Downtown Edenton transforms during the holiday season. The Christmas spirit flows through the town, turning it into a setting reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life … minus all that snow. Elegant decorations embellish the historic homes; carols ring out from the church bells; the streets are ornamented with wreaths and lights; and a wealth of events are underway to put everyone in the Christmas spirit. In the midst of decorating your home, baking cookies and shopping for gifts, be sure your Christmas planning also include these Edenton events.
Actually, combining your Christmas prep with these seasonal events kills two birds with one stone, so to speak. Cooking Classes at the Cotton Gin Inn help you hone your cooking techniques in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Let your mastery of French pastry and cooking steal the show at the Christmas dinner table. Or, your new cookie baking skills will make you the most popular person at this year’s cookie swap. These classes are offered during the weekends, and you can learn about exact times and register on the inn’s website.
Take part in a Chowan County winter tradition by seeing the annual Christmas show, Christ the Savior is Born, at the Rocky Hock Playhouse. This show is written by Gloria Emmerich, who co-owns and operates the theater. This lunch-theater experience begins with a buffet by Nixon’s Catering and is immediately followed by a musical performance of the traditional Christmas story. See the event’s website for dates and times and ticket information.
The Edenton-Chowan Christmas Parade ushers in holiday cheer on Saturday, December 8. The procession is scheduled to make its way to S. Broad Street around 10 a.m. Bring the whole family out to admire the decorated floats, trucks and cars and wave at the marchers dressed up in their festive best. Children love the chance to collect candy handed out by the passersby, and the sights, music and mingling are fun for all ages.
The weekend of the December 14 and 15 is when the Christmas spirit in downtown Edenton reaches its peak. The 37th Annual Candlelight Christmas Tour will attract hundreds of locals and visitors to Edenton, as it has every year. Edenton is renowned for its beautiful, historic homes, and the tour is the annual opportunity to see them dressed up in seasonal splendor. The Candlelight Christmas Tour is only part of the weekend’s excitement – several annual Edenton events accompany the tour, and it’s easy to stay entertained and busy from 1 to 5 p.m. – the hours leading up to the tour.
Begin the experience with a stop by the Cupola House. The Colonial-era decorations in the restored home whet your taste to see more. Enjoy a cup of hot wassail and treats before you journey back into the winter chill.
Your next stop is the Christmas Groaning Board at the Iredell House. Fuel up for an evening of festive activities with Christmas cookies and other sweets, laid out in a colorful spread on the “groaning board” – the table weighted down with enough sweets to groan. Check out the costumed interpreters, who will present holiday cooking demonstrations.
And, because this is the season of sugar, keep satisfying your sweet tooth at Confection Perfection Sweets by the Sound at the Chowan Arts Council.
Finally, get yourself in position to start the tour, which is headquartered at the Barker House. Prior to the tour’s start, the Barker House offers Savories by the Sound, where you’ll find goodies like eggnog and Christmas cookies. Relax with views of Edenton Bay from the window. Once the sun gets low, it’s time to embark on the tour.
However, don’t forget to include a stop at the Historic 1767 Chowan County Courthouse between 6 and 7 p.m. on the Friday of the tour. There will be Caroling in the Courthouse with the Albemarle Sounds. Drop by and be sure you bring your singing voice.
To learn more about this treasured and eventful weekend, get all of the information here. For more updates on every event happening in Edenton, check out our Daytime Events listings and our Nightlife listings.
About the Author Hannah Lee Leidy
Hannah Lee is a fiction and creative nonfiction writer living on the Outer Banks. She graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Traveling is her passion, but nowhere ever feels as much like home as the Outer Banks. When not planning her next trip or adventure, Hannah Lee loves aimless drives down the Beach Road, spending copious amounts of time in coffee shops and reading every short story collection she gets her hands on. 