DEC 1-18
Temple Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol”
Temple Theatre presents its traditional holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol,” a music adaptation written by Michael Hoagland and Temple’s own Peggy Taphorn (featuring a huge cast of adults, teens and children). See templeshows.com for show dates and times and to purchase tickets.
DEC 1
Central Carolina Community College will host its annual Cougar Express Drive-Thru from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. The holiday event is free and will feature new additions including hot chocolate from the CCCC Culinary Food Truck, a fire truck, an ambulance and a patrol car. Visitors will be provided with popcorn and homemade cookies as the cars make their way through the line to Santa, visiting a group of Christmas characters, inflatables and a laser show.
Eyelight Coffee & Comics will host a “Christmas Ornament Paint Pour” at 6 p.m.
DEC 2
Hugger Mugger Brewing in downtown Sanford will host a Holiday First Friday event from 6 to 9 p.m. Tons of vendors, Cousins Maine Lobster food truck and events for kids young and old. Live holiday music throughout the evening.
DEC 3
Millie’s Mama Bakes in downtown Sanford will host a “Visit with Santa” from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a free event — parents are invited to bring their children and their cameras (or phones) to get their pictures. The shop will be stocked with Christmas goodies, so dress your kids in their holiday best.
“O Blessed Season!” candlelight tours at the House in the Horseshoe will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Step back in time and experience the greenery-decorated Alston House by candlelight. Guided tours will focus on 18th Century Christmas practices. Tickets are limited and $8 each. Visit historicsites.nc.gov to learn more.
DEC 4
Downtown Sanford’s annual “Sunday With Santa” Train and Tree Lighting will be held in Depot Park from 3-6 p.m.. Santa pulls out all the stops to illuminate Depot Park and the No. 12 Locomotive with twinkling lights. Spend the afternoon enjoying holiday performances on The Depot Stage, savoring sweet treats and of course, visiting with the big man himself!
Following the tree lighting ceremony, Downtown Sanford Inc. will host a free showing of the Christmas classic, “The Santa Clause” at Depot Park. DD&J Homemade Old Fashioned Kettle Corn will be on hand selling their treats.
The Town of Broadway will host its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. at the North Carolina Veterans Memorial in downtown.
The Purple Poodle Co. in downtown Sanford will host a Holiday Sip & Shop from 1 to 4 p.m. They’ll have exclusive highlights and champagne spirits, and you’ll have your wish list ready so your loved ones have an easy time picking up your must-have items for Christmas.
Eyelight Coffee & Comics will host a ceramic snowman workshop (part 1) at 2 p.m.
DEC 5
Central Carolina Jaycees present the annual Sanford Christmas Parade, beginning at 7 p.m. in downtown Sanford.
DEC 8
ERA Strother Real Estate in downtown Sanford will host a “Pictures with the Grinch” event beginning at 3 p.m. The event is open to everyone.
Eyelight Coffee & Comics will host a ceramic snowman workshop (part 2) at 2 p.m.
DEC 9
Cool Springs Baptist Church will hold its annual Night in Bethlehem beginning at 6 p.m. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a walking tour through Biblical Bethlehem. New tours start every few minutes. Free tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
DEC 10
Tasting Queens Market will host a Breakfast with Santa event from 9 a.m. to noon at Hugger Mugger Brewing in downtown Sanford. “Exquisite hot cocoa and waffle bar, gourmet continental breakfast favorites, retro cereal station, plus a meet & greet plus photo with Santa.” For the adults, a holiday beer toppings bar featuring Hugger Mugger’s Chocolate Stout. Fun for the entire family. There will be two seatings for this event — tickets are limited to allow children ample time with Santa and to enjoy all the activities.
The Broadway Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Broadway Lions Club, will begin at 2 p.m.
The Town of Carthage’s Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. The event is Moore County’s only nighttime parade.
Santa will be at Eyelight Coffee & Comics in Jonesboro Heights from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Want to add something to this list? Email us at billy@rantnc.com.
Thank you so much for posting the “Calendar of Events”!!