GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – As the holiday season gets underway, a number of Christmas celebrations will be held across eastern North Carolina during the weekend. If there is an event you would like us to add to this list, email it to newsdesk@wnct.com.
Beaufort:
At 5 p.m. Friday Dec. 2, you can vote for your favorite Christmas Wreath along the Beaufort Docks. Area nonprofits and community groups have decorated these wreaths with hopes to take home top honors. All wreaths will be available for sale by silent auction during the review and voting period. To participate or find out more details, contact Pat Wesson at either 252-241-2101 or PFWesson1@yahoo.com <mailto:PFWesson1@yahoo.com>.
The Tree Lighting and Sing-Along at Beaufort Docks starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Hot cider and cocoa will be served while everyone joins together to sing Christmas carols. After the tree lighting at 6 p.m., the wreath decorating winner and window decorating winners will be announced.
From Friday, Dec. 2, to Sunday, Dec. 4, the John Costlow Christmas Train Show will take over Train Depot, 614 Broad St. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, though donations will be given to the Beaufort Lions Club, which is helping with this year’s event.
As you shop and enjoy the evening in Beaufort, luminaries will light your way on Front Craven, Turner, Middle and Queen streets the evening of Dec. 2 and Dec. 10.
Saturday, Dec. 3, starts early, 8:30-10:30 a.m., when you can have a pancake breakfast with Santa at Ribeyes Restaurant. The breakfast, hosted by the Lions Club, is $6 a person.
Be sure to line up early to catch the 3 p.m. Annual Beaufort Christmas Parade in Downtown Beaufort Saturday. The route runs from Gordon Street to Turner Street.
Migrate to the waterfront to catch a parade of a different kind: boats of all sizes decorated to glow in the night. The Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla along the Beaufort Waterfront starts at Saturday 5:30 p.m. in Morehead City and arrives in Beaufort at 6:15 p.m.
Throughout the month, downtown shops in Beaufort will be “Open Late ‘Til 8” every Thursday in December to give you an opportunity to shop local.
Greenville:
Friday, December 2:
First Friday Artwalk: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Finish your holiday shopping while on this self-guided tour of Uptown galleries, restaurants, and retail. Visit opening receptions and receive discounts from participating merchants.
Greenville Gives: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
The annual city tree lighting ceremony at Five Points Plaza. Sip hot coco and enjoy a holiday reading, a special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves, horse-drawn carriage rides, dancing and singing performances, Jolly Trolley rides, a cookie decorating station, and a chance to donate to your favorite local charities. Food Bank of ENC: food, Pitt County Humane Society: cat/dog toys,Salvation Army: non-perishable foods and diapers, Ronald McDonald House: paper goods and snacks.
Uptown Holiday Market at Five Points Plaza: 5:00pm – 8:00pm:
Bringing a unique and festive shopping “village” to the heart of Uptown Greenville, the market features regional artisans and craftsmen.
Courtyard Cinema presents Northpole: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
The movie Northpole is featured in the free outdoor movie series at Fourth Street Parking Deck Plaza (behind Fire American Tavern). Free parking in the parking deck. Bring your own blanket and chair. Food and drink service available.
For more information, visit http://www.uptowngreenville.com or contact Uptown Greenville at info@uptowngreenville.com
East Carolina University’s School of Art and Design Holiday Sale will be held through December 3 at the Greenville Museum of Art.
All student guilds in the School of Art and Design will participate with unique art by graduate and undergraduate students. Gift items for sale include jewelry, scarves, textiles, ceramics, metal sculpture, photography, paintings, prints and more.
This is the first time the annual event has been held off campus due to a loss of available parking spaces with the construction of ECU’s new student center.
The sale is open to the public, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Greenville Museum of Art, 802 Evans St., Greenville.
All proceeds benefit the art guilds and students of the ECU School of Art and Design.
Morehead City
Art lovers can kick off their holiday celebration on Friday, December 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the annual Morehead City Christmas Artwalk consisting of downtown Morehead City galleries as well as participating downtown businesses and restaurants. There will be several “Pop-up’ galleries, one located at the Train Depot, 1001 Arendell Street featuring art from the Arts Council of Carteret County.
Each downtown location will offer special demonstrations, promotions and refreshments. The Artwalk map can be picked up at any of the participating galleries and businesses.
After completing the gallery tour, the city encourages walkers to stay in the emerging art district. Participating downtown shops and restaurants will be open throughout the evening. This year’s participants include Arts Council of Carteret County (at the Train Depot), BluSail Golitz Studios, DownEast Bound Music, Sea Bling Jewelry, Carolina Artist’s Gallery, Arts & Things, Silverline Jewelry, Dee Gees Gifts and Books and Marc Montocchio Gallery and Studio.
The annual Morehead City tree lighting takes place December 2 at Katherine Davis Park. Christmas music and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and various children’s activities begin at 5 p.m. followed by the tree lighting at 6 p.m.
On December 3, children can have Breakfast with Santa at Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant. There will be three seating times at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30. Tickets are $12+ for adults and $8+ for children. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 252-727-1921.
Also on December 3, the 7th Annual Chowder and Cheer Crawl takes place with over 20 different restaurants participating from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Vote for your favorite chowder, soup, chili or gumbo. In addition to downtown eateries, restaurants that aren’t located right in the downtown district will be serving samples at participating shops and art galleries. Tickets are $20 per person and will be available in advance by visiting http://www.downtownmoreheadcity.com or calling the DMCRA at 252-808-0440. There are a limited number of tickets available.