Thanksgiving is a week away and Christmas will soon follow, with the events kicking off the holiday season the first week of December.
Hamlet is hosting its 39th annual tree-lighting at Main Street Park at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1, followed by the more recent tradition of the Polar Express Movie Experience across the street at the Hamlet Depot.
The tree-lighting ceremony typically features prayers from local clergy, a live nativity and a performance by the Hamlet Senior Center Choir.
After the tree is lit, patrons are invited to walk across the street — grabbing cookies and cocoa provided by the Hamlet Fire Department along the way — to have their movie tickets punched by Sam the Conductor as “The Polar Express” plays in the passenger area of the Depot on the way to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Hoffman will be hosting its town Christmas Party the same evening, starting at 6 p.m., at the Recreation Complex.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Dobbins Heights will hold its tree-lighting at 5:30 in front of town Hall.
Later that evening, at 7 p.m., Rockingham will host its 23rd annual tree-lighting ceremony, featuring a performance by the L.J. Bell Elementary Chorus, followed by cookies and cocoa.
The Richmond Community College Choir will be holding a free Christmas Concert at Cole Auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
The following night, Hamlet will host its fifth annual Parade of Lights, starting at 6 p.m. Applications to be part of the parade are due by Nov. 26.
Ellerbe’s Hometown Christmas will start with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 in Howell Park (at the stoplight), with vendors, food trucks, hayrides, a game truck, and a 360 photo booth, in addition to Santa at Town Hall.
Rockingham Dragway will be hosting its final event of the 2025 season, Dig or Die - Christmas Clash VI, Dec. 5-6. In this event, drivers start at the back end of the track.
There are two opportunities to have Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 6.
The Hamlet Fire Department and Richmond Service League are teaming up again for a fundraiser benefiting local children in need.
Plates are $5 for children and $7 for adults and include pancakes, sausage or bacon, and a drink. Children can also get their photo taken with Santa and his elves by a firetruck.
The event runs from 8:30-10 a.m., with sensory time from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
Ansonia Soup Company in Rockingham is also hosting a Breakfast with Santa — with a special appearance from Buddy the Elf — from 8:30-11 a.m., with proceeds going toward the Richmond County Partnership for Children. Call 910-434-8055 to reserve a time.
Rockingham’s annual Christmas on the Square runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with arts, crafts and food vendors, as well as entertainment. There will also be a collection of unwrapped toys and “gently used” winter coats for One Perfect Gift.
Later that afternoon, the Derby Fire Department will host Cookies with Santa from 2-4 p.m.
There are more chances to meet with Santa around the county later in the month, including: Dec. 8 at Kemp Sugg Memorial Library in Ellerbe (5 p.m.); Dec. 12 at Leath Memorial Library in Rockingham (crafts from 4-5 p.m., Santa from 5-7 p.m.); and Dec. 19 at the Norman Stage (4-7 p.m.)
Santa will also be teaming up with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and neighborhood first responders for the annual toy parades on Dec. 13: 1 p.m. in Cordova; 3 p.m. in East Rockingham and Ellerbe.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, Sue Jarvis continues the tradition of performing Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” at the Derby Store. To RSVP, contact Marcia Lambeth at 910-995-6082.
Cordova Fire and Rescue will host its second annual Coffee and Carols at 6 p.m. Dec. 20, with a performance by 2nd Chance Ministries.
Just before Christmas, on Dec. 22, Gold Leaf Carriage returns to Dobbins Heights Town Park for the annual sleigh rides, from 1-3 p.m. There will also be a toy drop that day.
NOTE: This story has been updated to include the date for Ellerbe's event and correct punctuation. 5:26 p.m. 11-26-25.
