This newsletter will cover two weeks to help you plan out your holiday. If you are staying in town and are looking to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine before or after your Turkey feast, there are plenty of wonderful parks in the area. Do be aware that several local county and city parks (the ones with gates) will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Neighborhood playgrounds, greenways and state parks are all great destinations to run off some energy or extra calories.

 

Come to Yates Mill Friday and find out what it was like to be a Pilgrim at Play. Play 17th century games, learn to talk like a pilgrim, and try some of the original Thanksgiving treats.

 

Do you have visitors coming into town? Historic Yates Mill County Park will also be running their Saturdays at the Old Mill Tours on both the 22nd and 29th and Mill Heritage & Local History Tours on Sunday the 23rd and 30th.

 

The weekend kicks off Thursday at the Halle Arts Center with a Pizza and a Movie Night. The featured flick will be Maleficent.

 

Come learn about Forensic Anthropology as this week's Science Thursday explores How Bones Help Solve Crimes. This Thursday also features Game Night.

 

Friday lunchtime is Pecan Day at the Raleigh Farmers Market. Come get your holiday supplies and enjoy free samples, recipes, information and lots of fresh, local pecans.

 

 

Once you are downtown, you can head over to The North Carolina Museum of History for the Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration. Come celebrate North Carolina's American Indian heritage at this exciting festival featuring music, dancing, storytelling, hands-on activities and food. There will be members of the state's eight recognized tribes sharing their heritage and demonstrating their skills at pottery, basketry, beadwork and stone carving. Its a great event to learn about the history of the American Indian that took place right here in North Carolina.

 

You can also lace up some skates and enjoy a few laps on the Raleigh Winterfest Ice Rink. Opening Saturday, the rink will be open in Raleigh's City Plaza through February 1st. $9 includes both admission and skate rental.

 

Many local farmers markets are closed for the season, but the Winter Market will be making its indoor debut inside the Holly Springs Cultural Center.

 

Find creative, locally handmade gifts of art for everyone on your holiday list at the Durham Craft Market Saturday.

 

Also in Durham, the Ice Factory at American Tobacco is now open daily. $10 per person includes admission to the outdoor rink and skate rental!

 

Looking for a fun day trip? Natural Science Center of Greensboro invites you to get into the holiday mood with special shows daily in their OmniSphere Theater. The Laser Holiday Show combines amazing lasers with a mix of classic holiday songs and the Light Before Christmas will magically transport you into the classic tale, "The Night Before Christmas." They are also featuring an Omnisphere Special. During the month of November, admission to all 3D shows is $2 and admission to all full-dome shows is $1.

 

Have some Family Farm Fun on Saturday at Marbles Kids Museum and learn about farm life from a real farmer. Its Hooray for Ballet! Sunday with kids from the Raleigh City Ballet. Marbles will also feature Thanksgiving Themed Museum Play from Monday, November 26th through Sunday, November 30th.

 

Hike for Your Health Thanksgiving Morning at Raven Rock State Park. Take an invigorating 4-6 mile hike Thursday morning before the feast.

 

November is Pecan Pickin' Month at Historic Oak View County Park. Come explore the 19th century historic farmstead that includes a restored home, pecan grove, plank kitchen, cotton field, cotton & boll weevil exhibit, tenant house and farm history center.

 

 

The Fine Designer Crafts Show also is held every Thanksgiving weekend at the State Fairgrounds.

 

Kick-off the Holidays at the Chapel Hill Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday, November 30th. Along with the Tree Lighting, there will be caroling and visits from Santa & Mrs. Claus.

 

 

This Friday brings Third Friday to Downtown Durham with a Gallery crawl and lots of live music.

 

This Friday the North Carolina Museum of Art kicks off the weekend with Art in the Evening in the West Building featuring the band, Side Car Social Club a Sound Bite on Changing the Story and the 1946 movie The Postman Always Rings Twice.

 

Both this weekend and next you are invited to join a guided tour at the North Carolina Museum of Art. There are Guided Tours of their new exhibit, Small Treasures, Meet Your Museum Tours of the 164 acre campus, and Weekend Family Friendly Tours.

 

Art in the Evening returns Friday, November 28th with the band Peter Lamb and the Wolves and a Sound Bite on Celebrating the Senses.

 

The North Carolina Museum of History will premiere the movie First Language: "The Race to Save Cherokee Friday evening.

 

Sertoma Arts Center will hold an Open House and Gallery Sale Saturday to help you kick off your holiday shopping.

 

All the holiday craft fairs are coming to the Fairgrounds after Thanksgiving, but this weekend, you can check out all the critters at the Reptile & Exotic Animal Show.

 

Lilo and Stitch will be the featured film the Holly Springs Cultural Center Monday, November 24th, Chicken Little will be shown Saturday, November 29th and Cats & Dogs will be the Monday Morning Movie December 1st.

 

 

Enjoy a Fall Fun Hayride along the back roads of Harris Lake County Park. There are two rides scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday so get your reservation now.

 

Eno River State Park will host a kid-friendly introduction to Winter Birding and Where Did all the Bugs Go? Saturday morning and a Geology Program Saturday afternoon. Join them next Saturday for a History Hike out to the Cole Mill. On Sunday, November 30th, your kids can adopt their very own Occoneechee State Natural Area Tree. You"ll have a certificate to take home and can come back and visit it every year.

 

Come and learn about Occoneechee Mountain's geologic wonders. Explore the pyrophyllite quarry Saturday afternoon with a real geologist on a Geology Hike.

 

William B. Umstead State Park invites you to take some time to give back to the park Saturday during Can You Dig It. All tools will be provided, just call to let them know your coming. Snakes Alive will explore our local snakes Monday afternoon and you can Learn to Fish at Big Lake next Saturday.

 

Explore the native plant garden, prairie, and lowland arboretum as you take a leisurely 1-mile Walk Through the Seasons with a Prairie Ridge Ecostation naturalist Tuesday morning

 

Wednesday, December 3rd, Blue Jay County Park invites adults to have a blast while exploring the fields, forests, and streams. You'll learn about mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians as you hike, do crafts, play games and enjoy thematic snacks during another installment of Growing Up Wild.