Turkey Time is quickly approaching and Christmas isn’t far behind, so we’re serving up a few 2022 Moore County events that’ll add a little pizzazz here and flavor there for the holiday season.
ALL EVENTS
This Week in Moore County
Shop Small in the Village of Pinehurst: Any purchases made between Monday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 26 will enter you into a drawing for a gift basket filled with items from Pinehurst businesses. Bring a receipt to the Welcome Center at 90 Cherokee Road from 10-4 Monday through Saturday to be entered to win.
Nov. 23, 8:30 a.m.: Join Weymouth Woods- Sandhills Nature Preserve park naturalist and ornithologist Susan Campbell for a 2-hour guided hike through a variety of habitat in search of seasonal birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. Practice your bird call.
Nov. 24: Get in on a Thanksgiving tradition with Moore County Hounds’ Blessing of the Hounds and Opening Meet — a ceremonial fox hunt open to the public. Join the pack.
Nov. 24, 6 p.m. until: After your turkey dinner, buckle up, and cruise the Highlanders Farm Christmas Drive Thru in Carthage where the Christmas lights will be set up in different colorful arrangements and scene along the farm fields. Brighten up.
Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree is probably what you’ll be singing panting as you attempt to tie your festive pine to the roof of your car during Doby Christmas Tree Farms opening day of the season. La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Nov. 25, 5 p.m.: Can we get a watt watt? Vass is hosting a Christmas tree lighting at 129 Main St., Vass The 15 foot tree will feature hundreds of handmade ornaments created by the students of Vass Lakeview Elementary School. Sing carols, meet Santa and more. You won’t fir-get this.
Nov. 25: Fight the tryptophan hangover with three, 30-minute back-to-back cardio and strength classes the morning after Thanksgiving at FirstHealth Fitness Center’s Un-Stuffathon Challenge. It’s free for members, and non-members can join for the $15 daily guest fee. Classes are at 8:30, 9 and 9:30 a.m. Guilt your favorite turkey into going.
Nov. 25-27, times vary: Take a magical journey to the Land of the Sweets alongside Clara during the full-length performance of Gary Taylor Dance’s The Nutcracker at Owen’s Auditorium. A one-act, sensory-friendly performance will be held on the 26th for adults, children, and families with special needs. Tickets range from $25 to $45. Dansons-nous!
Nov. 26, 8 a.m.: Pace Yourself Run Co. kicks off Small Business Saturday with a pie run in DTSP. Each runner gets a personal pie and a medal at the finish, and one pie will come with a surprise prize. Free, but registration is required – socks for the shop’s sock drive. Start your engines.
Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the Holiday Market at The Fair Barn. Prance into this Pinehurst pop-up and shop homemade gifts, art, local goods and one-of-a-kind finds. Sleigh your holiday shopping in one go with 38 vendors to choose from. It’ll be a rudolph-ly good time.
Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.: Give Santa your wishlist at Eliza Quinn Creates. The jolly old elf will be in the Carthage shop for its first Small Business Saturday. Ho ho holiday.
Nov. 26, 5:30 p.m.: See the town of Cameron’s tree lighting under the Magnolia Tree, beside the Cameron Post Office. There’ll be caroling, fun, snacks and more. For info, call Sylvia at 910-638-8068. Light it up, up up.
Nov. 26, 7-9 p.m.: Enjoy your last taste of Thanksgiving — until next year of course—with Sandhills Trolley Company’s Turkey Trolley & Brews. Sit back for some trivia, unique entertainment, and a surprise turkey twist. The trolley will also make a few stops at Southern Pines microbreweries where you can wet your whistle and stretch your legs along the way. Gobble, Gobble.
Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Celebrate the 26th year of Santa visiting The Little Toy Shop in downtown Southern Pines, with sweets and beverages for all. Bring your list.
Nov. 27, 1-4 p.m.: Visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens — admission is free, registration is required. The afternoon will include letters to Santa, story time, face painting, and a reindeer craft. Santa Claus is coming to town.
Nov 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Join Santa, who will be arrive via firetruck, at the Annual Southern Pines Tree Lighting for photos and live entertainment. As the night comes to a close the Downtown Train Station tree will be lit. Get in the holiday spirit.
Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Things might already be peachy but make ’em piney with a live wreath for your wall, door, or table centerpiece. Join Jean Skipper and Lori Meltzer from Sandhills Horticulture Gardens as they break down the process on how to personalize and build your own live wreath from locally harvested evergreens, specialty botanicals, pinecones, and seed pods. Classes are $75. Decor galore.
PAST EVENTS
Nov. 1 through Nov. 7: Celebrate the fifth birthday of online boutique Cotton and Grain — and kick-start your holiday shopping with $1,000 in your pocket. Cotton and Grain is teaming up with local businesses to celebrate in a b-IG way. Enter to win on Instagram.
Nov. 4, 10 a.m.: If you have a sweetie pie of your own take them down to Elizabeth High Rounds Park for a free Turkey Pop Up Read-Aloud Storytime and Craft. Awwwh, pumpkin.
Nov. 4, 9:30-11 a.m.: March over to Downtown Southern Pines to show your support for America’s Troops and Veterans during the 10th Annual Veterans Day Parade. Hooah.
Nov. 4 at 11 a.m.: Just a trip to The Village to look your best. Stop in for the grand opening of Monkee’s of the Pines’ second locationin the former home of Le Feme Chateau in downtown Pinehurst. Both Monkee’s locations will continue providing upscale women’s clothing, shoes and accessories — including the totes authentic Italian handbags that longtime Le Feme Chateau shoppers know and love. Secure the bag.
Nov. 4, 5-8 p.m.: Catch the last First Friday of the season on the Sunrise Theater lawn in downtown Southern Pines with live music, food trucks and more. Did someone say encore?
Nov. 4-5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Catch a glimpse of the past and maybe even take a bit of it home with you at the Antique Street Fair in Carthage. Rev up the DeLorean Doc.
Nov. 4-6: Join Hollyfield Design for a Holiday Open House, with cider and snacks plus holiday decor. All fall items will be 25 percent off, and Sunday’s activities include pet portraits with Santa. Feliz Naughty Dog.
Nov. 4-6: Twigg & Co. hosts a Christmas Open House at its vendor marketplace in downtown Aberdeen. Make a list, check it twice.
Nov. 4-6: Ederville puts on its train and tractor show, 100+ Years of Progress, in Carthage. See equipment, tractor pulls, demos and more all day. Rev your antique engines.
Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.: Make your way to downtown Southern Pines for the 10th annual Veterans Day Parade. More info here.
Nov. 5, noon: Retired U.S. Army Maj. Sarah Pearson, a former aviator and CH-47 pilot, speaks during a ceremony at The Moore County Veterans Memorial. All details here.
Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Ring in the season of entertaining by elfing around downtown Aberdeen during a Holiday Open House with Eloise Trading Co., Jack Hadden Floral and Lily Rose Boutique. Shop exclusive decor discounts at each location and enjoy nibbles and treats all day long. Pro tip: avoid scuffing those hardwoods with one of the several new vintage rugs up for grabs at ETC. Your presents is requested.
Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Get one-of-a-kind gifts during an open house at The Bee’s Knees Antiques and Thrift, located in Eastwood. Sip, snack and shop while enjoying retro tunes and the chance to win door prizes. Clean out your trunk.
Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Jingle bells, batman smells, but the Union Pines Orchestra, pictures with Santa, a Christmas tree contest, door prizes, discounts, and lots of treats doesn’t. The Carthage Tyson Sinclair Shopping Center is offering all of these goodies during their grand opening. Robin laid an egg.
Nov. 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Prep for your Thanksgiving feast 19 days early with a free Fall Canning in the Pines workshop at the Whitehall Building in Southern Pines. This hands-on experience will teach you to preserve Fall foods as well as how to use those foods this season and particularly how they can add flavor to your turkey dinner. Get canned, on preserves.
Nov. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Impress your family this holiday season by elevating your cooking skills at ACE Hardware’s Big Green Egg Thanksgiving Event where you’ll learn some innovative ways to make your Thanksgiving dinner using Ace’s Big Green Egg. Green eggs and… turkey?
Nov. 5, noon to 4 p.m.: Join The Market Collective for a fall sip and shop pop-up market at diVine Lounge. #Shoplocal
Nov. 5, 2-3 p.m.: Take a ride back through time with The Sandhills Trolley Co. Pinehurst History Cruise. Get tickets here.
Nov. 5, 7 p.m.: The Golf Capital Chorus presents its 41st anniversary show, Barbershop Goes Rock N Roll. See it at R.E. Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School. Tickets here.
Nov. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Finds gifts for your friends and family or get something to sneak under the tree for yourself at the 5th Semi Annual Pop Up in the Pines Market in the parking lot of Southern Pines Brewing Co. Santa’s on the move.
Nov. 9, 1-2:30 p.m.: Get crafty this season and learn to make a three ribbon Christmas bow at Flirty Birdie Vintage for $25. After all, ’tis the season to put bows all over your house, kids, and gifts and call it the holidays. Sounds bowdacious.
Nov. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Build your network with the Moore Young Professionals November social at Southern Pines Growler Co. You never know who you’ll meet.
Nov. 9, 7 p.m.: Don’t miss the last fall show of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series with John Hood. A columnist, author, teacher, president of the John William Pope Foundation and founder of the John Locke Foundation, Hood will present a public policy lecture, “History is Always About the Future,” at the Sandhills BPAC. It’s free, but bring cash for the bar and plan to stay for the Q&A.
Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to noon.: Join Sandhills Community College movie buffs Ron Layne and Chris Waldrop for their cinematic tour, “Perfect Pairings: Cinemas Best Couple Moments.” They will discuss love’s great moments in film followed by a lunch prepared by Chef Katrina. Tickets are $30 per person. I got chills, they’re multiplying.
Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m: Get festive at One Eleven Main’s Holiday Open House with a look at new seasonal offerings. Deck the halls.
Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Join the annual Veteran’s Day Pig Roast at the Sly Fox in honor of current and former military members. They’ll be serving up plates of pulled pork, slaw, hushpuppies, baked beans and a roll to veterans and active-duty service members for just $10; everyone else pays $20. Dine in or order it to go.
Nov. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Enjoy the Southern Pines night life, literally, with a free ranger-led moonlight hike through Weymouth Woods. It’ll be lit.
Nov. 11, 7 p.m.: Enjoy a Veterans Day standup comedy show at Hatchet Brewing Co. Locals Only.
Nov. 12, 9 a.m.: Roll out to Eastwood for a Community Yard Sale and Craft Bazaar at The Bee’s Knees Antique & Thrift. There will be sales inside and out and up to 40 booths with homemade and curated goods. Get something unique.
Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Trot over to Nancy Kiser Park for the Town of Carthage’s First Annual Merry Thanksgiving Festival & Market. The festival will feature a pumpkin carving contest, a scavenger hunt, cornhole, bobbing for apples, a chili cookoff, and a pie-eating competition. Once you’ve had your fill of competition peruse the craft vendors and fresh produce, grab a bite at the food trucks, and dance to a bit of live music. Shake your tail feathers.
Nov. 12, noon to 4 p.m.: Roll up to Memorial Park in Southern Pines for a Skate Jam Fundraiser featuring a vegan pizza truck, a live DJ, raffles, giveaways, and a pop-up skate park.
Nov. 12, 3-7 p.m.: Support military affiliated businesses during Military Family Day, hosted by the National Athletic Village at Twin Fields Farm. Shop vendors, get in some friendly competition with games led by NAV coaches, enjoy snacks from King Hot Dog and sips from Southern Pines Brewing Company and James Creek Cider House. It’s free and open to the public — preview the vendors on Facebook.
Nov. 13, noon to 3:00 p.m.: That 10-gallon pot you’ve been wanting at Walmart? You finally have an excuse to buy it because O’Donnell’s Pub is hosting their Annual SoPines Chili Cook Off— proceeds will support Special Forces Chapter 62— and participants are expected to prepare 10-gallons of chili to feed to around 500 tasters. Admission for chili loving chefs is $50 and $10 for those just coming to taste. You cook a mean bean.
Nov. 15, 5-7 p.m.: Meet new friends with the Small Town Social group. Anyone can show up, network or just make new friends. Meet up is at The Village Wine Shop. Bring a gal pal.
Nov. 16, 1 p.m. until: Branch into new hobbies with a Christmas Tree Wreath Making class at Flirty Birdie Vintage, tickets are $75. Treet yourself.
Nov. 16-20: Get a dose of Christmas magic you’ll never fir-get with the 26th annual Festival of Trees at the Carolina Hotel, to benefit the Sandhills Children’s Center. Any donation gets you a front-row seat to tree-mendous decorations by local businesses and organizations, and trees are also available to take home via bidding. But wait — there’s myrrh. Shop for gifts, stocking stuffers and even participate in a raffle to win prizes from local businesses. Branch out.
Nov. 18-19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Deck your halls with the giveaway and discount items you find during Flirty Birdie Vintage’s Holiday Open House, plus there’s gonna be snacks. Fuel your shopping.
Nov. 18, 2-5 p.m.: Relish in a new sport with the grand opening of the new pickleball courts at Pinehurst No. 6. Enjoy hot dogs and refreshments at this free event for both members and non-members that includes junior and pro exhibition matches. If that doesn’t seal the dill, dranks will be available for purchase as well (bring a card, the Resort is cashless). See sequence of events here.
Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m.: Celebrate the 26th anniversary of The Little Toy Shop in Downtown Southern Pines with snacks, beverages and gifts for all who attend. Adults only, please.
Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m.: Get creative at A Night with the Makers and put together a piece using gold, silver, and rose gold leaf. Your $30 ticket includes snacks and all supplies — BYOB. Sign up here.
Nov. 19: The Pinehurst Turkey Trot returns to downtown Pinehurst. Dress in your Thanksgiving best. I came in like a Butterball.
Nov. 19: Reserve a space to plead your case with Santa Max, a jolly, European-style elf who will be stationed in front of the fireplace at Given Memorial Library in the village of Pinehurst. Bring a camera, enjoy a craft station, and leave with a special gift bag. The event is free but reservations are required, and spots quickly fill up each year. See how to make yours.
Nov. 19, 5-8 p.m.: Look at the stars, see how they shine for you … during a five-course plant-based rooftop Friendsgiving Feast. The night will turn into something beautiful with music, conversation, wine or bubbly and a specialty curated menu (TBD) atop Rooted and Hot Asana at 10 Camelia Way in Southern Pines. Tickets are $85 for one or $150 for two, and space is limited. You know I love food so.
Nov. 19, 7 p.m. until: Join North Carolina artists Abigail Dowd and Emily Scott Robinson
