Many thanks to Johnston Now magazine for letting us share this holiday events guide!
The larger, and even more cheerful, holiday guide. Thankfully, things have returned to something closer to normal, and more events are being planned for the 2021 holiday season. Thus, the holiday guide is back to being more packed with activities for the family to enjoy than last year. There are chances for you to get out there and grab a little holiday cheer than last year.
Happy Holidays everyone, and enjoy!
Boyette Family Farm, 1620 Loop Road, Clayton
Celebrate the holiday with an old-fashioned hayride at Lights on the Neuse this season. The hayride whisks you and your loved ones away to a transformed world of Christmas spirit. It’s open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night through Christmas Eve, and every night from Dec. 17-24 as well. For the complete schedule, visit www.lightsontheneuse.com/schedule.
Dawn Avenue Lights
Dawn Avenue, Four Oaks
Featured in previous Christmas guides, this imaginative display features a “mega tree,” singing Santa Claus, hundreds of lights and even broadcasts music over your car stereo in sync with the show.
Live@The Rudy Theatre, Selma
Back in 2021 is the Rudy Theatre’s annual Christmas Jubilee. The event features an evening of southern hospitality, great American music and side-splitting comedy will delight audiences of every age. Add a couple of surprise guests, like Santa and his friends, and this show is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. For schedule and ticket information, visit www.rudytheatre.com/schedules
Smithfield
The Light Up Smithfield Christmas Lights Contest will feature four categories: Griswold (the more and tackier, the BETTER!), Traditionally Elegant, Best Theme and Best Window Display. Show your creativity and get the whole family involved! This contest is open to all residences and businesses inside the city limits. Houses and businesses should be decorated no later than December 11. Judging will take place on December 11-12 and winners will be named on December 13.
Benson’s Light Fight
It’s almost that time of year — a season of twinkling lights throughout Benson. Along those lines, if you would like to enter your home or nominate a neighbor’s home for the Benson 2021 Light Fight Contest, follow this link, bit.ly/3nhSL8J. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers.
1304-D Market Street, Smithfield
Check out “Santa’s Cabin,” their 30-minute Christmas escape room experience.
11959 Highway 222 W., Middlesex
Enjoy a hayride through Christmas Town to our Field of Lights display. While visiting, enjoy music on stage and make s’mores by the fire pit. Santa will be here taking pictures. Bucky and a few of his friends will be visiting also. There is a gift shop and concessions to enjoy. Open through Dec. 23. See www.christmaslightsonthefarm.com for complete schedule.
Friday, Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m.
Walk Through Christmas Village
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly
Help us welcome the holiday season during our first night of our Christmas Village!
Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 6-8 p.m.
A Drive Through Christmas Village
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly
The Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce, Town of Kenly and local businesses are working together to provide a special 2020 holiday program. We invite you to Kenly to tour our first ever drive through Christmas Village and to enjoy the downtown holiday decorations.
Friday, Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m.
Downtown Benson
Join us for a fun filled night as Benson welcomes the Christmas season. Shops will be open. There will be a tree lighting and Christmas parade. Don’t forget the entertainment!
Friday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m.
Barbour’s Grove Park, 107 N. Railroad St., Four Oaks
Join us to light the Town of Four Oaks Christmas tree and enjoy an evening of free family fun including food and a Christmas movie!
Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks
Come celebrate a Civil War Christmas during this Holiday event. Visitors can enjoy cookies and cider by the fire, period music, or stroll through the soldier’s camp. Kids of all ages are welcome to help make period decorations for the kitchen and Christmas tree. Event subject to change and cancellation. COVID safety guidelines will be followed as advised at the time of event.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 3:30 p.m.
Archer Lodge Community Center, 14009 Buffalo Road, Archer Lodge
The Archer Lodge Community Center annual Christmas celebration will include a parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting and food trucks.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 9-3 p.m.
Christmas Craft Fair
Pace Family Farms, 12701 Buffalo Road, Clayton
Join us for our third annual Christmas Craft Fair!
Saturday, Dec. 4, 9-2 p.m.
Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce, Main St., Kenly
This is an annual event for the community and visitors to come and enjoy food and fun, buy from vendors and listen to the musical groups.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.
Downtown Four Oaks
Bring the family and join us for the Annual Four Oaks Christmas Parade down Main Street! The parade is presented by the Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m.
Downtown Princeton
Join us for Princeton’s Christmas Parade, held annually on the first Saturday of December.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.
Santa’s Showdown Car & Truck Charity/Toy Drive
Christmas Lights on the Farm (Big Daddy’s Farm), 11959 Highway 222 W., Middlesex
For details, visit www.lightsonthefarm.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Cleveland Fire Rd., Clayton
Mark your Calendars for Christmas in Cleveland!
Wednesday, Dec. 8.
Christmas with the Embers
The Farm at 95, 215 Batten Rd., Selma
We want to invite everyone to join us December 8th for Christmas on The Farm! For more details, visit www.thefarmnc.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
Eddie Miles Christmas Show
Live@The Rudy Theatre, Selma
Eddie Miles comes back to Selma to perform an Elvis Christmas Show. He is a great tribute artist and performer. For more information, visit www,rudytheatre.com.
Thursday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Bring out your families and celebrate the holiday season with the Smithfield Christmas Parade. If you are interested in participating, applications can be found in the SRAC lobby, online at Smithfield-nc.com or by contacting Tiffany Pearson at 919-934-2148.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
The parade co-hosts will be the Rotary Club of Clayton and Town of Clayton. As the parade is a holiday celebration, we ask all to to leave politics and protests behind for a moment, and bring a celebratory and community spirit to the event. Let’s make it a fun experience for the children! Until parade day, we wish everyone a happy, safe and blessed holiday season, and look forward to seeing you on Dec. 11. Visit www.claytonchristmasparade.org to learn more.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Breakfast With Santa
Serving Spoon at 119, Pine Level
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get a little quality time for your young ones with jolly ol’ Saint Nick! Make reservations at www.eventbrite.com. Visit Serving Spoon at 119 on Facebook for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 5-8 p.m.
Cookies with Santa
The Grocery Bag, 4879 Highway 42 E., Clayton
Come join us for Cookies with Santa! Bring your own camera and take photos!
Saturday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.
Polar Express Movie Night
The Grocery Bag, 4879 Highway 42 E., Clayton
Join us for a fun filled night! Santa Claus will be inside the store from 4-8 p.m.! Polar Express movie on the hill with popcorn and hot cocoa! Wear your pjs and bring a blanket!
Dec. 15, 11 a.m. and Dec. 17, 6 p.m.
Story Time with Santa
James Bryan Creech Public Library, Four Oaks
Santa will read a story to children of all ages. He will take time to listen to each child’s wish list and give parents a chance to take their own photos. (Please bring your own camera.) Each child will receive a small gift from Santa. Times for children with sensory issues are also available. Please call the library for more information at 919-963-6013.
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
Christmas with the Embers
Live@The Rudy, 300 N. Raiford St., Selma
The Embers will perform their Christmas Show featuring Craig Woolard. For more information, visit www,rudytheatre.com.
Dec. 15-17, 7-9 p.m.
Drive Thru Nativity
Pleasant Hill Christian Church, Benson
Pleasant Hill Christian Church Presents a live nativity — the story of Christ presented in 10 scenes. Enjoy the animals and lantern-lit drive as you and your family experience the real meaning of Christmas. There is no charge or admission fee, and we invite you to drive through as many times as you would like! They request only single-family vehicles drive through the nativity. Visit www.drivethrunativity.org to learn more.
Saturday, Dec. 18, 8:30, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Visit with Santa
Selma Civic Center, 300 N. Webb St., Selma
Start the day in a merry way by visiting Santa, perfect for the whole family! Take a photo with Santa, write a letter to Santa and enjoy the Christmas songs. For more information, call Selma Parks and Recreation at 919-975-1411.
Sunday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
Clayton Piano Festival Holiday Gala
Twin Oaks Barn, Cornwallis Road, Garner
Clayton Piano Festival presents this star-studded Holiday concert celebration as a finale to its 10th anniversary season. The show features jazz and classical legend, Joel A. Martin, Broadway star, John Arthur Greene (West Side Story, Matilda, School of Rock, Tootsie), classical and jazz vocalist Angelique Alexander, multi-genre violinist Christin Danchi, David Richards and the Swingsters Union Band and Artistic Director, Jonathan Levin, pianist. The musical selections will be brought to you by narration from the renowned poet, Shelby Stephenson. For ticket information, visit www.claytonpianofestival.org/events.
Thursday, Dec. 24, 6 p.m.
Christmas Eve at the Library
Jame Bryan Creech Public Library, Four Oaks
The library will be closed but the public is invited to come out for hot cocoa, coffee and finger foods. Video games will be available for kids of all ages and conversation will be on offer for the adults. Call the library for more information at 919-963-6013.
Thursday, Dec. 24, 6 p.m.
Eden Woods Luminaries
Eden Drive, Smithfield
Residents of Eden Woods subdivision in Smithfield will line their streets with luminaries on Christmas Eve (weather permitting). Guests are invited to drive through the candlelit neighborhood.
Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.
New Year’s Eve at The Farm
Come ring in 2022 with Jim Quick & Coastline on The Farm at 95! They are reserving a limited number of tables for $100 per table. These tables seat up to 8 people and do not include admission into the event. This will be the only way to guarantee a seat for the evening. Tickets will be sold separately and are on sale now at etix.com! Learn more at www.facebook.com/events/780530899478287.
Thursday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.
Diane Bailey meets Elvis
Live@The Rudy Theatre, Selma
Diane Bailey is bringing an Elvis legend, Stephen Freeman, and Dayle Eason, a country crooner, to the Rudy Theatre for 2021 New Years Eve. Party favors will be included for a fun night. For more information, visit www.rudytheatre.com.
