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Manteo: Manteo Candy Drop
What: A gift from above! No, really. Scamper around the field at Dare County Regional Airport as tiny white parachutes attached to chocolates and bubble gum drift down from a C-54, flying high in the sky.
When: December 15
Where: 410 Airport Road, Manteo, NC 27954
For more information, visit outerbanksguides.com.
Charlotte: Charlotte Coffee Expo
What: Warm up with artisanal coffee and tea, take part in interactive tastings and see demonstrations from world-class baristas, and listen to live music at this celebration of Charlotte’s vibrant coffee scene at the Park Expo and Conference Center.
When: December 14
Where: 800 Briar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28205
For more information, visit charlottecoffeeexpo.com.
Greensboro: SantaCon Bar Crawl
What: Did ya know? Santa loves milk, but he also likes beer. Don your complimentary Santa hat and favorite ugly Christmas sweater for one of the most festive bar crawls in the state.
When: December 14
Where: 202 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
For more information, visit santacon.info.
Brevard: Aluminum Tree and Ornament Display
What: Did you have an aluminum Christmas tree growing up? Revel in the 1960s nostalgia at the Transylvania Heritage Museum, which is hosting this quirky exhibit filled with dozens of shiny vintage trees.
When: Now-December 21
Where: 189 West Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712
For more information, visit transylvaniaheritage.org.
Cary: Chinese Lantern Festival
What: Who needs regular old Christmas lights when you can see this dazzling display? Take a walk through an electric rainbow at the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary.
When: Now-January 12
Where: 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC 27518
For more information, visit boothamphitheatre.com.
Greensboro: Running of the Balls
What: The best way to get us to go for a run? Pit stops for hot chocolate and cookies, of course. Also live music, carolers, and festive decorations. In other words, this nighttime race through Greensboro’s Sunset Hills neighborhood is basically perfect.
When: December 14
Where: Sunset Hills neighborhood in Greensboro, NC
For more information, visit runningoftheballs.com.
For our full list of December events, check out our calendar.
Why does this Haywood County town have some of the cleanest water in the state? It’s the result of the community’s efforts to keep the forests in its watershed pristine.
The spectacular views in North Carolina’s High Country aren’t just inspiration for writers, painters, and sculptors. Those landscapes — the rugged gray face of Grandfather Mountain, the vibrant fall leaves, the deep green meadows — are brushstrokes on Earth’s own canvas.
The sprawling vineyards and wide-open skies that stretch for miles across seven North Carolina counties offer relaxing getaways — not to mention some of the state’s finest wines — for Sunday drivers aching to escape the rush of city life.
Nothing lasts forever — and that’s what makes many of our cherished moments so special.
