Raleigh, NC – Brighten your December with a Raleigh tradition, the Capitol Tree Lighting, and then walk to the N.C. Museum of History for hands-on fun. Also in December, take in a musical performance by the Happy Valley Pals, who will present the special holiday tradition “Breaking Up Christmas.” Children will delight in the month’s programs created just for them.

Be sure to visit the Museum Shop to stock up on holiday gifts. The shop features an impressive selection of handmade ornaments, pottery, jewelry and more.

All programs are free unless otherwise noted. Parking is free on weekends.

*Time for Tots: La Posada

Tuesday, Dec. 4 or Dec. 11

10-10:45 a.m.

Ages 3-5 with adult

$1 per person

To register, call 919-807-7992.

Find out about the Mexican Christmas tradition of La Posada and make a simple craft. La Posada, a religious celebration, centers on Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn in Bethlehem.

North Carolina state symbols

*History Corner: State Symbols

Wednesday, Dec. 5

10-11 a.m.

Ages 6-9 with adult

$1 per person

To register, call 919-807-7992.

You may know the state bird, but what about the state beverage, boat or berry? Learn about North Carolina’s state symbols, listen to a short story, and make a craft. The program is presented with Cameron Village Regional Library.

*History Hunters: The Carolina Moravians

Wednesday, Dec. 5

10-11 a.m.

Ages 10-13

$1 per person

To register, call 919-807-7992.

What’s a Moravian? How did Moravians affect life on the North Carolina frontier? Find out this and more, then learn how to fold a Moravian star.

North Carolina Capitol Tree Lighting

*Capitol Tree Lighting

Thursday, Dec. 6

5-7:30 p.m. (museum open)

6:30 p.m. (tree-lighting ceremony on the Capitol grounds)

Bring the family to see the annual lighting of the Capitol tree. Listen to seasonal music and come to the museum for hands-on fun! Museum Shop open until 7:30 for holiday shopping.

*Make It, Take It: Ornamental Holidays

Saturday, Dec. 8

1-3 p.m. (drop-in program)

See how to make a traditional North Carolina ornament. Use it to decorate your home this holiday season!

Music of the Carolinas: The Happy Valley Pals

Sunday, Dec. 9

3-4 p.m.

Gail Gillespie, Dwight Rogers, and Wayne and Margaret Martin present the special holiday tradition “Breaking Up Christmas.” The performance is presented with PineCone, with support from the N.C. Museum of History Associates, Williams Mullen, and WLHC-FM/WLQC-FM.

Paul Cuadros

History à la Carte: A Home on the Field

Wednesday, Dec. 12

12:10-1 p.m.

Bring your lunch; beverages provided.

Paul Cuadros, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill

Discover how a championship soccer team and their “accidental coach” helped improve race relations and increase opportunities for young Latinos in one rural North Carolina town. A book signing will follow.

Home on the Field

*First Night Raleigh 2013
Monday, Dec. 31
3-6 p.m. (children’s celebration)

7-11 p.m. (nighttime events)

First Night button required for entry.

The Museum of History will be at the heart of the children’s celebration at this New Year’s Eve festival of the arts. Join the procession departing the State Capitol grounds at 6 p.m. for an early countdown on City Plaza. Enjoy live performances throughout downtown Raleigh. For more information, call Artsplosure at 919-832-8699 or visit www.firstnightraleigh.com.

For further information about the N.C. Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook.

* marks programs of interest to children or families

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About the N.C. Museum of History

The museum is located at 5 E. Edenton Street, across from the State Capitol. Parking is available in the lot across Wilmington Street. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

About the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation’s first state-supported symphony orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council, and the State Archives. Cultural Resources champions North Carolina’s creative industry, which employs nearly 300,000 North Carolinians and contributes more than $41 billion to the state’s economy. To learn more, visit www.ncdcr.gov.