Fayetteville, November 23 - Start the season with the simple pleasures of a Victorian Christmas celebration during a Dickens Holiday presented by The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and The Downtown Alliance. From 1 pm - 9 pm, visitors will find the streets of downtown Fayetteville bustling with characters from A Christmas Carol, photos with Father Christmas, carriage rides, a scholastic gingerbread competition, holiday performances and artists/ crafters. Gifts for sale include knitted sweaters, beaded jewelry, scarves, bird houses, paintings and more.
In honor of the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, his great-great grandson Gerald Charles Dickens, performs two free one-man shows at Hay Street United Methodist Church. See A Christmas Carol at 1 pm and Mr. Dickens is Coming at 4pm. Be sure to arrive early as seating is limited.
At 5:30 pm, lights go dark as thousands of visitors light candles and walk from The Arts Council to the Market House where the Christmas tree is lit and fireworks light the sky over The Market House.
A Dickens Holiday is the first in a Christmas season of special events throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. A few highlights are below. For a full list of Christmas events, go to www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com
November 23 - December 9 / A Christmas Carol - The Gilbert Theater presents the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. www.GilbertTheater.com
November 29- December 2/ The Singing Christmas Tree - A Fayetteville tradition since 1980, this production features 250 singers, 2 handbell choirs, and a 40 piece orchestra. Bring canned food to support the local community. Presented at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. www.snydermbc.com
December 2/ Holiday Jubilee - The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex showcases how the Poe family celebrated Christmas at the 1897 Poe House, including music, tours of the Poe House decorated for Christmas, a craft workshop and cooking on the 1902 stove. http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/
December 8 / A Musical Holiday - Join The Fayetteville Symphony for a joyous and festive mix of music from Leonard Bernstein’s popular West Side Story and selections from the Broadway blockbuster Les Miserables. Then before the night is over, sing along to holiday favorites such as Silent Night, Joy to the World and Jingle Bells. www.FayettevilleSymphony.com
December 14-29 / Lights in the Garden - Thousands of lights decorating plants, trees and structures while illuminating the landscape will showcase the Cape Fear Botanical Garden's winter beauty. www.CapeFearBG.org
December 31/ Eastover Flea Drop - join residents of Eastover, NC for the third annual Flea Drop to ringing in 2012. Activities will begin at 10:00PM and conclude when the Flea falls at midnight Event is sponsored and presented by the Eastover Civic Club. Why a Flea Drop? More info: 910-483-6725
ABOUT THE FACVB
The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com or call 1-888-98-HEROES. Fayetteville/Cumberland County is the America's first military sanctuary. Through the Army's Army and other volunteer groups, our citizens and businesses are dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us ©.”