Fall is here and Winter is coming soon to Chapel Hill and the surrounding communities of Carrboro and Hillsborough NC. Enjoy outdoor sculpture events, music, food festivals and holiday happenings worth the trip.  Here are some weekend events from October – December 2019.

October
October 11-13. Outlandish Hillsborough. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Ayr Mount Historic Site in collaboration with the Hillsborough Tourism Board will present Outlandish Hillsborough, a weekend of activities centered around Scottish heritage, colonial history and the wildly popular Outlander series. Activities are 10 am – 4 pm each day.  Enjoy In-town walking tours, a movie night at the Library, discussion on William Wallace, Scottish Colonial food, an exhibit on the history of Scots in early North Carolina, and other themed programs are a few of the activities planned. Many of Hillsborough's merchants, artists, restaurants, bars, businesses, and historic sites will participate. The weekend will also include family friendly festivals at Ayr Mount Historic Site with a Cèilidh at Ayr on Saturday, October 12th and Outlandish Ayr on Sunday, October 13th. Cèilidh at Ayr honors Scottish Heritage and Culture in a nod to the Kirkland Family that built the historic home of Ayr Mount named in honor of William Kirkland's birthplace: Ayr, Scotland. It will celebrate Scottish entertainment through performances by the NCSU Pipes and Drums Band, Celtic bands, Scottish Country Dancing, demonstrations, storytelling, plus a Wee Bairns area, Scottish food and vendors. Outlandish Ayr will continue to celebrate Scottish Heritage while focusing on the culture of life in Colonial North Carolina and add a fun twist with the Outlander series. Performances by Piobadh na Triantan, Celtic Music, food and lifestyle demonstrations, British and Highlander regiment reenactors, history talks, demonstrations, Marketplace Stalls, readings from the Outlander books, and much more. For information, visit https://www.outlandishhillsborough.com/  (Anticipate this to be annual event)

October 12.  Festifall. Annual celebration that brings the community together around a diverse array of arts experiences.  The Arts & Craft Market will have more than 50 local artists, artisans, and crafters offering everything from jewelry and pottery to musical instruments and fabrics. The Open Air Studio will have area artists working out in the open, showing off their techniques and artistry. The Kids Zone will have local arts organizations offering interactive crafts and activities for young artists and art lovers. Throughout the festival, attendees of all ages will have opportunities to create art alongside artists. West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill; 11 am – 3 pm.  Free.

October 16-19. 10th Annual TerraVITA Food & Drink Festival Chapel Hill.  4-day festival (Wed – Sat) dedicated to excellence and sustainability in the South, showcasing the very best in food and beverage.   Multiple events and tastings and dinners leading up to the finale, The Fall Fete on the Green on the lawn at Southern Village on Saturday from 1 pm – 4:30 pm.  The Fete event offers edibles from more than 40 exceptional chefs & artisans from across the state and features, more than two dozen beverage producers offering sustainably-sourced beverages from across the globe, including microbrews, spirits, craft sodas, organic coffees, drinking vinegars, and biodynamic, organically-grown, and natural wines. This event should not be missed by any serious foodie!

November
November 2-3 & 9-10. 25th Annual Orange County Open Studio Tour.   Orange County; Over 100 artists invite you into their studios to see where and how they work.  Sponsor: Orange County Artists Guild (919) 933-7880.  First two weekends in November, Sat 10 am – 5 pm and Sun 12 pm – 5 pm.

November 3. Curds & Crafts Festival. 1 pm – 6 pm. An artisanal cheese and beer festival with a focus on southern cheese-makers and NC breweries and other artisan food producers. Ticket includes a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited samples of cheese and beer, insulated bag to store cheese purchases, live music, and tasty treats from local artisans including charcuterie, handmade bread, crackers, and small-batch jellies and pickles. There are two session: 1 pm – 3 pm and 4 pm – 6 pm. Advance tickets only. Organized by Weaver Street Market. Event is at The Cloth Mill at Eno River. 

November 15-17. 14th Annual Carrboro Film Festival.  Three-day festival which this year foucses on the South, films shot in the South, about the South or with Southern characters.  Festival at The ArtsCenter. 
 
NEW EVENT IN 2019. November 16-17. Tarheel Antiques Festival & Christmas Craft Show. Admission $5. The festival features antique vendors, auctions and appraisals. Located at the historic Barn at Lloyd's Dairy centrally located between the Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina at the merge of Interstate 40 & 85.  November 15 - Setup/ Preview Day for Vendors: 10 am - 6:00 pm;  November 16  Main Day: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm - Festival opens to the public featuring antique and craft vendors, auctions, appraisal and Christmas themed activities and entertainment. November 17 Grande Finale Day: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Final day final day for wonderful deals and to take advantage of the collection of the finest antiques, vintage vendors and crafters in America. 226 N. Lloyds Dairy Rd, Efland.

December
December 1-January 1.  22nd Annual Twelve Days of Christmas. The historic Carolina Inn will be festively adorned for the holidays with elaborate decorations based on the traditional song, The Twelve Days of Christmas.  There will be self-guided tours and a number of holiday activities, including festive meals, breakfast with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday teas, holiday markets and much more.  Some events free.

December 7.  16th Annual Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show.  9 am – 4 pm.  Shoppers can enjoy one-stop shopping with 65 talented artisans and crafters from throughout the state. A wide variety of unique, handmade gifts and specialty items await you. Christmas music, a bake sale and a delicious hot lunch will put you in a festive mood.  St. Thomas More School.

December 7-8. The Nutcracker - Carolina Ballet on December 7 at 2 pm and at 8 pm; December 8 at 2 pm at Memorial Hall on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Returning for the 12th time in as many seasons, Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker for a performance that has become a Chapel Hill holiday tradition. 

December 7: Winter in the Garden Holiday Festival. Enjoy the peaceful holiday splendor of the North Carolina Botanical Garden from 5-9 p.m. Enjoy holiday splendor in the Garden as we celebrate the end of the year with luminaries, native plant greenery, holiday music, food and good cheer. And remember, the Garden Shop is the perfect place to find those special gifts on your shopping list! $5 Suggested admission.

December 8: 33rd Annual Hillsborough Candlelight Tour is 1 pm – 7 pm. The tour scheduled for Sunday, December 8th (rain/snow date is Sunday, December 15th) will again feature readings by new and emerging local authors, as well as juried art from local artists.  The tradition of opening a variety of private homes and historic sites continues, where visitors will find festive holiday décor, local musicians, and other holiday festivities.  This is a self-guided tour. Musical performances scattered around festively decorated locations including private homes (open 3 to 7 PM) and historical assets of the community (open 1 to 7 PM). Special entertainment by local band favorites Tea Cup Gin and Shoaldiggers.  A complimentary miniature train, circling the downtown historic district. Visits and picture-taking with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Visitor's Center and a family-friendly “Hillsborough Passport” series, an exploration activity to discover some of our best kept secrets. Call (919) 732-8156 for information.

Through December  8.  Sculpture in the Garden.  North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. Annual display of nearly 50 one-of-a kind sculptures placed amid the native wildflowers and shrubs to delight garden visitors.  (919) 962-0522.  100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

December 21. Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk. See 2,000 lights as walkers wander along the Riverwalk with handmade lanterns which light up the night sky. This event is free and open to the public but all participants must register in advance and bring a handmade, white lantern with a LED light. No flames allowed. The 30-minute walk will begin at 5:45 pm. If you want to be a spectator, view from the Eno Parking Deck where free parking is available (behind Weaver Street Market). Sponsor - Hillsborough Arts Council.

For information on these Fall & Winter Events and more, visit www.visitchapelhill.org