Have you noticed that with each passing day, more homes glow with holiday lights? And in communities throughout Burke County, workers are circling lamp posts with garlands and adding lights to the trees lining our downtown districts?
There is no doubt: Time to let the holiday spirit in! And Burke offers the perfect lineup of events sure to please all ages. Morganton starts the earliest — this Saturday — so don’t delay in marking these happenings on your social calendar.
Still not feeling it? Click on “Events” at thepaper.media to see live music, theatrical performances, shopping bazaars, and more.
HO-HO-HO HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Morganton believes in getting in the holiday spirit early! Shop the Downtown Morganton Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 22. Browse a delightful selection of local crafts, produce, plants, and more, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market is conveniently located at 111 N. Green St., at the corner of Green Street and Avery Avenue. Then at 2:30 p.m., the Winter Carnival begins, featuring visits with Santa Claus, free carriage rides, an ice slide, face painting, and more. Ice carver Aaron Costic will give a carving demonstration at 5:30 p.m., with the downtown lighting ceremony starting at about 6 p.m. Make your plans to be in downtown on Saturday.
The Town of Long View is also starting before Thanksgiving with Lighting Up Long View on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 5:30-8:30 p.m. The evening features carolers, carriage ridges, kids craft corner, Christmas Train, Sit with Santa, and Brewed to Perfection. The official Tree Lighting is at 8:15 p.m. All the fun happens at the Long View Rec Center, 3107 2nd Ave. SW.
The annual Valdese Hatley Memorial Tree Lighting is Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. Enjoy the tree lighting celebration, hot chocolate, Santa, and special music by the Valdese Elementary School students. It’s all happening at Old Rock School, 400 Main St. W.
Glen Alpine will host its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m.
rexel’s Second Annual Christmas on Main is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. And it’s not too late if you would like to be a vendor at the big event. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Dec. 10. Booth reservations are free on a first come, first served basis. Call 828-437-7421 to learn more.
Once you’ve finished shopping in Drexel, head to Rutherford College’s Light the Night Christmas Parade at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. The route begins at Speedway Grill, travels down Malcolm Boulevard, and ends at First Baptist Church RC. The parade will be followed by fireworks at about 6 p.m.
THEATER & SYMPHONY
CoMMA presents “Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” on Sunday, Nov. 30. Right Angle Entertainment and Paul Couch are proud to present the national tour of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, a new musical featuring songs by Dolly Parton and book by David H. Bell, adapted by Bell, Curt Wollan, and Paul T. Couch. Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains, this incredibly heartwarming, unforgettable production and amazing cast imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets range $48-$98, youth 18 and younger, $38. 401 S. College St., Morganton. Learn more at commaonline.org.
The Old Colony Players presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in the Old Rock School Auditorium in Valdese at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 6, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” follows the Herdman siblings, known for being the “worst kids in the world,” as they disrupt the annual Christmas pageant in their small town. Their mischievous antics and unexpected interpretations of the Christmas story initially shock the community, but ultimately, they teach everyone, including themselves, the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets range from $12 to $18. 400 Main St. W. Valdese. Visit oldcolonyplayers.com for more information.
The Western Piedmont Symphony will once again bring its holiday show to the CoMMA stage with “The Magic of Christmas” on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Everyone’s favorite holiday concert is coming back to CoMMA for an evening of holiday songs and winter music classics. Led by Music Director Matthew Troy and featuring guest artists, the Symphony performs classic Christmas songs, seasonal movie music, electrifying holiday hits, and beloved family favorite music of the season. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $23-$58. 401 S. College St., Morganton. Visit commaonline.org to learn more.