Happening Now

Happening

WALTER’s roundup of events and activities in our community. For more ideas of things to do in December, visit waltermagazine.com.

Hank Smith of Hank, Patty & The Current

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LET THERE BE LIGHT

PACK SOME HOT CHOCOLATE AND DRIVE OR WALK TO ENJOY ONE OF THESE FESTIVE OUTDOOR DISPLAYS.

Field Stream Farm Festival of Lights Drive out to the country for a holiday light extravaganza—around one million lights to be exact—on a farm that dates back to the late 1800s. Take a 15- to 30-minute cruise through a one-mile trail with all sorts of festive scenes, including a 40-foot Santa, an airport light display, beloved characters from Disney films and more. Purchase tickets online (encouraged) or at the farm. See website for details; $20 per car; 8008 Old Stage Road; fieldstreamfarm.com

A Walking Historic Oakwood Candlelight

Tour This popular event in Raleigh’s charming 19th-century neighborhood gets a tweak this year: it’s all outside, with more than a dozen Victorian-era exteriors done up with gorgeous greenery, lights and more. Says Matthew Brown of the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood: “We’re spreading the tour over 16 days—and the whole neighborhood—so everyone can safely enjoy the splendor!” December 12 - 27; free; see website for locations; historicoakwood.org

Nights of Lights at Dix Park in Partner-

ship with WRAL and Artsplosure Drive through this first-ever 1.3-mile light show and enjoy both stellar displays and local installations from artists like Nate Sheaffer and Mary Carter Taub. “This event features celebratory work by creative members of our community. The nature of this artwork is that it illuminates darkness, and we are hoping it will be a bright spot in people’s holiday as well,” says Artsplosure program director Cameron Laws. Taub says it will be “a buffer, a spirit lifter, that temporarily transports folks out of the uncertainty of 2020.” December 16 - 31 (closed December 25), 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.; from $15 per car; 75 Hunt Drive; wral.com/lights

Cameron Village, 2017 Cameron Street, Raleigh • 919-833-1741 greatoutdoorprovision.com

Happening Now

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TOY BOOM!

“The baby-boomer years were a time of more in America… including more toys,” says Katie Edwards, curator of popular culture at the North Carolina Museum of History. “We created this exhibit to showcase how toys reflected the issues and events of those times, including the space race, Vietnam War and gender roles. So it’s not only a fun trip down memory lane, but a chance to think critically about how objects mirror culture.” At the exhibit, visitors can see playthings come to life with fun, hands-on interactive activities. Relive your childhood with a larger-than-life Twister board, Etch-ASketch station or even a Name That Tune game featuring television Westerns. See website for hours; free; 5 E. Edenton Street; ncmuseumofhistory.org/toy-boom

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RALEIGH ROAD OUTDOOR THEATRE

About 40 miles north of Raleigh, experience the cinema on the big screen, old-school style. Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre will be showing festive movies new and old, so grab your lawn chair and blanket—or stay comfy inside your car—while you listen to the show on your FM radio (you can rent one, if need be). No outside food or drink is permitted, but their menu includes theater favorites like popcorn, candy and fountain drinks, plus heartier options like burgers and fries. See website for details; from $5 per child, $8 per adult; 3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson; raleighroaddrivein.com

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Stream a recorded version of Ira David Wood III's A Christmas Carol anytime this month to enjoy his joke-filled, musical take on the classic story of Scrooge’s redemption. Learn more about what goes on with the cast behind the scenes of the production on page 68. Starting December 1; from $37.54 for individual link; theatreinthepark.com.

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VIC’S ITALIAN WINE DINNER

What better way to stay warm and relaxed this holiday season than over a leisurely, hearty Italian dinner and a little vino? Nestled in the cobblestone streets of City Market, Vic’s offers a five-course chef-prepared wine dinner the first Wednesday of every month. Past menu selections include rustic vegetable soup, Peperoni Ripieni (sweet red and yellow peppers filled with risotto, peas, smoked mozzarella and saffron) and unique Italian wines paired with each course. This month, expect an extra special holiday meal: “We decorate the restaurant, and my dad, who moved here from Calabria and opened the first pizza place in the Triangle in the 1970s, buys a ton of Panettone cakes to sell,” says Michael Longo, the restaurant’s general manager. “It’s very festive, Italian-style.” 7 p.m.; $60 per person; 331 Blake Street; vicsitalianrestaurant.com/city-market

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BLACK NATIVITY

The Justice Theater Project is offering an all-new take on Langston Hughes’ groundbreaking musical Black Nativity, written and directed by N.C. Central theater department chair Dr. Asabi (Stephanie Howard). Learn more about how the script, music and dance in the 2020 production are being adapted for video on page 42. See website for details; from $15 for individual link; virtual; thejusticetheaterproject. org/show-details/2020/black-nativity

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HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT MOORE SQUARE MARKET

Find something special for a loved one —while supporting more than 40 regional artisans at the same time—at Raleigh Night Market’s open-air Moore Square Bazaar. A sample of vendors includes Dew Drop Chocolates, Mama’s Salsa, Kettu Woodworks and Wind Blown Jewelry. Listen to live entertainment while you shop safely: tables will be placed six feet apart with hand sanitizer nearby, and both shoppers and vendors are required to wear masks. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m, Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; 226 E. Martin Street, search “Holiday Bazaar at Moore Square” on Facebook for details.

DECEMBER

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JOY OF THE SEASON

Experience the Master Chorale’s annual Joy of the Season concert from your cozy couch this year. The virtual performance will include holiday classics like Joy to the World and Silent Night, as well as intricate arrangements of old English and Baroque fare, and jazzy takes on modern pop. 7:30 p.m; $15 per ticket; virtual; ncmasterchorale.org/season

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NUTCRACKER

WRAL-TV, PNC and Carolina Ballet have teamed up to bring the magic of the Nutcracker into your home in a live broadcast performance. This year, the Sugar Plum Fairy will be played by principal dancer Margaret Severin-Hansen, one of the founding members of the ballet troupe. “She is the last of our founding dancers that still takes the stage,” says Carolina Ballet communications director Sara E. Reichle. “We also have quite a few new young dancers who will be performing Nutcracker with us for the first time.” 7 p.m.; free; televised on WRAL-TV Channel 5; carolinaballet.com/2020-2021-season