County). Pre-registration is required, and there is a $5 per person fee. To register, call 919.938.0115 or email. Children participating must be age 5 or older and accompanied by an adult.

Wake Forest Farmers Market

Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 10am-noon

Weekly offerings from farms, artisans, and crafters at this year-round farmers’ market. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather, holidays, and other factors. Located at 235 S Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC The Wake Forest Farmers Market website is www.wakeforestmarket.org and on Facebook here.

The Market

Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 10am-2pm

New farmers market featuring farm goods, local businesses, artisans, and crafters. Under cover and heated. Held at Oak Ridge Farms, Zebulon, NC.  This market will be open on a regular every-other-Saturday schedule starting in January 2020. Follow Oak Ridge Farms on Facebook for market details/updates and 2020 Opening Day.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Christmas and New Year’s Party

Sunday, January 5, 2020 @ 12:30-5:30pm

Join the fun with Fearless-BCBC Youth group at 8225 Mitchell Mill Road, Zebulon, NC. Following the morning church service, a lunch will be served followed by games and fun. Follow them on Facebook here.

Coming Soon

The Pollinators Film Showing & Presentation

Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 6:30-9pm

Piedmont Picnic Project and Apiopolis are hosting this special film showing at AMC Theatres Classic Durham 15, 1807 Martin Luther King Pkwy, Durham, NC. Alice Hinman, beekeeper, will give a presentation. Movie tickets are $10.95+fee per person, available here.

Johnston County Writers Group Meeting

Thursday, January 9, 2020 @ 6-7:45pm

The Johnston County Writers Group meets the second Thursday of every month. Writers of all levels are welcome, beginner to advanced, published or not. Held at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC. Future dates: February 13 and March 12, 2020. Join their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/jocowriters and visit www.jcartscouncil.org/literary-arts.html.

The Harlem Globetrotters

Thursday, January 9, 2020 @ 7pm

Get your tickets to see the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters at the Rocky Mount Event Center, Rocky Mount, NC. Tickets start at $18 per person and go up from there. Pre-game activity passes available. Purchase tickets at www.etix.com.

flix4kidz

Monday, January 13, 2020 @ 10:30am-noon

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre hosts free family-friendly movie showings on the second Monday morning of each month.  Concessions. will be available for purchase. Movie screenings are free and open to the public. Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. Visit www.wakeforestrencen.org for upcoming events.

Free at 3

Monday, January 13, 2020 @ 2-4pm

Movies for adults age 50 and up, “Free at 3” features a variety of film favorites and genres screened on the second Monday afternoon of each month. Concessions will be available for purchase. Movie screenings are free and open to the public. Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. Visit the Renaissance Centre website at www.wakeforestrencen.org for upcoming events.

Rockin’ the Forest

Friday, January 17, 2020 @ 7:30-10pm

This music series features a variety of musical acts at ticketed concerts. Tickets are $15+tax per person. Cash bar will be set up on-site. Scheduled bands:

  • Friday, January 17, 2020:  Legacy Motown Revue
  • February 28, 2020:  Jim Quick & Coastline
  • March 27, 2020:  The Magnificents

Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. See details and purchase tickets via the Ren Centre website.

Murder We Write Meeting for Writers

Sunday, January 19, 2020 @ 1:45-4pm

Come to this Writers Workshop: “Tax Considerations Before and After Your Books are Published.” Presentation will be by Diane Kelly, CPA, retired business attorney, and author of Death & Taxes romantic suspense series; and Becke Turner, retired RN, author of romantic humor, and IRS audit survivor who fought the agency and won on appeal. This workshop is free and open to the public. NC authors are encouraged to come, and stay after until 5pm to converse re: their own writing. Sponsored by Triad NC Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the High Point Public Library, and held at the library, 901 N Main Street, High Point, NC. See details and future events at www.murderwewrite.org.

Murder Mystery Dinner

Friday, January 10, 2020 @ 5:30-7:30pm

The Roaring Twenties are coming to the library with this murder mystery set in 1920’s in Chicago. “Unravel the crime scene to discover which one of our dinner guest is guilty” at this free event. Held at the HD Cooley Library, 114 W Church Street, Nashville, NC. For adults (18 and up). Registration is required, call 252.459.2106. Follow the library on Facebook here.

Healthy Smoothies for the New Year

Thursday, January 30, 2020 @ 3-4pm

Attend this adult workshop where Alex Spicer will show how to make healthy smoothies. Held in the Warner Room, Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Contact Brenda at 252.442.1951 x.256 or visit braswell-library.libguides.com.

 

To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsors and logos are not included in Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.

Event organizers: News site display advertising is available month-to-month.

Event information may be 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. Any highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event, knowledge of offerings, or relation to a recent article on this news site.

Why are the day, date, and year included, repetitively, under each dated heading? The better for visitors to cut-and-paste complete event information to share with others… Though sharing of this full list’s link is encouraged, so readers may see all upcoming events.

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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.