The busy season

By Molly Harrison | Monday, November 29, 2010
Outer Banks Hotline's Festival of Trees starts Thursday.

Ready or not, here it is. Christmas. * Can I say that now? Am I supposed to say something generic like "the holidays" or "the holiday season"? * Whatever you call it, it's already here in all its expensive and caloric but fun and joyful glory...

The weekend is packed with holiday-related things to do, but before we get to all that, here are a couple of things you should know about. * The 135th Anniversary of Currituck Beach Lighthouse is on Wednesday. Join the modern-day keepers for a celebration at 3 p.m. for cake and to see some of the historic documents related to the lighthouse. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. you can climb the lighthouse for free. You'll also have a rare opportunity to climb the light in the dark and see the lighthouse as the keepers of yesteryear did. Bring a flashlight or lantern. Call (252) 453-4939 for details...

The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is hosting three seminars this week. On Thursday they've hosting a Health Care Reform Presentation and Discussion from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Ramada Plaza, and Increasing Customer Connections with Facebook seminar from 2 to 5 p.m. at Comfort Inn in KDH. On Friday they're teaching a class called Create Your Own Website in WordPress from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Comfort Inn. Call (252) 441-8144 to register...

OK, on to the weekend...

First up is Outer Banks Hotline's Festival of Trees. It begins Thursday and runs through Sunday and it's all based at The Pearl at the Sea Ranch in KDH. * Here's a quick rundown: Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. is holiday bazaar with music, a Bid or Buy Now auction, raffle-ticket sales, viewing the decorated trees and more. Champagne Wrapture featuring music and bidding on embellished Champagne bottles is from 7 to 9 p.m. * Friday is the holiday bazaar from noon to 9 p.m. Santa is on hand from 6 to 9 p.m. (complimentary photos until 8 p.m.). * Saturday is the holiday bazaar from noon to 3 p.m. The benefit auction for trees ($50 admission) starts at 8 p.m. * Sunday is the Brunch with Santa event (call (252) 480-3463 for reservations). Call (252) 473-5121 or visit www.obxfestivaloftrees for info on Festival of Trees...

Manteo is definitely the most happening place on the Outer Banks this weekend. (Did you ever think you'd hear me say that? It's true...) It starts with First Friday and the Town of Manteo's Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Manteo. At 4 p.m., First Friday brings a festival atmosphere to downtown with live music, magic, artisans and period-dressed actors, and there are special deals in the shops and restaurants. * The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 6 p.m. and includes carols and cider and other festivities. The tree is on the waterfront on Queen Elizabeth Street across from the Arts Council. * Santa will be listening to lists and posing for photos at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum on Fernando Street from 5 to 9 p.m...

Save some time to do some shopping in the Manteo shops while you're there. * Stop by the Dare County Arts Council Gallery to see the opening of their Holiday Small Works Show. This show features move than 500 small works of art by local artists. There is something for every budget. During the opening, there will be food, libations and a DJ spinning tunes in the Reindeer Room. Enter to win a holiday basket as well. This show will hang all month. * Another special shopping opportunity will be a Holiday Open House Jewelry Show at 1587 in the Tranquil House Inn with my good pals Denise Turner, Karen Brown and Cody Dough. They'll be showing and selling their handmade gems, jewelry, pottery and winter wear and serving up treats and drinks from 6 to 9 p.m...

The Town of Manteo Christmas Parade is on Saturday at 11 a.m. The route is from Manteo High School through downtown, so line up along Wingina Street, around the cemetery, on Queen Elizabeth Street or Fernando Street. I do love that sweet Manteo parade...

Saturday is also the Manteo Preservation Trust's Holiday Tour of Homes. From 2 to 7 p.m., you can tour 12 seasonally decorated houses and inns in Manteo. Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased the day of the tour at the Dare County Arts Council (in the historic courthouse, which is the first stop on the tour). Call (252) 473-7336 for info...

Saturday night at 7 p.m. there's a holiday concert by Elizabeth City State University Concert Choir at Roanoke Island Festival Park. They'll be performing madrigals and holiday favorites, and the show is free...

Come back to Festival Park on Sunday for the opening of a new art show - Kitty Dough Botanical Drawings and Nature Art and Jim Fineman Clay Vases and Basketry. The opening reception is from 2 to 4 p.m., and the show will hang until December 29...

There's more to do beyond Manteo this weekend. In Kitty Hawk on Saturday, Vic and Ellen Berg are hosting their 24th Annual Starvin' Artists' Christmas Party. At least seven local artists show their work in the Bergs' home. The show starts at 3 p.m. and lasts into the evening. Call (252) 261-7842 for directions. * In Barco on Saturday and Sunday it's the Silver Bells Art and Gift Show at Currituck High school. More than 60 vendors participate and Santa makes an appearance. The show opens at 10 a.m. both days...

In Rodanthe, the owners of the famous Serendipity house are opening their home for Nights in Rodanthe Holiday Open House to benefit the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 at the door...

The Whalehead Club is hosting its Moonlight Legend, Lore and Ghost Tour on Saturday at dusk. Call (252) 453-9040 for info...

Keep looking around the site for other things to do. The Shopping section is filled with deals, and the By Day and By Night sections list many more things to do. And if you know of an event going on this week that's not listed here, feel free to make a comment about it below...

About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.