Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said the county is brimming with activities as December ushers in the Christmas holiday season – and things get underway today in Oxford with the city’s traditional Lighting of the Greens festivities.
At 4 p.m., there will be activities for children, musical performances, food vendors and more, Allen said on Thursday’s TownTalk. After the ceremonial Lighting of the Greens occurs at 6:45 p.m., followed by the Christmas parade at 7 p.m. Head for Main Street in front of the courthouse to take part in all the pre-parade action. Check out the city’s Facebook page for a rundown of events.
“It’s a great time to gather with family and friends,” Allen said. “You are definitely going to get into the Christmas spirit here in Granville County.”
The town of Butner is also light things up this evening, with Christmas in the Park at Gazebo Park. Parents, bring the kids between 5:30 and 6:45 to come visit with Santa, and then at 7, the park lights will be displayed for all to enjoy.
Not to be outdone, the city of Creedmoor is sponsoring a program at 7 p.m. at the recreation center, 108 E. Wilton Ave. Allen said there’s a promise of some hot cocoa and maybe even a bonfire to gather around as a variety of local choirs perform.
“You definitely have an opportunity to welcome the season,” Allen said, no matter where in the county you choose to be.
Other events of note include:
Dec. 3
- Creedmoor Christmas parade – 11 a.m., downtown Creedmoor
- Butner Christmas parade – 2 p.m.
- Holiday Gala at The Orpheum in Oxford – black tie affair with proceeds to benefit Hope House, Oxford. Go to The Orpheum’s Facebook page or pick up tickets at The Hub on Main in person or via the Facebook page.
Dec. 4-6
- Granville Little Theatre’s radio play production of “A Christmas Carol – 7 p.m. each night at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.
Dec. 7
- Cocoa with Santa at The Barn at Vino, Stem. There will be vendors on hand from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa’s rolling in on a fire truck at 2 p.m., ready for a photo with the kids. Free to attend, but a professional photographer will be taking pictures with Santa for purchase. Check Eventbrite online and look for “Cocoa with Santa and Vendor Fair” for details.
Dec. 8
- Downtown Oxford’s after hours “Jingle and Mingle” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit participating merchants and restaurants to take in some holiday shopping and sipping. Check Oxford’s Facebook page for updates leading to this event.
Dec. 10-12
- Delrayno Baptist Church’s annual “Back to Bethlehem” drive-through live Nativity. Open each night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 10
- Carlee Farms in Stem is having its Holiday Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- “Jingle Jangle Bazaar” at the Stem Ruritan Club. More than 40 vendors will be on hand with holiday gifts galore from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. And there may be a visit from St. Nick himself!
- Grassy Creek Christmas parade – 2 p.m.
And sometime during the holiday season, be sure to check out the Granville Christmas Farm. If you visited the Granville Haunt Farm around Halloween, the address will be familiar – 4534 Hwy. 15 South. But that’s where the similarities end, Allen said, because Grey Blackwell and his crew have gone from scary to Merry!
This drive-through lights display has all the traditional themes: “all the things that you love so much about Christmas,” she said. This is the first of what Allen said she hopes becomes an annual event, creating “another great tradition that we do for the holiday.” The Christmas Farm began the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Jan. 1.
Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/ for a complete listing of events coming up.
