Recapture the genuine joy and warmth of holidays past with a “Carolina Christmas” Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10. An escape to three colonial state historic sites will start your holiday season with reverie and delight. Enjoy festive decorations and caroling in Historic Edenton, harpsichord music and colonial crafts at Historic Bath and colonial dancing and fire-eating magic at Tryon Palace. You can enter to win this great escape at http://bit.ly/carolinachristmas. The deadline for entry is Dec. 1.
Explore the holiday happenings in Historic Edenton at your own pace, starting with holiday tours and refreshments. See the tables at James Iredell House so laden with decorations and food that they “groan” before joining the caroling at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. You could win dinner for two at a downtown restaurant and tickets for the 15-property Candlelight Tour in Edenton’s Historic District, along with accommodations for two in Edenton.
Spend day two in Historic Bath to enjoy the soothing tones of the harpsicord, the smell of gingerbread and taste of apple cider as you start your day. Visit decorated historic homes and try creating colonial crafts to experience an 18th century Christmas. The winner can select from two restaurants for a coastal lunch after holiday sightseeing before traveling to New Bern for dinner at a favorite local restaurant.
Plan to make the 6:30 p.m. Candlelight Tour at Tryon Palace to see three historic homes where interpreters will be dressed as soldiers, civilians or members of the Tryon family. There will be the governor’s party, a carnival with juggling, acrobats and fire-eating, as well as a rhythmic Jonkonnu troupe procession. After viewing fireworks over the palace, enjoy a restful night at a local motel to end your weekend of colonial holiday splendor!
For additional information, visit www.ncdcr.gov/things-to-do/trips-travel-ideas/colonial-christmas. The Division of State Historic Sites in within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.