Author: Andie Freeman
The arts don't merely accompany our seasonal celebrations. They fundamentally shape how we experience this time of year, from the gifts we choose to the stories we tell.
Take the Alamance Arts Council, which revels in the season by transforming its space into a curated gallery of gift-giving possibilities each winter. From mid-November through December 23, the building becomes more than a marketplace; it's an incubator of creativity, offering classes where both children and adults can craft their own artistic expressions.
Take the Alamance Arts Council, which revels in the season by transforming its space into a curated gallery of gift-giving possibilities each winter. From mid-November through December 23, the building becomes more than a marketplace; it's an incubator of creativity, offering classes where both children and adults can craft their own artistic expressions.
The holidays this year are especially poignant in Asheville, where residents are rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The aptly named "Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour" exemplifies the city’s remarkable community spirit, ingeniously blending traditional studio visits with a virtual marketplace to accommodate artists whose spaces remain inaccessible.
The Nutcracker is a perennial favorite across the state, with many dance companies performing this classic throughout November and December. Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre is putting a unique twist on the expected in “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” This version tells the original 1816 German tale by E.T.A. Hoffman, instead of the one Tchaikovsky told in his famous ballet.
As December gives way to January, the state's cultural calendar embraces Kwanzaa celebrations that highlight the intersection of tradition and artistic expression. Winston-Salem's citywide celebration, organized by Triad Cultural Arts, spans the holiday (December 26, 2024–January 1, 2025), bringing together speakers, performances, and participatory art. In Durham, the Hayti Heritage Center kicks off the season on December 26, while the African American Dance Ensemble caps the celebrations with their annual festival on New Year's Day.