The Christmas Parade and Five Other Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Chatham County
Pittsboro really knows how to celebrate the holidays! For nearly a month, between November 22 and December 19, there are family-friendly events happening nearly every weekend.
We’re about to enter one of the best times of year. The temperatures are beginning to drop, which brings along cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, and most importantly, fellowship with one another. I just love how much the Chatham County community comes out to celebrate this time of year.
From the Christmas Parade to the annual Tree Lighting Celebration, here are some of the best Holiday events you can attend this year:
1. Pittsboro Holly Days (November 22 – December 19):
While not technically a single event, Pittsboro Holly Days is a month-long celebration of the holiday season. It’s really a combination of most of the events listed below. For a full schedule of times, directions and details, visit the Town of Pittsboro’s website here.
2. Tree Lighting Celebration (Sunday, November 22, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.):
Hosted by the Pittsboro Business Association, the annual Tree Lighting Celebration will take place in downtown Pittsboro at the history Chatham County Courthouse. As part of the festivities, Hillsboro Street will make way for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration featuring school choirs, carolers, Santa Al, hot cocoa, shopping, and more.
The festivities will culminate with the lighting of a 15-foot Christmas tree at the Courthouse. Pittsboro businesses are planning to host special events all day.
No Christmas season begins without a proper tree lighting! I hope to see you join us.
3. Small Business Saturday (November 28):
Come out and support the family-owned small businesses in downtown Pittsboro on the last Saturday of November. Small Business Saturday will be a great way to cap your week of celebration — especially after hours of fighting on Black Friday!
There are plenty of events happening (get the full schedule here) that will get you in a Holiday mood! For example, Starrlight Mead, Pittsboro’s own meadery, is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Pick up unique gifts for your special friends and family or just relax with a glass of mead. After an all-day shopping affair, you surely deserve a glass of the honey-based wine!
4. First Sunday Artisan Fair (Sunday, December 6, Noon – 5 p.m.):
A week after Small Business Saturday, head to the Historical Museum in downtown Pittsboro for an artisan market featuring handmade crafts, music, and food.
For a full list of vendors participating, click here. Some of the ones I’m most looking forward to include:
Joyful Jewel: The Joyful Jewel represents over 160 local artists from Chatham and the surrounding counties. The variety is amazing, with media from jewelry to painting, to fiber arts, mosaic, sculpture, pottery, photography. All for reasonable prices. On Sunday, they’ll be featuring a Holiday art reception!
Liquidambar Gallery: The Liquidambar Gallery & Gifts is a retail store that carries one-of-a-kind artwork and featured artists each month in the front gallery. You will find quilted work, pastels, oil painting, batique, mobiles, furniture, glass and more. The featured artist will be William Burton, who crafts amazing paintings on wood!
5. Pittsboro Christmas Parade (Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m.):
This has long been one of my favorite events in Pittsboro. In fact, I blog about it nearly every year! Hosted by the Town of Pittsboro, it includes marching bands, dancers, holiday revelers, and Santa Claus marching through downtown.
The parade route starts at the Food Lion Shopping Center and travels west down Hwy 64 past the courthouse. The Town of Pittsboro has a map of the exact route. Because it’s centrally-located, it will make for easy access, regardless of where you live.
If you simply can’t wait for the parade to get here, check out these great photos from previous years! The pirate ship will surely get you into the Holiday spirit!
6. Miracle on Hillsboro Street (Saturday, December 19, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.):
A high-profile trial is taking place this year at the Chatham County Courthouse, and the defendant is … Santa Claus!! A county judge will preside over the trial with real lawyers, local actors and the real Kris Kringle. Come root for a Miracle on Hillsboro Street!
Hope to see you there!
For a complete schedule and details on each of the above events, please visit the Pittsboro Holly Days event website here. I do hope you and your loved ones are able to come out. It really is one of the best times to be here in Chatham County.
Photo credits: Pittsboro Parks Blog