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
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
Metal V – Thursday, 6-9pm – Enjoy an opening reception for this newest exhibition featuring metalsmith including Sarah Rachel Brown, Kat Cole, Ashley Buchanan, Hoss Haley, Laura Wood, Emily Triplett and many more! Light Art + Design, 601 W. Rosemary St.; lightartdesign.com
St. Nick Salon – Thursday, 6-8pm – Come out for an artists’ social and donate new and gently used art supplies to the N.C. Cancer Hospital’s Expressive Arts Program so patients and caregivers can express themselves through art. FRANK, 109 E. Franklin St.; frankisart.com
Holiday in Rio – Friday, 8-10pm – Transactors Improv presents a holiday show about escaping the holidays! Follow several characters as they flee winter and traditional celebrations for warmth and adventure in Rio de Janeiro. What are they running from and what will they run into? This show is based on audience suggestions and set to the bossa nova soundtrack of Onda, the Brazilian jazz quartet. The ArtsCenter, 300-G East Main St., Carrboro; $15; artscenterlive.org
Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show – Saturday, 9am-4pm – Find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list with this one-stop shopping event featuring handmade specialty items from artisans and crafters throughout the state. Enjoy musical entertainment, a bake sale and a delicious hot lunch. St. Thomas More School, 920 Carmichael St.; Free admission; stmcsnc.org
Festival of the Society Tree – Saturday, 9am-3pm and Sunday noon-3pm – Shop for a good cause at this fundraising event benefitting Orange County outreach programs featuring fine handcrafts and creative arts, homemade foods and baked goods, beautifully handcrafted wreaths and ornaments, and other unique gifts. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 210 Saint Mary’s Rd., Hillsborough; stmatthewshillsborough.org
Elf Fair – Saturday, 11am-5pm – The ninth annual holiday festival features over 30 local artists offering pottery, candles, toys and other unique gifts. Grab a festive eggnog beverage or tasty treat from the bar to enjoy while shopping. A kids’ zone will feature hands-on art projects and classic holiday films. The ArtsCenter, 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro; Free; 919-929-2787; artscenterlive.org
Hometown Holiday Family Workshop – Saturday, 11am-2pm – Join Dr. Bessie Mbadugha in celebrating Kwanzaa with special crafts, music, storytime and themed snacks. Orange County Historical Museum, 201 N. Churton St., Hillsborough; Free; orangenchistory.org
Carolina Writers at Home – Saturday, 2pm – Join local area writers Allan Gurganus and Jill McCorkle for a meet & greet and reading. These authors are two of many featured in Carolina Writers at Home, a collection of essays by North and South Carolina writers on the houses where they live accompanied by photographs taken on vintage cameras by photographer Rob McDonald. McIntyre’s Books, 220 Market St., Pittsboro; Free; fearrington.com
The Nutcracker – Saturday, 2pm and 8pm and Sunday, 2pm – Carolina Ballet’s holiday classic features elaborate scenery, a live orchestra and more than 100 performers. Memorial Hall, 114 E. Cameron Ave.; $49+; carolinaperformingarts.org
Goodnight Carolina – Saturday, 3-5pm – Author Missy Julian and artist Elaine O’Neil will sign copies of their newest release, Goodnight Carolina, a lyrical love letter to the quaint and warm town of Chapel Hill. Meadowmont Village, 107 Meadowmont Village Circle; Free; meadowmont.net
Hillsborough Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting – Saturday, 4:45-6:45pm – Kick off the holiday season with a parade through downtown Hillsborough and stick around to watch the town’s evergreen tree light up. Old Courthouse Lawn on King St., Hillsborough; visithillsboroughnc.com
29th Annual Hillsborough Holiday Home Tour – Sunday, 1-5pm – Tour decked-out-for-the-holiday homes and buildings like The Alexander Dickson House, the Old Orange County Courthouse, the Masonic Hall and the Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Attendees can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides for $5 a person and music from choral groups, pianists and the Orange Community Players. Downtown Hillsborough, $15-$20; hillsboroughchamber.com
Holly Jolly Jog – Sunday, 4-9pm – Local nonprofit Fill Your Bucket List hosts an evening of events benefitting adult cancer patients. Activities include a one mile dash, a 5K fun run, an auction, tree lighting, music and food! All proceeds from the event will go to the Fill Your Bucket List Foundation to help grant more life-changing wishes to patients. Southern Village, 400 Market St.; Free; southernvillage.com
