With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, Richmond County is prepping for the Christmas season.
Hamlet kicks off a week of activities Monday evening with its 37th annual tree-lighting service at Main Street Park.
The event, starting at 5:30 p.m., will feature a reading of the Christmas story and a live Nativity scene from the congregation of Outreach for Jesus, singing by the Hamlet Senior Center Heavenly Choir; cookies and hot chocolate provided by the Hamlet Fire Department and served by the Senior Center; as well as a Polar Express Experience and Santa at the Depot.
Click here to see photos from 2022.
Rockingham will follow on Tuesday with its annual ceremony in Cole Plaza at 7 p.m. Flipping the switch this year will be Rockingham Dragway owners Dan VanHorn and Al Gennarelli, with carols sung by students from L.J. Bell Elementary.
Click here to see Rockingham lighting photos from 2022.
The city’s decorations are already up — including the reindeer and sleigh atop Discovery Place Kids. Rockingham upgraded its decorations this year with new LED lights and ribbons.
On Thursday, Richmond County Hospice will light its Forever Tree on the front lawn of its campus at 6 p.m.
“We have sold over 200 ornaments that will be placed on the tree that night by those that purchased them either in honor or in memory of a loved one,” said Jessica Mims, director of family services.
Mims added that the event will include holiday music and a light show, as “we recognize the names for whom ornaments were placed and we officially light our Forever Tree following a candlelit portion of the ceremony,” as well as a catered meal.
Ellerbe will hold its annual Hometown Christmas Celebration Friday, Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m.
The tree-lighting is in the town park at 6 p.m., featuring music from the Mineral Springs Elementary Chorus and Fellowship Baptist Church Choir.
Other highlights include: Nativity scenes from around the world at First Presbyterian Church; a light show walk-thru behind Dixie Burger; hayrides; food and craft vendors along Main Street; and stores offering raffles and snacks.
Click here to see Hometown Christmas photos from 2022.
The Hamlet Fire Department will host its annual Breakfast with Santa from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Proceeds will go toward Toys for Tots.
Christmas on the Square also returns to downtown Rockingham on Saturday with more than 80 vendors and a dozen food vendors.
Hoffman is scheduled to host its tree-lighting on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. and Dobbins Heights will hold its lighting at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Town Hall.
Hamlet’s Parade of Lights, a nighttime Christmas parade, is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 7. The deadline for applications is Dec. 1.
Click here to see parade photos from 2022.
The Rockingham Downtown Corp. is also planning a Christmas festival for 5-8 p.m. Dec. 14.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct a date. 11-27-23 3:54 p.m.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the date of the Hospice event. 11-27-23 4:20 p.m.
