Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — Dec. 12-15, 2019

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

Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor

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.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Johnston County Writers Group *Pot Luck Christmas Party*

Thursday, December 12, 2019 @ 6-8pm

This special holiday gathering replaces the regular monthly meeting in December. Held at the Selma Public Library, 301 N Pollock Street, Selma, NC.  Join the group on Facebook here. To sign up to bring food to share, email Dot La Motta at justadotintime@yahoo.com or call 919.553.7206.

Town of Smithfield Christmas Parade

Thursday, December 12, 2019 @ 7pm

Come out for this annual parade and celebrate the holiday season. Route travels down Market Street, Smithfield, NC. Downtown restaurants may be open before/after the parade. See town holiday events here.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Franklin County Farmers Market

Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 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, closings, and produce/art/goods available at this year-round farmers market.

Free Christmas Open House

Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 5-7pm

Come for a beautiful, free holiday event at historic Person Place, 605 N Main Street, Louisburg, NC, and see walk through this historic home adorned in Christmas decorations. Cider and cookies will be served. There will be Victorian Carolers singing and an 18th Century Spinner. Come and join the festivities! Brought to you by the local Preservation Society. Details and flyer may be found here.

Free Family Movie Night

Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 7-9pm (doors open 6:30pm)

Enjoy a free family movie at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC.  Movie will start at 7pm. Call the Community Center at 919.823.0432 for movie title. See Town of Zebulon calendar here.

Christmas with the Celts

Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 7:30-9pm

This ticketed event offers delightful Celtic Music and a celebration of Christmas. Tickets are $25+online fee per person. Held at the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC. Purchase tickets via eTix.

 

Saturday, December 14, 2019

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 in 2020.

Nash County Holiday Artisan and Farmers Market

Saturday, December 14 and 21, 2019 @ 8am-3pm

The Farmers Market vendors are joined by holiday vendors for four Saturdays in a row. On these four special dates, market shoppers will find seasonal produce, handmade crafts, and goodies or gifts for the holiday.  The Nash County Farmer’s Market is located in the Historic Rocky Mount Mills District at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Updates may be posted to the market’s Facebook page. #ShopLocal

Wake Forest Farmers Market

Saturday, December 14 and 21, 2019 @ 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 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.

Note: On December 21, 2019, the Wake Forest Farmers Market is holding a food drive for Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry. Market patrons may bring non-perishable foods to donate.

The Market

Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 10am-2pm

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

Bunn Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 10am

Always fun, come and watch the annual Christmas Parade down Main Street, Bunn, NC, with floats, cars, horses, marchers, and more. Bring a bag or bucket for candy. Follow the Town of Bunn Facebook page for updates.

Tarboro Holiday Market

Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 10am-4pm

Support small local businesses at this holiday market. Holiday gifts and decor, locally made goods, and more. Held in the WS Clark Building, 409 N Main Street, Tarboro, NC.  For more information, contact the organizers at Pretty Rugged Designs. #ShopLocal

Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum “Holiday Open House”

Saturday, December 14, 2019, 11am-2pm.

This annual holiday happenings will be held in the Jernigan Building (Selma Town Council Chambers) and Vick Park — both located on East Anderson Street in “Historic Uptown” Selma, NC. (Article)

Wake Forest Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 1pm CANCELED

Come and watch this parade with local organizations, businesses, and Santa Claus. Route covers South White Street / South Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. Line up early.   See details of the Christmas Parade and other December holiday happenings here.

Clayton Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 3pm

The Clayton Rotary Club and the Town of Clayton are hosting the annual Clayton Christmas Parade during this, the town’s 150th Anniversary year. The parade will be held, rain or shine, in downtown Clayton, NC. See details at www.claytonchristmasparade.org.

 

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Family Art Sundays

Sunday, December 15, 2019 @ 2-4pm

Drop-in event, meaning family registration is not required. Event is free. All ages welcome with accompanying adults. Join in art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour. Materials are provided. Held at the art gallery at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC. See event here.

Christmas Tea at the Museum

Sunday, December 15, 2019 @ 4-6:30pm

Gather for a ‘cuppa’ tea at this annual event at the May Museum and Park, 3802 S Main Street, Farmville, NC. Celebrate the holidays with hot tea, hot chocolate, fellowship, and wine for those of age. To see events and updates, Follow the May Museum here.

 

Coming Soon

Holiday at Hogwarts

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 @ 5:30-7:30pm

Braswell Memorial Library is holding their first Harry Potter themed event. The program is for ages 8-17, but Muggles of all ages are welcome. Take part in activities including crafts and enjoy themed snacks including butterbeer. Registration is required. Call the library’s Youth Services Department at 252.442.1951 x.235 to register. Braswell Memorial Library is located at 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Visit the library website here.

Around the Tables

Saturday, December 21, 2019 @ 10am-noon

This monthly event by Dream Coat Ministries provides free clothing for kids and adults, plus lunch (11:30am) at no charge provided by Now Faith Community Baptist Church. The address is 8933 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale, NC. Follow www.facebook.com/Dreamcoatknightdale.

Stories with Santa

Saturday, December 21, 2019 @ 10am

Christmas stories, treats, and a photo opp with Santa Claus at this free, public event. Held at Farmville Public Library, 3733 N Main Street, Farmville, NC. Follow library activities here.

Friday Afternoon Popcorn and A Movie at The Nash Senior Center

Friday, December 27, 2019 @ 2pm

Senior citizens, come and enjoy popcorn and a movie (Jack Frost, 1998). The movie showing is free and popcorn is 25 cents a bag. Movies shown in Room 112 at the Nash County Senior Center, 103 N Alston Street, Nashville, NC. With questions or to register, call 252.459.7681. Pre-registering is recommended and helps the facility to plan seating and refreshments for those attending. Movie showings are held on the fourth Friday of each month. For this and other senior happenings, follow Nash County senior center updates on Facebook or check out their quarterly newsletter via the county web page.

Fourth Friday Open Mic

Friday, December 27, 2019 @ 6:30-7:30pm

Poets, writers, musicians, and others are welcome to share their talents at this Open Mic event. Held at Selma Public Library, 301 N Pollock Street, Selma, NC. There is no fee for this gathering. Overseen by the Johnston County Writers Group. Join the group on Facebook here.

Rockin’ the Forest

December 28, 2019 @ 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:

  • December 28, 2019:  Steve Owens & Summertime
  • 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.

 

January 2020 Happenings

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.

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.

 

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.