Media Contact: Ryan Smith
(919) 744-8556, rsmith@visitraleigh.com
DON'T FOLLY AND FORGET ' RALEIGH ' THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 2006) – Holiday cheer mixed with southern charm creates the perfect recipe for an unforgettable 2006 holiday season. In December, Greater Raleigh will transform into a southern Tinsel town offering activities that even a Scrooge couldn't resist. And best of all – many of the holiday festivities are completely free ! Here's a glimpse of what's in store this season:
Spend the Holidays in History
December 2 & 3: Christmas Tour at Joel Lane Museum House
Enjoy a Colonial yuletide holiday at the Joel Lane Museum House, "the birthplace of Raleigh." The family fun includes old-fashioned games, music, craft demonstrations and decorations. Free cider and homemade gingersnaps. Joel Lane Museum House • 1pm – 4pm • Free • (919) 833-3431.
December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Mordecai Historic Park 's Holiday Trolley Tour
Hop on the trolley for an educational and entertaining ride through downtown Raleigh with stops at the Joel Lane House, Haywood Hall, City Market, Glenwood South and the State Capitol. Unlimited same day boarding. Mordecai Historic Park • 11am – 3pm (tours depart on the hour with the last tour boarding at 2pm • Admission $8 Adults, Children $4 • (919) 857-4364.
December 5: State Capitol Tree Lighting, Open House and Holiday Festival Festivities begin with the lighting of luminaries and musical performances on the State Capitol grounds. The Governor and First Lady will light the official state Christmas tree on the west grounds. After the tree lighting, the State Capitol will be open for viewing by candlelight. North Carolina State Capitol • 5pm-7:30pm • Free • (919) 733–4994.
December 6 – 10: State Capitol Holiday Open House Local performing groups will provide concerts of holiday music in the Rotunda during this annual open house. Visitors can walk through all three floors of the Capitol to view the holiday decorations. North Carolina State Capitol • 12/6-8, 11am-2pm ; 12/9,10am-4pm ; 12/10, 1pm-4pm • Free • (919) 733-4994.
December 9: Civil War Christmas Encampment
Re-enactors representing the Confederate 6th North Carolina regiment will camp on Capitol Square to recreate war-time holiday celebrations of long ago. Visitors can witness troops receiving mail from home, test their hand at crafting period Christmas ornaments, dip candles and even participate in Civil War drill routines. North Carolina State Capitol • 10am–4pm • Free • (919) 733-4994.
December 9: Mordecai Historic Park Holiday Open House and Lantern Tours
Come see Mordecai ready for the holidays! The house and grounds will be trimmed in holiday décor and tours will be given during the day identifying different holiday customs and traditions of old Raleigh. The evening lantern tour will lead you through the Mordecai farm and village to see historical reenactments during the years of the Civil War. Re-enactors from the North Carolina 26 th Regiment, as well as, the Soldier's Benevolent Society plus period musicians will make for a truly unique experience. Mordecai Historic Park • House Tours 1pm–5pm & Lantern Tours 5pm–9pm • Admission $5 Adults, $3 Children under 17 • (919) 857-4364.
December 9: Historic Oakview Christmas Self-guided Candlelight Tour
Get in the holiday spirit with your family during the Historic Oak View Annual Candlelight Tour. Holidays Around the World displays and decorations will be on view and the glow of luminaries will guide your stroll through the park. Ride in a horse drawn carriage through Oak View's Pecan Grove, listen to carols in the 1855 farm house, drink hot apple cider in the 1825 Plank Kitchen, listen to stories and don't forget to visit Old St. Nick. Historic Oak View County Park • 5pm–7:30pm • Free • (919) 250-1013.
The 35th annual tour of this 19 th Century Victorian neighborhood provides a glimpse inside several 19 th century private homes and inns, elegantly decorated for the holidays. Historic Oakwood • 1pm–7pm • Admission $12 in advance, $17 days of the tour • (919) 832-9712 • Tickets available through www.etix.com.
Cultural Offerings of the Season
Through January 14, 2007: Monet in Normandy, NC Museum of Art
Raleigh is the only East Coast venue for this exhibit of Monet's Normandy masterpieces. Accumulated from around the globe, wor ks from Monet in Normandy rarely travel. NC Museum of Art • Prices include: $15 general admission, $12 students, seniors and groups of 10 or more, and children under 6 are free! (919) 839-6262. www.visitraleigh.com/monet
November 24-26: N.C. Symphony Holiday Pops – A Celtic Holiday
The North Carolina Symphony is in a Celtic mood this year. Join us for beloved music of the season and a very special reading of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales " by Theo Llewellyn, Grant's youngest son • Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 11/24, 8pm ; 11/25, 3pm & 8pm ; 11/27, 3pm • $35-$54; $28 seniors/students • (919) 733-2750.
December 5-13: A Christmas Carol
This year's run will mark the 32nd anniversary of the original musical based on the Dickens classic. Written, directed and starring Ira David Wood III, this annual Theatre in the Park production has been seen by more than 1 million people internationally • Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 12/5-8 &12/11-13, 7pm; 12/9, 2pm & 7pm; 12/10, 2pm • $12-$75 • (919) 831-6936.
December 15-17: A Christmas Memory
Until he was 10 years old, Truman Capote lived with a family of distant and elderly cousins in a small town in rural Alabama. A Christmas Memory is a frankly autobiographical story about those years and especially his relationship with one of the cousins, Miss Sook Faulk. The faded photograph, on the stage during the production, is of the author and Miss Faulk, who died in 1938 while Capote was a student at a military academy in New York State. Theatre In The Park has presented this production, along with Ira David Wood III, for the last 26 years Theatre in the Park • 12/15, 8pm; 12/16, 3pm & 8pm; 12/17, 8pm • $10-$12 • (919) 831-6936.
November 24-26, December 15-17 & 19-23: The Nutcracker Ballet
Carolina Ballet and the N.C. Symphony present "Nutcracker." Experience the magic and awe of the timeless story of Clara and her Nutcracker. See dancing snowflakes and flowers waltz, along with the imaginative beauty and spectacular effects during this holiday classic • Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 11/24, 2pm; 11/25, 11:30am & 3:30pm; 11/26, 2pm; 12/15, 7:30pm; 12/16, 11:30, 3:30pm & 7:30pm; 12/17, 2pm & 6pm; 12/19, 7:30pm; 12/20, 7:30pm; 12/21, 7:30pm; 12/22, 2pm & 7:30pm; 12/23 • $15-$100 • (919) 719-0900 or (919) 834-4000.
December 16-17: The Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concerts
This group performs music ranging from holiday tunes to classical favorites • Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 2/16, 3pm & 8pm ; 12/17, 3pm • Admission $14 Adults; $12 seniors and students • (919) 831-6011
Shop 'Til You Drop
November 24-26: Carolina Craftsman Annual Fair
Showcases work from more than 100 members of the Carolina Designer Craftsmen's Guild. Pottery, stained glass and jewelry are among the items for sale • Exposition Center, N.C. State Fairgrounds • 11/24, 6pm-9pm ; 11/25, 10am-6pm ; 11/26, 11am-5pm • $6 weekend pass $8 single day pass; children under 12 FREE • (919) 460-1551.
November 24-26: A Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival
Original artwork and crafts, Christmas decorations, prints, pottery, candle making, jewelry and more will be for sale by artisans from North Carolina and other states • Jim Graham Building, N.C. State Fairgrounds • 11/24-25, 9am-7pm; 11/26, 11am-5pm • $6 adults; $5 seniors; $3 children 6-12; children under 6 FREE w/adult • (336) 855-0208
December 2: Scandinavian Christmas Fair
Come and enjoy a traditional Scandinavian Christmas. Features Scandinavian favorites like folk dancing, folk music, and the popular Lucia-procession and a food court. Cultural exhibits and children's activities • Holshouser Building, N.C. State Fairgrounds • 10am-6pm • $6 Adults; children under 13 FREE • (919) 353-1995.
Hometown Christmas Parades & Celebrations
November 18, 9:30 AM: Raleigh Christmas Parade
62 nd annual parade • Downtown Raleigh • Free • (919)-420-0120.
November 20 – December 31: Tinsel Town
Cary transforms into a winter wonderland with an outdoor skating rink, decorated trees, arts and crafts vendors, a gingerbread house with Santa, weekend entertainment and holiday treats • Booth Amphitheatre • Mon.-Thurs., 4pm-9pm; Fri., 4pm-10pm; Sat., 2pm-10pm; Sun., Noon-6pm • $4-$10 • (919) 462-2052.
December 1, 6pm: Knightdale Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa's Workshop
Features tree lighting, Santa's Magical Wor ks hop and guaranteed snow • First Avenue, Downtown Knightdale • 6pm • FREE • (919) 217-2230.
December 2: Cary 's Heart of the Holidays Celebration
Festivities include the Heart of Cary Association's Ole Time Winter Festival, Page-Walker Arts & History Center Open House, Official Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring the presentation of "The Longest Night," Concert Singers of Cary and Triangle Wind Ensemble Holiday Pops Concert • Downtown Cary • 10am • FREE • (919) 469-4061.
December 2, 46th annual Jaycees Christmas Parade
Downtown Apex • 5pm • FREE • (919) 990-1250.
December 3,Fuquay-Varina Hometown Christmas Parade
Floats, bands, twirlers, beauty queens and more • Downtown Fuquay-Varina • 3pm • FREE • (919) 552-4947.
The GRCVB, as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business. Through its website, VisitRaleigh.com and other tools, the GRCVB assists visitors to the Greater Raleigh area in a variety of ways. For a free visitors guide or more promotional information, call (800) 849-8499; visit www.VisitRaleigh.com, or e-mail visit@visitraleigh.com. That's "City Life, Carolina Style."
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