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The Holidays are quickly approaching, and the air is full of excitement and joyful anticipation. There is so much to do, lights to see, and activities to participate in. We have compiled a list of upcoming events so you can mark your calendars.
Every corner of each room is decorated with beautiful holiday splendor.
Photo by Mary Johnston
- Now Thru Jan 1 – Tanglewood Park Festival Of Lights – 6pm-11pm
- Now Thru Jan 1 – Sunset Hills Christmas Balls
- Now Thru Jan 6 – The Christmas Family Lights – 5:30pm – 11pm
- Now Thru Jan 6 – Christmas At Körner's Folly
- Dec 9, 16, 23 – Salem Saturdays At Christmas – 10am – 2pm
- Dec 7 thru 10 – The Nutcracker
- Dec 7, 10, 14 – Christmas Songs On The Aeolian Organ, 2pm – 2:30pm
- Dec 8, 9, 15, 16 – Joy Of Christmas Evening Tours
- Dec 8 & 9 – Christmas With The Reynold's Family – 5pm – 7:30pm
- Dec 12 – Handel's Messiah – 7:30pm
- Dec 15 – Caroling Friday At Reynolda – 3:30pm – 4pm
- Dec 16 – Christmas For The City – 1pm – 6pm
- Dec 16 – ChristmasFest – 10am – 8pm
- Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Lovefeasts
- Dec 31 – Running Of The Lights – Midnight
- Another Sign Of The Season
Now Thru Jan 1 – Tanglewood Park Festival Of Lights – 6pm-11pm
Drive through a dazzling winter wonderland, nightly 6 – 11pm, with over a million glowing lights for the 32nd year. Over 80 displays delight guests along the winding path as they listen to holiday music. Stop midway through at The Red Barn Gift Shop and S’moresville to purchase holiday crafts, homemade gifts, sticks with marshmallows, or s’mores kits. A wonderful holiday tradition! $20 cash; $23 credit card per car.
- 4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC
- 336-703-6400
Now Thru Jan 1 – Sunset Hills Christmas Balls
Sunset Hills is a neighborhood in Greensboro that decorates its yards with giant balls of lights. The display makes the neighborhood look magical. It is a delight to drive through.
Now Thru Jan 6 – The Christmas Family Lights – 5:30pm – 11pm
An incredible display by a family with 38 years of experience includes over 50,000 lights and holiday music. This display is a must-see for your Christmas lights tour.
The Christmas Family Lights Facebook
- 3420 Shiloh Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC
Now Thru Jan 6 – Christmas At Körner’s Folly
Take an unforgettable holiday tour through Körner’s Folly, where the home’s 22 rooms are decorated floor to ceiling in the theme, Flights Of Fancy, for 2023. Self-guided tours are available Tues-Sun, 10am-4pm, with the last entry at 3pm, and take approximately an hour. Experience the holidays in an amazing way. Adults $12; Youth (6-18) $6; Children (0-5) Free. See their website for tickets.
- 413 S Main Street, Kernersville, NC
- 336-996-7922
It is the perfect place to take a holiday photo.
Dec 9, 16, 23 – Salem Saturdays At Christmas – 10am – 2pm
Learn how the historic town of Salem created an environment of celebration and reflection. Start at the Visitor’s Center, cross the beautiful Heritage Bridge, visit the museum center, and go to The Blum House to see how historical woodworking was done. Then, travel to The Miksch House to learn how a family used and preserved produce in Old Salem. Explore the history of Moravian medicine at The Doctor’s House, one of Salem’s largest family homes, and continue for so much more, ending at Winkler’s Bakery, where you can purchase a sweet treat!
Salem Saturdays At Christmas Website
- 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- 336-721-7350
Dec 7 thru 10 – The Nutcracker
Stunning sets, exquisite costumes, phenomenal dancing, and special effects make this a top-notch production and a favorite of families and lovers of the arts. UNCSA’s production is the only “The Nutcracker” performance in the Triad to be accompanied by a live orchestra. The Nutcracker will be held this year at The Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro due to the renovation of The Steven’s Center. Tickets are available at TangerCenter.com and Ticketmaster and begin at $35.
- Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
- One Abe Brenner Place, 300 N Elm Street, Greensboro, NC
- 336-333-3500
Dec 7, 10, 14 – Christmas Songs On The Aeolian Organ, 2pm – 2:30pm
Get into the Christmas spirit at the Reynolda House. Gather in the Reception Hall to hear Christmas songs played on the 1917 Aeolian Organ. It is included with museum admission.
- 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- 336-758-5150
Dec 8, 9, 15, 16 – Joy Of Christmas Evening Tours
The evening tours offer a unique view of the Christmas season in the 1800s, with hands-on activities. They highlight Old Salem’s Tavern Museum, The Volger House, and The Boy’s School. Tickets are $60 for adults and $35 for children. Purchase them on the website.
Joy Of Christmas Evening Tours Website
- 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- 336-721-7350
Dec 8 & 9 – Christmas With The Reynold’s Family – 5pm – 7:30pm
Special Christmas tours at The Reynolda House featuring docents, costumed interpreters, and festive decorations bring to life the stories and traditions at Christmastime that make Reynolda special. Conclude with Christmas treats and shopping in the museum store. Tours are every 15 minutes. The cost is $25; $20 for members.
- 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- 336-758-5150
Dec 12 – Handel’s Messiah – 7:30pm
Winston-Salem Symphony will present Handel’s Messiah at Wake Forest University, Wait Chapel, on Dec 12 at 7:30pm. The glorious “Hallelujah” chorus, expressive arias, and majestic choruses have drawn crowds since the composition premiered in 1742. The concert is a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC. Please bring a nonperishable food item.
- Wait Chapel
- 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC
Dec 15 – Caroling Friday At Reynolda – 3:30pm – 4pm
Join in the Holiday spirit at the Reynolda House. Gather in the Reception Hall of the Historic House to share Christmas cheer. It is included with museum admission.
- 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- 336-758-5150
Dec 16 – Christmas For The City – 1pm – 6pm
A free citywide Christmas party that features live music, art performances, original work by local artists, a make-your-own-toy workshop, and Santa Claus! To be held at Benton Convention Center, volunteers hope to make this 16th annual event a meaningful Christmas experience for the whole community!
Christmas For The City Website
- Benton Center
- 301 W 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
- 336-747-3067
Dec 16 – ChristmasFest – 10am – 8pm
A Moravian Advent & Christmas Festival and Holiday Market, ChristmasFest features Christmas carols, holiday music, artist and craft person demos, food and drink vendors, and items for sale. There will also be activities for children, including decorating cookies, ornament, star-making, and candle trimming. Santa will be there 11am-2pm and 3pm-7pm. Admission is free.
- Elberson Fine Arts Center, Salem College
- 412 Rams Drive, Winston-Salem, NC
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Lovefeasts
Christmas Eve Lovefeasts are held at Moravian Churches throughout the region. The feast of coffee and a sweet bun are served while Christmas Carols and hymns are sung, and small red fringed beeswax candles are handed to each participant. The candles are lit one by one in the darkened church to light it up with their glow. Services are free to attend. Check with your local congregation for times. Many churches hold multiple services.
Christmas Eve Lovefeast Website | Moravian Churches in Winston-Salem
Dec 31 – Running Of The Lights – Midnight
Spend New Year’s Eve doing something fun and healthy! Running of the Lights is a family-friendly 5K race that winds through Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights display and toasts the New Year at the finish line with Hot Chocolate. Participants watch a live feed of the ball dropping in Times Square, and when the clock strikes 12, the fun walk/race begins. There will also be a 1.75-mile fun walk/run that starts at midnight. Registration for both events ends at 11:30pm on New Year’s Eve. The event is also a food drive for St Peter’s Outreach Center.
Running Of The Lights Registration Page
Another Sign Of The Season
In Winston-Salem, you know the Christmas season is near when you begin to see Moravian Stars hanging from people’s porches, in stores, downtown, and the beautiful large one on the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Find out what the star means and why it is a Christmas symbol.
What is your favorite Holiday tradition? Tell us in the comments.
