Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor
This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond including a few unique coastal or mountain events. 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 an event’s organizer directly via provided links for updates.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Franklin County Farmers Market
Friday, January 4, 11, 18, and 15, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
This farmer’s market will be open in the month of January on Fridays. 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.
The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC.
Follow their Facebook page for updates and offerings available at this year-round farmers market.
Art In Your Face – First Friday
Friday, January 4, 2019 @ 5-8pm
See work of local artists, check out art flow, craft work, downtown fire hydrant series, art prints, the “lovely ladies” series, and more. Optional raffle for hand-made child’s rocking horse.
Held at ART at 123 Studio, 123 Barnes Street W, Wilson, NC.
Connect with this studio via their Facebook page.
Teen Science Cafe: Ask An Astronomer
Friday, January 4, 2019 @ 6-7pm
Dr. Patrick Treuthardt will discuss the oddities of outer space. This is a free event open to teens.
Held at the Daily Planet Cafe, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC.
See more details on the NC Museum of Natural Sciences event page.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Nature Play Day
Saturday, January 5, 2019 @ 10am
Designed for children 7 and younger, all are welcome in the “Nature PlaySpace” where materials and supplies are available to build and have fun in the outdoors. No registration required.
Prairie Ridge Ecostation’s address is 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh, NC.
This is a free event that recurs weekly. See all dates via the Prairie Ridge Ecostation’s Facebook event.
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturday, January 5, 12, 19, and 26, 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.
Open House and Health Fair
Saturday, January 5, 2019 @ 10am-2pm
Open to the public to check out the YMCA’s facilities, work out, and try the equipment. Non-members will need to fill out a guest application, so bring ID.
Held at the Harrison Family YMCA, 1000 Independence Drive, Rocky Mount, NC.
Details online here.
Town Creek Under the Stars: Return of Wintermaker
Saturday, January 5, 2019 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Spend the evening beneath “one of the last great dark sky sites in the North Carolina Piedmont” with a presentation, followed by sky watching (telescopes available or bring-your-own). Dress for the weather/temperature; optionally bring chair/blanket for comfort.
Held at the Town Creek Indian Mound NC Historic Site, 509 Town Creek Mound Road, Mount Gilead, NC.
Free, but registration required at EventBrite, or by phone 910-439-6802, or via email.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Rainforest Adventure Exhibit
Sunday, January 6, 2019 @ 10am-8pm
This exhibit is “a multi-sensory expedition that introduces children to tropical rainforests around the world” with dozens of interactive components.
Held in the science center at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC.
Museum admission fee. See details here.
Oak City Brewing Turns 3
Sunday, January 6, 2019 @ noon-8pm
Celebrate Oak City Brewing Company’s third anniversary. There will be live music, food trucks, a bonfire on their lawn, and an anniversary glassware giveaway (for first 200 customers).
Location is Oak City Brewing Company, 616 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC.
See more on their Facebook page here.
Winter Tree ID
Sunday, January 6, 2019 @ 1-3pm
Take a hike with a ranger and learn how to identify trees during the winter, when leaves are sparse. Good educational opportunity for those who wish to learn more about nature or have their children learn more about the world. Make a reservation via this NC State Parks event page.
Starting at the visitors center, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, 240 Park Entrance Road, Seven Springs, NC.
Coming Soon
Photography Guild Meeting
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 @ 6:30pm
The Franklin County Arts Council’s Photography Guild meeting offers an opportunity to network, share, and learn.
Held at the Gallery on Main, 118-B North Main Street, Louisburg, NC. (There is a parking lot on the entrance side of the gallery building.)
See more on fcacarts.org/photo_guild.aspx or follow FCAC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/franklincountyartscouncilnc.
Fort Macon Astronomy Night
Friday, January 11, 2019 @ 6-9pm
At this family-friendly night of star-gazing and astronomy, Ranger Paul Terry is scheduled to discuss the night sky. Hoping for clear weather, there will be telescopes set up; guests are welcome to bring telescopes from home.
Held in the parking lot at Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC.
This State Park is online at www.ncparks.gov/fort-macon-state-park.
Writers’ Guild Meeting
Monday, January 14, 2019 @ 6:30pm
The writers of the Franklin County Arts Council (FCAC) gather every-other month in 2019. Meetings are open to the public; FCAC membership isn’t required for the monthly Writers’ Guild meetings. Note that the next meeting will be Monday, March 11, 2019.
Regular meetings are hosted by a studio in Franklinton, NC.
Visit fcacarts.org/writers_guild.aspx.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Oratorical Competition
Saturday, January 12, 2019 @ 9am-1:30pm
Competition for students in grades 6-12. “It gives the students a chance to learn and respect the customs and culture of others in order to promote unity; to appreciate diversity and relate to the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” No fee to attend/participate.
Hosted by Imperial Center for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC.
See details and rules via this city of Rocky Mount web page.
PLJCS Financial Aid Workshop
Monday, January 14, 2019 @ 6pm
The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield will host a Financial Aid Workshop provided by a representative from the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC). If you will be enrolling in higher education for the first time or have questions about the FAFSA, this event may be helpful as it will present the financial aid process.
Library address is 305 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC.
With questions, call Katie Barbour at 919.934.8146 x.3. The library website is www.pljcs.org.
Linda Edwards: Reception and Poetry Reading
Sunday, January 20, 2019 @ 4pm
This free event is offered via NashArts.
The Nash Arts Center is located at 100 E Washington Street, Nashville, NC.
NashArts is online at www.nasharts.org.
Pokemon Game Day
Saturday, January 26, 2019 @ 3pm
Pokemon fans, join the fun and play, trade, and more at this social event. Entry is $3 per person. Held at Comic World 122 E Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. Comic World is on Facebook here.
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.
Ed. Notes:
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, 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 the full article’s link is encouraged, so readers may see all upcoming events.
