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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.