Author: Jack Svendsgaard
We’re on the Road to America 250 North Carolina! During our Season of Discovery, we invite you to explore the themes of this commemoration through 17th century traditions, cultural activities, candlelight services and more.
Mark your calendar for these ten unique holiday celebrations across the state:
1. Yuletide by Lantern at Historic Halifax (Dec 6)
Step back in time to a Christmas evening straight out of the Revolutionary period. You can wander through historic homes, public buildings, and taverns, all beautifully decorated. Interactive historical vignettes will showcase how Christmas was celebrated centuries ago.
2. Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead (Dec 6 and Dec 13)
This annual event offers live Christmas music, dancing, singing, holiday cookies, and a candlelit tour through Duke Homestead. Make sure to prebook your tickets in advance!
3. German Christmas in Colonial Carolina at Alamance Battleground (Dec 7)
In the 1770s, North Carolina was home to many German communities that had migrated here from Pennsylvania. This event offers a chance to learn more about the traditions of these original German families.
4. Jonkonnu at Historic Stagville (Dec 7)
Historic Stagville will be celebrating Jonkonnu with the help of St. Sya Academy. Jonkonnu is an African diaspora holiday tradition with roots in West Africa and the Caribbean. Brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans, Jonkonnu became a powerful form of cultural expression and resistance. The event will feature youth performers from Durham showcasing traditional drumming, dance, and storytelling, led by Braima Moiwai. After the performance, guests can gather around a bonfire to learn more about the history and significance of Jonkonnu,. Bring your own chairs or blankets, and dress warmly for the outdoor setting.
5. An 18th Century Christmas at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson (Dec 8)
Experience an 18th Century Christmas the way American colonists celebrated at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site. This event features authentic food and traditional games and crafts. The day of celebration culminates with an evening candlelit service within the ruins of St. Philips Anglican Church.
6. State Tree Lighting at the N.C. State Capitol (Dec 12)
Join the State Capitol and Gov. Roy Cooper for the annual tree-lighting tradition! The festivities begin at 6:15 p.m. on Capitol Square with luminaries and holiday music performed by the Raleigh Concert Band, plus Santa is scheduled to make an appearance! After the ceremony, come into the Capitol to experience its holiday decorations.
7. "O Blessed Season" Candlelight Tours at the House in the Horseshoe (Dec 13)
The House in the Horseshoe offers their take on an 18th century holiday celebration. History comes to life with a cast of historical interpreters portraying members of the community, all sharing their own unique experiences living at the House in the Horseshoe. Guided tours takes guests through Christmas candlelight and greenery at this historic site.
8. Christmas in Sedalia at Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum (Dec 14)
The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum will host bands and choirs from Gibsonville’s local schools to provide a musically enchanting evening. The event also features a vendor fair with local artisans inside Kimball Hall. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 7 p.m., with speeches from the Mayor of Sedalia and Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum’s Site Manager.
9. Cookies and Crafts: Christmas Open House at CSS Neuse Museum (Dec 19)
If you love sweets and crafting, this is the event for you! Guests can create Victorian-inspired Christmas cards and ornaments. Get photos with Santa 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is only $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and veterans, $3 for students, and children 3 and under enter for free!
10. Old Christmas in Historic Bath (Dec 28)
Come on down to the Bonner House to join in on Christmas celebrations from the early 19th-century! You can partake in creating historically inspired ornaments, decorate a marvelous Christmas tree, and enjoy a wide array of other activities at Historic Bath. Make sure to grab a cup of cider and join us at the bonfire from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Then from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., the hosts will be sharing traditional Christmas stories shared around bonfires from early North Carolina.
If you’d like to learn about more fun events being held this holiday season, be sure to visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov/visit/season-discovery.
Image provided by Historic Bath.