December has finally arrived — and to help you get the most out of your last month in 2020, we’re rounding up some of the top local events (both virtual and in-person) to help you stay connected. ❄️

Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in the following events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.

Tuesday December 1 - Sunday December 6

Tuesday December 1

Edu
○ Selective College Admission: How Are Decisions Made? | Tues., Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Students and parents will learn more about how college admissions make their decisions, the most crucial elements of a high school transcript, and what successful applicants are doing to get ahead.

Parents
○ Choosing and Using Childcare Webinar | Tues., Dec. 1 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | $5 per couple | People across all stages of parenthood will get more information on finding quality care for their children from UNC Health’s Women’s Health Information Center.

Wednesday December 2

Show
○ Scotty McCreery Live Virtual Acoustic Concert | Wed., Dec. 2 | 8–10 p.m. | Virtual | $5–$20 | Triangle-native and country music star Scotty McCreery will be streaming an acoustic concert live from here in North Carolina. He will play songs from his newest album, along with some older hits and Christmas music as well.

FeaturedEvent
○ Campbell University Adult & Online Education Virtual Info Session | Wed., Dec. 2 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Got questions about college? Get some answers. Join Campbell University Adult & Online Education Enrollment Facilitator David Williams for a live Q&A with new students interested in the Raleigh campus. Ⓟ

Thursday December 3

Film
○ Movies Under the Stars–Krampus & Christmas Vacation | Thurs., Dec. 3 | 7-10 p.m. | 3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson | $5–$8 | Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is having a Christmas movie double-feature for people to watch from inside their cars or out under the stars.

FeaturedEvent
○ Campbell University MBA Program Virtual Information Session | Thurs., Dec. 3 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join a virtual information session to learn more about Campbell’s MBA program, currently offered at 3 locations -- downtown Raleigh, 100% online and on the main campus in Buies Creek. They’ll cover the features, benefits, and application process, and also allow time for Q + A. Ⓟ

Friday December 4

Holiday
○ A Drive Through Christmas Village | Fri., Dec. 4–Sat., Dec. 5 | 5–8 p.m. | 709 N. Church Street, Kenly | $10 per car | The Tobacco Farm Life Museum and the Town of Kenly will be decorating the grounds of the museum to look like a life-sized Christmas village. Visitors will be able to drive through the festive scenes and learn about some of the town’s historical Christmas traditions.

Saturday December 5

Film
○ Movies Under the Stars– Frozen & Gremlins & Die Hard | Sat., Dec. 5 | 4–10 p.m. | 3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson | $5–$8 | Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is having a festive movie triple-feature for people to watch from inside their cars or out under the stars.

Sunday December 6

TheBuy
○ Pop-Up at North Hills Midtown | Sun., Dec. 6 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street | The MAKRS Society is having its pop-up market with over 30 local vendors selling handmade goods–plus a food truck for lunch.

FeaturedEvent
○ Campbell University Adult & Online Education Virtual Info Session | Wed., Dec. 2 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Got questions about college? Get some answers. Join Campbell University Adult & Online Education Enrollment Facilitator David Williams for a live Q&A with new students interested in the Raleigh campus. Ⓟ

Monday December 7 - Sunday December 13

Monday December 7

Holiday
○ Santa Claus at Maple View Farm Ice Cream | Mon., Dec. 7 | 2–5:30 p.m. | 6900 Rocky Ridge Rd, Hillsborough | Santa + his workers will be sitting out on the porch and working the drive-up service for ice cream orders. Kids can bring their letters to be deposited into the North Pole mailbox.

Tuesday December 8

ForKids
○ Experiment Expressway | Tues., Dec. 8 | 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Virtual | $20 for up to 9 viewers | A professional at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will be demonstrating exciting science experiments and answering questions about them. This program is ideal for kids K–5.

Wednesday December 9

Arts
○ Close Looks at Cocktail Hour: Barton Lidice Beneš | Wed., Dec. 9 | 5–5:45 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Ackland Art Museum's Object-Based Teaching Fellow will lead an informal chat dissecting the elements of Barton Lidice Beneš’ piece, Talisman. Using the museum's “Close Looks” digital feature, viewers can get a more detailed look at the art than ever before.

Show
○ King Mackerel & The Blues Are Running: Songs & Stories of the Carolina Coast | Wed., Dec. 9–Sat., Dec. 12 | All day | Virtual | Free | Coastal NC music and theatrical group King Mackerel & The Blues Are Running are live-streaming their original PBS stage production over four nights to commemorate the group’s 35th anniversary.

Thursday December 10

Show
○ NCMOH Jazz Series: Nnenna Freelon | Thurs., Dec. 10 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Grammy-nominated and NC local vocalist Nnenna Freelon is exploring and performing popular music from the 1940s in this NC Museum of History jazz concert mini-series.

Edu
○ Rise Up: A Community College Q&A from an African American Perspective | Thurs., Dec. 10 | 4–5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A group of experienced community college students and alumni will have a conversation and then a Q&A session about their college experiences. The focus of the panel will be on helping African American men access these educational resources.

Friday December 11

Saturday December 12

TheBuy
○ Holiday Bazaar at Moore Square | Sat., Dec. 12–Sun., Dec. 13 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. + 12–5 p.m. | 226 E. Martin Street | Free | Raleigh Night Market is throwing a 2-day holiday shopping event in Moore Square. Over the weekend there will be 40 different local artisan vendors to shop from, plus The Brew Box coffee trunk + live entertainment.

Sunday December 13

Show
○ We Are Stars | Sun., Dec. 13 | 1–3 p.m. | 250 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill | $9.95–$11.95 | The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is hosting planetarium showings of “We Are Stars”–a visually-exciting animated film that addresses humans’ cosmic chemistry and the evolution of life on Earth from the astronomical perspective.

Monday December 14 - Sunday December 20

Holiday
○ Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show | Wed., Dec. 16–Thurs., Dec. 31, closed Dec. 25 | 5:30–11 p.m. | 75 Hunt Drive | $15–$30 per car | WRAL and City of Raleigh present the first-ever Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dorothea Dix Park. Light displays and art pieces will cover a 1.3-mile route through the park for viewers to watch in 30-minute time blocks.

Monday December 14

Edu
○ Nursing Information Session | Mon., Dec. 14 | 3–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Durham Technical Community College is holding an information session about nursing programs at the school including transfer + career opportunities, specific program details, and admission requirements.

Tuesday December 15

Holiday
○ Nights of Lights Bike Night | Tues., Dec. 15 | 5:30–6:30 p.m. | 75 Hunt Drive | $4 a person | Instead of watching the show from inside the car, viewers can immerse themselves deeper into the experience and ride their bikes through the festive wonderland. During this designated time there are no motor vehicles allowed on the route.

Talk
○ Coffee with a Curator: Chatting about the Sports Hall of Fame | Tues., Dec. 15 | 10–10:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Curator of Popular Culture at the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Katie Edwards will talk about her work in the Hall of Fame, collection curation highlights, and open the floor to questions after the presentation.

Talk
○ C-Suite Perspectives | Tues., Dec. 15 | 9–10:30 a.m. | Virtual | $20–$70 | Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe will talk about his experience successfully leading a company despite unprecedented times and provide advice for how event participants can do the same.

Wednesday December 16

Talk
○ History at High Noon: Moravian Christmas Traditions | Wed., Dec. 16 | 12–1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Johanna Metzgar Brown, Curator of Moravian Decorative Arts at Old Salem Museums & Gardens, will use her own experience as Moravian and items from the museum’s collection to recount stories of Moravian Christmas celebrations over the years.

Thursday December 17

TryThis
○ History + Mocktails: Decorating Biltmore | Thurs., Dec. 17 | 7–8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The NC Museum of History presents Lizzie Borchers the Floral Displays Manager at Biltmore House & Gardens to talk about the history and decorating processes of Christmas at the Biltmore Estate. The presentation includes a quick lesson about mixed drinks and cocktails.

FeaturedEvent
○ Campbell University MBA Program Virtual Information Session | Thurs., Dec. 17 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join a virtual information session to learn more about Campbell’s MBA program, currently offered at 3 locations -- downtown Raleigh, 100% online and on the main campus in Buies Creek. They’ll cover the features, benefits, and application process, and also allow time for Q + A. Ⓟ

Friday December 18

TheBuy
○ The Downtown Durham Streetery | Fri., Dec. 18–Sat., Dec. 19 | Downtown Durham | Free | Multiple streets of downtown will be adorned with festive lights and closed off for pedestrian traffic + live music. Visitors are encouraged to shop at local restaurants or stores and enjoy their food outside in sitting areas.

Saturday December 19

Cause
○ Remote Walk-A-Thon | Sat., Dec. 19–Sun., Dec. 20 | Sat., 12 a.m.–Sun., 11:45 p.m. | Virtual | The LGBT Center of Raleigh is encouraging people to help raise money for the center and take to the streets of Downtown Raleigh to #WalkForEquality. Walk-A-Thon contributors can pledge money to the cause and find deals at participating local businesses while downtown.

Sunday December 20

Show
○ Carolina Skies | Sun., Dec. 20 | 3–5 p.m. | 250 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill | $9.95–$11.95 | The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is hosting showings of “Carolina Skies”– a live viewing of the NC night sky guided by Morehead staff. Viewers will hear stories about astronomical phenomena and learn how to identify celestial bodies such as stars + constellations.

Monday December 21 - Sunday December 27

Holiday
○ Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show | Wed., Dec. 16–Thurs., Dec. 31, closed Dec. 25 | 5:30–11 p.m. | 75 Hunt Drive | $15–$30 per car | WRAL and City of Raleigh present the first-ever Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dorothea Dix Park. Light displays and art pieces will cover a 1.3-mile route through the park for viewers to watch in 30-minute time blocks.

Monday December 21

Outdoors
○ Solstice Stroll | Mon., Dec. 21 | 2–3:30 p.m. | 8500 Camp Durant Road | Free | Participants will walk through Durant Nature Preserve and watch the sun go down on the shortest day of the year. There will be a campfire for socializing and reflection after the short hike. The barcode to access the class is 261135.

Arts
○ Mindful Museum: Winter Astrology and Meditation Workshop | Mon., Dec. 21 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $27.89+ | Raleigh yoga teacher and author Andrea Rice will be leading mediation and discussing the connection with astrology, specifically the winter solstice. Rice will help participants create goals for the new year and practice mindfulness.

Tuesday December 22

Dish
○ Global Kitchen | Tues., Dec. 22 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | NC State’s Office of International Services is holding a cook-along led by international students and affiliates where participants will learn to make a new, culturally-inspired dessert or meal.

Wednesday December 23

ForKids
○ Breakfast with the Grinch | Wed., Dec. 23 | 9:30–11:30 a.m. | 6548 Glenwood Ave | $12 | Visitors at the Little Doodles Play Cafe will get a breakfast, meet-and-greet with the Grinch, and free-play time while parents can grab a coffee in the cafe area.

Thursday December 24

Friday December 25

Saturday December 26

Sunday December 27

Outdoors
○ A Walking Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour | Sun., Dec. 27 | Any time | 418 N. Person Street | Free | Take a dive into Raleigh’s past and walk through one of its oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in the city: Historic Oakwood. Using the app or brochure, participants will take a self-guided tour through the neighborhood to view 23 different homes and learn about their long histories.

Monday December 28 - Thursday December 31

Holiday
○ Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show | Wed., Dec. 16–Thurs., Dec. 31, closed Dec. 25 | 5:30–11 p.m. | 75 Hunt Drive | $15–$30 per car | WRAL and City of Raleigh present the first-ever Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dorothea Dix Park. Light displays and art pieces will cover a 1.3-mile route through the park for viewers to watch in 30-minute time blocks.

Monday December 28

Holiday
○ Nights of Lights Discounted Tickets | Mon., Dec. 28–Tues., Dec. 29 | 5:30–11 p.m. | 75 Hunt Drive | $10 per car | For two nights only, tickets for the Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dorothea Dix Park will be sold at a discounted rate.

Holiday
○ Winter Wonders Walk at American Tobacco Campus | Mon., Dec. 28 | 5–11 p.m. | 318 Blackwell Street | Free | Take an illuminated walk along the Old Bull River at American Tobacco Campus’s Winter Wonders experience. Festive lights will cover the space and the surrounding restaurants will be offering outdoor seating options with heaters if you want to grab a bite to eat.

Holiday
○ Lake Myra Christmas Lights | Mon., Dec. 28 | 5:30–10 p.m. | 10 S. Cypress St., Wendell | Donations accepted | Recognized as one of the largest Christmas light shows in NC, Lake Myra Christmas Lights puts on a 45-minute show synchronized to music and featuring 250,000+ lights.

Tuesday December 29

Holiday
○ Christmas Plugged — Synchronized Light Show | Tues., Dec. 29 | 5:30 p.m.–12 a.m. | 4109 Guess Road, Durham | Free | Rose of Sharon Baptist Church is holding their nightly synchronized light show viewable from your car. There are over 40,000 LED lights and will light up to the tune of 9 different Christmas songs.

Wednesday December 30

Film
○ Dogwood Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 | Wed., Dec. 30 | 7:30–10:30 p.m. | 610 Glenwood Avenue | Free | The Dogwood Bar & Eatery will be doing a free showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 with special menu items based on the movie. Each ticket reserves a table for up to 8 people.

Holiday
○ Piper Lights Christmas Display 2020 | Wed., Dec. 30 | 5:30–9 p.m. | 5725 Fixit Shop Road, Wake Forest | Free, donations welcome | Starting out with just a small manger scene 30 years ago, this family-operated Christmas light display now spans 7-acres filled to the brim with decorations. This year the display is available only for drive-thru viewing.

Dish
○ Chocolate & Wine Tasting | Wed., Dec. 30 | 7–9 p.m. | 459 East Main Street, Clayton | $49 | Joy Worthy Co. and Corked & UnTapped are teaching a workshop on pairing wine and chocolate. Those in attendance will get to sample a wide variety of chocolate and 4 different wines.

Thursday December 31

Show
○ Ring in 2021 with The Avett Brothers | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | $39.99+ | NC natives and renowned folk-rock band The Avett Brothers are ringing in 2021 with a livestream concert hosted by Dax Shepard with special guests including Willie Nelson.

ForKids
○ Light it Up! Noon Year's Eve | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Virtual | $12.50 | Kidzu Children's Museum is celebrating Noon Year’s Eve with a dance party, virtual world tour, and craft–perfect for the whole family. Kids will get the chance to make glow-in-the-dark instruments and then a museum staff member will do a picture tour of landmarks around the world as they light up for New Years.

Dish
○ New Years Eve 5 Course Meal | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 4:30–9 p.m. | 201 South Boylan Avenue | $75 per person | Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing is cooking up a New Years Eve feast with five courses including braised short rib, quail roulade, and winter green salad.