Kick off the season with a full day’s worth of holiday cheer in historic Downtown Cary!

2008 Celebration: December 6, 2008

Heart of Cary Association’s ‘Ole Time Winter Festival
Celebrations begin with the Heart of Cary’s Old Time Winter Festival held on the streets of Downtown Cary. This festival is brought to you by the Heart of Cary Association. Festival-goers can enjoy arts & crafts, entertainment, food, activities and more. Santa will be there. Start (or finish) your holiday shopping!
Location: Downtown Cary – Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Santa’s Workshop
Cary Teen Council’s annual Christmas Celebration. Drop-in activity featuring Make It/Take It Holiday craft projects, light refreshments, and live entertainment by Cary Ballet Conservatory.  Also, a special visitor from the NORTH POLE! While at Santa’s workshop, support the Cary Teen Council’s food drive by sending each child with two non-perishable food items or a cash donation will be accepted. All contributions will be given to a local charity. There will be a 20-minute break from craft tables at 11 a.m. so that everyone may enjoy the entertainment. Children ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Herbert C. Young Community Center; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Holiday Journeys – New works by the Cary Playwrights’ Forum
Come see a collection of new hsort works written by the Cary Playwrights’ Forum. These holiday-themed one acts are performed by talented local actors and will take you on journeys of imagination. Age 12 and up appropriate. Please RSVP to reserve a seat via e-mail at rsvp@caryplaywrightsforum.org. 
Location: Herbert C. Young Community Center; 3 – 5 p.m.

Page-Walker Arts & History Center Open House
Get into the holiday spirit with an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas experience at Page-Walker’s Annual Holiday Open House. Learn about century-old holiday traditions while touring Cary’s own 1868 historic hotel.  Sing Christmas carols around the piano. Enjoy holiday refreshments and view historic rooms decorated for the season by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel. Fun for the whole family!
Location: Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Official Tree Lighting Ceremony
The official tree lighting for the Town of Cary will be on this day as well. This community celebration of the season has become incredibly popular over the past years. It’s a wonderful time to bring your blanket and your loved ones out to the Town Hall campus and welcome in the holiday season with your neighbors. This festive night features talented actors, singers, dancers, and musicians from our community onstage.

Not only will the beautiful 30-foot cedar tree be illuminated for the first time in the season, but we’ll also unveil the “community tree” that will be inside at the Town Hall.  All sorts of groups that serve our local community will be providing handcrafted ornaments to be displayed on the inside tree. Our community tree will truly be a representation of the diversity of Cary.
Location: Town Hall Campus by the Town Tree; 6 p.m.

For more information about any events in the Heart of the Holidays Celebration, call (919) 469-4061.