Weekend at a Glance: Parade, Paws and Praise

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Holiday Parade and Fun Fest hosted by Durham Parks and Recreation
Head downtown for the Holiday Parade and Fun Fest on Saturday. Photo by Beth Mann

Compiled by Matt Wade

Bilingual Storytime – Thursday, 10:30-11:30am – As part of a partnership with the Durham County Library, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University invites kids ages 1-5 (and their adult caregivers) to participate in this monthly event. After the story, guests can participate in a short art discussion and hands-on art making.

RTP Mistletoe Market – Thursday, 4-7pm – Enjoy complimentary Fullsteam Brewery beer and RTP Uncorked wine as you shop your way through this fifth annual holiday event at Frontier RTP. The coworking community will host 45 local vendors, with 15% of proceeds benefiting Dress for Success Triangle NC. There will also be live hip-hop performances by American Dance Festival and Korean bites from Bulkogi food truck.

Santa Train – Thursday through Sunday, 5:20-8:20pm – Hop aboard the Santa Train at the Museum of Life and Science for a nighttime ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway to the North Pole, where you’ll be greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their elves. The event includes hot chocolate, snacks at Sprout Cafe and crafts with the kiddos. This is a ticketed event.

Gallery Talk – Thursday, 6pm – As part of the special exhibition “Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now,” the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University welcomes UNC associate history professor Malinda Maynor Lowery for an evening discussion.

‘A Fool For Christmas’ – Thursday, 7pm – Duke University Press, Duke University Libraries and Horse & Buggy Press and Friends gallery collaborated on the release of a special print edition of North Carolina author Allan Gurganus’ holiday story “A Fool for Christmas.” Duke University Libraries acquired Allan’s archives in 2018, and Horse & Buggy Press and Duke University Press are bringing the story into print for the first time in a limited-edition release with hand-printed letterpress covers. Allan will appear at The Regulator Bookshop to read his beloved story tonight, North Carolina author Allan Gurganus shares this heartwarming Christmas story at The Regulator Bookshop. The book will be available for sale and signing at the event. Copies of the book are also available at local bookshops.

North Carolina Central University Commencement – Friday, 9am – Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter delivers the keynote address to graduates in McDougald-McLendon Arena. Ruth received Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design in 1993 for “Malcolm X” and 1998 for “Amistad,” and won in 2019 for “Black Panther,” becoming the first African American to win the award.

Nellie Ashford: ‘Life, Liberty and Lack Thereof’ – Friday, 9am-4:30pm – Explore a new expression of African American life and culture during Jim Crow at the North Carolina Central University Art Museum at this exhibit by NCCU alumnus and Charlotte native.

Santa Paws – Friday, 6-8:30pm – Take the pups to get a professional photo with Santa at the Durham Armory. Then take them through the holiday pet market to purchase a pawsome gift.

Skywatching: Geminid Meteor Shower *CANCELLED* – Friday, 8pm-2am – Take in this mesmerizing astronomical event as it transpires in the sky above at the Eno Environmental Education Pavilion at West Point on the Eno. This latest entry in the Astronomy Series is sponsored by Durham Parks and Recreation and the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

Christmas Concert – Friday, 8-9:30pm, and Sunday, 4-5:30pm – The Choral Society of Durham presents selections by Bach as well as choral arrangements from “The Nutcracker” during this performance at the Duke University Chapel.

Street Corner Symphony Christmas Tour – Friday, 9-11:30pm – Motorco Music Hall presents this world-renowned contemporary a cappella group, which hails from Nashville, Tennessee, and gained fame on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

Holiday Bake Sale/Bazaar at Petco – Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm – Independent Animal Rescue hosts this event featuring handmade pet-related and craft goods, along with holiday desserts.

Black Santa Village – Saturday, 10am-5pm – This special event welcomes local residents to the Hayti Heritage Center for an inclusive day that also offers vendors and art classes.

Merry & Bright Christmas Craft and Gift Festival – Saturday, 10am-2pm – Shop for your local holiday gifts, with all proceeds benefiting the programs and development of the Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill. Located in the school’s gym, there will be jewelry, knitted signs, original art, accessories, clothing, metalwork and more.

Holiday Parade and Fun Fest – Saturday, 10am – Cheer on schools, community groups, hometown bands, drill teams and dynamic floats as they make their way down Main Street. The procession ends with a guest appearance from Santa. The Fun Fest is located on Blackwell Street between Morehead Avenue and West Lakewood Avenue, and features arts and crafts activities, train rides, inflatable bounce houses, sledding, music and more.

Holiday Craft Fair – Saturday, 11am-4pm – Head over to the Durham Craft Market’s annual event at the Durham Convention Center, where you will find some 55 local makers and artists specializing in a range of mediums like pottery, painting, textile arts, photography, jewelry and more.

Africana Holiday Pop Up Market – Saturday and Sunday, 11am – Browse through the offerings of Durham’s many local businesses as this shopping event returns to the Phoenix Event Center.

Pet Pics With Santa – Saturday, noon-3pm – Get a picture of your furry best friend with Santa Claus at Barnes Supply Co. Photos are taken by Assorted Poppies Photo, and proceeds benefit Animal Protection Society of Durham and Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue.

Pet Photos with Santa at Petco – Saturday, 1-4pm – Dress up your pet for a holiday photo with Santa at this event hosted by Independent Animal Rescue at Petco.

Salt & Smoke – Durham Oyster Roast – Saturday 1-5pm – For the second year, Bull City Ciderworks invites local residents to enjoy oysters, ribs and live music by Shabudikah (from 2-4pm).

Handcrafted DURM – Saturday, 1-6pm – The local vendor association invites Durham residents to support small businesses by attending this shopping event at Durty Bull Brewing Co. Visitors will enjoy discovering novelties, accessories, organic bath products, Durham-centric ornaments and more. There will be a food truck is on-site, and live music from 4-6pm.

Triangle Youth Ballet – Saturday, 2pm and 7pm – In celebration of the troupe’s 25th season, enjoy a special performance of “The Nutcracker” at The Carolina Theatre with live music provided by Tchaikovsky Virtuosi

Carolina Ballet – Saturday, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday 2pm – For another chance to enjoy Tchaikovsky’s celebrated holiday classic, head to DPAC for a performance of “The Nutcracker” accompanied by a live symphony orchestra.

Civil War Christmas Candlelight Tour – Saturday, 6-8pm – Stop by Bennett Place State Historic Site to experience how the era’s civilians and soldiers spent the holidays during wartime. Complimentary hot apple cider will be provided.

A Very Merry Durham – Saturday, 6-9pm – For this fifth annual event, Fullsteam Brewery hosts what should be a memorable holiday show. Before a performance by JoRose, listen to the carolers or take a turn at the naughty-or-nice spinning wheel, a cookie decorating station and ornament crafting. Then welcome the “Holiday Gorilla” and Santa. Children are encouraged to attend.

Wee Praise – Sunday, 9:45am – Duke University Divinity School welcomes infants and children (up to age 3), along with their parents, to move, sing, play instruments, listen to a story and pray. The class uses “Musikgarten’s God’s Children Sing” curriculum, which employs songs about familiar Bible stories suited for young children.

‘Radiant Tushka’ – Sunday, 2-3pm – Gallery Guide Jenny Leinbach leads Nasher Museum guests on a 30-45 minute conversation of this work by artist Jeffrey Gibson.

Durham Village Holiday Market: NC Made Eats, Drinks + Gifts – Sunday, noon-4pm – The second annual event takes place at The Rickhouse. Sample independent food, beverage and craft producers while marking off items on your shopping list. Grab a drink from the bar and meals from food trucks. Also happening Monday and Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Hannukah Festival – Sunday, 3-5pm – Hosted by Levin JCC, this community-wide event features kids’ activities, latkes, large menorahs and more.

Arcana’s Un-four-gettable Anniversary! – Sunday, 7pm – Stop by Arcana for an evening of fun, food, drink and tarot readings, as the downtown venue celebrates its fourth anniversary.

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