The last Big Book Sale of the year will be held Dec. 6-8 at Chapel Hill Public Library by Friends of the Library. Hours are Sat 10-5, Sun 10-2 ($10/bag). Hardbacks, paperbacks, puzzles and more for all ages.
Christmas in the Groves 6-9 p.m., Dec 6-7 and 20-21, at 3510 NC Hwy 86, Hillsborough, for hayrides, Who-ville. Fees charged.
Holiday on Ice Show featuring The Nutcracker will be presented twice, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m., at Orange Co. Sportsplex, Hillsborough. Tickets ($15) are on sale at the front desk.
Christmas by Candlelight during the 1870s at Duke Homestead, Durham, Dec. 6 and 13 offers tours from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 plus fees at evenrtbrite.com.
N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival runs Nov. 16-Jan. 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. with performances at 7, 8 and 9 at Booth Amph at Regency Park, Cary. Tickets are required and available from ticketsonsale.com. They are expensive.
Biscuits and Banjos, a new music festival from Tar Heel superstar Rhiannan Giddens, will be held April 25-27 in downtown Durham, featuring a Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion.
Opening Nov. 16 at Historic Stagville, Durham, Maya Freelon: Whippersnappers will premiere large-scale sculptures, archival photographs, paintings and collages that transform the former plantation. Exhibit runs through Jan. 25. After opening day ceremonies, the exhibit, which covers six rooms on two floors, is open Wed/Sat 10-1 and by appointment.
The Greensboro 203 project, the new library in downtown Carrboro, is now called the Robert Drakeford Library Complex after the former mayor. Opening date is months away.
Concert for Carolina (CSN Oct 2024) drew a crowd of 82,193 to BOA Stadium, Charlotte, and raised $24.513M for Helene recovery. Panthers’ owners David and Nicole Tepper donated use of the stadium, beer, food, parking, labor—all the associated costs—so organizers didn’t have to cut into the proceeds.
NCAA D-1 soccer championships (College Cup) return to WakeMedSP, Cary. Women’s games are Dec. 6-9 with semis Friday at 5 and 7 and finals Monday at 7. Men’s games are Dec. 13-16 with the same format. All session tickets were available for the men in early November. The games will be broadcast by ESPN networks.
Christmas Carousel holiday gift market, 200 vendors, will be held Nov. 29-Dec 1 at the State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Admission charged.
Repair Cafe, a free workshop, takes place Saturday, Nov. 16, 1-5 p.m. at Whitted Human Service Center, Hillsborough. Bring your damaged item–electronics, furniture, jewelry, small appliance–and learn how to fix it. Free but registration at repaircafenc.org. Required.
Holiday Market with unique gifts will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, 9-2 at Passmore Senior Center, next to Orange Co. Sportsplex, Hillsborough.
The Champion Durham Classic Nov. 21-23 at Hillside High School features ten boys and girls high school hoops games over three days. Admission is charged and three-day passes are available. Games begin 11/21 at 5 p.m.