Note: We’ll be updating this list as we receive information. Know of a holiday event happening that we missed? Email us at hello@itsthesway.com and tell us.
Parades and tree lighting ceremonies might be canceled, but the holiday spirit isn’t. There’s plenty happening near and far to get you fa-la-la-lit.
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Moore County Christmas Events:
Now through Nov. 15: Take part in a virtual gingerbread house fundraising competition by Moore Buddies Mentoring. Pick up a kit from The Bakehouse and fundraise for decorating elements for a chance to win a holiday basket and a trophy for your mantle.
Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m.: Join Little Way Flower Farm at R.Riveter for a wreath workshop. Snacks and drinks will be provided. The $60 ticket includes everything you need to make an 18-inch wreath.
Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12: Take a trip to Santa’s homeland during North Pole at the NAV. You’ll find sleigh rides, Santa’s workshop and a holiday trail, and participate in pinecone decorating and a snowball fight. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children under 12 and $35 for families.
Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.: Bring a flashlight and hunt for candy at Memorial Park in Southern Pines. There will be crafts, activities, and chances to win prizes. Here’s the flyer.
Dec. 12, noon: Drink, run and repeat while looking ugly during the Ugly Sweater Beer Mile, presented by Rogue Alpha Athletics and Railhouse Brewery.
Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m.: Join a family friendly community Christmas Eve service (drive-in or livestream) presented by Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, at 2170 Midland Road in Southern Pines.
Moore County Santa Experiences:
Now through Dec. 4: Santa is accepting pen pals. Help little Aeighdenn compose his wishes to the big man, address it to Santa and Aberdeen Parks and Rec will help get it to the North Pole. Include a return address so he can write back.
Dec. 1, 4-7: Head to Spartan Property Management for Selfies with Santa. One of his helpers is familiar with a DSLR and will be present to snap pics free of charge. Festive snacks and music will be provided.
Dec. 6, 3-6 p.m.: Santa is back at it with another visit to Play Escape. Regular admission rates to Play Escape apply.
Dec. 19, 10 a.m.: Santa trading his sleigh for a fire truck and making his making his way through Southern Pines neighborhoods with the Southern Pines Fire & Rescue. See what neighborhoods he’s visiting.
Moore County Christmas Shopping:
Dec. 11, 5-8 p.m.: Shop exclusive sales, sign up for giveaways and take part in treats from participating businesses during A Village Christmas, in downtown Pinehurst. Get it on your calendar.
All season long: Visit our guide to shopping local for the holidays.
Moore County Christmas Light Shows:
Now through Jan. 1: See the towns of Aberdeen and Southern Pines ablaze with festive glory. Just go downtown and take it all in.
Now through Jan. 1: Holly Jolly lights, at 135 Fox Run Road in Pinehurst, is back to entertain with lights synched to holiday tunes.
Nov-28-Jan. 1: Snap your pic with the giant tree in all its sparkly, holiday glory in the Village of Pinehurst.
Dec. 4, 5-8:30 p.m.: Drive through town and admire Christmas displays during Hometown Holiday Drive Through. It all begins at Cannon Park Community Center where kids can pick up a treat bag and drop off letters to Santa.
Moore County Christmas Plays & Movies:
Dec. 2 & Dec. 4: The Sunrise shows the Polar Express on its outdoor theater. Tickets here.
Dec. 11-13: Watch Buddy the Elf on his quest to find his true identity in the all-ages Elf: the Musical, Jr. at the Encore Center — or witness the comic misfortunes of an elf banished from the North Pole in Christmas, FL. Tickets for Elf: the Musical, Jr. are $8, or $15 for VIP seating that comes with a treat bag; tickets for Christmas, FL, are $15.
Or, Take a Drive
Dec. 1-26: If the blow-up tropical Santa in your neighbor’s yard isn’t getting you in the spirit, head to McAdenville, N.C. — AKA Christmastown USA, which is about two hours away and west of Charlotte. Take a drive through neighborhoods with light displays that rival Clark Griswold’s, stroll through their Hallmark movie-esque Main Street and revel in all the holly jolliness. **Warning** in previous years, traffic has been backed up for miles in McAdenville.
Now through Jan. 3: Visit the Greensboro Science Center for the first-ever Winter Wonderlights, and see the grounds transformed by lights, colors and music. Info here.
Now through Jan. 10: Visit Christmas at Biltmore – something everyone in NC should do at least once. Storm the castle.
Now through mid February: The U.S. National Whitewater Center (Charlotte) brings back its ice skating rink, complete with craft beer, coffee and hot chocolate. Skate rentals are available. The center also plans another light installation on its walking trails. Info.
Dec. 4-23: Save the date for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s annual Holiday Lights. Information for this year’s event is TBA.
Dec. 16-31: Take a 1.3-mile stroll through the illuminated oak trees at Dorthea Dix Park in Raleigh during WRAL’s Night of Lights. Tickets go on sale Nov. 21. Find them here.
Past Events:
Nov. 21: See student performances and browse vendors at The Encore Center in downtown Southern Pines during the 2020 Winter Showcase and Vendor Fair.
Nov. 27-28, 11-5: Snap a pic of your offspring with the bearded toy genie at The Little Toy Shop. Social distancing will be observed.
Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-noon: Santa is making a celeb appearance at Gulley’s Garden Center to greet all the good boys and girls.
Nov. 29, 12-3: Santa is trading milk for coffee and fueling up to sleigh his remaining photo shoots at High Octane.
Nov. 28-29: See a live radio play version of a Christmas Carol at the Sunrise Theater. The Charles Dickens holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials and the magic of live sound effects.
Nov. 23-28: Shop or dine in the Village of Pinehurst, bring your proof of purchase to the Welcome Center, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and be entered to win a gift basket.
Nov. 28: Shop Small in Downtown Aberdeen with shopping, sales and drinks — a scavenger hunt will take you around downtown, and shopping will earn raffle tickets for a basket filled with prizes. Info here.
