2013 Cary Holiday Event Guide
Cary, NC – Cary gets especially busy this time of year and we don’t want you to miss a thing.
2013 Cary Holiday Event Guide
Our 2013 Cary Holiday Event Guide is stuffed with events and activities to do right here in Cary. So get out your calendars and start marking in what you don’t want to miss this holiday season right here in Cary!
After you’ve eaten your turkey and shopped til you drop, things start happening the very first weekend in December.
Sunday Dec 1
Home-Made Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen
1:00-2:00 at Whisk in Waverly Place
Surprise loved ones with home-made holiday gifts. See what’s cooking and turn it into beautiful packages for giving. December 1st at 1:00 pm or December 2nd at 6:15 pm, $59.
Register at www.whiskcarolina.com.
Monday Dec 2
Holly Daze Shoppe
120 E. Chatham Street, Downtown Cary
Open Mondays – Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. from December 2-21.
Beginning on December 2 and running through the 21st, Downtown Cary’s pop-up shop returns! Come out and find that perfect handcrafted gift for your friend or loved one, finish up your Christmas shopping, and support local artists! New artists featured each week.
Tuesday Dec 3
Christmas from the Americas
7 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center
Celebrate the holidays with carols from Canada, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Columbia, as well as an American folksong from Southern Appalachia and a traditional Gospel melody. For more information, call (919) 469-4081.
Thursday Dec 5
“Cameos, Cookies, & Cocoa”
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.- The Matthews House, 317 West Chatham Street, Downtown
The Matthews House is partnering with acclaimed British photographer, Warren McCormack, to offer professional portraits . Santa will also be at the house to take pictures with the kids. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate in a cozy and relaxed environment at this event that is perfect for the whole family. Tickets: $5 per person at the door (portrait cost is not included). Reservations are recommended.
A Christmas Story
7:30 pm – first night of performances by Cary Players
Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave
Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows young Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt’s Department Store. All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, don’t miss this classic holiday favorite.
Additional shows Fri Dec 6 at 7:30pm , Sat Dec 7 at 3pm and 8 pm, Sun Dec 8 at 3pm and Mon at 7:30pm
11th Annual Gingerbread Benefit
The Umstead Hotel & Spa, 100 Woodland Pond Drive
Sneak Preview- 11:30am- 1:00 pm
Children Tea with Santa- 4:00-5:00pm
Evening Benefit 6:30-9:30pm
View gingerbread houses made by area top chefs. Bid on extensive list of live and silent auction items. Enjoy holiday music, beer & wine along with savory and dessert choices prepared by the Umstead’s chefs. All proceeds benefit Triangle Family Services For more info call 919-821-0790 or visit www.tfsnc.org
Friday Dec 6
Holiday Shoppe at Cary Academy Campus
10:00am-5:00pm , 1500 North Harrison Ave
Gifts Galore for everyone on your shopping list! Free and open to the public.
Proceeds benefit Cary Academy’s Scholarship Fund and community outreach.
www.caryacademy.org/holidayshoppe or call 919-228-4653
In addition to Dec 6, other shopping times:
- Thursday Dec 5 9:30am-5:00 pm
- Friday Dec 6 10:00am- 5:00 pm
- and again 6:30pm – 9:00pm
- Saturday Dec 7 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Arbolito de la Esperanza: Tree of Hope Lighting, FREE
6:30 p.m. at the Herb Young Community Center
Come experience the lighting of the Arborio, which represents rays of hope for Latino children. Afterward, enjoy a pot-luck dinner with typical Latino foods. For more, visit ww.diamanteinc.org or call (919) 460-4963.
Mad Dash Babysitting
5:30-9:30 – Herb Young Community Center
Parents, take a night out for YOU! Let the Cary Teen Council entertain your children while you shop, go out for dinner, or just enjoy a night on your own. Games, food and fun will be provided for the kids! Space is limited. Children must be potty trained and age 3-9.
For more, call (919) 460-4965.
70880 | Fees: $15(R) $18(N)
Saturday, December 7
9:00am-10:00am Garden Supply Company, 1421 Old Apex Road
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at 9 am, immediately followed by a special story-time with Mrs. Claus herself. Be sure to bring your cameras to capture those once-in-a-lifet
The 2nd Annual Waverly Place Holiday Market
11:00 am -2:00pm
The Holiday Market will be located at Waverly on the Promenade and feature locally handcrafted art, jewelry, holiday decorations, clothing, baked goods, seasonal treats and much more! Also on Dec 14th.
Heart of the Holidays Celebration, FREE (except A Christmas Story)
Something’s happening in Downtown all day (and night) Kick off the holiday season with a full day of holiday cheer in Downtown Cary!
Letters to Santa
Santa’s Mailbox at Town Hall opens Nov. 25!
Ole Time Winter Festival
10am- 4pm- all along Chatham Street
Celebrations begin with the Heart of Cary’s 10th Annual Ole Time Winter Festival held on West Chatham Street in Downtown Cary. Festival goers can enjoy arts & crafts, entertainment, food, activities, and more. Santa will be there. Start (or finish) your holiday shopping!
Santa’s Workshop (age 10 & under)
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.-Herbert C. Young Comm. Center |
Children enjoy a variety of craft stations, and a visit from the jolly guy from the North Pole!
Heart of the Holidays 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Competition
Cary folks must enter this contest by Nov 27. Create a yummy gingerbread house to enter. Houses on display throughout December in Downtown Cary.
Page-Walker Holiday Open House
4 – 6 p.m Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop
Learn about Victorian holiday traditions, listen to Carolers, take a carriage ride, and more. Hands-on craft activities too!
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
6 p.m., Town Hall Campus
Bring your blanket, hot chocolate, and friends to welcome the holiday season with the illumination of the 30-foot cedar tree!
Sunday Dec 8
Cary Community Choir presents Handel’s Messiah, FREE
7:30 p.m. at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church
Come and enjoy the Hallelujah Tradition! Visit www.carycommunitychoir.com for more information. A freewill offering will be taken at the door.
Tuesday Dec 10
RTOOT (Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle) presents Holidays around the World
7:30 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center
For more information, visit www.rtoot.org.
Wednesday December 11
RTP General Assembly Chorus presents Songs of the Season
7:30 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center
For more information, visit www.generalassemblychorus.org.
Friday December 13
Holiday Potluck Celebration, FREE
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center
Join us for an afternoon of festivities and fellowship! Bring a dish to share!
For more information, call (919) 469-4081
Cary Town Band presents Winter’s Eve
7:30 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center
Come and enjoy this free concert with all your favorite melodies as we celebrate Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, and maybe even New Years! For more information, visit www.carytownband.org.
Concert Singers of Cary present Holiday Pops
8 p.m. & Saturday, December 14 at 3 & 8 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center
Come sing and hear the songs of the season, with special guest artist Karen Hart. For more information, visit www.concertsingers.org.
Saturday Dec 14
Cary Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Cary Jaycees
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Along Chatham and Academy Streets
For parade route and details check out: http://caryjaycees.org/2013-cary-jaycee-christmas-par/
Find all the details on the Cary Jaycees web page including registration and a map of the route.
Winter Wonderland Snow Day
11:00am-3:00pm Waverly Place Tons and Tons and Tons of Snow . It runs along with the Holiday Market and will feature lots of snow, sledding, crafts, art, seasonal treats and more! Those interested in sledding should pre register here: http://waverlycary.com/snow-day-sledding-registration/
Sunday December 15
Triangle Brass Band Holiday Concert
3 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center
For more information, visit www.trianglebrass.org.
Raleigh Boychoir’s Millennium Chorus
4 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Choir members, ages 7 to 14, will bring you an afternoon of wonderful chorale music. Presented by the Friends of Page-Walker For more information, visit www.friendsofpagewalker.org.
Monday December 16
6:15pm Elegant Entertaining for the Holidays Cooking Class
Whisk in Waverly Place
Elegant Entertaining for the Holidays, Whisk Cooking Class. Join Chef Michael as he shows you how to dazzle your guests with spectacular finger foods, both savory and sweet. This 3 hour class will include six of his holiday treats. $69. Register at www.whiskcarolina.com.
Wednesday December 18
4:15 Holiday Cooking With Kids
Whisk in Waverly Place
Holiday Cooking with Kids, Whisk Parent-Child Cooking Class. Holiday break is a perfect opportunity to spend quality time cooking with your kids in the kitchen. Let Liz help you kick off this season’s festivities with a few super fun and unique recipes. 1-1/2 hours. $39. Sign up at www.whiskcarolina.com.
Thursday December 19
A Very Cary Christmas by Cary Ballet Company and 3D Project
Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave
Two part show including Cary Ballet Company’s “Visions of Sugarplums” which features excerpts from the Nutcracker Ballet. Special professional guest dancer, Misha Ilyin, will perform at all shows. The second part of the show, “All Wrapped up”! is presented by The 3D Project, set to well-loved and recognizable sounds of the season that the whole family will enjoy.
Showtimes: Thurs, Dec 19th 7pm, Fri, Dec 20th 7pm, and Sat, Dec 21st, 2013, 2pm & 7pm
$15/ $12 tickets at Cary Arts Center Box Office or etix.com or 1-800-514-3849
For more information, visit www.caryballet.com or call 919.481.6509
Saturday December 21
Holiday Suite– International Ballet Academy Company
2:00 and 7:00 pm -Cary Academy, 1500 N Harrison Avenue
The Ballet’s Company performs favorite excerpts of the beloved ballet, The Nutcracker in two performances at 2:00pm and 7:00 pm. Reserved seating, advance ticket purchase suggested. Purchase tickets at International Ballet Academy at 201 Davis Grove Circle or call (919) 303-7200 for information.
Cary Ballet presents A Mini Very Cary Christmas
10 a.m. at the Cary Arts Center
In this special holiday performance, you will be treated to holiday jazz works by dancers of the 3D Project, followed by a mini-ballet demonstration by Artistic Director Deanna Seay. Condensed versions of the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy will close the performance. Afterwards, join us for a special ballerina tea which will include a photo opportunity with our featured ballerinas. Get your tickets early, while they last! Visit www.caryballet.com for more information.
UnVined’s Christmas Party,
8:00pm- midnight, 201 West Chatham Street, main floor. Music and great food and wine
Monday December 30
Cary Kwanzaa Celebration, FREE
5 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center
Don’t miss the 19th Annual Cary Kwanzaa Celebration! Cary Kwanzaa is a communal, cultural celebration that honors African-American people and their heritage. During Kwanzaa, guests are invited to ponder the Nguzu Saba, or seven powerful principles derived from African heritage. Event is co-sponsored by The Ujima Group,Inc. and the Town of Cary. For more information, call (919) 460-4963.
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The 2013 Cary Holiday Events Guide has been sponsored by Waverly Place, The Heart of Cary Association, UnVined Wine Bar & Tapas, Garden Supply Company, Whisk and Academy Street Bistro.
