December 2008

Season’s Greetings! Experience the difference as the Raleigh area celebrates the holiday season with theater, concerts, exhibits, sports and festivals. Plan your getaway with our Hot Deals and Special Offers at area hotels, restaurants and attractions, found only on www.visitRaleigh.com

Shoppers' Delight

Long hailed as the premier shopping destination in the state, the Raleigh area has more than 10 distinct shopping destinations to find that perfect holiday gift.

Start your shopping at the N.C. State Fairgrounds during the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh’s annual Triangle Shopping Bag (12/6) featuring baby items, jewelry and more, browse the booths at the area’s largest Flea Market (Saturdays and Sundays) or explore Nordic culture, food and crafts at the Scandinavian Christmas Fair (12/6). Downtown Raleigh’s historic Boylan Heights neighborhood hosts the annual Artwalk (12/7), and stores and galleries stay open late during First Friday (12/5) in Moore Square. Learn More

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Historic Holidays

Spend the holidays in history as many of the area’s historic attractions open their doors for tours, special events and holiday cheer. The Town of Wake Forest presents the Christmas Home Tour (12/6), while the Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour of Homes (12/13-12/14) has become a holiday tradition.

The N.C. State Capitol is full of holiday spirit with the Tree Lighting Ceremony (12/10), Open House (12/11-12/14) and Civil War Christmas Encampment (12/13) where re-enactors demonstrate holiday traditions of the 1800s. Get a glimpse of how Raleigh’s founders celebrated the season during the Joel Lane Colonial Christmas (12/6), Mordecai Historic Park’s Open House and Lantern Tours (12/13) and Haywood Hall’s Christmas Open House (12/14). Learn More

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Santa Sightings

Catch a glimpse of the big man in red at one of the area’s parades and festivals. The Towns of Fuquay-Varina (12/4), Wake Forest (12/5), Garner (12/5), Cary (12/6) and Holly Springs (12/12) all light their community trees in celebration of the holidays. Then Garner (12/6), Knightdale (12/6), Apex (12/6), Fuquay-Varina (12/7), Zebulon (12/7), Holly Springs (12/12) and Wake Forest (12/13) close the streets for marching bands, floats and of course, Santa during their annual holiday parades.

Enjoy arts, crafts, food, music and activities during The Heart of Cary Association Ole Time Winter Festival (12/6), Christmas on Salem Street in Apex (12/6-8) and Holly Springs Main Street Market (12/12). Bundle up for Sleigh Rides and Cider at Historic Oak View County Park (12/6), Holiday Express at Pullen Park (12/10-12/14) or take a ride on Santa’s Trolley (12/6, 12/13, 12/20). Learn more

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Holiday Performances

The Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts is host to an array of performances and events this month. Broadway Series South takes you back to the 1950s with performances of Chicago (12/2-12/7) starring Tom Wopat, and Sammy, Frank, Dean and Joey reunite for a spirited tribute during The Rat Pack is Back (12/30-1/4). Ira David Wood infuses pop-culture and current events into The Christmas Carol (12/9-12/17) and performs the one-man show about Truman Capote’s youth in A Christmas Memory (12/19-12/21) at the Theatre in the Park. Carolina Ballet dances the Nutcracker (12/19- 12/28), a classic enjoyed by the very young to the young at heart.

The RBC Center welcomes Disney on Ice: World’s of Fantasy (12/10-12/14), and Raleigh Little Theatre proves that dreams really can come true as it presents Cinderella XXV (12/12-12/21). Take the kids to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (12/15), a funny, memorable and outrageous story of young children who get involved in the annual Christmas pageant for the first time. Learn more

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Sounds of the Season

Your favorite sounds of the season are sure to put you in the holiday spirit, and Greater Raleigh is offering a wide array of music from national and local artists.

Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Concert (12/1) features an elaborate electronic visual display and other cutting-edge technology. Songs of the Season: General Assembly Chorus and Carolina Harmony (12/6) performs at Fletcher Opera Theatre at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Other performances by talented, local musicians include Triangle Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert (12/6), Raleigh Flute Choir (12/14), Triangle Brass Band presents Holiday Pops (12/14) and Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concert (12/20). N.C. Museum of Art will be hosting one of the world’s greatest interpreters of Jewish music, classical music, and popular song: Cantor Alberto Mizrahi: Voice of the People (12/7). Learn More

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Learn, Discover, Explore!

Take time to explore the greatest archeological treasures ever discovered - the Dead Sea Scrolls (through 12/28) at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. This blockbuster exhibition displays 12 authentic scrolls, representing portions of the Biblical books of Genesis, Isaiah, Deuteronomy, Exodus and others. Also on display are more than 100 ancient artifacts, non-biblical manuscripts, religious writings and prayer texts. In addition, the museum will describe scientific conservation and preservation of the Scrolls.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences isn't the only museum worth exploring; the N.C. Museum of History celebrates waterfowl culture with Art-Duck-O (ongoing), and the Raleigh City Museum examines the early histories of how newspapers/radio/television each got their start with The [R]evolution of Media (ongoing). The N.C. Museum of Art showcases Modern American Paintings (ongoing), 13 works of West Coast modernism recently bequeathed to the museum. Experience the magic of a 3-D movie at North Carolina’s only 3D IMAX theatre where The Polar Express, Madagascar Escape 2 Africa, Bugs 3D, Grand Canyon Adventure 3D: River at Risk, and Wild Ocean 3D are delighting audiences. Learn more

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Winter Sports

Greater Raleigh’s variety of sporting events makes it a place most sports fans only dream of. Hockey season is in full swing, and the Carolina Hurricanes, winners of the 2006 Stanley Cup, are hitting the RBC Center ice (12/4, 12/6, 12/7, 12/16, 12/18, 12/27, 12/31). Watch talented young athletes “bend it like Beckham” when N.C. State University, the Town of Cary, and the Capital Area Soccer League host the 2008 NCAA Women’s College Cup (12/5, 12/7) at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Howl for the Wolfpack as N.C. State University Men’s Basketball brings the heat to the RBC Center (12/13, 12/17, 12/20, 12/22, 12/29, 12/31). Looking for sports of a different nature? Saddle up for the annual Cowboy Christmas Pro Rodeo (12/12, 12/13, 12/14), and the Undertaker and Special H are just two of the wrestlers coming to the RBC Center during WWE Smackdown and ECW Live (12/28). Learn more

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Bring in the New Year

Another year is drawing to an end and where better to spend it than out enjoying our capital city with your nearest and dearest? First Night Raleigh 2008 (12/31) will ring in 2009 with an evening of live entertainment with the Smithereens, John Brown and the Groove Shop Band among others, as well as live performances from the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble and Paperhand Puppet Intervention. The evening concludes with the Acorn Drop at midnight and fireworks.

The N.C. Symphony offers a delightful evening to visitors who enjoy the sweet sound of stringed instruments at New Years Eve: Music Inspired by Dance (12/31). First Light Wake Forest (12/31) offers an inexpensive, fun way for the whole family to bring in the New Year. Laughter is a great way to beat those winter blues, so end 2008 with a night of laughing yourself silly. Spend your New Years Eve with Jon Reep (12/31), winner of Last Comic Standing, at the famous Goodnights Comedy Club. Learn More