Things to see
their new 30-minute Christmas escape room experience.
Meadow Lights
Don’t miss “the original old-fashioned Christmas tradition and the largest and oldest Christmas attraction in Eastern North Carolina!” Visit the candy store, ride the train and visit with Saint Nick himself. For more information, visit www.meadowlights.com.
Lights on the Neuse
→ Boyette Family Farm, 1620 Loop Road, Clayton
Celebrate the holiday with an old-fashioned hayride at Lights on the Neuse this season. The hayride whisks you and your loved ones away to a transformed world of Christmas spirit. It’s open every Friday and Saturday night through Christmas Eve, and other select nights as well. For the complete schedule, visit www.lightsontheneuse. com/schedule.
Dawn Avenue Lights
Stop by Dawn Avenue after Dec. 7 for a unique light show that’s more than worth the short drive to Four Oaks. Open from 7-10 p.m. nightly from Dec. 7 through Jan. 7.
Ready Set Escape
→ 1304-D Market Street, Smithfield
Check out “Santa’s Cabin,”
22 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]
sponsor, Danielle Reichard, Realtor, Christy Mangum Team on Facebook for more details, including the map of the homes entered in the contest.
Things to know Carriage Rides Christmas Jubilee
⋆ Rudy Theatre, Selma
Capture the magic of the holiday season with the Christmas Jubilee at the Rudy Theatre. There are plenty of chances to catch the show, and you can visit www.rudytheatre. com/schedules to see all of the available dates.
Santa’s Workshop
Visit Santa in his Downtown Smithfield workshop located at Town Hall Park to make sure you're on the nice list! A big thank you to Leonard Buildings & Truck Accessories for providing Santa's Workshop! Dates are: Friday, Dec. 8, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to noon; Thursday, Dec. 14, 4-6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 15, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to noon; Thursday, Dec. 21, 4-6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 22, 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, www.smithfieldchristmas.com.
Clayton Celebration of Lights 2023
Join in on a Christmas Light decorating contest. It’s free to enter for Clayton residents, and there are prizes available. Visit bit.ly/ClaytonLights2023 to sign up. Follow the event
Downtown Smithfield is especially magical in December, when the storefronts are beautifully decorated for Christmas and the Town decks the halls for the season! The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation hosts Christmas Carriage Rides to give people a chance to enjoy the twinkling lights around downtown! Free carriage rides are available from 5-8 p.m. on December 1, 8, 15 and 22. Reservations are required. Visit www. downtownsmithfield.com/ events/414-christmascarriage-rides to learn more.
Live Nativity
⋆ Sonlight Farms → Bunn Road, Kenly
Local churches are combining to share the experience of the true meaning of Christmas. Check it out Dec. 1-3, from 5-8 p.m. Visit www. sonlightfarmsnc.com.
JWL's Letters from Santa
Santa Claus has given his elves at JWL a very special assignment: to help him spread holiday cheer to your loved ones, both the young and the young-at-heart. For each $5 donation, they will send a joy-filled personalized letter on Santa’s newest stationary to children, grandchildren, pets or any loved one using
→ Town of Wilson's Mills, Railroad Street
the information you provide. Remember, Santa and his elves are extremely busy preparing for their Christmas Eve journey and need plenty of time to prepare these very important letters. Be sure to add your special letter recipient to Santa’s mailing list before the deadline — December 4 at 11:59 p.m. Santa’s helpers will send letters from the North Pole to cities across the USA by December 11. Proceeds will be used to purchase warm winter coats for children benefiting from the services of My Kids Club and Partnership for Children of Johnston County.
Come out to Wilson's Mills Tinsel Tree Lane Christmas event on Friday, Dec. 1. The event showcases local dance and choral groups throughout the night, features a countdown to the Tinsel Tree Lane Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. and offers vendors selling Christmas gifts, crafts and decor. There will be food trucks on site and a special visit from Santa! This event is free to the public. For more, visit www.facebook.com/ events/1626362121219996.
Friday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m.
⋆ Benson’s Christmas On Main → Downtown Benson An evening full of fun for the entire family. Shopping, tree lighting, entertainment, a parade, music show in the grove and visits with Santa. To learn more, visit www.bensonchamber.com/events/details/ christmas-on-main-1109.
Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
⋆ Town of Pine Level Christmas Tree Lighting → Sam Godwin Park
Things to do Friday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.
⋆ UNC Health Johnston Festival of Trees → Johnston Medical Mall, Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield
The Festival of Trees returns to the Johnston Medical Mall this December. They’re decking the mall to benefit the Johnston Health Foundation and invite you to take a festive stroll through the beautifully decorated trees. Admission is free. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/ events/1750437705418316.
Friday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m.
⋆ Tinsel Tree Lane Kickoff Event
Photos courtesy of Johnston County Visitors Bureau
Holiday Guide
hours and renting skates will be added to their website soon. More details are available at www.facebook.com/ events/255344607315353.
Don’t miss the Town of Pine Level’s annual tree lighting. For more information, call 919-965-2284.
Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
⋆ Christmas Tree Lighting → Neuse Country Club, Birkdale Drive, Clayton
Come out and kick off the holiday season at The Neuse with their Christmas Tree Lighting, accompanied by Victorian Carolers in costume! The Neuse is proud to present its new outdoor ice skating rink, which will remain open for the entire month of December. More details on
Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m.
⋆ Pajamas and Pancakes with Santa → Kenly Fire Department, W. 1st Street, Kenly
Enjoy breakfast with a special guest on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Kenly Fire Department. Children can come dressed in their favorite Christmas pajamas, and breakfast for parents will be available for purchase. For more information, contact the Kenly Chamber of Commerce at 919284-5510.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m.
⋆ 7th Annual - West Johnston High School FFA Alumni Whobilation Vendor Show → West Johnston High, Raleigh Road, Benson
kids, adults, dogs and duos or families. Strollers and dogs are welcome to come and enjoy the fun. The registration fee is a new unwrapped toy, and all the toys go to the children at Harbor (domestic violence relief) and to the Department of Social Services. For more, visit www. smithfieldchristmas.com.
Bring the family and come out for the Annual Four Oaks Christmas Parade down Main Street. Food trucks will be on hand as well.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. ⋆ Santa's Workshop → Cleveland Elementary School, Cleveland Road, Clayton
Who is ready for Christmas? Come out on December 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get lots of your Christmas shopping done. Help support our local vendors this holiday season by shopping small! Learn more at www.facebook.com/ events/276896608606410.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.
Here’s another chance to knock out a bit of Christmas shopping. More details are available at www.facebook. com/events/688687039754240.
The run starts at Bulldog Harley Davidson, second stop at Aversboro Restaurant and Sports Bar and ends at Plan B for food, 50/50 Raffle and music. Toy bins are located at Bulldog Harley Davidson, Plan B Bar, Aversboro Restaurant, TNT Fitness, JoCo Brewing and The Fainting Goat. There will be a special guest for the kids and the chance for pictures with the Grinch and CindyLou at all three stops. All toys and proceeds will go directly to families in
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.
⋆ Stink, Stank, Stunk 5K Run and Jingle Bell Jog → Smithfield Community Park, M. Durwood Stephenson Pkwy., Smithfield
The Grinch Run is on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m., and there is also a 5K or a one-mile jog/walk. There is a best costume contest for
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.
⋆ Four Oaks Christmas Parade
Come out for a huge Santa’s Workshop event! Santa himself will be there for pictures, and kids will have the chance to snag some adorable gifts for the family, tons of holiday crafts, bounce houses, local school band, fire trucks, games and more than 50 vendors and delicious food trucks! Tickets sold at the door. Contact clevelandelementarypta21@ gmail.com for more information.
⋆ Fifth Annual Christmas Craft Fair → Pace Family Farms, Buffalo Road, Clayton
need for Christmas! Learn more at www.facebook.com/ events/6290934841028297.
⋆ Help Thy Neighbor JOCO Toy Run → Bulldog Harley Davidson, Outlet Center Drive, Smithfield
Saturday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m. ⋆ Town of Princeton's Christmas Parade
Princeton holds its annual Christmas parade on the first Saturday of December. Don’t miss the holiday fun.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. ⋆ 17th Annual Flowers Plantation Christmas Tree Lighting
All are welcome to come join Flowers Plantation and kick off the Christmas Season with its 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting! There will be crafts for kids and pictures with Santa located at the Dr. Watson Inn Outdoor Pavilion. The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony begins at the Flowers Parkway roundabout center! In the event of rain, the event will be moved to the following day.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. ⋆ Archer Lodge Christmas Celebration
This is a fun filled afternoon that begins with an exciting parade and followed by many fun activities at the Archer Lodge Community Center.
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