Holidays.MyNC.com

The Christmas Nativity will come to life tonight at Raleigh’s Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Here’s a look at the drive-thru nativity from last year. It’s complete with a manager, live animals, the supper and other scenes from the Bible.

The living nativity is open from 6 to 8 p.m. through Sunday, December 7.

Interpreters dressed in late 19th century clothing will gather children inside the Duke family’s 19th century farmhouse parlor to sing carols and pop corn over a roaring fire. In the old-fashioned farmhouse kitchen, kids will be transported back 140 years, to a time when gingerbread was baked inside a cast-iron stove instead of coming out of a cellophane package. (more…)

Cary Ballet Conservatory’s Ballet Company and their 3D Project jazz company will be performing excerpts from their festive annual holiday performace, Visions of Sugarplums, a modified version of the Nutcracker at Pottery Barn Kids at the Streets of Southpoint Mall in Durham on Sunday, December 7th at 6:30 PM. The dancers range in age from 6 -17 years old. The performance is open to the public and is free for all to attend. (more…)

For the past few years, Stryker Golf Course has proudly put up their Angel Tree. This year is no different. The Angel Tree is on display at Stryker Golf Course filled with names of children in need of help this holiday season. Participants are encouraged to pick an angel from the tree and purchase a gift. All unwrapped gifts should be returned to Stryker by December 14. Participants who bring in a gift will receive a pass for free green fees (with purchase of cart rental). All gifts will be distributed to the designated Angels through the Salvation Army.
For more information on the Stryker Angel Tree, please call 396-3980.

Remember how people in North Carolina’s piedmont celebrated the holidays 140 years ago at the Duke Homestead State Historic Site Friday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 12. From 7-9 p.m. each evening, the old Duke family homestead will literally glow during the free “Christmas by Candlelight” program, which evokes a typical Christmas in the 1870s. Both nights, visitors can tour the Duke family’s 19th-century farmhouse by candlelight, gather in the parlor to sing carols, enjoy apple cider and sugar cookies, and sample popcorn cooked the old-fashioned way over a roaring bonfire. (more…)

Unto you a play is born! - Don’t miss Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever between Friday, December 12 - Sunday, December 21, 2008.

This is the story of how the awful Herdman’s learn the true meaning of Christmas. It will delight children and adults alike. (more…)

Cary’s Annual Tinsel Town at Koka Booth Amphitheatre is closed this year as the venue undergoes construction.

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The longest-running planetarium show in the world is back at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for its 59th season. “Star of Bethlehem” returns to the weekend show schedule Nov. 22-Jan. 1.
“Star of Bethlehem,” a seasonal show, gives guests an opportunity to explore the many theories behind the legendary, mysterious star. The show presents several possible explanations - was it a comet, a shooting star or a major eclipse? Viewers can decide for themselves.
Former WRAL-TV anchorman Charlie Gaddy narrates as several UNC scholars discuss the scientific, historical and religious aspects of this celestial event.
For show times and more information, visit <www.moreheadplanetarium.org>. To reserve group tickets, call Guest Relations at (919) 962-1236. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is located at 250 E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC.