Community Tree Lighting Ceremony

Downtown Chapel Hill will kick off the holiday season with its community tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Garden of University Baptist Church, 100 S. Columbia St. There will be caroling by the church choir and Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt will be the guest tree lighter. Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. downtownchapelhill.com/holidays.

Friday

Lighting of the Hillsborough Town Tree

The lighting of the Town Tree will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Courthouse in Hillsborough.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” Movie Event

The Home Trust will hold a free showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 6:45 p.m. at the Varsity Theatre, 123 E. Franklin St. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are required. 919-967-1545, ext. 310, jgraber@communityhometrust.org.

Ladies Holiday Shopping

Merchants will offer a “Wish List” service for holiday shopping at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Hillsborough. 919-732-7741, visithillsboroughnc.com.

Holiday Movie and Dance Party

A holiday movie will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Hillsborough. A dance party will also be at 7:30 p.m. at Daylight Studio Space for dads and kids.

Saturday

Hillsborough Holiday Parade

Downtown Hillsborough will hold its holiday parade at 10 a.m.

Cider, Cocoa and Caroling

The Burwell School Historic Site and Ebenezer Baptist Church will hold an event titled, “Cider, Cocoa and Caroling” at 10 a.m. on the front lawn of the Burwell School Historic Site. There will be cider, cocoa, children’s activities and crafts before the annual Hillsborough Holiday Parade. Bring chairs and blankets. After the parade, the Ebenezer Baptist Church choir will perform holiday music on the Burwell House front porch. 919-732-7451.

Elf Fair

The sixth annual Elf Fair, an indoor holiday arts and crafts market, will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the ArtsCenter, 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro. There will be raffles, special promotions from local businesses Fleet Feet and All Day Records, hands-on holiday themed activities for kids, holiday beverages and food trucks. Over 35 local artists will participate.

Messiah Open Sing

The 47th annual Messiah Open Sing will be at 7 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation, United Methodist Campus Ministry at UNC-Chapel Hill, 214 Pittsboro St. The musical celebration will be performed by an orchestra and soloists from the community and university. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own score as a limited number will be available. 919-942-2152.