Special Events Descriptions
We are excited to present our Special Events for our 2009 Twelve Days of Christmas celebration. Learn more about each of our events and make your reservations today!
Community Open House
Sunday, November 29
12 pm - 5 pm. Reservations not required. Free.
Enjoy performances, self-guided tours, and holiday refreshments.
Come join in the celebration as we kick off the month of festivities. Enjoy performances by local hand bell ringers and a dance show by Frank Porter Graham Arts in Action students. We look forward to seeing you!
"Hats Off to the Kids!" Celebration
Sunday, November 29th
2 pm - 4 pm. Reservations recommended. Ticket also available at the door.
$25 per person.
Join the Board of Directors and staff of Our Children's Place (OCP) for this very special celebration. Pick out your favorite handcrafted items, sample the delicious afternoon treats provided by The Carolina Inn, and celebrate and support the work being done to create a better life for young children whose mothers are incarcerated! OCP guest Ashley Lucas will present a portion of "Doin' Time: Through the Visiting Glass", her performance looking at the lives of the families of prisoners.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 4th
6 pm - 8 pm. Reservations not required. *Free.
Start the holiday season right and experience the magic of Christmas at The Carolina Inn with our first Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Front Porch. The evening will start with joyful holiday music with a bluegrass twist by the popular Big Fat Gap. Warm up with our delicious hot cocoa and eggnog and enjoy our house-made cookies. A special surprise guest will lead the countdown to light the tree on the front porch.
*In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, please consider bringing a new unwrapped toy. The Orange County Toy Chest will distribute these toys to needy children in our community. For more information about Orange County's Holiday Program or to donate toys online click here.
Breakfast with Santa
December 12, 13, 19, 20, 23, 24
8:30 am - 10:30 am. Reservations required. Open Seating.
$20 adults, $15 children 3-12, free under 3.
Round up the kids! Santa Claus is coming to The Carolina Inn. Watch the magic come alive and feast on a hearty Carolina Inn breakfast or brunch buffet. Each child is welcome to sit on Santa's lap and receives a holiday Beanie Baby.
Brunch with Santa
December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 23
11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Reservations required. Open Seating.
$25 adults, $20 children 3-12, free under 3.
The same fun and magic from our traditional Breakfast with Santa but with a heartier meal.
Make a Reservation for Breakfast or Brunch
Christmas Tea Party at The Carolina Inn
Sunday, December 6th
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Reservations required. Open Seating.
$20 per person 3-12, free under 3.
A great addition to your Nutcracker theatre experience or a fun holiday activity for the family. Enjoy a leisurely buffet-style afternoon tea service. Hot cocoa for the little ones. Accompaniments will include an array of savory tea sandwiches, assorted sweets, and fresh baked scones served with our fresh lemon curd, English Devonshire cream and jams and preserves.
Holiday Storytelling -- Believing the Magic of Christmas
Sunday, December 13, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm.
Sunday, December 20, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
Reservations recommended. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
$5 per person.
What child wouldn't love the age-old tradition of a gift a day for twelve days of Christmas? Storyteller Claire Ramsey brings her favorite Christmas gifts to warm the heart for twelve days and more - stories of good old Saint Nick, magical gifts, and loving family. Kids, bring your stuffed animal and pillow to sit in our cozy. Stories will include: Santa Claus? Who's He?, The Polar Express, Tales of Christmas Around the World, The Night Before Christmas.
Swing Dance Lessons
Tuesday, December 8
7 pm - 10:30 pm. (Doors open 6:50 pm.) Reservations not required.
$10 per person. $5 per UNC student (must bring student ID).
Take part in our swing dance instruction & demonstration, followed by open dancing & light refreshments. All levels of experience welcome!
Real Men Wear Kilts -- Scottish Highland Dinner
Wednesday, December 9th
7 pm. Reservations required.
$39 per person.*
Join us for a Scottish Highland Dinner featuring bagpipes, highland dancing and holiday tales from Donald Ross. Enjoy a true Scottish Feast featuring Chef Jimmy Reale's award winning cuisine.
*Price does not include alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will be open throughout the evening.
Suzuki Academy of North Carolina
Sunday, December 13th
2:30 pm. Reservations not required. Free.
Enjoy a holiday performance by academy students ranging in ages from 5 to 10 years old. Holiday classics will be performed by this talented string ensemble.
The Carolina Inn's Own "Antiques Roadshow": Lunch and Tour
Thursday, December 10th & Tuesday, December 29th
11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Reservations required.
$25 per person.
The public areas of the Carolina Inn are filled with interesting American and English furnishings and art that date back to the 19th century. Join the Inn's historian, Dr. Kenneth Zogry, for lunch and a tour of some of these fascinating and historic objects.
"If Walls Could Talk": A Behind-the-Scenes History of the Carolina Inn: Lunch and Presentation
Tuesday, December 22nd
11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Reservations required.
$25 per person.
The Carolina Inn is a beautiful hotel, but it is also one of the oldest and most historic sites in Chapel Hill. Its walls hold stories of the history of the UNC-CH and North Carolina, dating back more than a century. Join the Inn's historian, Dr. Kenneth Zogry, for lunch and a fascinating "behind the scenes" PowerPoint presentation exploring this rich history.
Lords A'Leaping Luncheon
Wednesday, December 16th
11:30 am. Reservations required.
$25 per person.
Woody Durham, the voice of the Tar Heels, serves up his views on the upcoming Carolina basketball season while the Inn serves up a festive luncheon buffet. Go Heels!
Nine Ladies Tapping
Wednesday, December 16th
7 pm. No reservations required. Free.
A lively presentation by Footnotes Tap Ensemble, a professional tap company based in Durham. Light holiday refreshments.
"What It Means to be A Southern Grandmother" -- Talk & Luncheon with Cecilia Budd Grimes
Friday, December 18th
11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Reservations required.
$35 per person.
Join Cecilia Budd Grimes for an exquisite luncheon as she introduces her new book, What It Means to be a Southern Grandmother. Cecilia will take you on a fun romp through grandmotherly things from A to Z. This tell-all get together is for mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and granddaughters.
An Afternoon with Nicholas Nickleby
Saturday, December 19th
11:30 am - Afternoon Tea Luncheon at The Carolina Inn
2:00 pm - Matinee performance of Nicholas Nickleby - Part 1 at PlayMakers Repertory Company
Reservations required.
$49 per person (includes luncheon, theatre ticket & shuttle service).
We've created the ultimate VIP theatre experience for you. Join us prior to PlayMakers' matinee show of Nicholas Nickleby Part 1 for a delightful afternoon tea & luncheon. Enjoy award-winning, loose leaf teas in vintage china cups and saucers. Accompaniments will include an array of savory tea sandwiches, assorted sweets, and fresh baked scones served with our fresh lemon curd, English Devonshire cream and jams and preserves. Our valet attendants will escort you to the theatre and pick you up after the show. For more information about PlayMakers Repertory Company and their productions please visit playmakersrep.org.
You can also see Part 2 by purchasing your tickets from PlayMakers at 25% off! Part 2 will be performed Saturday, Dec 19, at 7:30pm ($24*) and Sunday, Dec 20 at 2pm ($22.50*). (* 25% off individual ticket price. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.) We are also selling part II tickets online - look for the listing on our reservation form.
Part II: Nicholas Nickleby at PlayMakers Repertory Company
Saturday, December 19, 7:30 PM - *$24.00 per person
Sunday, December 20, 2:00 PM - *$22.50 per person
Make a day of it and add tickets to Part 2 of Nicholas Nickleby at 25% off! We recommend that guests purchase tickets to Part II Nicholas Nickleby as an addition to their reservations for the "An Afternoon with Nicholas Nickleby" event listed above. (* 25% off individual ticket price. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.)
Holiday Cookie Decorating
Monday, December 21st & Tuesday, December 22nd
2 pm. Reservations required.
$10 per child.
Your children will find a wide array of holiday shapes and toppings to create their edible art. Children 7 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
Children's Etiquette Luncheon
Tuesday, December 22nd
11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Reservations required.
$35 per child. Seating limited.
A five-course dining tutorial, taught by certified etiquette and protocol professional, Cecilia Budd Grimes. Children 8-12 will learn dining do's and don'ts. Each child will receive a certificate and The Little Book of Etiquette at the graduation ceremony following lunch. Sunday dress code applies; jackets for boys (ties not required).
Ornament Making
Wednesday, December 23rd & Thursday, December 24th
2 pm. Reservations required.
$10 per child.
Christmas tree decorating will be extra special with your children's handmade ornaments. This is a fun event for kids of all ages. Children 7 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
Teddy Bear Tea with The Triangle Youth Ballet
Monday, December 28th
2 pm - 4 pm. Reservations required.
$20 adults & children 3-2, free under 3.
Come enjoy a fun-filled Teddy Bear Tea Party this holiday season with dancers from the Triangle Youth Ballet. Each table will have their own special character joining them for the afternoon. Live entertainment, story time and photo opportunities abound. Bring your camera and favorite teddy bear.
Fête de Trois Rois -- New Orleans Style Twelfth Night Gala
Saturday, January 2nd
7 pm. Reservations Required.
$75 per person.
This year's annual Twelfth Night Dinner will again pay special tribute to the unwavering spirit of the Crescent City. Laissez les bons temps rouler. The unique flavor and style of New Orleans will shine through when Executive Chef Jimmy Reale prepares a holiday feast that is sure to go down in history. This special multi-course dinner will include wine pairings selected by The Carolina Inn sommelier. 25% of gross receipts will be donated to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Live entertainment from Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos.