Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — December 15-18

By Kay Whatley, Editor

This list covers events from the North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond.

In addition to the events below, the North Carolina State Fairgrounds is hosting multiple December events. Their list may be found online here.

A variety of coastal events may be found via What’s On Wilmington’s calendar.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Auditions for Seussical The Musical (December 13, 14 & 15, 2016 @  6:30-8:30pm)

Everyone is invited to audition. Casting is searching for “a large, diverse ensemble of adults and children.” Auditions will be at The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences is located at 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC.

If you have any questions, contact the Theater Manager of the Imperial Centre via email, or the show’s Director via email. The show dates will be March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2017.

Christmas with the Embers (December 15, 2016 @ 7:30-10pm)

The Embers featuring Craig Woolard bring their Christmas back for this special holiday concert. Organized by the Arts Council of Wilson, the performance is at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, 108 Nash Street NE, Wilson NC. Tickets are available at www.wilsonarts.com for $20 to $25, by stopping by the Arts Council of Wilson, or calling 252.291.4329.

Clayton Piano Festival “Holiday Gala Concert” (December 15, 2016 @ 7pm)

Enjoy this first-ever Holiday Gala Concert at The Historic Wagner House, 121 E. Main Street, Clayton NC. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for 18 and under. There is a small service fee when purchasing online tickets. Tickets are on sale at www.claytonpianofestival.org.

Discover Space — “Space Exploration” (December 15, 2016 @ 5-7pm)

Russell J. DeYoung, PhD Senior Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center, discusses space exploration in the Warner Room at in this adult program at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Kesha Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253.

Old Fashioned Christmas (December 15-17, 2016)

Get ready for three days of shopping and getting into the holiday spirit with the second annual Old Fashioned Christmas event in Taylorsville NC (Alexander County). Old Fashioned Christmas offers ice skating, Santa, holiday shopping and much more. (Article)

Friday, December 16, 2016

Holiday Train Expo (December 16-18, 2016)

Head to Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive, in Wilmington NC, for the Cape Fear Model Railroad Society’s annual Holiday Train Expo. The expo features trains of all types in a variety of villages, parks, and landscapes, plus photo ops with the conductor of the Polar Express, and a chance to watch models being built. Admission is $4-$5, with kids under 3 free. Hours are 6-9pm Friday, and 1-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Details and updates may be found on this Facebook page or call 910.231.8567 with questions.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Deans Farm Market holiday happenings in Wilson NC.
Deans Farm Market holiday happenings in Wilson NC.

Santa’s Workshop (December 17, 2016 @ 10am-2pm)

Come for fun at Dean’s Farm Market, Highway 42 in Wilson NC. The farm is offering a mix of goodies, Christmas, agriculture, and more. (see image). Call 252.237.0967 with questions.

Christmas at Home Show (December 17, 2016 @ 10am-2pm)

Franklin County Arts Council will hold its Fourth Annual Christmas at Home Art Show and Sale. Shop for gifts for sale by local artists and join the group for free refreshments. This year’s location is the historic home of Elic Senter and Ed Cottle on 12 Vine Street, Franklinton NC. Participating artists include Margaret Hilpert, Everett Mayo, Pamela Andrejev, Louise Asaraf, Rose Cushing, John Pelosi, and Marti King. This has become a popular event, offering shoppers an opportunity to purchase unique Christmas gifts. The festive event is free to the public, including holiday refreshments. Several items donated by the artists will be raffled throughout the day.

There may be spaces available for artists; email for information if interested in being a part of this event. Visit the Franklin County Arts Council website here.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Christmas Concert at First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount (December 18, 2016 @ 4pm)

The Rocky Mount Chamber Singers will participate in this free concert, according to its Director, James S. Smith in a recent Facebook post.

The first half of the concert will feature RMCS in a variety of seasonal music, both sacred and secular, including arrangements of familiar Christmas selections like “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Deck the Halls.” They will be joined in the second half by the choir of First Presbyterian and other singers from the Rocky Mount community.

This chorus of approximately 60 voices will sing two arrangements of traditional carols, followed by four choruses from Handel’s “Messiah.” Audience members will be invited to join the chorus in singing the much-beloved Hallelujah chorus from “Messiah.” A chamber orchestra will accompany the second half of the program.

A nursery will be provided. A reception for audience members and musicians will follow the concert. The location is First Presbyterian Church, 153 N Church Street, Rocky Mount NC.

Coming Soon

It’s a Wonderful Life Movie Screening (December 20, 2016 @ 7pm & 10pm)

Bring the family to this special showing as part of the “Paramount Movie Nights” series. This holiday favorite is enjoyable for all ages, whether it is the 100th time or the first time seeing it on the big screen! General Admission tickets are $5 per person, with children 12-and-under free with an adult. Visit this page to purchase tickets. The location is the City of Goldsboro-Paramount Theatre, 139 S Center Street, Goldsboro NC. Call the theatre at 919.583.8432.

Photography Contest Celebration (December 28, 2016)

Join the celebration at the end-of-exhibit event for this photo contest at Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount NC.

Photo Contest Celebration flyer. Source: Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount NC.
Photo Contest Celebration flyer. Source: Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount NC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Next Year (2017)

2017 Economic Forum & Forecast Breakfast (January 11, 2017 @ 7:30-9:30am)

This special business-oriented meeting is being held at the Knightdale Town Hall, located at 950 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC. The agenda includes a panel of local leaders from education, government, and industry to address questions and leading initiatives critical to our state and local communities. Join us as leaders collaborate and explain why now more than ever it is imperative to understand the 2017 economic outlook and trends for businesses and our community-at-large. See here for event details or to register. Registration is $25 for chamber members and $30 for the general public. (Article)

29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration (January 16, 2017 @ 12pm)

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s lifelong dedication to justice, equality, and service for the greater good, the City of Goldsboro will once again join with Wayne County to host this event. The MLK Luncheon will be held at the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly, located on 211 West Hooks River Road, Goldsboro NC. Tickets are $15 and may be picked up at the Community Relations Office, 214 N Center Street or from one of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee members. Deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, January 9, 2017.

The theme for the MLK Celebration will be “There is but One Race, and that is The Human Race”. This message was articulated very clearly by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Visionary, who saw things from a different perspective. Over fifty-two years later, we now see those things and we will strive to incorporate them into our everyday lives in the knowledge of “Change Begins with Self”. For more information, contact the Community Relations Office at 919.580.4359 or email C. Johnson or S. Simpson.

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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.