2014 Cary Holiday Event Guide
Cary, NC — It’s great to stay in and snuggle by the fireplace, but be sure to check out these holiday events happening in Cary throughout November and December.
2014 Cary Holiday Event Guide
Our 2014 Cary Holiday Guide lists Cary holiday happenings by date so that you can follow along and have your choice of celebrations throughout the whole season.
This year, the festivities start early–before Thanksgiving, in fact!
Friday, November 21
Waverly Place Tree Lighting
6-8:30 pm at Waverly Place
Witness the lighting of the Waverly Place Christmas tree and so much more. In addition to Waverly’s usual dining and shopping amenities, this event will feature a toy drive, live music, and a visit with Santa and his elves.
Monday, November 24
Letters to Santa: Santa’s Mailbox
Town Hall through December 12
Starting today, children can drop off their letters to Santa at Cary Town Hall to receive a letter back from the jolly ole’ guy himself. Just be sure to drop them off by the December 12 deadline–Santa gets busier and busier as Christmas approaches. Call (919) 469-4061 for more info
Wednesday, December 3
The Gifting Tree Project: Decorating Day
1-4 pm, Academy Street, Downtown Cary
Local families, businesses, and groups are encouraged to apply to participate in this charitable decorating contest by November 26. For a $25 entry fee, groups will get their own tree to decorate. The trees will be displayed downtown all season, and a donation will be made to the charity of the winner’s choice. Call (919) 469-4061 for more info
Thursday, December 4
Meet the Grinch
4 pm at Barnes & Noble of Cary
The Grinch himself, in full makeup, will be at the bookstore to visit with kids tell them a classic tale about how to be extra good in the weeks before Christmas.
It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play
7:30 pm marks the first night of performances by the Cary Players
The Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Avenue
The Cary Players will perform this beloved holiday classic as a live 1940s radio broadcast through December 8. Additional showtimes: Dec 5 at 7:30 pm, Dec 6 at 3 and 8 pm, Dec 7 at 3 pm, and Dec 8 at 7:30 pm
Friday, December 5
Buon Natale! Italian Holiday Feast
6:30-8:30 pm at Whisk in Waverly Place
This class celebrates the culinary traditions, customs and rituals practiced by Italians during the Christmas holidays. A fun and romantic date night dinner will be paired with Italian wines. The class is $69; Register online and view their other holiday events.
Arbolito de la Esperanza: Tree of Hope Lighting
6:30 pm 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. Visit www.diamanteinc.org or call (919) 460-4963 for more information.
Holiday Tree Lighting
6:30 pm at Morrisville Town Hall
Start the season with a celebration of holiday spirit! Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at Town Hall as a children’s choir performs, all before the main feature–the lighting of the tree.
Saturday, December 6
Heart of the Holidays 4th Annual Gingerbread House Competition
Individuals of all ages can enter this competition by November 26 to have their house included in the December 6 judging. Winners will be on display at The Cary Arts Center throughout December. (919) 469-4061
Breakfast with Mrs. Claus at Garden Supply Co.
9-10 am, 1421 Old Apex Road, Cary
Enjoy a light breakfast as Mrs. Claus reads some of her favorite stories. Stay for a while and learn all about birds (10 am) and make a bird feeder for your home. Register for these events by calling (919) 460-7747. The event repeats at the same time on the next two Saturdays.
Holiday Shoppe at Cary Academy Campus
10 am-4 pm, 1500 N Harrison Avenue
Shop till you drop with creative gifts, specialty items, and delicious foods from over 100 vendors. Purchases benefit the academy’s scholarship programs and community outreach.
Santa’s Workshop at Herb Young (10 and under)
10 am-12:30 pm at Herbert C. Young Community Center
Cary Teen Council’s holiday celebration will include craft stations, visits with Santa, and a canned food drive.
Ole Time Winter Festival by the Heart of Cary
10 am-4 pm, Downtown Cary
Citizens can enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, food, activities, Santa visits, and more.
A Christmas Carol at Graceful Expressions Dance
3:30 and 4:15 at Graceful Expressions Dance Studio in Chocolate Smiles Village
Drop by Graceful Expressions after the winter festival to enjoy hot cider and crafts while watching A Christmas Carol performances.
Morrisville Christmas Parade and Craft Fair
11 am-2 pm along Town Hall Drive
After the parade, Cedar Fork Community Center will be turned into a Holiday Craft Fair winter wonderland from 12- 2 pm, where local vendors will showcase their goods for purchase and Santa will be present for photo opportunities! Popular area food trucks will be present in the parking lot to provide their delicious, specialty cuisine for purchase.
Page-Walker Holiday Open House
4-6 pm at Page-Walker Arts and History Center
Old-fashioned Christmas fun awaits! Take a tour through the decorated 1868 historic hotel and learn about Victorian holiday traditions while listening to carols.
Holiday Films at The Cary Theater
122 East Chatham St, Downtown Cary, Call for more info (919) 469-4061
The Muppets Christmas Carol: 10 am
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: 7:30 and 9:30 pm
Official Town of Cary Tree Lighting Ceremony
6 pm at Town Hall Campus
Bring a blanket and your loved ones to welcome the season with live entertainment and the lighting of the beautiful 30-foot cedar tree.
Sunday, December 7
Cary Community Choir presents Handel’s Messiah
7:30 p.m. at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church
Come and enjoy the Hallelujah Tradition! Visit the choir website for more information. The event is free, but a freewill offering will be taken at the door.
Tuesday, December 9
Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle (RTOOT)
7:30 at the Cary Arts Center
Thursday, December 11
RTP General Assembly Chorus presents Songs of the Season
7:30 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Enjoy a collection of your favorite holiday music featuring the 2014 Carolinas District Quartet Champion, and from Winston Salem, the female a cappella ensemble Downtown Sound. Tickets are $10-$15 and can be purchased at etix.com or by calling (800) 514-3849).
Friday, December 12
Holiday Potluck Celebration (ages 55+)
11:30 am-2 pm at the Cary Senior Center
A potluck lunch, fellowship, and special entertainment await you. Bring a dish to share and a wrapped gift for the exchange! For more information, call (919) 469-4081.
Magical Winter Lights at Park West Village
Nightly shows start at 6-8 pm at Park West Village Shopping Center
Shows will run nightly every 15 minutes with real falling snow! On the weekends there will be free train rides, carolers, hot chocolate, and story time with Santa in the theatre lobby. Nightly shows run until December 21.
Outdoor Christmas Party at Mosaic Church
6-9 pm at Mosaic Church of Cary
Sledding, bounce houses, homemade desserts, and 5 tons of snow await you at this free event for the entire community.
Triangle Wind Ensemble presents “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
7:30-8:30 pm at the Cary Arts Center
TWE’s annual winter concert includes both traditional and up-to-date music to brighten spirits and warm hearts during the holiday season. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children. For more, visit the website.
Cary Town Band presents “Winterfest”
7:30-8:30 pm at the Cary Senior Center
Enjoy this free sixth annual musical celebration of the holiday season. There’ll be carol sing-alongs and music to celebrate your favorite holiday festivities–Win
Saturday, December 13
Concert Singers of Cary present Holiday Pops
1-2 pm and Sunday at 3 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Nurture your holiday spirit with an afternoon of your favorite tunes, both new and old. Tickets are $20 for adults and students of all ages are free.
Cary Christmas Parade sponsored by the Cary Jaycees
2-3 pm in Downtown Cary
The joyful celebration starts on Chatham Street and moves through Cary with bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches.
The Nutcracker presented by International Ballet Academy
2 pm and 7 pm at Cary Academy
This annual show will feature excerpts from the beloved ballet The Nutcracker, thrilling audiences of all ages. From the littlest angels to the Sugar Plum Fairy, the dancers will add a magical touch to your holiday season. Tickets range from $10-$15, call the IBA at (919) 303-7200 to reserve.
Sunday, December 14
Raleigh Boy Choir’s Winter Concert
4-6 pm at 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.
Rally Point Christmas Party
7-11 pm at Rally Point Sport Grill, 837 Bass Pro Lane, Cary
Join the fun and enjoy great food at Rally Point’s Christmas Party–and remember that the grill will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas days for those whose prefer to dine out on the holidays.
Friday, December 19
A Very Cary Christmas presented by Cary Ballet
7-8 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Cary Ballet Company and The 3D Project combine to give a night of holiday dance performances. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and children. These can be purchased through etix, by calling 1-800-514-3849, or at the Cary Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Additional shows:
Saturday, December 20 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 21 at 3:00 pm
Saturday, December 20
A Mini Very Cary Christmas presented by the Town of Cary
10 am at the Cary Arts Center
This one hour show includes a ballet demonstration and excerpts from the show. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased through etix or at the Cary Arts Center box office.
Monday, December 22
Jewish Cultural Festival– presented by the Town of Cary
4:40-9:00 pm at the Cary Arts Center
The Town of Cary celebrates Hanukkah on the 7th night of the Jewish Festival of Lights. Join us on the 7th night of Hanukkah to celebrate Jewish culture in Cary! Enjoy traditional Jewish foods, crafts, hands-on activities for the whole family, entertainment, and educational programs. The event kicks off with the lighting of a nine-foot menorah! For more call (919) 460-4963.
Tuesday, December 30
Cary Kwanzaa Celebration
11 am-5 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Cary Kwanzaa is a free, 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. Co-sponsored by The Ujima Group, Inc. and the Town of Cary.
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Story by Jessica Patrick. Photo by Deb West.
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Holiday coverage on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Waverly Place, Heart of Cary Association, RallyPoint Sport Grill, Cary Ballet Conservatory and Blue Sky Pilates.
Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle’s Holiday concert? Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30pm at the Cary Arts Center
