Old Stone House Christmas Celebration — 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 and noon–4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28: Rowan Museum’s 30th annual German Christmas Celebration at the Old Stone House (1766). Admission $5 adults and $3 students. The house is located one half mile down Old Stone House Road off Highway 52 in Granite Quarry in eastern Rowan County, several miles off I-85. Information at 704-633-5946, or email rowanmuseum@fibrant.com

 

Kwanzaa Celebration at City Park Recreation Center — 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27:  Salisbury Parks and Recreation and Rowan Blues and Jazz Society host a Kwanzaa Celebration. Activities include African drumming, community entertainment, special guest speaker April Turner, refreshments, hand made crafts. This family event is free and open to the public.

 

Rowan Big Band All-Stars  — 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28: The Rowan Big Band All-Stars will present a concert of Christmas Holiday music set to swingtime at St. James Lutheran Church, 131 W. Main St., Rockwell.

 

NC Transportation Museum’s annual  Winter Fever Train Rides —  Dec. 27, 28, 31: A great opportunity for families to visit the museum, browse new exhibits, visit the Gift Station, enjoy a 25 minute train ride around the former Spencer Shops locomotive repair facility, a State Historic Site. Tours require $5/person in addition to museum admission. 411 S. Salisbury Ave. Spencer,704-636-2889, www.nctrans.org

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway holiday light show — 6-10 p.m. nightly starting Saturday and continuing through Dec. 30 except for Christmas Day. More than three million lights, infield Christmas Village and the unique chance to drive the track. $20 per car on nights when the Christmas Village is open and $15 per car on nights when it is closed. Group rates available. 5555 Concord Parkway S, Concord, enter at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s main entrance. www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

 

Denton FarmPark sixth annual Country Christmas Train — Dec. 26-27: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Ride on the Handy Dandy Railroad, see a movie about the birth of Christ, see the lights and scenes, hear a bible related story, sing carols. Visit the General Store, Radio Museum, Grist Mill, Service Station, Doll Museum, Gingerbread House. Wagon and pony rides available for extra charge. 4259 Handy Road, Denton, 336-859-2755 or www. countrychristmastrain.com. 40 minutes from Salisbury.

 

The classic ‘Peter and the Wolf’ — 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27: At the James A. Gray, Jr. Auditorium inside the Old Salem Visitor Center, Winston-Salem. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students and children 12 and under; available at the door or can in advance at carolinachambersymphony.org or 800-838-3006.

 

New year’s Eve

 

New Year’s Eve at the historic Bell Tower — 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31: At Bell Tower Park, corner of S. Jackson and W. Innes. Live music, light refreshments, live video feed from Time Square and the ringing of the bell at midnight. Free and open to the public.

 

Woodleaf’s New Year’s Eve Big Tomato Drop — 9 p.m. Dec. 31: Usher in the New Year by watching the 10-foot diameter tomato drop in Woodleaf’s first ever New Year’s Eve drop at Unity Presbyterian Church, 885 Woodleaf Barber Road. Festivities begin indoors hosted by Elvis himself, who will also be performing, along with local Colton Sherrill, as well as a surprise visitor dressed in red. We will also have open mic night, so bring your music and come on!  Starts at 9 p.m. and ends just after the tomato drops at midnight.  Free parking, Free admission.  Food and drinks available. No admission fee. Family oriented and fun. Information at 704-278-4248.

 

New Year’s Eve at The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve Bash: Four bands: Battlelion, Bought by Blood, Infuzed, Scarred plus solo artist Lisa Webb. Bring snacks to share. 704-213-1467.

 

New Year’s Eve at Woodleaf Lanes — Three parties to choose from on Dec. 31: • “Family party,” 6:30-9:15 p.m., each lane receives large pizza and pitcher of soft drink • “Bring in the New Year party,” 10 p.m.-1 a.m., pizza buffet, door prizes, party favors, champagne toast at midnight • “First party of 2015,” 1:30-4 a.m., cosmic lights and music • Call for pricing and reservations 704-633-5342.

 

Old Courthouse Theaters’s 24th annual New Year’s Eve murder mystery dinner theatre — Wednesday Dec. 31: Reservation deadline Dec. 29. Appetizers, dinner, dessert, wine, champagne, party favors, deejay. 704-788-2405 or www.showtix4u.com. Complete information at www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

 

New Year’s Eve with the W-S Symphony and Brubeck Jazz — 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Brubeck Brothers Quartet perform timeless music of their father, jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets $15–$62 at 336-464-0145 or WSsymphony.org