In the Triangle, there are many winter related activities that are enjoyable for the holiday season. Winter is a time where the frigid air can bring in new activities that are seasonally specific. The cold brings snow, ice, comfy clothes, warm drinks and festivities that makes for some of the most fun times of the year. In the area of Cary, there are a lot of enjoyable opportunities to get into the holiday spirit and festive events.
Ice skating
The cold season starts with the rinks opening up, ice skating is a fun way for people to get out in the cold weather. In the Cary area there are two seasonal ice skating rinks, one at Fenton and one at the Downtown Cary Park. Fenton’s ice skating rink is near a large Christmas tree, shopping facilities and a movie theater. When the rink opens up there are lights to brighten up the night, a huge decorated tree to take pictures by, and a mobile coffee shop serving warm festive drinks such as hot chocolate. The Downtown Cary Park’s ice skating rink will open up soon, and is located in the heart of the town’s downtown. This rink is smaller than Fenton’s and has a snow machine to imitate and match a winter feel. A little further away in downtown Raleigh, there is the option to go to Red Hat Amphitheater, which provides a larger ice skating rink with lights and a sit-down area. There are many decorations and sometimes there are even heated isolated igloos to have a sit-down in.
Dessert decorating classes
Sweet treats are definitely delicious to eat, but decorating them can provide a fun activity on a cold day. Flour Power Studios in Cary has baking classes for kids, with holiday-themed events such as its “Kids Night Out-Gingerbread Houses.” Additional classes can be found at Wyntons World Cooking School in Cary which has opportunities for adults or teens to decorate cakes in a “Christmas style.” Many enjoy baking or decorating and it can be a fun thing to do with others.
Tree scouting
Finding the perfect Christmas tree to resemble the holiday season is essential. Families who celebrate Christmas often make an activity out of searching for the perfect Christmas tree. Around Cary, are some tree farms that offer opportunities for families to pick up trees: Penny Road Christmas Trees and Produce in Cary, Neighbor Boy Farm in Apex and Elk Mountain Christmas Trees in Durham. Tree scouting is a tradition for many families globally and can be something to look forward to during the holiday season.
Christmas decorating
As Dec. falls in Cary, the holiday lights and decorations come out on display. Families take pride in their decorations and are quick to set up inflatable Santa Clauses, Christmas trees throughout the windows of houses, roofs covered in lights and wreaths on street lamps. Decorating is an annual activity for a lot of families and friends around this time of year. After Thanksgiving, it’s common for families to enter “Christmas mode” and begin their process of indulging in the holiday. Many houses around the Cary area are so decked out with lights and decorations, that the houses made it onto Google Maps as local places to go visit around Christmas.
Light watching
The holidays are surrounded by dancing lights that shine throughout all the nights of Cary. During Dec. and Jan. there are many events in and around town to visit that can guarantee a good time. There are lights set up at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, Downtown Cary, Apex and more. Some of the Christmas light showings involve viewers having to bike-through, drive-through or walk-through the exhibits. Seeing the lights is a festivity that is sure to bring some holiday spirit this winter season.
Gift buying
The experience of buying gifts for a special person to unwrap is a moment that many people look forward to. For those who did not take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and still need gifts, shopping can be a fun (and necessary) activity. Around Cary there are two major malls to go to: Crabtree Valley and the Streets at Southpoint. Each mall consists of many different stores that can meet any criteria for the type of gift needed. These malls are highly decorated for the season and are adorned with a big Christmas tree that mallgoers take pictures with. Many of the stores in the malls have seasonal-themed products and gift sets for the season.
Movie nights
When it’s cold outside and you’re in need of something relaxing to do, movie nights can be a good option! In Cary, there are certain movie theaters that provide holiday movie showings. At The Cary Theater, movies such as “Elf,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Home Alone” and “Christmas Vacation” are being played. Other theaters, like Regal, are also playing many of these same movies and tickets are available until typically the end of December.
During this holiday season, there are many events and activities to get involved in that can make the season more festive and enjoyable. For most of these events, their exclusivity is limited to this season, many Cary residents take advantage of that by celebrating the holiday. With all that the Triangle community provides, this list of winter-related activities serves for individuals to pass their time within the season and get involved within town.
