Gingerbread Village Display – Through January 3rd – Relish the festive display of gingerbread houses made by Chapel Hillians showcasing their creativity and imagination. The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St.; Free; carolinainn.com
Christmas in the Ayr – Thursday through Sunday – Take a tour of 200-year-old Ayr Mount while it’s decorated for the holidays with natural materials in keeping with the period in which it was built. Ayr Mount, 376 St. Mary’s Rd., Hillsborough; $12; classicalamericanhomes.org
Salute to Community Heroes – Thursday, 6-8pm – Join the Chapel Hill Chamber in celebrating our Hometown Heroes–those special firefighters, police officers and emergency service professionals who make our community a wonderful place to live, work and play. Enjoy live performances from the UNC Chamber Singers, and tasty refreshments from Chick-Fil-A. University Place, 201 S Estes Dr.; Free; universityplacenc.com
The Red Clay Ramblers & The Coastal Cohorts – Thursday and Friday, 6:30pm – These longtime theatrical musicians will join forces to perform selections from some of their most memorable shows. Cat’s Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro; $10-$30; 919-967-9053; catscradle.com
Peter and the Starcatcher – Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm – Experience the journey of a novice Starcatcher and an orphan traveling the high seas in what’s been called a grown-up’s prequel to Peter Pan. Featuring more than 100 memorable characters, this play is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and is sure to entertain all ages. PlayMakers Repertory Company, 250 Country Club Rd.; $15+; playmakersrep.org
Hayrides with Santa – Friday and Sunday, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30pm – Families can enjoy holiday story time, the gorgeous, lit-up views of Maple View Farm and time with Santa Claus himself. Call 919-942-6122 to make a reservation and bring a new, unwrapped toy for their local Toys for Tots campaign. Maple View Farm. 3501 Dairyland Rd., Hillsborough; mapleviewagcenter.com
Carrboro Town Tree Lighting – Friday, 6pm – Gather with friends and family to enjoy holiday music on the lawn as the town Christmas tree is lit. Town Hall, 301 West Main St., Carrboro; 919-942-8541; townofcarrboro.org
A Christmas Carol: The Dinner Show – Friday, 7pm – Enjoy a three-course meal during an interactive theatrical performance of the tale about Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim. Extraordinary Ventures, 200 S. Elliott Rd.; $30+; 919-967-1100; extraordinaryventures.org
Big Band Holidays – Friday, 8pm – Showcasing 15 of the most electrifying soloists, ensemble players and arrangers in jazz today including vocalists Denzal Sinclaire and Audrey Shakir, this holiday program features original compositions by musical director Wynton Marsalis and the masterworks of Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and other jazz titans played by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave.; $54+; 919-843- 3333; carolinaperformingarts.org
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade – Saturday, 10am – The annual parade features marching bands, youth groups and creatively decorated floats. Don’t miss the elves, reindeer, candy canes and, of course, Santa Claus riding his sleigh. Downtown E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill to Main St. in Carrboro; chapelhillholidayparade.com
Performance Subaru Dog Show – Saturday, 10am-noon – This 8th annual show features breeds of all size and shape competing for top prize in six categories. Proceeds benefit Paws4ever, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and growing lifetime relationships between pets and people through adoption, training, education & care. Performance Subaru, 1810 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.; performancesubaru.com
Holiday Home Tour – Saturday and Sunday, 1-5pm – This year, the Preservation Chapel Hill’s holiday house tour features exclusively Diane Eckland rehabilitated projects. Registration Horace Williams House, 610 E. Rosemary St.; Tickets $27 in advance, $32 day of; preservationchapelhill.org
The Village Band – Saturday, 2pm – Enjoy a selection of winter carols plus other favorites played by this community concert band. Robert and Pearl Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd.; 919-968-2070; thevillageband.org
Gingerbread House Decorating Party – Saturday, 4-6pm – Kids of all ages can construct a gingerbread dream house while indulging in cocoa and cookies. The sweet supplies will be provided; just bring your holiday cheer. The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering, 750 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.; $20 per house; rootcellarchapelhill.com
Steep Canyon Rangers – Saturday, 8pm – This Grammy Award-winning group of UNC alums proves that traditional bluegrass music can adapt to the times without losing its roots. The band will play songs from their most recent album, Radio. Memorial Hall, 114 E Cameron Ave.; $34+; carolinaperformingarts.org
