Friday, November 23, to Sunday, November 25

Smashfest

Friday, November 23

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Scrap Exchange, 2050 Chapel Hill Road, Durham

Do you ever feel like smashing things? It can feel good. Head to The Scrap Exchange for the perfect non-shopping Black Friday activity to bring your visiting family members. Or escape your family, depending on why you need to smash things. Admission is free and open to the public. You pay for smashables and food. There will also be live music, a movie, fire pits, non-breakable activities for kids, and more.

Thanksgiving Weekend Hikes at NC State Parks

Days and times throughout the weekend

Various parks

Many North Carolina State Parks are offering Thanksgiving Weekend hikes. These hikes are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience an alternative to the Black Friday madness and to make the most of the weekend. The hikes vary in difficulty. Participating parks include William Umstead State Park in Raleigh, Eno River State Park in Durham, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough, and Falls Lake State Recreation area in Wake Forest. Find the details at https://www.ncparks.gov/thanksgiving-hikes-2018

Lake Myra Christmas Lights

Every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

10 S. Cypress St, Wendell

One of the largest and most spectacular Christmas light displays in North Carolina is at 3rd St and Cypress St, Wendell. Lake Myra Christmas Lights features almost a quarter of a million lights that dance in a synchronized show, with special effects, to holiday music. This isn’t a drive-thru or walk-thru light show. You park and come and watch the show, which is one hour long. You’re welcome to bring a lawn chair. On Saturdays through Christmas, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Santa will be there. It is FREE to take pictures of your kids with Santa. Donations are accepted.

Hillsborough Classic Film Society Screening: Cranes Are Flying

Sunday, November 25

3 p.m.

Orange County Public Library—Main Library

137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough

The Hillsborough Classic Film Society is a new group that is showing classic, foreign and independent films once a month. At each film there is an expert speaker who sets the background for the film. There’s also free popcorn and bottled water. You can bring a folding chair, which you might find to be more comfortable than the library chairs. Next up will be The Cranes Are Flying, an award-winning Soviet film. It’s one of the first important films produced after Stalin’s death and after the heavy hand of film censorship was lifted. It’s a delicate love story, mixed with a reminder of the brutal consequences of war.