Planning your holiday? Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to turn? We’re not sure our calendar will help you feel any less crazy, but at least all the crazy is in one place. We’ll work to keep this list current throughout the season.
Multiple Dates
Wednesday, Nov. 28 to Saturday, Dec. 1: The Sandhills Children’s Center’s annual fundraiser, the Festival of Trees, fills the Pinehurst Resort with holiday cheer. Info.
Thursday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 9: Each of the Boyd House’s 25 rooms will be decorated to represent a Christmas Carol for the Weymouth Center’s annual Christmas House tours. Expect 9,000 square feet of everything from the Grinch to Santa, to a 70s-themed Christmas. Info.
Friday, Nov. 30
5 p.m.: The village of Pinehurst lights its tree at Tufts Park. Look for performances and a mailbox that ships letters straight to the North Pole.
5:30-7:30 p.m.: After the tree lighting, bring the whole fam to Coldwell Banker in downtown Pinehurst for champagne and pictures with Santa. Bring your own camera. Info.
5-6:30 p.m.: Southern Pines Parks and Rec holds a Candy Cane Hunt. It’s more of a free-for-all than a hunt, but younger kids will like it. Info.
Saturday, Dec. 1
8 a.m.: The 12th annual Reindeer Fun Run/Walk in Aberdeen, featuring team names like the Noel It Alls, Respiratory Reindeers and The Trottin’ Tacos. Info.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Maison Real Estate Group holds Santa hostage all day for photos. They’ll also have snacks, hot chocolate, raffles and more. Info.
11 a.m.: The Southern Pines Christmas Parade. ‘Nuff said.
2-4 p.m.: After the parade, bring the fam to Gulley’s Garden Center to take photos with Santa, make crafts and enter raffles. Info.
10-5 p.m.: The Aloha Safari Rescue Zoo hosts its first ever Christmas event, with vendors, food, crafts and music. Info.
Sunday, Dec. 2
10-5 p.m.: The Aloha Safari Rescue Zoo hosts its first ever Christmas event, with vendors, food, crafts and music. Info.
1-3:30 p.m.: Create a holiday wreath with some liquid inspiration at Southern Pines Brewing Co. You’ll get everything you need, and a beer, for $35. Info.
1-4 p.m.: Experience a Christmas when the hot new toy involved a string and some wheels at the 1820 Bryant House and 1760s McLendon Cabin in Carthage. You’ll get hot cider, cookies, and a tour. Info.
2-5 p.m.: Walk through eight strangers’ homes at the Holiday Historic Home Tour in Carthage. Tickets are $10; info is here.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
6:15 p.m.: The Carthage Christmas Parade lights up downtown with floats all aglow. We’ll add a link when there’s information online.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
5-8 p.m.: Making your sweater the ugliest it can be with accessories and artistic guidance from The Bull Room in Aberdeen. Info.
Friday, Dec. 7
1-4 p.m.: Snack on apple cider and cookies while touring three historic house museums in downtown Southern Pines. Info.
6-8 p.m.: Have dinner with Santa at the Aberdeen Parks and Rec Department. Info.
Saturday, Dec. 8
1 p.m.: The Moore County Driving Club brings out its most festive carriages for an annual horse-and-rider parade through downtown Southern Pines.
1-4 p.m.: Snack on apple cider and cookies while touring three historic house museums in downtown Southern Pines. Info.
11 a.m.: The town of Aberdeen holds its Christmas parade. Info.
Noon: After Aberdeen’s parade, visit with Santa at This Little Piggy. Info.
1-5 p.m.: Malcolm Blue Farm holds its annual Old Fashioned Christmas, with music and light refreshments. Kids can pen letters to Santa using feather pens. Info.
5 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Neville’s holds its annual Ugly Sweater Party. Ugliest gets a $100 gift card.
Sunday, Dec. 9
1-3 p.m.: Get a Christmas photo of your pet at Neville’s Day Drinking for Doggies. 100 percent of proceeds benefit Solutions for Animals.
1-4 p.m.: Snack on apple cider and cookies while touring three historic house museums in downtown Southern Pines. Info.
1-5 p.m.: See five homes in Southern Pines and Pinehurst during the 41st Annual Episcopal Day School Tour of Homes. Info.
3 p.m.: The Murphy Family, all of whom are ridiculously talented, performs their annual holiday concert at The Sunrise Theater. Info.
3:30 p.m.: The Weymouth Center hosts a Teddy Bear Tea, with refreshments for parents and kids, and their stuffed animals. Decorate a teddy bear cookie, make a set of friendship bracelets, play teddy-bear themed games and enjoy story time. Info.
Monday, Dec. 10
5-7 p.m.: Visit Santa and enjoy some snacks at the Moore County Library in Carthage. Info.
Thursday, Dec. 13
7-10 p.m.: Join yours truly at Southern Pines Brewing Co. for an Ugly Sweater Party at Southern Pines Brewing Co. Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 uglies. Info.
Saturday, Dec. 15
8-9:30 a.m.: Southern Angel Donut Co. will host Santa, with candy canes and donut holes for kids. Info.
11 a.m.: The town of Vass holds its inaugural Christmas parade and is looking for entries. Call Mabel Walden at 910-245-4676, ext. 1, or email vassnc@townofvass.com
Noon to 2 p.m.: Recycle Thursday night’s outfit for the Ugly Sweater Beer Mile at Railhouse Brewery. Info.
4:30-8 p.m.: Watch Santa and his skydiving elves fly into the Pik N Pig in Carthage. Info.
4-8 p.m.: Buy in to a shopping tour through downtown Pinehurst for exclusive deals and snacks as you fill up a branded tote. Info.
Sunday, Dec. 16
2 p.m.: Bowl with the Jolly Old Elf at Sandhills Bowling Center. Info.
Sunday, Dec. 23
1 p.m.: Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet streams a performance of The Nutcracker live to the Sunrise Theater. Info.
