November 2007
Contact: Ryan Smith
919-645-2676
rsmith@visitraleigh.com
Don't Folly and Forget ‘Raleigh' this Holiday Season
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 2007) - Holiday cheer mixed with southern charm creates the perfect recipe for an unforgettable 2007 holiday season. In November & December, Greater Raleigh will transform into a southern Tinsel town offering activities that even a Scrooge couldn't resist. And best of all - many of the holiday festivities are completely free! Here's a glimpse of what's in store this season:
Spend the Holidays in History
December 1 -2: Christmas Tour at Joel Lane Museum House
Enjoy a Colonial yuletide holiday at the Joel Lane Museum House, "the birthplace of Raleigh." The family fun includes old-fashioned games, music, craft demonstrations and decorations. Free cider and homemade gingersnaps. Joel Lane Museum House • 1pm - 4pm • Free • (919) 833-3431.
December 5: State Capitol Tree Lighting, Open House and Holiday Festival
Festivities begin with the lighting of luminaries and musical performances on the State Capitol grounds. The Governor and First Lady will light the official state Christmas tree on the west grounds. After the tree lighting, the State Capitol will be open for viewing by candlelight. North Carolina State Capitol• 5pm-7:30pm • Free • (919) 733-4994.
December 6 - 9: State Capitol Holiday Open House
Local performing groups will provide concerts of holiday music in the Rotunda during this annual open house. Visitors can walk through all three floors of the Capitol to view the holiday decorations. North Carolina State Capitol• 12/6-7, 11am-2pm; 12/8,10am-4pm; 12/9, 1pm-4pm • Free • (919) 733-4994.
December 8: Civil War Christmas Encampment
Re-enactors representing the Confederate 6th North Carolina regiment will camp on Capitol Square to recreate war-time holiday celebrations of long ago. Visitors can witness troops receiving mail from home, test their hand at crafting period Christmas ornaments, dip candles and even participate in Civil War drill routines. North Carolina State Capitol • 10am-4pm • Free • (919) 733-4994.
December 8: Mordecai Historic Park Holiday Open House and Lantern Tours
Come see Mordecai ready for the holidays! The house and grounds will be trimmed in holiday décor and tours will be given during the day identifying different holiday customs and traditions of old Raleigh. The evening lantern tour will lead you through the Mordecai farm and village to see historical reenactments during the years of the Civil War. Re-enactors from the North Carolina 26th Regiment, as well as, the Soldier's Benevolent Society plus period musicians will make for a truly unique experience. Mordecai Historic Park • House Tours 10am-4pm & Lantern Tours 5pm-9pm • Admission $5 Adults, $3 Children under 17 • (919) 857-4364.
December 8: Historic Oakview Christmas Self-guided Candlelight Tour
Get in the holiday spirit with your family during the Historic Oak View Annual Candlelight Tour. Holidays Around the World displays and decorations will be on view and the glow of luminaries will guide your stroll through the park. Ride in a horse drawn carriage through Oak View's Pecan Grove, listen to carols in the 1855 farm house, drink hot apple cider in the 1825 Plank Kitchen, listen to stories and don't forget to visit Old St. Nick. Historic Oak View County Park • 5pm-7:30pm • Free • (919) 250-1013.
December 8-9: Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
The 35th annual tour of this 19th Century Victorian neighborhood provides a glimpse inside several 19th century private homes and inns, elegantly decorated for the holidays. Historic Oakwood • 1pm-7pm • Admission $15 in advance, $20 days of the tour • (919) 832-9712
Cultural Offerings of the Season
December 4-12: A Christmas Carol
This year's run will mark the 33rd anniversary of the original musical based on the Dickens classic. Written, directed and starring Ira David Wood III, this annual Theatre in the Park production has been seen by more than 1 million people internationally • Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 12/4-7 &12/10-12, 7pm; 12/8, 2pm & 7pm; 12/19, 2pm • $19-$75 • (919) 831-6936.
December 14-16: A Christmas Memory
Until he was 10 years old, Truman Capote lived with a family of distant and elderly cousins in a small town in rural Alabama. A Christmas Memory is a frankly autobiographical story about those years and especially his relationship with one of the cousins, Miss Sook Faulk. The faded photograph, on the stage during the production, is of the author and Miss Faulk, who died in 1938 while Capote was a student at a military academy in New York State. Theatre In The Park has presented this production, along with Ira David Wood III, for the last 27 years • Theatre in the Park • 12/14, 8pm; 12/15, 3pm & 8pm; 12/16, 8pm • $14 • (919) 831-6936.
December 14-23: The Nutcracker Ballet
Carolina Ballet and the N.C. Symphony present "Nutcracker." Experience the magic and awe of the timeless story of Clara and her Nutcracker. See dancing snowflakes and flowers waltz, along with the imaginative beauty and spectacular effects during this holiday classic • Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 12/14, 8pm; 12/15, 11pm, 3pm & 7:30pm; 12/16, 12:30pm & 4:30pm; 12/18-20, 7:30pm; 12/21-22, 2pm & 7:30pm; 12/23, 12:30pm & 4:30pm • $18-$100 • (919) 719-0900 or (919) 834-4000.
December 15-16: The Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concerts
This group performs music ranging from holiday tunes to classical favorites • Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts • 12/15, 3pm & 8pm; 12/16, 3pm • Admission $15 Adults; $13 seniors and students • (919) 834-4000
Shop ‘Til You Drop
November 23-25: Carolina Designer Craftsman Fine Craft Show
Showcases work from more than 100 members of the Carolina Designer Craftsmen's Guild. Pottery, stained glass and jewelry are among the items for sale • Exposition Center, N.C. State Fairgrounds • 11/23, 6pm-9pm; 11/24, 10am-6pm; 11/25, 11am-5pm • $6 weekend pass $8 single day pass; children under 12 FREE • (919) 460-1551.
November 23-25: A Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival
Original artwork and crafts, Christmas decorations, prints, pottery, candle making, jewelry and more will be for sale by artisans from North Carolina and other states • Jim Graham Building, N.C. State Fairgrounds • 11/23-24 9am-7pm; 11/25, 11am-5pm • $6 adults; $5 seniors; $3 children 6-12; children under 6 FREE w/adult • (919) 460-1551
December 1: Scandinavian Christmas Fair
Come and enjoy a traditional Scandinavian Christmas. Features Scandinavian favorites like folk dancing, folk music, and the popular Lucia-procession and a food court. Cultural exhibits and children's activities • Holshouser Building, N.C. State Fairgrounds • 10am-6pm • $6 Adults; children under 13 FREE • (919) 353-1995.
Hometown Christmas Parades & Celebrations
November 17, 9:30 AM: Raleigh Christmas Parade
63rd annual parade • Downtown Raleigh • Free • (919)-420-0120.
November 23 - December 31: Tinsel Town
Cary transforms into a winter wonderland with an outdoor skating rink, decorated trees, arts and crafts vendors, a gingerbread house with Santa, weekend entertainment and holiday treats • Booth Amphitheatre • Mon.-Thurs., 4pm-9pm; Fri., 4pm-10pm; Sat., 2pm-10pm; Sun., Noon-6pm • $4-$10 • (919) 462-2052.
December 1: Cary's Heart of the Holidays Celebration
Festivities include the Heart of Cary Association's Ole Time Winter Festival, Page-Walker Arts & History Center Open House, Official Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring the presentation of "The Longest Night," Concert Singers of Cary and Triangle Wind Ensemble Holiday Pops Concert • Downtown Cary • 10am • FREE • (919) 469-4061.
The GRCVB, as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business. Through its website, VisitRaleigh.com and other tools, the GRCVB assists visitors to the Greater Raleigh area in a variety of ways. For a free visitors guide or more promotional information, call (800) 849-8499; visit www.VisitRaleigh.com, or e-mail visit@visitraleigh.com. That's "City Life, Carolina Style."
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