Times to be together throughout the Triangle

by Katherine Poole

We’ve made our list and checked it twice. Here are a few ways to make merry across the Triangle during the month of December, if the fates allow. 

Faithful friends

To experience a really Raleigh Christmas, plan ahead for these City of Oaks traditions.

Dec. 6
State Capitol tree lighting ceremony

5 – 7:30 p.m.; free; N.C. State Capitol, 1 E. Edenton St.; nchistoricsites.org/capitol

Dec. 6 – 10
Theatre in the Park presents A Christmas Carol

Wed. – Sat. 7 p.m., Sat. – Sun. 2 p.m.; $32 – $92; 2 E. South St.; theatreinthepark.com/whatson/a-christmas-carol-2017

Dec. 7 – 17
Holiday Express at Pullen Park

4 – 9 p.m.; $11.29; 520 Ashe Ave.; raleighnc.gov/home/content/parkspec/articles/holidayexpress.html

Dec. 15 – 24
Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker

See website for dates and times; $37 – $111; 2 E. South St.; carolinaballet.com

Light heart

Children of all ages will delight in these shining stars. Catch a new spin on a holiday classic complete with Red Rider BB guns, Charlie Brown Christmas trees, reindeer games, and big bad wolves. Then, jam on some gingerbread house building at Marbles Kids Museum. Troubles will be guaranteed out of sight.

Dec. 1 – 4
The Cary Players present A Christmas Story

Fri. Sat. and Mon. 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 3 p.m.; $18 – $20; 101 Dry Ave., Cary; caryplayers.org/shows/a-christmas-story-december-2017

Dec. 1 – 10
Theatre in the Park presents A Charlie Brown Christmas

See website for dates and times; $12 general admission, $10 season member; 107 Pullen Road; theatreinthepark.com

Dec. 5
Carolina Puppet Theater presents Rudolph
11 a.m.; $5; 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs; etix.com keyword: Carolina Puppet Theater

Dec. 8 – 10
A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol and The Great Big Holiday Bake Off

Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m.; $10 general admission, $6 students 16 and under; Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex; etix.com keyword: Great Big Holiday Bakeoff

Dec. 9
Gingerbread Jamboree

10 a.m. – 12 noon and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.; $12 members, $15 non-members, $20 per household; Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St.; marbleskidsmuseum.org/gingerbreadjamboree

Happy golden days of yore

You can make a date to experience Christmas as in the olden days. Take the wayback machine to the 19th century Dec. 9 for a taffy pulling party at Leigh Farm Park in Durham, then travel over to Bennett Place State Historic Site to learn about Christmas during the Civil War. Or make a stop in the 20th century for an evening of holiday music in the style of Glenn Miller’s big-band swing.

Dec. 9
A Kid’s Life: Taffy Pulling at Leigh Farm Park

10 a.m. – 12 noon; free, but a small donation is suggested; 370 Leigh Farm Road; durhamnc.gov/753/Parks-Recreation

Christmas in the Piedmont during the Civil War
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free; Bennett Place State Historic Site, 4409 Bennett Memorial Road, Durham; bennettplacehistoricsite.com

Dec. 15 – 18
In a Holiday Mood

Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.; $20 adults, $18 students; $10 children under 12; N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St.; ncmuseumofhistory.org/events/holiday-mood