Haul out the holly, throw up the decorations and head out to Sanford and Lee County to enjoy holiday cheer unlike any other! These 11 things are sure to lift spirits and add a bit more merry to your season.
Downtown Holiday Open House
Nov. 3
‘Tis the season to shop and dine in Downtown Sanford! Make your way over to be entertained as The Temple Theatre Company fills the streets with carolers. What’s more, visitors will get the first glimpse of all things Christmas at local participating businesses. It’s the ideal kickoff for your yuletide season.
Holiday Artisan Market
Nov. 9
Jumpstart your holiday shopping with a trip to the Sanford Farmers’ Market for the Holiday Artisan Market. Shop everything from local crafts to jewelry to holiday decorations – unique gifts sure to delight anyone on your list. Look for the market in the adjacent parking lot across from Yarborough’s Homemade Ice Cream and enjoy!
Small Business Saturday
Nov. 30
Come and shop local to support all the small businesses that make downtown Sanford and Lee County shine throughout the holidays and beyond. Experience the kind of warm hospitality from local store owners that always makes the annual shopping spree merry and bright.
Holiday Punch Card Shopping
Nov. 30 – Dec. 24
This holiday season, get rewarded for shopping small in Downtown Sanford! Just swing by Charlie Watson Lane to pick up your holiday punch card and receive your first punch. From there, with every $10 you spend at participating downtown businesses, you’ll receive a stamp. Completed cards can then be entered to win one of four prize drawings. So, skip the crazy holiday crowds and shop small right here in Stanford instead.
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 5 – Dec. 22
Don’t miss Temple Theatre’s adaptation of this holiday classic. Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful characters for a remarkable holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic. The spirit of the season is wrapped in your favorite yuletide melodies and tied with all the holiday magic and wonder of your childhood reminding us all to honor Christmas in our hearts and try to keep it all the year round.
Santa Train & Tree Lighting
Nov. 24
Join Santa for the annual Train & Tree Lighting in Downtown Sanford! Spend the afternoon and evening enjoying local performances, savoring hot cocoa and other sweet treats and of course, visiting with the big man himself! Make plans now for this exciting experience filled with good tidings of comfort and joy for the entire family!
Sanford Christmas Parade
Dec. 2
Sanford’s premiere holiday event is the longest-running nighttime parade in North Carolina. Organized by Downtown Sanford, The Sanford Christmas Parade has been a holiday tradition for more than 60 years. Find the perfect spot and settle in with friends and family to watch the jolly, music-filled procession of marching bands, festive floats and of course, the man of the hour – Santa Claus!
Pro tip:
Arrive before the parade begins at 7 PM to snag the best view along the event route. The parade will start at Carthage and Wicker Streets, head toward Steele Street and make a full circle.
Broadway Christmas Parade
Dec. 14
Speaking of festive parades, make sure you’re Broadway, N.C bound to catch another seasonal favorite, the Broadway Christmas Parade. The fun starts at 2 p.m., so grab your spot early for a chance to see Santa as he makes another guest appearance alongside decked-out floats, fire trucks, marching bands, holiday festivities and more!
Taylor Phillips HITS Lee County with Friends
Dec. 7
Taylor Phillips has written close to 100 recorded songs and made a few friends along the way. Adding to the goodwill of the holiday season, Taylor is partnering with Visit Sanford to put on star-studded concert and charitable event at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center. Come enjoy great music for a great cause with famed country music songwriters and artists performing acoustic sets all evening long. All concert proceeds benefit suicide awareness and suicide prevention efforts.
Art for Gifting
DK Clay Pottery
Find the perfect holiday gift by visiting one of the largest pottery studios in North Carolina. Through the glass walls separating the gallery from the working studio, you can view skilled potters at work and witness the craftsmanship that goes into each creation.
Barefoot Clay Pottery
Whether you’re a ceramics enthusiast or just looking for unique, handcrafted items, Barefoot Clay offers a selection of handmade, wood-fired pottery. This local gem operates out of Ole Gilliam Mill, where Frank Lamberti and several other artists work on a variety of objects against a historic backdrop—the same location that “cranks up” its 19th-century equipment every year for demonstrations.
Holiday Dining & Drinks
Between all the shopping, events and holiday merriment, there are also lots of places to grab a bite to eat or toast to the season. We recommend stopping in at Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, La Dolce Vita Pizzeria or one of the stops along Sanford’s Taco Trail to get your fill of Mexican cuisine. If you’re in the mood for barbecue, make a pit stop at any of the fine eateries on our Sanford BBQ Trail. For drinks to whet your whistle, be sure to check out our craft breweries and bars. And that’s just the beginning! Here’s a full list of locations for meals and also places to plan your own jolly festivities.
Happy holidays, everyone!