Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS: You stuffed the turkey. And then your tummy. Time to suck it up and get in the holiday spirit. Nothing that a bunch of Mannheim merry-making bells can’t help you with. Where: DPAC, Durham. When: Friday, 8 p.m. $48-$78. | More info
SHREK: Things are about to get ugly when the twisted fairy tale that earned the ogre-donkey-fiona tandem an Oscar on screen roles into town on stage—billed as the funniest new musical on Broadway and stopping at nothing for lowbrow laughs. Burping contest, anyone? Where: Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh. When: Tuesday to Sunday, times vary. $21-$76. | More info
WINTERFEST/CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: Tis the season to channel your inner Tonya Harding — sans the club assault. The city’s two-month winter wonderland ice rink kicks off with the annual 35-foot tree-lighting event by Mayor Nancy McFarlane. The holiday hoopla includes local vocal and dance groups, bluegrass bands, 40-foot Ferris wheel, a carousel, carriage rides, sledding ramps, Santa’s village, Holiday Boulevard of Shops (local vendors) and two outdoor screenings of "Polar Express." Just try to say bah humbug... Where: City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh. When: Saturday, 3 to 9 p.m. Free. (Ice rink open 2-11p; admission including skate rental is $8). Movie screenings at 5:30 and 7:30 on a 42-foot outdoor movie screen by Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Tree lighting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Free. | More info
MOVEMBER: MUSTACHE & SHARPIE PARTY: All across the land lads are trading razors for bristles, joining brothers worldwide in growing moustaches for "Movember" in support of prostate cancer research. So, if your stash is sexy you should probs go show off the grow at Noir for the Mustache and Sharpie party, where MissStache.com will sponsor a mustache contest, and we can resolve this once and for all ... walrus, horseshoes, handlebars — or that all-the-rage musketeer? ‘Shave’ the date and find out. 20% of all bar sales go to Movember cancer research. Where: Noir, Raleigh. When: Thursday, 9 p.m. | More info
SANTA’S HOLIDAY HAYRIDE AND LIGHT SHOW: Ho, ho, ho. Jump on the wintry wagon as the country Christmas carnival returns with its holly-trimmed hayride across 401 Par Golf course, alit with over 500,000 lights. Then cop a squat on Santa’s knee and tee up for some holiday theme-park fun and decked-mini golf. Just keep your eye on mommy while you play — wouldn’t want her running off and fulfilling that lifelong fantasy of kissing Santa Claus. Where: 401 Par Golf, Raleigh. When: Grand opening Monday; runs every Thursday through Sunday evening from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. until Dec. 16 when it will run nightly through Jan. 1. Adults: $8; Children 8 and under, $4; Children 4 and under, free.
