Weekend: Jewish Festival, Christmas Parade & More

Cary, NC — We thought last weekend was big in Cary, but this one is even bigger. Events include the Jewish Cultural Festival, the Cary Christmas Parade, a night out in Downtown Cary, a Magical Winter Lights show, five tons of snow at Mosaic Church of Cary, three concerts and more.

A Big Weekend in Cary

We listed and highlighted the biggies in this story, but check the calendar and our Holiday Events Guide for complete holiday happenings in Cary.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

It may be Thursday, but Downtown Cary is alive with events tonight.

The Jewish Cultural Festival starts at 4:30 pm and continues until 7:30 at the Cary Arts Center. Enjoy the lighting of the nine foot menorah for the fifth night of Hanukkah and delicious traditional Jewish foods, crafts for kids, lively music and activities.

Then, don’t miss the annual Mingle & Jingle in Downtown Cary from 5-8 pm. Most of the shops and restaurants downtown will be open late and offering freebies, deals and promotions on gifts, drinks and dinner. The photo below lists all participating businesses.

You can also drop in to West Regional Library from 5-7 pm to learn about the wide variety of programs being offered this winter. From live music and monthly crafts to popular fiction and small business expertise, they have a little bit of everything.

More Thursday details on the calendar.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Stop and Shop at Jazzercise Fitness Center of Cary by drop your child (ages 5-11) off at the jazzercize center and getting three hours to get some shopping done (or just breathe). For $15, your child will have fun, exercise, dance, enjoy crafts and make friends.

The Magical Winter Lights show is back at Park West Village this year for this weekend only. A free PaintScaping show will be projected on the front of the movie theater every 15 minutes set to festive music and featuring everything from dancing snowmen to gingerbread houses. There will also be carolers, free train rides and more. Festivities run from 5:30-8 pm until Sunday.

Mosaic Church Cary’s annual Blizzard Blast is Friday night from 6-9 pm. They are bringing in five tons of real snow for sledding. There will be bounce houses, homemade desserts and more, too. This event is free and open to everyone in the community.

Tonight is also IMProv Night at Cary High School from 7-8 pm. Admission is $2 to see the young, talented actors enact hilarious scenes.

At 7:30 pm, at the Cary Arts Center, the Triangle Wind Ensemble will present “Tis the Season” featuring the animated film “The Snowman.” TWE will perform the musical score live while the 17-minute film is shown. Tickets are $15 for adults.

More Friday details on the calendar.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Join Belle at the Jones House, a farm-to-table restaurant in Downtown Cary, at 10 am and 1 pm to have Brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Families will enjoy wonderful food and story time with Santa along with photo opportunities and balloon-making. Reservations are heavily suggested. The cost for brunch and activities is $18 for adults and $9 for children.

Today is the 36th annual Cary Christmas Parade! It will start at 2 pm in Downtown Cary at the corner of Ward and Chatham and will continue straight on Chatham.

More Saturday details on the calendar.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

The Downtown Cary Food & Flea is extra large this month for the Holiday Market event. There will be food trucks, live music and 28 vendors ranging from jewelry, to scarves, home spa items, original art, home decor, vintage, specialty food items and more. High Rock Farm will be roasting chestnuts, and Santa is making a special appearance for picture taking.

The Concert Singers of Cary will present their Holiday Pops concert at 3 pm at the Cary Arts Center. The singers will welcome the 20-piece Moonlighters Orchestra for an encore performance of last year’s highly successful program of Holiday favorites. Tickets are $25.

Hear younger voices at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center at 4 pm as the Raleigh Boychoir’s Millennium Singers (aged 7-14) bring a wonderful selection of music. Light refreshments will be served at intermission, and tickets are $16.50 on etix.

More Sunday details on the calendar.

Across the Triangle

Take your dog to Santa Paws, an evening of holiday fun on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 6-8 pm at the Durham Armory. This canine event will feature pictures with Santa, games and activities, a holiday pet market and an animal food and toy drive. Admission is free.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade is on Saturday, December 12, 2015 from 10 am-noon at East & West Franklin Street.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, known to delights both parents and their kids during the holidays, will run all weekend long at the Duke Energy Center in Downtown Raleigh. Shows run Friday-Sunday, and tickets start at $22.

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The calendar of events is edited by Jessica Patrick. Photo by Hal Goodtree.