Press Releases

Join Gov. Roy Cooper at the State Capitol for the annual tree-lighting tradition on Thursday, Dec. 12!  The festivities begin on Capitol Square at 5 p.m. with luminaries and holiday music. There will be music performances by the Raleigh Concert Band and dance by Alicia’s School of the Performing Arts. 

Celebrate the holiday season at the Governor’s Western Residence Holiday Open House, Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12-3 p.m., 45 Patton Mountain Rd, Asheville. Governor and Mrs. Cooper are expected to be at the residence to welcome guests during the event.    Reservations are not needed to attend the open house. Guests are invited to tour the residence, which has been decorated for the season. For more information, please call (828) 225-0122.   

Chapel Hill musician John Santa may call himself "an accidental bluegrass musician," but he knows the roots of the music in North Carolina.   Santa, who says music enriched his life in so many ways, will discuss North Carolina bluegrass history during a free program presented by the N.C. Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1–2:30 p.m. at the Governor Morehead School Auditorium, Lineberry Building, 303 Ashe Ave., Raleigh.    The program is free.   

You can escape the commercialization of many Christmas celebrations and delight in something that highlights the simplicity of Christmas past at Horne Creek Historical Farm. Bask in the warmth and beauty of a rural turn-of-the-century celebration at the “Christmas By Lamplight” program on Thursday, Dec. 5 or Friday, Dec. 6. 

Christmas traditions will be rekindled during Christmas in Halifax! Decorated homes and churches, living history, along with a lively Christmas parade will fuel a festive atmosphere for all Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m-4 p.m.  Enjoy tours of several of the site’s historic buildings, festively decorated with natural materials, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other buildings and churches not regularly open to the public can also be toured. Stop by the visitor center for a complete event schedule and map. 

The warm glow of candlelight and festive greenery will welcome visitors to “O Blessed Season!” at House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site. The Alston House will be decorated for Christmas and opened to the public Saturday, Dec. 7. 

Experience Christmas Candlelight Tours at Aycock Birthplace Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 with costumed interpreters who explain rural Christmas traditions and demonstrate open-hearth cooking. Tours will be given from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Admission for ages 5 and older is $3; ages 4 and under are free. Music from the Harmony Boys of Mount Olive will add to the festive mood Tuesday, Dec. 3 as food is cooked at the hearth. The joy of cooking again will be highlighted Thursday, Dec. 5, with food prepared on the hearth over an open fire.

Six distinguished North Carolinians were presented the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest honor, by Governor Roy Cooper at a Nov. 16 ceremony at the Raleigh Convention Center. The award recognizes significant lifetime achievements in the areas of fine arts, literature, public service and science.

 North Carolina offers some special opportunities to veterans, active military, their families and the public over the Veterans Day weekend. Attractions within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will welcome all. Most state historic sites are closed but all state parks are open, and of course are free. Free or discounted admission is available at most venues that normally charge an admission, and there will be family-friendly activities all across the state.

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting the right of women to vote. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources celebrates this milestone with “She Changed the World: North Carolina Women Breaking Barriers,” a series of public programs and activities to honor the achievements of women in our state.