Christmas in Durham is a time for traditions and fun, and once your Durham movers have you settled in, you’ll be able to participate. Look into these ways to celebrate the holiday season.

1. City of Durham Holiday Fun Fest. This free event is full of holiday fun. Go sledding with provided sleds, visit the petting zoo, enjoy a mini-parade, sit on Santa’s lap, and fill up with holiday treats. The festival takes place December 3, 2011, in Durham Central Park.

2. Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters. This celebration at Historic Stagville takes you through an 18th century plantation home decorated for the holidays, and an original slave quarters from the 1850s. You’ll find vendors, artisans, decorations, crafts, games, food and music. Entrance is free but donations are accepted.

3. See The Christmas Carol at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Sat. Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Remember the meaning of Christmas as you watch Ebenezer Scrooge deal with his ghosts and become more than just a mean old miser. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

4. Head over to Raleigh for the Winterfest Celebration and Tree Lighting on December 4. This is two months of fun starting with the Mayor’s tree lighting and a visit from Santa, performances, carolers, and carriage rides. Ice skate on a 45x90 foot outdoor ice rink constructed just for the celebration.

5. Watch The State Christmas Tree Lighting on Union Square in Raleigh. The Governor and the First Gentleman will light the tree. Watch the luminaries being lit, then musical performances on the Capitol grounds. If you go to watch it live, you will be invited into the Capitol for an open house to see the beautiful decorations.

Tell your Durham movers “Merry Christmas” as they depart, and get ready to meet new people and experience new holiday traditions in your new hometown.


(Photo attributed to Flickr member @fihu via the creative common license)