December 2009

Celebrate this holiday season in Greater Raleigh as we spread holiday cheer through many festive concerts and performances, special shopping venues, historic traditions and sporting events. Plan your holiday getaway with our special offers and hot deals for local events, dining, and hotels offered only on visitraleigh.com.

Holi-dazzle

You've got your list and you're on a mission to find the perfect gift. The Raleigh area offers the perfect solution with 12 major shopping destinations, specialty boutiques and a calendar full of holiday shopping events. Hop on the free R-LINE circulator and discover downtown Raleigh's art galleries, museums, restaurants and shops--that keep their doors open a little bit later during First Friday (12/4)--or take an afternoon stroll through one of the area's oldest neighborhoods at the 17th Annual Boylan Heights Art Walk (12/6). The N.C. State Fairgrounds change into a Nordic wonderland during the Scandinavian Christmas Fair (12/5) and sparkle at the Holiday Gem and Jewelry Show (12/11-13). The weekly Flea Market (Saturday and Sunday) is a favorite spot to find unique gifts. Support emerging bands and local artists selling everything from homemade soap and lotion to belt buckles and pillows at the Rock and Shop Market (12/19) . Learn More

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Historic Holidays

Are your holiday traditions taken from days past or do you feel like the holidays aren't complete without a candlelight tour? If so, visit North Carolina's Capital City during the Joel Lane Museum House's Christmas Open House (12/5-6) or check out Mordecai Historic Park, birthplace of Andrew Jackson, during the Mordecai Holidays and Lantern Tours (12/12), when both homes will be festively decorated and will re-create colonial history through inspired demonstrations. The North Carolina State Capitol officially lights up the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Festival (12/10). Discover the "Peak of Good Living" in Apex during the Annual Christmas Homes Tour (12/6) or in Wendell during the Historic Christmas Homes Tour (12/19). The Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour of Homes (12/12-13) gives visitors a glimpse into some of the oldest homes in Raleigh, decorated in holiday splendor, and Haywood Hall's Christmas Open House (12/12-13) takes you back to yesteryear. North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue opens the Executive Mansion for a Holiday Open House (12/10-13) Learn More

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Santa Sightings

The season for Santa, holiday light displays, parades and winter festivals is here, and in venues and towns throughout the area, you will find events that will put the whole family in the holiday spirit. The Towns of Wake Forest (12/4), Garner (12/4), Cary (12/5), Knightdale (12/4), Wendell (12/5) and Holly Springs (12/11) all light their community trees in celebration of the holidays. Downtown Raleigh's "living room" lights up for the first time with a Winterfest Celebration and Tree Lighting (12/4) in the new City Plaza. Garner (12/5), Knightdale (12/5), Apex (12/5), Fuquay-Varina (12/6), Zebulon (12/6), Rolesville (12/6), the Cary Jaycees (12/12), Holly Springs (12/12) 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 (12/5) and Christmas on Salem Street in Apex (12/4-6). Bundle up for Sleigh Rides and Cider at Historic Oak View County Park (12/5-6), Holiday Express at Pullen Park (12/10-12/13) or take a ride on Santa's Trolley (12/12). Learn more

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Holiday Performances

The Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts is the place to be this month for performances that will put even the biggest Scrooge in the holiday spirit. Cirque Dreams (12/1-6) brings ornaments to life while acrobats, musicians and dancers take the stage in a magical performance. Ira David Wood infuses pop-culture and current events into The Christmas Carol (12/8-12/16) and performs the one-man show about Truman Capote's youth in A Christmas Memory (12/18-12/20). Carolina Ballet dances the Nutcracker (12/18- 12/27), a classic enjoyed by the very young and the young at heart. The RBC Center welcomes Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate (12/9-13), and the Raleigh Little Theatre proves dreams do come true in Cinderella XXVI (12/11-20). Learn more

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Sounds of the Season

There's nothing like a holiday tune to spread the season's spirit. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (12/2) brings their high energy sounds to the Raleigh area, while the N.C. Symphony performs the melodic sounds of Organ Symphony (12/4-5). Don't miss A Carolina Christmas with the Cary Town Band (12/11), or the N.C. Master Chorale performs A Carolina Christmas (12/11) . The Raleigh Boy Choir sings the traditional Carols of Christmas (12/18), and the Raleigh Ringers (12/19-20), a world-renowned hand-bell choir, perform their Holiday Concert. Straight No Chaser (12/23), an acapella group puts a new twist on old favorites like 'The 12 Days of Christmas,' during a concert at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.Learn more

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Lace Up Your Skates

It's the holiday season and sports in the Raleigh area are in full swing. Bundle up; dust off your ice skates, and head to AT&T Raleigh Winterfest Ice Rink in City Plaza (12/5-1/31), Raleigh on Ice North Hills (12/1-31),or Raleigh on Ice Brier Creek Commons (12/1-26) to skate under the winter sky. If running, not skating, is more your speed, make your best time during the Jingle Bell 5K Run (12/5) throughout downtown Raleigh. N.C. State University men's basketball takes on Northwestern (12/1), Georgia Southern (12/12), Elon (12/17) and Winthrop (12/29), all at the RBC Center. Cold weather means hockey,and the Carolina Hurricanes (2006 Stanley cup winners), are in mid- season with games lined up throughout the month. Catch a game at the RBC center against the Vancouver Canucks (12/5), Dallas Stars (12/16), Florida Panthers (12/19), New York Rangers (12/21), Montreal Canadians (12/23), Philadelphia Flyers (12/26), New York Rangers (12/31). Wrestling's biggest names come to the RBC Center for the WWE Smackdown and ECW Live (12/27).Learn more

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Ring in the New Year

Greater Raleigh has many exciting events for you and your loved ones to celebrate ringing in the New Year. First Night Raleigh 2010 (12/31) will take over downtown Raleigh with entertainment, music and family-friendly activities. The evening concludes with the Acorn Drop and a spectacular fireworks display. First Light Wake Forest (12/31) offers an inexpensive, fun way for the whole family to bring in the New Year. The N.C. Symphony hosts an Evening of Prodigious Talent (12/31), where outrageously talented young musicians from our state will demonstrate jaw-dropping feats of virtuosity. Laugh until it hurts at Goodnights Comedy Club with comedian Bobby Collins (12/31) or at one of the area's local music hangouts, The Pour House, with Yarn (12/31). Learn more

Historic holidays photo courtesy Flickr Creative Commons/abbyladybug

Lace up your skates photo courtesy Flickr Creative Commons/eudaimon