Get in the holiday spirit this weekend by giving back at a food truck rodeo or benefit concert, or enjoying a winter wonderland
Compiled by Megan Tillotson
Thursday-Sunday
Winter Wonderland with Goats
Join Spring Haven Farm to kick-start the holiday season with farm festivities including a tractor train ride, decorated barn, sweet treats from the concession stand, Santa’s Workshop offering ornament making, and playing with baby goats. Tickets are required for an arrival time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, and the farm is open until 6 p.m.
“The Skin of Our Teeth”
To celebrate American playwright Thronton Wilder’s 125th birthday, PlayMakers Repertory Company offers this lively performance directed by Vivienne Benesch. Spanning 5,000 years, the play follows a not-so-average American family as they cross paths with dinosaurs and Moses. Ray Dooley appears in his final appearance as a company member. Tickets should be purchased in advance. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Thursday
Virtual Art Show Opening
Celebrate Wonder Connection’s 15th anniversary with a virtual art show featuring the creations the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers have made over the past month with hospitalized kids at UNC Children’s Hospital. Join via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
The Wilde Awards
Children’s book reviewer Susie Wilde presents her top selections of children’s and young adult books of 2021 at Flyleaf Books. The event starts at 6 p.m. and registration is required.
“Eternals” Film Screening
Watch an exciting team of superheroes take over the big screen from the comfort of your vehicle at The Drive-in at Carraway Village. The movie starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are required.
“My Diary of Online Dating”
Join author and entrepreneur Adrainne Renee Thompson as she reads from her work and discusses the intricacies of online dating. This virtual event hosted by the Orange County Historical Museum will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. and registration is required.
Friday-Sunday
Carrboro Film Fest
Celebrating its 16th year, Carrboro Film Fest returns to embrace southern cinema through more than forty films including short narratives, documentary shorts and full length documentary film screenings. Taking place at The ArtsCenter, opening night features a screening of “Drought” beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday. Screenings take place from 10:15 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. on Saturday and 12:15 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Purchase a ticket for an individual screening or a festival pass.
Friday
Kidzu Outdoor Garden Party
Join Kidzu Children’s Museum during the last garden party of the season from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for activities such as nature-based crafts, lantern-making and drinking hot cocoa. Kids receive a passport to keep track of activities and a coupon for Alfredo’s Pizza Villa. Preregistration is recommended.
Strand of Oaks Concert
For fans of indie, alternative and rock, Cat’s Cradle hosts Strand of Oaks and The Still Tide. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are required.
Saturday
A Day of Tennis Honoring Alan Rader
Join the Chapel Hill Tennis Club for a daylong clinic honoring the impact of Alan Rader, the general manager who died in October. Beginning at 10 a.m., area tennis professionals teach sessions in the morning and afternoon, and lunch and dinner will be served. Purchase a ticket for a clinic spot or to play an exhibition match. Proceeds will benefit Alan’s family.
“Paperhand Puppet Interventions with Cardboard, Cloth, and Clay“
Join co-founders Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger as they celebrate the release of their book that reflects on Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s two decades of creating giant puppets, masks, shadow plays and more. This event presented by Flyleaf Books will be hosted outdoors at 11 a.m.
Tar Heel Football
Watch the Tar Heels take on Wofford College at Kenan Stadium at noon. Tickets are required.
The Blood Connection Blood Drive
The Blood Connection hosts this donation drive at Southern Village from 2 to 7 p.m. You must be at least 16 years old with parental consent or older than 17 to donate.
Kidzu Children’s Parents’ Night Out
Parents, enjoy an evening out while Kidzu Children’s Museum hosts a fun-filled night for kids including activities such as exhibit play, dinner from Alfredo’s Pizza Villa, staff-led activities, and a kid-friendly show. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and tickets should be purchased in advance.
Stray Local Live
Grab a cold one at Vecino Brewing Co. and enjoy the performance from this indie pop duo from Raleigh, North Carolina, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Be Loud!
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of The Clash’s seminal double album, “London Calling,” Cat’s Cradle hosts a night full of epic music benefiting the Be Loud! Sophie Foundation. Four bands, including Preeesh!, Pipe, John Howie Jr. & The Rosewood Bluff and Snatches of Pink will each perform one side of the record. Tickets are required and doors open at 7:30
Sunday
Thanks + Giving Food Truck Rodeo
Join TABLE for a food truck rodeo off of Legion Road and sample local cuisine from Poblanos Tacos, Buoy Bowls, Drizzle D’s Donuts and many more. TABLE and Inter-Faith Council for Social Service will be collecting non-perishable food, winter clothing and toiletries for donation. The rodeo takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Join Triangle Bikeworks at 11 a.m. for a bike ride before the event.
Arts on Market
With more than 60 artists, craftspeople and bakers, this biannual craft fair located on the Southern Village Green includes raffles and a chance to get ahead on your holiday shopping for gifts made by regional creators from noon to 4 p.m.
“Alterations” Open House
Head to the Horace Williams House to meet artist Heather Evans Smith and view the multidisciplinary textile and photo exhibit from 1 to 5 p.m.
Historic Chapel Hill Mapping Project
Join the Chapel Hill Historical Society for this Zoom presentation starting at 3 p.m. from UNC associate professor of history John Sweet, who will delve into his work exploring the history of the town and the impact of segregation and development of the Black community through the early 1900s.
Storytelling Under The Stars
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center presents the 11th annual event featuring students from Brian Sturm’s storytelling class at UNC School of Information and Library Science presenting a story about the night sky under the backdrop of Morehead’s GlaxoSmithKline Fulldome Theater. This event begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are required.
